Cheese Balls That Ruled Every Party
If you’re lucky enough to go to a party today where a cheese ball is present, you know just how fun it is to be faced with a massive amount of cheese rolled up and coated in nuts and herbs. It was a crucial staple to any party in the 1970s. These weren’t just random party snacks – they were the centerpiece, the conversation starter, the thing everyone gathered around with their little crackers.
No 1970s party was complete without a cheese ball. It’s made from a mixture of cream cheese, shredded cheese, and various seasonings. It was a centerpiece of the buffet table as it’s rolled in chopped nuts, herbs, or bacon bits. Remember how it was served with a huge plate of crackers, allowing guests to help themselves. The magic was in its simplicity – cream cheese, some shredded cheddar, maybe a packet of onion soup mix, all rolled up in chopped pecans or herbs.
The Fondue Craze That Brought Everyone Together
Cooking your own food right in the middle of the table was all the rage in the ’70s. And while cheese fondue was a big part of it, options extended into cooking beef in a pot of oil, or other ingredients in a pot of broth. While these cooking methods are still around today, you were definitely fielding more invites to fondue parties back then than you are today. There was something magical about everyone dipping their bread cubes into that bubbling pot of melted cheese.
Fondue wasn’t just a meal – it was an event, a social ritual that turned eating into entertainment. People would spend hours around those little pots, laughing and talking while they tried not to lose their bread in the cheese. Few foods are more fun to eat than a good old-fashioned cheese fondue. Not only is it a fun throwback to the fondue craze of the ’70s but it is up there in some of the best foods for a small party.
Hamburger Helper – The Working Mom’s Best Friend
Home cooks around the country will forever be grateful for the day that Hamburger Helper hit the scene in 1971. It came with pasta and seasoning packets, so all you had to do was combine the separate pieces with water and ground beef to make a complete meal. This wasn’t gourmet cooking, but it was brilliant in its practicality.
New products like Cup O’Noodles, Hamburger Helper, and Quaker Oats granola, marketed as time-saving hacks for the working woman, gained popularity. For families juggling busy schedules, it represented freedom from lengthy meal prep. By 1977, sales were waning, prompting General Mills to introduce the spokes character named Lefty. It worked, saving the empire. Today there are over 30 flavors of Hamburger Helper, making it one of the most successful pop culture brands to grow out of the 1970s.
Jello Salads That Defied All Logic
Nothing says seventies like a shimmering mold of Jello filled with unexpected ingredients. The marketing team behind Jell-O was hard at work getting people to consume their product, and it shows – flavors include raspberry vanilla, 7-Up lime, and spiced cranberry. While we wouldn’t necessarily put these recipes hand in hand with a kale salad, they were definitely crowd-pleasers. These weren’t your simple fruit Jellos – we’re talking about elaborate creations with vegetables, nuts, and sometimes even meat suspended in those colorful, wobbly masterpieces.
Even seemingly playful creations like flavoured jelly moulds, often featuring fruits and vegetables suspended within their jellied confines, became a hallmark of the era. The infamous Watergate Salad was just the tip of the iceberg. People got seriously creative with these molds, turning them into architectural achievements that were part food, part art project.
Chicken à la King – Fancy Food for Regular People
This creamy chicken dish was a popular entrée in the 1970s and was considered “fancy” comfort food for special family dinners. Often served over rice, pasta, or toast points, some home cooks used canned mushrooms and peas to save time on preparation. It made people feel sophisticated while still being totally approachable for home cooking.
Chicken à la King brings back the creamy, savory flavors of tender chicken, bell peppers, and mushrooms in a classic sauce. Traditionally served over biscuits or rice, it’s a dish that feels timeless and comforting. Each spoonful captures the richness of family dinners that were popular in the 70s. This is a true comfort classic that holds its place at the table. The beauty was in its versatility – you could serve it at a fancy dinner party or just make it for Sunday night dinner.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake – Sweet Nostalgia
This classic cake is a staple summer dessert that never goes out of style. A sweet pineapple and cherry topping is paired with a light and airy cake for the perfect balanced bite. The magic happened when you flipped that cake over and revealed those perfect golden pineapple rings with their bright red cherry centers.
This visually stunning dessert was a showstopper at 1970s dinner parties and potlucks. The pineapple upside-down cake features rings of caramelized pineapple and maraschino cherries. The cake was baked with the fruit and brown sugar at the bottom of the pan, then inverted after baking to reveal the jewel-toned topping. It was a simple dessert that could be made with canned pineapple and a box of cake mix. The combination of convenience and elegance made it perfect for the era.
Beef Stroganoff – The Comfort Food Champion
Few dishes embodied seventies comfort like a hearty beef stroganoff served over egg noodles. Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff brings tender beef, savory mushrooms, and a creamy sauce together in a slow-cooked take on a 70s favorite. This dish is a fitting choice for those who love comforting, time-tested meals. The slow cooker enhances the flavors, making it a satisfying choice for family dinners. Each bite is a perfect blend of nostalgia and comfort.
The dish represented everything people loved about seventies cooking – it was hearty, filling, and could easily feed a crowd. Beef bourguignon slow cooks beef, vegetables, and wine until tender. While French-inspired, this hearty stew found a place in many American kitchens during the 1970s. It was practical for making ahead and serving to guests or family. This dish still carries the feeling of the comforting meals kids remember from that time.
Deviled Eggs – The Perfect Party Starter
Deviled eggs achieved peak popularity during this decade as the perfect balance of familiar comfort and party-worthy presentation, with their bright yellow centers and paprika garnish providing color and visual interest that photographed beautifully in party spreads. These weren’t just appetizers – they were little works of art that could elevate any gathering.
Every hostess had her own special twist on deviled eggs, whether it was adding a dash of curry powder, some finely minced celery for crunch, or a sprinkle of bacon bits on top. They were reliable, affordable, and always disappeared first at parties. The simple combination of hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, and a pinch of paprika created something that was both humble and elegant.
Cheese and Pineapple Sticks – Pure Party Magic
If there’s a party food to sum up the 1970s it’s got to be cheese and pineapple sticks. The very height of sophistication, these little canapés would often be served stuck into an upside down melon half – to sort of resemble a hedgehog! Classy, we think you’ll agree. These little appetizers perfectly captured the era’s love affair with combining sweet and savory flavors.
Before we even had Pinterest, we had this comically adorable party food, which is exactly what it sounds like: skewers of cheese cubes and cut-up pineapple stuck into a base in order to form an edible hedgehog. Don’t forget the olive eyes. The presentation was everything – those little toothpicks creating a spiky, colorful display that was both whimsical and delicious.
Tuna Noodle Casserole – The Ultimate Comfort Classic
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole brings the classic creamy, cheesy taste of tuna noodle casseroles from the 70s back to the table. Ready in under an hour, it’s a simple choice for family dinners and busy weeknights alike. This casserole also reheats well, making it a convenient option for anyone craving that familiar, comforting flavor. Each bite recalls memories of dinnertime favorites.
For instance, a classic tuna noodle casserole plays another role: Besides being a convenient weeknight dinner, it symbolizes resilience and familial connection. It was the dish that could stretch a can of tuna into a meal for the whole family, combining egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup, frozen peas, and those beloved crushed potato chips on top. Simple ingredients that somehow created pure magic when baked together until bubbly and golden.
