The Best Loved Recipes from the 1950s

Kelly’s Ham Jell-O® Salad

During World War II, Jell-O emerged as a popular alternative to sugar. However, in the Postwar era, Jell-O reached new culinary heights, often taking on savory forms like aspics and salads.

Oysters Rockefeller

"As a novice cook, I was a little apprehensive about making these, but I’ve now prepared them every Christmas Eve for the past two years," shares reviewer Sarsie. "My family loves them so much that I've made it a new holiday tradition—and earned a solid reputation in the kitchen!"

Cherry Angel Food Cake

"I had never baked an angel food cake before because I thought it would be too complicated," says reviewer CHARLOTTE. "This was amazing! I brought it to a church event, and it was gone in no time. I’m going to experiment with different fruits next time. Thanks for sharing such a great recipe!"

Creamed Onions and Peas

This vegetable-rich side dish comes together in no time and works well with both fresh and frozen peas. Many reviewers have also had success using canned peas. For an extra burst of flavor, feel free to double the spices.

Cream of Celery Soup

"This is so tasty, you'll never want to go back to the canned version," shares reviewer KATHY. "I needed a cream of celery recipe that I could make gluten-free, and this one was perfect! The flavor is amazing, and like many others, I left the veggies in and simply blended the soup with my immersion blender. The results were fantastic!"

Best Easy Chicken Croquettes

"I've always enjoyed chicken croquettes, but found them a bit tricky to make," reviewer CTL314 says. "This recipe was super simple and quick. I even swapped out the chicken for leftover turkey from Thanksgiving, and it worked perfectly."

Chicken Pot Pie

Nothing beats the comfort and tradition of a chicken pot pie. This version comes together in just over an hour, but using a pre-made crust can save you even more time.

Secret Recipe Chicken Fricassee

"This was my Grandma's secret family recipe passed down from her French ancestors," shares creator jodilmayer. "I’ve never found a recipe quite like it. The dish features a rich, creamy sauce over chicken... perfect when paired with mashed potatoes. It’s an excellent choice for Easter or Christmas dinner."

Chicken Thigh Fricassee with Mushrooms and Rosemary

When chicken thighs are combined with mushrooms, garlic, rosemary, olives, tomatoes, and white wine, the result is pure magic. This recipe is not only easy to prepare, but it's also delicious, even when enjoyed as leftovers.

Manhattan

Cocktails were a staple for mid-century drinkers, and the Manhattan is no exception. This version adds a twist, especially for those who might not have bitters on hand.

Rockin' Oysters Rockefeller

"THE BEST!!! We’ve been serving Oysters Rockefeller as a Christmas Eve tradition for years," says reviewer Rhonda. "We’ve tried countless recipes, but this is now 'THE RECIPE' we’ll stick with... the search is finally over."

Salmon Casserole Surprise

"This was surprisingly DELICIOUS," shares reviewer SubtleButStrong. "The photo may not do it justice, but trust me, combining salmon, potatoes, and a creamy sauce is a brilliant idea."

Real Welsh Rarebit

"Real Welsh Rarebit is the ultimate comfort food," says reviewer Cookie Momster. "It’s the perfect dish for a cozy family lunch on a rainy day. Since it comes together so quickly and my whole family loves it, it might just become a regular part of our meal rotation."

Lemon Chiffon Pie

"This pie is absolutely incredible," says reviewer larkspur. "I can’t even begin to describe how delicious it was... I made it for a church dinner, and it was the first dessert to disappear!"

Best Tuna Casserole

"This casserole is fantastic and may very well be the best I've ever had," says reviewer Michelle Roth-Kiva. "It brings back memories of the tuna casseroles my grandma and mom used to make, but this one is even better!!! Perfect for kids! I skipped the mushrooms since I’m not a fan. This pairs wonderfully with a cold glass of milk and Oreos for dessert, or if you have time, a Jell-O salad (like cherry cola Jell-O salad) and homemade brownies. Yum!"

Seven Layer Gelatin Salad

"This recipe is such a fun treat! My kids always ask for it and look forward to the times when we need to bring a dessert," says reviewer AMBERSACHS. "It’s also a great idea to add fruit to some of the layers for extra flavor."

Old Fashioned Cocktail

You can't go wrong with this timeless classic. Just be sure to use extra-large ice cubes, which melt slowly and help preserve the drink’s flavor for longer.

Orange Sherbet Salad

"This recipe is super simple to make and my kids absolutely loved it," says reviewer ELLENR. "It’s so delicious, it could easily pass as a dessert!"

Retro Ground Beef Casserole with Biscuits

Casseroles are always comforting, but add biscuits and the coziness is elevated to a whole new level. This classic dish takes just over an hour to make, and it tastes even better the next day.

Chicken a la King

Chicken a la King is a timeless favorite. It’s quick to make yet feels incredibly indulgent, making it a perfect 30-minute meal.

Sarah's Knish

"This recipe is fantastic and so simple! The filling is straightforward but packed with flavor, and you can easily customize it by adding cheese, meat, or veggies," says reviewer ginger. "The pastry was easy to work with, cooked perfectly, and tasted amazing."

Gimlet Cocktail

The gimlet, a true classic, perfectly blends the sharpness of gin with the bright zest of lime.

Cream of Tomato

Creator Lisa P shares that this classic soup is "best made with fresh, ripe tomatoes, though canned tomatoes work well too. If you're using fresh herbs, you'll need to use about three times more than you would with dried. I first had this soup when I visited an aunt, who made it just for me. Over the years, I created my own version to capture the flavor I remembered."

Honey Ginger Carrots

This easy-to-make, flavorful side dish is a winner every time. For the best taste, opt for fresh ginger rather than the powdered version. Make sure to slice the carrots thinly so they cook quickly and soak up all the delicious flavors.

Peppermint Chiffon Cake

"This was absolutely delicious," shares reviewer JINGRUM. "Everyone was asking for the recipe. It looks harder than it actually is, super simple to make. I topped it with Cool Whip and some festive sprinkles. The reviews were fantastic!"

Creamed Tuna on Toast

If you're in need of a quick, easy, and comforting meal that's perfect for kids, this one's for you. Reviewers suggest cutting back on the milk for a thicker, less runny texture.

Broiled Grapefruit

Add a touch of sweetness to your daily vitamin C intake with broiled grapefruit. This easy side dish complements both sweet and savory breakfast options.

Old-Time Penny Candy Buttons

"When I used royal icing, I noticed how it peeled off parchment paper just like the candy buttons from the 1950s," creator SHORECOOK shares. "That moment sparked the idea to recreate candy buttons. As a child, they were a great value at a penny each, and you got plenty!"

Raspberry Chiffon Pie

"I had completely forgotten about this delightful, refreshing summer treat my mother used to make so often when I was growing up in the 40s and 50s," recalls reviewer Elizabeth Duckworth. "It's funny how recipes seem to disappear, only to resurface and feel brand new again! I made this last week, and I’m grateful to those who mentioned the large amount of filling this recipe yields. I used an 8-inch springform pan and let it chill overnight in the fridge. It was tall and beautiful, especially with a few blueberries on top. I like to beat an egg white, roll the berries in it, and then sprinkle them with sugar."

Carrot Gelatin Salad

"This was always a holiday favorite at Grandma's," recalls reviewer KeepMeAwake. "Grandma would sometimes toss in some shredded cabbage if she had it on hand. It was a clever way to sneak veggies into the kids' meals. Now, pass the lemon jello! :)"