These 18 Recipes Still Taste Like The 1980s – In a Good Way

Some of the best food memories come from the totally over-the-top dishes we grew up with. These 1980s recipes? They’re like a warm hug from the past, full of bold flavors and just the right amount of kitschy charm. You might laugh at how retro they are, but one bite and you’ll remember why we were all obsessed. It’s a delicious little time machine, and I’m kind of here for it.

Sloppy Joe Casserole With Cornbread

A close-up of a skillet filled with tamale pie, a delicious take on beef casseroles. A serving spoon lifts out a portion, revealing seasoned ground beef filling beneath a golden, baked cornbread crust. — Sloppy Joe Casserole With Cornbread. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Quick and easy homemade sloppy joe casserole with cornbread is a great family friendly meal. Easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole With Cornbread

Pineapple Upside Down Cake (From Cake Mix!)

A round pineapple upside-down cake, a classic among vintage desserts, is topped with six pineapple rings—each with a red cherry center—displayed on a plate. The cake boasts a glossy, caramelized surface. — Pineapple Upside Down Cake (From Cake Mix!). Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

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The old-fashioned Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a simple and classic dessert that everyone loves. Made easy thanks to a cake mix!
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Upside Down Cake (From Cake Mix!)

Homemade Chicken Pot Pie With Puff Pastry

A skillet of chicken pot pie covered with puff pastry. — Homemade Chicken Pot Pie With Puff Pastry. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This super easy chicken pot pie recipe is made with flaky puff pastry for ease and a beautiful crispy texture on top.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Chicken Pot Pie With Puff Pastry

Southern 7 Layer Salad With Peas And Mayo

A bowl of 7 layer salad next to a serving spoon. — Southern 7 Layer Salad With Peas And Mayo. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This seven-layer salad gets even more delicious after sitting overnight! It’s stacked with layers of peas, bacon, mayo, romaine lettuce, and cheddar cheese.
Get the Recipe: Southern 7 Layer Salad With Peas And Mayo

Beef Stroganoff With Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup

A serving dish of creamy beef stroganoff. — Beef Stroganoff With Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This one-pot Beef Stroganoff is made with ground beef and homemade mushroom soup for an extra flavor boost.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stroganoff With Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup

Cajun Chicken And Sausage Gumbo (Under An Hour)

A warm and comforting Chicken and Sausage Gumbo made with a deep, flavorful roux, andouille sausage, and tender chicken.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Chicken And Sausage Gumbo (Under An Hour)

No-Bake Tiramisu Cake

A close-up of two slices of tiramisu, one of Italy’s classic homemade cakes, on white plates, topped with a dusting of cocoa powder over creamy filling and coffee-soaked ladyfingers. A light beige napkin is in the background. — No-Bake Tiramisu Cake. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

No- Bake Tiramisu Cake has delicate coffee-soaked ladyfingers, and sweet creamy mascarpone mixture to creates an amazing upscale dessert.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Tiramisu Cake

Easy Monkey Bread With Canned Biscuits

A single slice of monkey bread being removed from the bundt cake. — Easy Monkey Bread With Canned Biscuits. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This easy monkey bread recipe is a citrusy version of monkey bread with a Prosecco and orange juice glaze. Enjoy the leftover wine!
Get the Recipe: Easy Monkey Bread With Canned Biscuits

Easy Taco Casserole With Fritos

A spoon removing a scoop of cheesy taco casserole. — Easy Taco Casserole With Fritos. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Loaded with ground beef, refried beans, cheese, and crunchy Fritos, this easy taco casserole is the perfect blend of bold flavors and crave-worthy textures.
Get the Recipe: Easy Taco Casserole With Fritos

Southern Chicken Fried Steak With White Gravy

A bite of chicken fried steak on a fork. — Southern Chicken Fried Steak With White Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Tender, juicy, and crispy chicken fried steak is served with creamy white gravy and all of your favorite sides.
Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken Fried Steak With White Gravy

Easy Crawfish Etouffee Recipe

A bowl of crawfish etoufee over rice next to a bowl of green onions. — Easy Crawfish Etouffee Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Follow these steps at home to make your very own cajun crawfish etouffee recipe. This special dish with crawfish tails takes planning, but it’s 100% worth it.
Get the Recipe: Easy Crawfish Etouffee Recipe

Baked Penne With Vodka Sauce, Ricotta & Sausage

A spoon full of baked pasta. — Baked Penne With Vodka Sauce, Ricotta & Sausage. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This recipe for baked penne pasta combines homemade vodka sauce, withricotta cheese and crumbled Italian sausage. An easy pasta casserole!
Get the Recipe: Baked Penne With Vodka Sauce, Ricotta & Sausage

Stuffed Potato Skins

Bacon and cheese stuffed potato skins are loaded up into mini potatoes and baked for an easy crispy appetizer. Perfect finger food!
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Potato Skins

Marinated Shrimp Recipe

A bowl filled with cooked shrimp garnished with herbs and thin onion rings, seasoned with pepper and inspired by classic shrimp recipes, sits on a tiled surface beside a gray napkin and a spoon. — Marinated Shrimp Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This marinated cold shrimp is a no fuss recipe that sits overnight in an Old Bay and lemon sauce for perfect shrimp cocktails.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Shrimp Recipe

Classic Baked Ziti Recipe (Easy!)

Warm and comforting, this is an easy-to-make classic Baked Ziti recipe filled with Italian Sausage, tomato sauce, and cheese to the max!
Get the Recipe: Classic Baked Ziti Recipe (Easy!)

Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe For A Crowd: Easy Slow Cooker

Two sloppy joe sandwiches on round buns sit on a white tray with a blue rim, accompanied by pickles. One sandwich is stacked atop the other on parchment paper—classic comfort food perfect for slow cooker recipes. — Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe For A Crowd: Easy Slow Cooker. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This made-from-scratch sloppy joe recipe for a crowd has a sweet and tangy sauce, easy to prepare and simmer in a slow cooker.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe For A Crowd: Easy Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers With Italian Sausage

Three stuffed bell peppers, inspired by classic 1980s recipes, two red and one orange, filled with rice and topped with shredded cheese and chopped fresh herbs, served on a light-colored plate. — Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers With Italian Sausage. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, and garlic are cooked in the slow cooker for a low-effort weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers With Italian Sausage

Baked Spaghetti With Creamy Vodka Sauce

A close-up of a cheesy baked spaghetti casserole with tomato sauce and ground meat, topped with melted cheese and herbs, makes for one of those easy date night dinners—served with a fork lifting a gooey, delicious portion. — Baked Spaghetti With Creamy Vodka Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Baked spaghetti with vodka sauce is a creamy pasta that makes an easy meal that you can prepare in twenty minutes for a hungry crowd.
Get the Recipe: Baked Spaghetti With Creamy Vodka Sauce

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