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Photo: Melissa Goff
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
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Green Bean Casserole
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!" —Elena
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02
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Tater Tot Casserole
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." —barryzimm
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03
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Pink Stuff
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." —Karen
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04
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Party Meatballs
"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." —fabeveryday
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05
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4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler
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." —Nicole McLaughlin
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06
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Sausage Balls
Meredith Food Studio
“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!” —Stephanie
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07
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Watergate Salad
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 minute,s 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." —Jennifer
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08
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Easy Tuna Casserole
"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." —LMCDEVIT
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09
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2-Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake
lutzflcat
"A great stand-by recipe for unexpected visitors. Quick, easy and tasty." —Mary M
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10
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Community Cookbook Pierogi Soup
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." —Bailey Fink
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11
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Chicken Cordon Bleu
Allrecipes Magazine
"Super easy to make, minimal ingredients and very tasty…the whole family liked it!" —BlessedMama
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12
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Brown Sugar Ham Steak
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
"So simple and quick, but moist and delicious!" —Vicki
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13
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Baked Pork Chops with Cream of Mushroom Soup
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." —CANDYLOTUS
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14
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Brown Sugar and Pineapple Glazed Ham
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." —Lex
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15
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Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge
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." —herbwife
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16
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Pigs in a Blanket
"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." —Brandie2134
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17
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Kool-Aid Pie
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." —blue
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18
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Rotel Dip with Sausage
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." —Nicole Russell
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19
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Brown Sugar Smokies
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." —TINACLINKENBEARD
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20
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Sarah's Ambrosia Fruit Salad
Molly
"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." —smviolante
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21
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More Inspiration
Meredith Food Studios
- 30 Vintage Dinner Party Recipes That’ll Never Go Out of Style
- 15 Tried-And-True Recipes from Vintage Cookbooks
- 20 Cheap Vintage Recipes We Come Back to Again and Again
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