A comforting meal doesn't have to be complicated. These simple dinners come together with just 5 ingredients (not including basics like water, salt or oil) and are total blasts from the past.
5-Ingredient Dinners from the ‘50s
Updated on Sep. 19, 2024
Baked Ham with Pineapple
I first learned the technique for baked ham with pineapple for a themed dinner my husband and I hosted. Since it is widely known as the symbol of hospitality, pineapple was the star ingredient on our menu and on this lovely baked ham. —JoAnn Fox, Johnson City, Tennessee
1/28
2/28
Tomato Soup
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Creamy, rich and bursting with brightness, this soup is the ultimate sidekick to a grilled cheese sandwich. — Josh Rink, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 104 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 572mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat.
3/28
Hot Roast Beef Sandwich
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Just like Mom or Grandma used to make—but so much quicker! Store-bought mashed potatoes and gravy and deli roast beef help you turn out this heartwarming combination before you can say, “Order up!” —Ruth Ann Bott, Lake Wales, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup meat mixture with 1/2 cup potatoes and 1 slice bread: 347 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 2051mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein.
4/28
Lazy Lasagna
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
On hectic nights, no one has the time to stack several layers of lasagna. My version combines a few steps to cut down on prep, but keeps all the cheesy, saucy goodness that makes lasagna an all-time favorite. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 332 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 901mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein.
5/28
Onion Pie
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother and mother always make onion pie during the holidays, but it's good any time. This is a savory side dish that you can serve with almost any meat or main course. It's especially good with roast beef. —Mary West, Marstons Mills, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 170 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 163mg cholesterol, 176mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein.
6/28
Ham & Jack Pudgy Pie
Total Time
10 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
Pepper jack cheese adds spicy flavor to these warm, melty sandwiches. —Terri McKitrick, Delafield, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 268 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 823mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 medium-fat meat.
7/28
Parmesan Baked Cod
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a goof-proof way to keep oven-baked cod moist and flavorful. My mom shared this recipe with me years ago and I've loved it ever since. —Mary Jo Hoppe, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 247 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 500mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 3 fat.
8/28
Spaetzle Dumplings
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These tender homemade spaetzle noodles take only minutes to make and are a natural accompaniment to chicken. You can serve them with chicken gravy or simply butter them and sprinkle with parsley. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 223 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 130mg cholesterol, 856mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.
9/28
Deviled Chicken
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family has always loved this flavorful golden brown chicken. I watch for frequent sales on leg quarters to keep the cost per serving low. —Linda Trammell, Kingston, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 leg quarter: 345 calories, 24g fat (9g saturated fat), 125mg cholesterol, 567mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 30g protein.
10/28
Pigs in a Blanket
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These baked hot dog sandwiches appeal to kids of all ages. Even my husband, Allan, admits to enjoying every bite! We like to dip them in ketchup and mustard. —Linda Young, Longmont, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
2 sandwiches: 516 calories, 39g fat (12g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 1365mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 16g protein.
11/28
Skewered Ginger Shrimp with Plums
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Sweet, simple and sensational, these shrimp skewers boast loads of flavor with just four ingredients. Throw them on the grill for a quick dinner or tasty potluck dish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 skewer: 173 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 1295mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 19g protein.
12/28
Savory Onion Chicken
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Dinner doesn't get any easier than this tasty onion soup chicken entree. Buy chicken that's already cut up to save even more time. —Julia Anderson, Ringgold, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 231 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 469mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 25g protein.
13/28
Weekday Beef Stew
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Beef stew capped with flaky puff pastry adds comfort to the weeknight menu—my family is always glad to see this meal. Make a salad and call your crowd to the table. —Daniel Anderson, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups with 1 pastry round: 604 calories, 25g fat (8g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 960mg sodium, 65g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 9g fiber), 32g protein.
14/28
Pork Chops with Apples and Stuffing
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The heartwarming taste of cinnamon and apples is the perfect accompaniment for these tender pork chops. The dish is always a winner with my family. Because it calls for only four ingredients, it's a main course I can serve with little preparation. —Joan Hamilton, Worcester, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 527 calories, 21g fat (9g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 550mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 3g fiber), 36g protein.
15/28
Herbed Rib Roast
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The aromatic mixture of herbs and garlic turns this tender roast into a real treat. Our children and grandchildren look forward to feasting on it at Christmastime. —Carol Jackson, South Berwick, Maine
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked beef: 397 calories, 29g fat (12g saturated fat), 107mg cholesterol, 319mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 32g protein.
16/28
Burger Americana
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Go on a burger road trip in your own backyard. Grill the patties and load them sky-high with your favorite toppings. For instance, peanut butter and bacon make them southern style; coleslaw and tomatoes,
a northern version. —Susan Mahaney, New Hartford, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 burger (calculated without toppings): 429 calories, 20g fat (6g saturated fat), 123mg cholesterol, 796mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein.
17/28
Orange-Glazed Ham
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious ham looked like a sparkling jewel on the table when my mom served it for Easter dinner. The flavor of the spice rub penetrates through every tender slice. Even its enticing aroma while baking can't match the wonderful taste. —Ruth Seitz, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
6 ounces cooked ham: 243 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 1203mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 0 fiber), 34g protein.
18/28
Chicken & Vegetable Kabobs
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In the summer, my husband and I love to cook out, especially vegetables. These kabobs not only taste delicious but look amazing, too! —Tina Oles, Nashwauk, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 kabob: 228 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 515mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
19/28
Picante Omelet Pie
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 298 calories, 23g fat (14g saturated fat), 276mg cholesterol, 384mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 16g protein.
20/28
Apple-Dijon Pork Roast
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe takes just minutes to assemble and is delicious. I like to serve the roast with rice, then use the tangy sauce as a gravy for both. —Cindy Steffen, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked pork with about 2 tablespoons gravy: 197 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 413mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch.
21/28
Ham & Spinach Casserole
Total Time
45 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is down-home cooking at its best! Ham and veggies join forces with a creamy sauce and pretty topping to create a hearty one-dish meal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 376 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 2334mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 6g fiber), 28g protein.
22/28
Super Spaghetti Sauce
Total Time
30 min
Servings
10 servings (2-1/2 quarts.)
From the Recipe Creator:
At my house, we never know how many we'll have for dinner. That's why this spaghetti sauce is one of my favorites - flavorful, filling and fast. Smoked kielbasa gives it depth, and salsa adds the kick. —Bella Anderson, Chester, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 325 calories, 21g fat (7g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 1378mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 2g fiber), 17g protein.
23/28
24/28
Gumbo in a Jiffy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a yummy dish. My husband loves the kick that the sausage gives this quick gumbo, and it’s such a cinch to assemble. —Amy Flack, Homer City, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 279 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 1197mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 11g protein.
25/28
Cheese Chicken Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings (22/3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Kids won’t think twice about eating their vegetables after tasting this cheesy soup. —LaVonne Lundgren, Sioux City, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 429 calories, 22g fat (11g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 1464mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 33g protein.
26/28
Beefy French Onion Potpie
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this dish knowing that my husband loves French onion soup—which I turned into a perfect base for the hearty, beefy potpie. —Sara Hutchens, Du Quoin, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 553 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 1550mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 38g protein.
27/28
Glazed Roast Chicken
Total Time
1 hour 45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to make this for weeknight dinners. You can make this roast chicken with apricot glaze or quince jelly. —Victoria Miller, San Ramon, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 437 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 458mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 0 fiber), 34g protein.
28/28
Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious chicken and broccoli casserole recipe is a twist on chicken divan that came from an old boss. It’s quick, satisfying comfort food. —Jennifer Schlachter, Big Rock, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 317 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 899mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein.
