June Cleaver from the show Leave it to Beaver was portrayed as the perfect 1950s housewife. She spent her time keeping up with Wally and the Beaver, ensuring her home was spotless and, of course, cooking delicious scratch-made meals. This collection of classic 1950s recipes include soul-warming main dishes, appetizers and desserts you might have found on the family table. Next, check out these recipes inspired by I Love Lucy.
Traditional Meat Loaf
Topped with a sweet sauce, this meat loaf tastes so good that you might want to double the recipe so everyone can have seconds. It also freezes well. —Gail Graham, Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Molded Strawberry Salad
This refreshing salad has two layers - a pretty pink bottom that includes sour cream, and a ruby red top with strawberries and pineapple. For years, Mom has included this salad in meals she prepares for our family. -Gloria Grant, Sterling, Illinois
Sweet & Savory Pineapple Cheese Ball
One of my favorite dishes in childhood was my mom's pineapple and green pepper cheese ball. Now I make it, and it’s always a hit. —Susan Harrison, Laurel, Maryland
Favorite Coconut Cake
When I need an impressive dessert for a special occasion, this is the recipe I depend on. My guests are glad I do! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
Cheesy Cream of Asparagus Soup
Kids may not want to try a vegetable soup, but once they spoon up a mouthful of this cheesy variety, the flavor will keep them coming back for more. —Muriel Lerdal, Humboldt, Iowa
Ham & Veggie Casserole
I’ve paired ham with broccoli and cauliflower for years. To complete this casserole dinner, I pass around the dinner rolls. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies
"My mom always brightened my lunch with these yummy cookies," shares Tammy Orr of Wharton, New Jersey.
Spicy Shrimp & Crab Cocktail
I don’t usually like radishes, but I love them in this shrimp cocktail. Serve it straight up, with tortilla chips or on a bed of butter lettuce. A zippy Bloody Mary mix works just as well as spicy V8. —Heidi Knaak, Liberty, Missouri
Mom's Fluffy Scrambled Eggs
I make these fluffy scrambled eggs when family comes for breakfast or when I just want to do something extra special for myself in the morning. My favorite cheese for this recipe is freshly grated white cheddar, but whatever you have in the fridge works! —Kailey Thompson, Palm Bay, Florida
Warm Grapefruit with Ginger-Sugar
Hostess Stephanie Levy greets her guests sweetly with broiled grapefruit—a specialty at her Lansing, New York B&B. Try it as an appetizer for breakfast or brunch or as a light, anytime dessert.
Turkey a La King
This is a smart way to use up leftover turkey. You might want to make a double batch! —Mary Gaylord, Balsam Lake, Wisconsin
Baked Ham with Pineapple
I first learned the technique for cooking pineapple ham for a themed dinner my husband and I hosted. Since it was 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
The Best Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
What makes this the best out of all the scalloped potatoes recipes out there? I slice them extra thin and toss them in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. Then, to make them the best ever, I sprinkle homemade bread crumbs on top—they get nice and crispy in the oven. Make room for these at all your family get-togethers. —Aria Thornton, Taste of Home Prep Cook
Hearty Split Pea Soup
For a different spin on traditional pea soup, try this split pea soup recipe with corned beef. The flavor is peppery rather than smoky, and a tasty change of pace. —Barbara Link, Alta Loma, California
Spumoni Baked Alaska
For a refreshing end to a rich meal, try this freezer finale. Its intriguing interior and pretty color scheme are bound to garner oohs and aahs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Classic Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
This pineapple upside-down cake is a classic recipe that never goes out of style! It’s delicious with the traditional pineapple, but try it with peaches or a combination of cranberries and orange. —Bernardine Melton, Paola, Kansas
Classic Swedish Meatballs
I'm a "Svenska flicka" (Swedish girl) from northwest Iowa, where many Swedes settled at the turn of the century. This recipe was given to me by a Swedish friend. It's obviously a 20th century version of a 19th century favorite, since back then they didn't have bouillon cubes or evaporated milk! I think you'll agree that these modern-day "Kottbullar" are very tasty. —Emily Gould, Hawarden, Iowa
Hearty Salisbury Steaks
I love serving Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables. With its down-home taste, this meal disappears fast! —Dorothy Bayes, Sardis, Ohio
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Families are sure to love the creamy texture and comforting taste of this traditional tuna casserole that goes together in a jiffy. I serve it with a green salad and warm rolls for a nutritious supper. —Ruby Wells, Cynthiana, Kentucky
Tomato Juice Cocktail
This recipe came from my mother-in-law and many say it’s the best tomato juice they’ve ever tasted. It has a little eye-opening kick to it that’s wonderful! —Beverly Cottrell, Ipswich, Maine
Cucumber Canapes
I always get requests for the recipe for these canapes whenever I serve them. They're delicate finger sandwiches with a creamy herb spread and festive red and green garnishes. —Nadine Whittaker, South Plymouth, Massachusetts
Olive-Stuffed Celery
My grandmother taught both me and my mom this appetizer recipe for stuffed celery. We always serve it at Christmas and Thanksgiving. The stuffing is so yummy that even if you don't normally care for the ingredients on their own, you'll love the end result. —Stacy Powell, Santa Fe, Texas
Best Deviled Eggs
Herbs lend amazing flavor, making these the best deviled eggs you can make!—Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia
Potato Clam Chowder
I ran across this recipe in one of my antique cookbooks. It's a timeless classic I like to prepare for friends and family throughout the year, but especially during the holidays. —Betty Ann Morgan, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Golden Chicken Potpie
The golden crust and creamy sauce make this veggie-packed pie a surefire hit. Mild and comforting, the family favorite has convenient freezer instructions for a night when there's no time for prep. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Lemon-Garlic Lima Beans
When I was growing up on Cyprus, my mother would often make this side dish to have with roast lamb. Although I hated lima beans when I was a kid (who didn't?), I love them now. They always remind me of home. —Paris Paraskeva, San Francisco, California
Easy Baked Beans
My family enjoys this easy baked beans recipe with cornbread, but it also rounds out any cookout. Canned pork and beans make meal prep quick. —Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas
Three-Cheese Stuffed Onions
Rich and decadent describe this deliciously different vegetable side dish featuring three kinds of cheese.
Mom's Chopped Coleslaw
For Friday dinners, my mother made coleslaw to go with our fish. It’s still a family tradition, and the tangy dressing even works on a tossed salad. —Cynthia McDowell, Banning, California
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pudding
One of the nice things about this easy pudding is you don't have to stand and stir it. It's a must for us at Christmas—at Thanksgiving and Easter, too! I also make it into a pie with graham cracker crust that our grandchildren love. —Amber Sampson, Somonauk, Illinois
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Katie Bandurski