33 Vintage Recipes That Make Us Grateful for Takeout and Microwaves

Author image for John Summers
John Summers • Contributor
Jul 30, 2025 7:00 PM EDT

Look, I don't know if food in the past was actually gross or if it's just that all the photos from back then that made everything look so unappetizing. What I do know is that flipping through these old recipe cards makes me very thankful to be alive in a time where dinner can show up at your door with a single tap. Maybe that's the real difference: back then, if you wanted a meal, you had to make one — and cooking is a talent. Not everyone had it. Today, if you can't cook, no worries — frozen food exists. Air fryers exist. Takeout exists. 

These 33 vintage recipes are a trip to a culinary past I have no interest in visiting. Molded meat salads? Tuna-stuffed peaches? No thank you. I'm good right here in the future with my microwave burrito and my dignity intact.

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  • 01

    Potatoes and Tongue, 1973

    CASSEROLES Scalloped Potatoes & Tongue CARD 87 1973 Curtin Publications, Inc., New York, N.Y. PRINTED IN U.S.A.
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  • 02

    Jello ring, 1967

    CALIFORNIAN JELLO RING SLIMMERS CARD 31
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  • 03

    Tuna Lasagna, 1971

    TUNA LASAGNA FREEZE-AHEAD MAIN DISHES 37 A Tuna Lasagna is a blonde version of the tomato and sausage main dish. A creamy celery soup mixture takes the place of the tomato sauce. Three cheeses-mozzarella, American, and parmesan-also contrib- ute to the flavor. Accompany the casserole with a tossed green salad. BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS RECIPE CARD LIBRARY
    via FAUST44
  • 04

    Veal dinner, 1974

    Make-Ahead Main Dishes FREEZER-TO-OVEN VEAL DINNER 9 © Weight Watchers Recipe Cards
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  • 05

    Molded egg salad, 1988

    Cheezburger Image 10535828992
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  • 06

    Ham stuffed potatoes, 1971

    HAM-STUFFED POTATOES 18P HEARTY BAKED VEGETABLES 卷 How can you have meat and potato all in one entrée without making a casserole? Prepare Ham-Stuffed Potatoes, a twice-baked vegetable. The potato stuffing is full of ground ham, Swiss cheese, green pepper, pimiento, and onion. Sprinkle American cheese atop near end of baking. BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS RECIPE CARD LIBRARY
    via FAUST44
  • 07

    Cornburger, 1971

    JUMBO CORNBURGER MEATY CASSEROLES AND MAIN DISH PIES Jumbo Cornburger is a giant hamburger that's been turned into a casserole-a colorful vegetable layer is sandwiched between two large meat patties. Cut in wedges to serve. If desired, omit the tomato wedges on top and serve the giant burger with warmed catsup. BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS RECIPE CARD LIBRARY 13M
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  • 08

    Giant grillburger with warmed ketchup, 1971

    GIANT STUFFED GRILLBURGER 28J FLAVORFUL WAYS WITH MEATS You'll need a wire grill basket to cook Giant Stuffed Grillburger over the coals. Sandwiched between the two layers of seasoned meat is a stuffing mixture enhanced with mushrooms, green onion, and parsley. Pass warmed catsup to serve with wedges of the giant beef burger. BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS RECIPE CARD LIBRARY
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  • 09

    JEWEL FRUIT TORTE

    CONTEMPORARY COOKING 90 JEWEL FRUIT TORTE McCall's Great American Recipe Card Collection
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  • 10

    Ummm... Pieces of meat in jello?!

    Cheezburger Image 10535830784
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  • 11

    Brains and bacon

    Brains and bacon 1 lb (450 gm) calves' brains 2 tablespoons (30 ml) sherry 4 oz (100 gm) back bacon oz (12 gm) seasoned flour pint (300 ml) stock 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Worcestershire sauce chopped parsley for decoration Soak brains in salted water for 20 minutes. Remove and place in 1 pints (900 ml) boiling water to which you have added a pinch of salt. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Drain well and wrap each brain in a slice of bacon. Secure with a wooden cocktail stick and place in a 2-pint
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  • 12

    Frankaroni! 1958

    E 21 FRANKARONI LOAF-Cheese Custard Pie Copyright 1958 Tested Recipe Institute, Inc., New York 00000
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  • 13

    Sausage, bean and tomato pizza, 1984

    Sausage-Bean Pizza Quiches, Crepes and Other Greats Card 30 6 MCMLXXXIV MY GREAT RECIPES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN HOLLAND
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  • 14

    Manicotti 1973

    COOK TO FREEZE Manicotti CARD 162 1973 Curtin Publications, Inc., New York, N.Y.. PRINTED IN U.S.A.
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  • 15

    Sardine stuffed lemons

    Sardine-stuffed Lemons 3 large lemons 2 x 120 g (41/2 oz) cans sardines salt and pepper 2 x 5 ml (2 teaspoons) grated horseradish 5 x 15 ml (5 tablespoons) hot water 1 sachet Davis Gelatine 5 x 15 ml (5 tablespoons) double cream parsley or chervil to garnish Cut the lemons in half lengthways. Carefully cut out the flesh and reserve a few segments for garnish. Squeeze the rest. Drain the sardines and mash well. Season with salt and pepper, horseradish, and lemon juice. Put the water and gelatine
    via FAUST44
  • 16

    Sherbet roll, 1971

    RAINBOW SHERBET ROLL DESSERT SPECTACULARS 5 The Betty Crocker Recipe Card Library
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  • 17

    PARSLEY-GLAZED HAM

    COOKING WITH WINE 14t PARSLEY-GLAZED HAM McCall's Great American Recipe Card Collection
    via FAUST44
  • 18

    Deviled Whitebait, 1968

    CARRIER INTERNATIONAL COOKERY CARD 米 I Devilled Whitebait
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  • 19

    Raw meat with sauce, 1974

    (Yug-hoe) 13 (Raw Meat with Sauce)
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  • 20

    Fish pancake, 1971

    Fish pancake
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    Fish…pancake!

  • 21

    Blueberry cream cheese salad, 1984

    Blueberry Cream Salads and Cheese Salad Their Dressings Card 37 2 MCMLXXXIV MY GREAT RECIPES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN HOLLAND
    via FAUST44
  • 22

    Liver Fritada, 1975

    LIVER FRITADA Main Dishes In Minutes 250 Cut liver while bacon fries. Drain bacon; cook onion. Coat liver strips with flour. Stir in tomatoes and corn. 9 Betty Crocker's Step-by-Step Recipes
    via FAUST44
  • 23

    meatloaf train

    ㅁ Meat Loaf Train SERVES 8-10 Just the dish to enchant the youngsters at any party. 1/2 pounds ground chuck 1/2 pound ground lean pork 2 cups dry bread crumbs 2 eggs, well beaten 11/2 cups evaporated milk 1 small onion, grated 2 teaspoons salt 2 tablespoons Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce Mashed potatoes 2 raw carrots Cooked vegetables Combine all ingredients except the potatoes, carrots and cooked vege- tables. Blend well. Cut mixture into 8-10 pieces. Shape each piece into a small loaf, wit
    via FAUST44
  • 24

    Noodle Pudding 1973

    COOK TO FREEZE Noodle Pudding CARD 164 1973 Curtin Publications, Inc., New York, N.Y. PRINTED IN U.S.A.
    via FAUST44
  • 25

    Chicken and taro leaves, 1972

    MOA LUAU (Chicken and taro leaves) 5
    via FAUST44
  • 26

    Recipe is basically toast, capers and anchovies, 1968

    3 Scotch woodcock
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  • 27

    stuffed pancakes, 1963

    Cheezburger Image 10535835648
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  • 28

    CHICKEN LIVERS OVER CRUNCHY NOODLES

    TIMESAVER MAIN DISHES 15 CHICKEN LIVERS OVER CRUNCHY NOODLES 12-EE The Betty Crocker Recipe Card Library
    via FAUST44
  • 29

    LIVERWURST BUNDLES

    LIVERWURST BUNDLES 24E MEAL-IN-A-SANDWICH Liverwurst Bundles, made with a homemade rye bread dough, are hearty turnover-type sandwiches that can be packed for a picnic. You can freeze the sandwiches after they are cooled. Eat the sandwiches when they're thawed, but still chilly. Serve fruit for dessert. BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS® RECIPE CARD LIBRARY
    via FAUST44
  • 30

    TROUT VINE LEAVES

    MEMORABLE SUMMER MEALS 22q TROUT IN VINE LEAVES McCall's Great American Recipe Card Collection
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  • 31

    Tuna tomato polenta, 1975

    Mainstays Without Meat 353 TUNA-TOMATO POLENTA Cook the cornmeal in 1-quart pan. Spread in dish; refrigerate 8 hours. Mix tomato sauce, tuna, celery, basil. Spread of the tuna mixture in dish. Place pieces of cornmeal on sauce. Top with remaining sauce and cheese. 12 Betty Crocker's Step-by-Step Recipes
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  • 32

    bacon wrapped tomato with egg

    Baconlindad tomat Smårätter Kort nr P 13
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  • 33

    This is where I draw the line

    Convenience Fish FLUFFY MACKEREL PUDDING 7 Weight Watchers Recipe Cards
    via FAUST44

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