Additional Coverage:
- 12 Retro Casseroles That Ruled Middle-Class Kitchens in the 1970s (blog.cheapism.com)
Groovy Grub: Casseroles that Defined the 70s
Forget disco, the real star of the 1970s was the casserole. These bubbling, cheesy, and oh-so-comforting dishes were a staple in every kitchen, gracing potlucks, church suppers, and family dinners alike. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit 12 classic casseroles that defined 70s home cooking.
Tuna Noodle Casserole: A postwar pantry staple, this classic combined canned tuna, cream of mushroom soup, and egg noodles, often topped with crunchy potato chips or cornflakes. Every family had their own version, passed down from mom and still enjoyed today.
Hamburger Helper Bakes: General Mills’ Hamburger Helper, introduced in 1971, wasn’t just for the stovetop. By the mid-70s, innovative home cooks were transforming these convenient mixes into hearty casseroles, baking them in 9×13 dishes and topping them with extra cheese.
Green Bean Casserole: This Campbell’s Soup kitchen creation, though a Thanksgiving favorite, became a year-round potluck superstar in the 70s. The creamy mushroom soup, tender green beans, and crispy fried onions were, and still are, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Bisquick “Impossible” Cheeseburger Pie: Bisquick’s “Impossible Pie” craze hit in the late 70s, with the cheeseburger version quickly becoming a family favorite. Ground beef, onions, and cheese were encased in a magically self-forming Bisquick crust, making dinner a breeze.
King Ranch Chicken: This Tex-Mex marvel, despite its name, has no connection to the famous ranch. Its true origins are murky, but its popularity in the 70s is undeniable. Layers of corn tortillas, chicken, Rotel tomatoes, cream of chicken and mushroom soups, and a generous helping of cheese made it a potluck legend.
Funeral Potatoes: This Utah Mormon community dish earned its unusual name from its frequent appearance at post-funeral luncheons. By the 70s, its comforting combination of hash browns, sour cream, cream soup, cheese, and crunchy cornflakes had spread far beyond church basements.
Chicken Divan: Inspired by a dish from New York’s Divan Parisien restaurant, the home-cooked version of Chicken Divan traded fancy Mornay sauce for mayonnaise and canned cream soup. This 70s adaptation was simpler and richer, perfect for a weeknight meal.
Chicken or Turkey Tetrazzini: Named after opera star Luisa Tetrazzini, this Americanized pasta bake became a popular way to use Thanksgiving leftovers. Canned cream soup replaced delicate sauces, boxed spaghetti stood in for fresh pasta, and the whole dish was blanketed in melted cheese.
One-Dish Chicken & Rice Bake: Simplicity at its finest. Uncooked rice, chicken, and a can of condensed soup baked together in the oven. Minimal effort, maximum flavor.
Broccoli, Rice & Cheese Casserole: A clever way to sneak in some veggies, this casserole combined broccoli, rice, and processed cheese, often Velveeta, for a creamy and kid-friendly dish.
Seven-Layer Casserole: A feast for the eyes and the stomach, this casserole layered raw ingredients – rice, ground beef, tomato sauce, onions, peppers, celery, and bacon – which then baked together into a harmonious whole.
John Wayne Casserole: Though the Duke himself contributed a different recipe to a 1979 cookbook, the John Wayne Casserole that gained popularity was a Tex-Mex creation with seasoned beef, tomatoes, peppers, a biscuit-like crust, and loads of cheese.
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- 12 Retro Casseroles That Ruled Middle-Class Kitchens in the 1970s (blog.cheapism.com)