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Foodanddrink

20 easy vintage recipes to make with just 5 ingredients (or fewer!)

Melissa Goff
Credit: Melissa Goff

From dinner to dessert.

From dinner to dessert.

These tried-and-true recipes have stood the test of time for good reason: They're shockingly easy—and come together quickly with just five ingredients (or fewer). From potluck-perfect appetizers and crowd-pleasing casseroles to wonderfully retro desserts and Jell-O salads, these five-ingredient vintage recipes deserve a spot on your table.

01 of 20

Green Bean Casserole

A spoon removing a portion from a green bean casserole topped with crunchy fried onions
Credit: Allrecipes/Julia Hartbeck

"The beloved dish has been a Thanksgiving tradition since it was created in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly, a chef from the Campbell's Test Kitchen. Campbell's printed the recipe right on the label of their soup cans and the rest is history!" —Recipe submitter Elena

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02 of 20

Tater Tot Casserole

Tater tot casserole in a baking dish.
Credit: ALLRECIPES/VICTORIA JEMPTY

"This Tater Tot casserole is a quick and easy dinner that everyone will love. Just four basic ingredients come together for this comforting dish." —Recipe submitter barryzimm

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03 of 20

Pink Stuff

Glass of creamy cherry salad with pecans on a blue surface.
Credit: Allrecipes / Sonia Bozzo

"My Mother-in-Love made this Pink Stuff for many years. However, she passed away in December of 2018 at the age of 98. Now it is time for me to carry on the family tradition and make the Pink Stuff." —Allrecipes member Karen

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04 of 20

Crock Pot Party Meatballs

an overhead shot of crock pot party meatballs
Credit: Nicholio

"This is my most requested party recipe. People go crazy for these slow cooker party meatballs, and there is never a single one leftover at the end of a party or tailgate." —Allrecipes Allstar fabeveryday

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05 of 20

4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler

peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream in white bowl
Credit: Ramona Cruz-Peters

"This peach cobbler is super simple to make in a crock pot for a delightfully sweet and comforting dessert. The cakey crust is rich and buttery, and the peaches are super juicy and bursting with flavor. Serve warm, topped with cold vanilla ice cream." —Allrecipes' Nicole McLaughlin

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06 of 20

Sausage Balls

a high angle view of a bowl full of golden-brown sausage balls
Credit: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

"These 3-ingredient sausage balls are a real crowd pleaser, whether you serve them as a breakfast or brunch treat, a party appetizer, a game-day nibble, or a holiday hors d'oeuvre. Savory sausage, store-bought biscuit mix, and sharp Cheddar cheese team up for a yummy savory flavor that can't be beaten!" —Recipe creator Stephanie

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07 of 20

Watergate Salad

A bowl of Watergate salad topped with maraschino cherries and sprinkled with chopped nuts, presenting a vibrant green hue typical of the dessert.
Credit: Allrecipes/Qi Ai

"Watergate salad is an American classic. This delightful side dish, salad, or dessert is made with pistachio-flavored instant pudding mix, canned pineapple, mini marshmallows, nuts, and whipped topping. It comes together in minutes, and after one to two hours in the refrigerator, this chilly treat will impress your dinner guests with its light and fluffy texture and colorful appeal." —Recipe submitter Jennifer

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08 of 20

Easy Tuna Casserole

serving of easy tuna casserole on white square plate
Credit: Melissa Goff

"This easy tuna pasta casserole is made with macaroni, creamy soup, cheese, tuna, and fried onions. I got this tasty recipe from my roommate. It's great as leftovers, too." —Recipe submitter LMCDEVIT

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09 of 20

2-Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake

angel food cake with strawberries and cream
Credit: lutzflcat

"A great stand-by recipe for unexpected visitors. Quick, easy and tasty." —Reviewer Mary M

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10 of 20

Community Cookbook Pierogi Soup

dumplings in broth
Credit: Africa Studio/Adobe Stock

"The soup is also entirely customizable using different pierogi flavors, veggies, and proteins. It's unassuming in looks, but the perfect warm comfort food that you'll actually look forward to making on a busy weeknight." —Allrecipes' Bailey Fink

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11 of 20

Chicken Cordon Bleu

a top down view of 4 golden-brown chicken cordon blues in a baking dish, each topped with melted Swiss cheese
Credit: DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS

"Super easy to make, minimal ingredients and very tasty ... the whole family liked it!" —Home cook BlessedMama

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12 of 20

Brown Sugar Ham Steak

A plate with a sliced brown sugar ham steak, topped with cracked black better and served with green beans and potatoes
Credit: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

"So simple and quick, but moist and delicious!" —Allrecipes member Vicki

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13 of 20

Baked Pork Chops with Cream of Mushroom Soup

A dish of baked pork chops with cream of mushroom sauce served with green beans and mashed potatoes
Credit: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

"These baked pork chops with cream of mushroom soup are fork-tender and great comfort food for cold days! The cream of mushroom soup gravy is great on both the pork chops and mashed potatoes." —Recipe submitter CANDYLOTUS

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14 of 20

Brown Sugar and Pineapple Glazed Ham

looking at a brown sugar and pineapple glazed ham resting on a cutting board with a few slices cut
Credit: dotdash meredith food studios

"This pineapple-glazed ham has been a holiday tradition in our house for years! Any leftover ham is delicious, served with some more fresh pineapple." —Recipe creator Lex

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15 of 20

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge

Chocolate fudge squares arranged on a blue plate.
Credit: Brie Goldman/ Food Styling: Annie Probst / Prop styling: Sue Mitchell

"Just like my grandmother used to make. So velvety smooth, and what fudge should taste like. This recipe is simple enough that even first-time fudge makers can make it turn out perfect … if they just take their time and they follow the directions. This is 5 stars all the way." —Reviewer herbwife

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16 of 20

Pigs in a Blanket

Several pigs in a blanket appetizers arranged on a blue surface
Credit: Allrecipes / Julia Hartbeck

"Pigs in a blanket made with refrigerated biscuit dough and hot dogs. Kids love them! My mom made it for me as did her mom." —Recipe submitter Brandie2134

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17 of 20

Kool-Aid Pie

Slice of pink Kool-Aid pie with whipped cream and cherries on a plate
Credit: Jason Donnelly / Food Styling: Holly Dreesman / Prop Styling: Natalie Ghazali

"This Kool-Aid pie is a super-easy and quick recipe I got from my mother-in-law. No cooking, no baking, just mixing and letting it set! Everyone will think you spent hours making the creamy and luscious filling." —Recipe submitter blue

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18 of 20

Rotel Dip with Sausage

birds eye view of hot cheese dip with sausage and basket of tortilla chips
Credit: Nicole Russell

"This Rotel dip with sausage is an amped-up version of the familiar Rotel and Velveeta dip, and only takes a couple of extra steps to make. Not only does adding sausage stretch the dip, but it also takes it to another level of flavor." —Recipe creator Nicole Russell

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19 of 20

Brown Sugar Smokies

A bowl of brown sugar smokies (smokie sausages wrapped in bacon) served with toothpicks on the side
Credit: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

"These bacon-wrapped little smokies with a brown sugar glaze are yummy! You can make these little smokies on skewers or toothpick them to secure." —Recipe submitter TINACLINKENBEARD

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20 of 20

Sarah's Ambrosia Fruit Salad

A bowl of ambrosia fruit salad with a wooden spoon
Credit: Allrecipes / Qi Ai

"This recipe has been in my family for years and years. We make it at every holiday family get-together, and everyone loves it. It's a great refreshing fruit salad for every occasion, especially summer months and hot days." —Recipe submitter smviolante

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