24 Meals We Miss from Our ’70s Dinner Table

24 Meals We Miss from Our ’70s Dinner Table

Read Time: 11 mins

24 Meals We Miss from Our ’70s Dinner Table2/24 Pasta Primavera 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Creamy Pasta Primavera Recipe photo by Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This pasta dish is a wonderful blend of crisp, colorful vegetables and a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 275 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 141mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 10g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat, 1 vegetable. 3/24 Easy Chow Mein 22 Reviews

Now I freeze leftovers for fast future meals

Test Kitchen Approved Easy Chow Mein Recipe photo by Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Some years ago, our daughter welcomed me home from a hospital stay with this easy Asian dish and a copy of the recipe. Now I freeze leftovers for fast future meals. —Kay Bade, Mitchell, South Dakota Nutrition Facts: 1 cup (calculated without noodles): 361 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 897mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 18g protein. 4/24 Chuck Wagon Tortilla Stack 7 Reviews

It’s easy to cut and remove the pieces from the pan

Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I make this skillet specialty on those night when I’m craving southwestern fare. It’s easy to cut and remove the pieces from the pan. —Bernice Janowski, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 slice: 539 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 1383mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 9g fiber), 30g protein. 5/24 Pepper Steak 32 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Easy Pepper Steak Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 4 servings Go to

This popular pepper steak recipe is tasty as well as colorful

Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We live on the eastern edge of the Sand Hills here in Nebraska, where most folks are ranchers. This popular pepper steak recipe is tasty as well as colorful. —Carolyn Butterfield, Atkinson, Nebraska Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 365 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 465mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 32g protein. 6/24 Creamy Scallop Crepes 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Creamy Scallop Crepes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These savory crepes feel so elegant for

the holidays

the holidays. I like to add a fourth teaspoon of fresh dill weed to the crepe batter. —Doreen Kelly, Hatboro, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 2 crepes: 331 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 641mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 2 fat. 7/24 Tender Steak Fajitas 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tender Steak Fajitas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The beef comes out tender, juicy and flavorful in the slow cooker when

I like to serve them with a side of Spanish rice

I make these tempting fajitas, notes Twila Burkholder, Middleburg, Pennsylvania. I like to serve them with a side of Spanish rice. Nutrition Facts: 1 fajita: 340 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 549mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable. 8/24 Hawaiian Pork Chops 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Hawaiian Pork Chops Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Looking for a great last-minute meal when friends drop in? Hampton, Virginia’s

Michelle Cavalier recommends one of her husband’s sweet-and-sour favorites

Michelle Cavalier recommends one of her husband’s sweet-and-sour favorites. “This is so easy, tastes just like Hawaiian pizza, and I usually have all ingredients on hand.” Nutrition Facts: 1 pork chop with 3/4 cup sauce: 250 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 554mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fruit, 1/2 fat. 9/24 Stuffed Peppers for Four 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Truly a meal in one, this quick supper

has it all: Veggies, meat, pasta and sauce, packed into tender peppers

has it all: Veggies, meat, pasta and sauce, packed into tender peppers. It’ll look so pretty on your table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 stuffed pepper: 448 calories, 18g fat (7g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 734mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 6g fiber), 30g protein. 10/24 Ground Beef Stroganoff 24 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe photo by Leticia Almeida for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I wanted to lighten my mother-in-law’s wonderful recipe and came up with this tasty beef

Stroganoff

Stroganoff. In our home, we call it special noodles. —Jennifer Riordan, St. Louis, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup beef mixture with 3/4 cup noodles: 333 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 329mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 fat. 11/24 Turkey Scallopini with Marsala Sauce 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family requests this entree at least once a month. The slightly sweet Marsala sauce is yummy over the turkey

slices and hot cooked noodles

slices and hot cooked noodles. —Briana Knight, Ferndale, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (calculated without linguine): 459 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 103mg cholesterol, 341mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein. 12/24 Turkey a la King with Rice 15 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to make this dish with our leftover turkey. It’s a nice change from casseroles and so simple. Serve over rice, noodles, biscuits or toast. —Pat Lemke, Brandon, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups turkey mixture with 1/2 cup

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable

rice: 350 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 594mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable. 13/24 Santa Fe Skillet 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Santa Fe Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: As a mother who works full-time, I’m always looking for quick, easy meals to prepare. This is a timeless recipe. —Lorie VanHorn, Waddell, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 287 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol,

1061mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein

1061mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein. 14/24 Cassoulet for Today 18 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: French cassoulet is traditionally cooked for hours. This version of the rustic dish offers the same homey taste in less time. It’s easy on the wallet too. —Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 394 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 736mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 8g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 starch, 1/2 fat. 15/24 Chicken

This makes the perfect comforting meal on a busy weeknight

Caesar Florentine 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 55 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I adapted this dish from my favorite chicken Caesar salad recipe. It has many of the same ingredients as the salad: croutons, grated Parmesan, chicken, and creamy Caesar dressing. This makes the perfect comforting meal on a busy weeknight. —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 stuffed chicken breast half: 553 calories, 32g fat (9g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 1109mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 48g protein. 16/24 Tangy Tropical Chicken Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 4

hours 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

hours 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: In this colorful dish, exotic fruits such as mango and pineapple beautifully complement the chicken and lend a pleasant hint of sweetness that’s balanced by a bit of soy sauce. —Christina Aho, Naples, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 299 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 760mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein. 17/24 Slow-Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 30 min Servings

The blend of spices gives it fabulous flavor,

6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe simplifies our busy lives and lets us celebrate family time with a hearty meal that is on the table fast. — Donna Harp, Cincinnati, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 590 calories, 37g fat (13g saturated fat), 118mg cholesterol, 1285mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 4g fiber), 30g protein. 18/24 Stovetop Goulash 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I created this recipe after trying goulash at a local restaurant. The blend of spices gives it fabulous flavor,

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

Hawaiian Pork Chops 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Hawaiian Pork Chops Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Looking for a great last-minute meal when friends drop in?

Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.

⭐ Expert Tips

  • Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

  • Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

  • Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

  • These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

  • Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

  • Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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