A comforting meal doesn't have to be complicated. These simple dinners come together with just 5 ingredients (not including basics like water, salt or oil) and are total blasts from the past.
5-Ingredient Dinners from the ‘50s
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Baked Ham with Pineapple
I first learned the technique for baked ham with pineapple for a themed dinner my husband and I hosted. Since it is 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
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Old-Fashioned Tomato Soup
Mother made this soup when I was a child, and it was always one of my favorites. After 75 years, it still is! Mother's cellar was filled with home-canned vegetables, so the basic ingredient of this soup was right at hand. It never took her long to make a kettle of this wonderful soup. —Wilma Miller, Port Angeles, Washington
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Hot Roast Beef Sandwich
Hot, open-faced sandwiches with velvety roast beef and rich gravy are a comfort food classic. This recipe uses pantry staples and convenient ingredients for a quick and delicious meal. Top with creamy mashed potatoes and horseradish for an extra kick!
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Lazy Lasagna
This five-ingredient lazy lasagna recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. It captures all the flavor of traditional lasagna, but it’s ready to eat in only 30 minutes.
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Onion Pie
Onion pie is as simple as it sounds. This frittata-like dish combines eggs, onions, breadcrumbs and cheese. It's a delicious choice for any meal.
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Ham & Jack Pudgy Pie
Pepper jack cheese adds spicy flavor to these warm, melty sandwiches. —Terri McKitrick, Delafield, Wisconsin
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Parmesan Baked Cod
This is a goof-proof way to keep oven-baked cod moist and flavorful. My mom shared this recipe with me years ago and I've loved it ever since. —Mary Jo Hoppe, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
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Spaetzle Dumplings
These tender homemade spaetzle noodles take only minutes to make and are a natural accompaniment to chicken. You can serve them with chicken gravy or simply butter them and sprinkle with parsley. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio
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Deviled Chicken
My family has always loved this flavorful golden brown chicken. I watch for frequent sales on leg quarters to keep the cost per serving low. —Linda Trammell, Kingston, Missouri
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Skewered Ginger Shrimp with Plums
Sweet, simple and sensational, these shrimp skewers boast loads of flavor with just four ingredients. Throw them on the grill for a quick dinner or tasty potluck dish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Savory Onion Chicken
Dinner doesn't get any easier than this tasty onion soup chicken entree. Buy chicken that's already cut up to save even more time. —Julia Anderson, Ringgold, Georgia
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Weekday Beef Stew
Beef stew capped with flaky puff pastry adds comfort to the weeknight menu—my family is always glad to see this meal. Make a salad and call your crowd to the table. —Daniel Anderson, Kenosha, Wisconsin
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Pork Chops with Apples and Stuffing
The heartwarming taste of cinnamon and apples is the perfect accompaniment for these tender pork chops. The dish is always a winner with my family. Because it calls for only four ingredients, it's a main course I can serve with little preparation. —Joan Hamilton, Worcester, Massachusetts
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Herbed Rib Roast
The aromatic mixture of herbs and garlic turns this tender roast into a real treat. Our children and grandchildren look forward to feasting on it at Christmastime. —Carol Jackson, South Berwick, Maine
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Burger Americana
Go on a burger road trip in your own backyard. Grill the patties and load them sky-high with your favorite toppings. For instance, peanut butter and bacon make them southern style; coleslaw and tomatoes, a northern version. —Susan Mahaney, New Hartford, New York
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Orange-Glazed Ham
This delicious ham looked like a sparkling jewel on the table when my mom served it for Easter dinner. The flavor of the spice rub penetrates through every tender slice. Even its enticing aroma while baking can't match the wonderful taste. —Ruth Seitz, Columbus Junction, Iowa
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Chicken & Vegetable Kabobs
In the summer, my husband and I love to cook out, especially vegetables. These kabobs not only taste delicious but look amazing, too! —Tina Oles, Nashwauk, Minnesota
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Picante Omelet Pie
This zippy egg bake is a favorite of one of my daughters. She comes for brunch every week before church, so I serve it often.—Phyllis Carlson, Gardner, Kansas
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Apple-Dijon Pork Roast
This recipe takes just minutes to assemble and is delicious. I like to serve the roast with rice, then use the tangy sauce as a gravy for both. —Cindy Steffen, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
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Ham & Spinach Casserole
This is down-home cooking at its best! Ham and veggies join forces with a creamy sauce and pretty topping to create a hearty one-dish meal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Super Spaghetti Sauce
At my house, we never know how many we'll have for dinner. That's why this spaghetti sauce is one of my favorites - flavorful, filling and fast. Smoked kielbasa gives it depth, and salsa adds the kick. —Bella Anderson, Chester, South Carolina
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Mom's Roast Chicken
This is the best way to cook a whole chicken. It roasts up super juicy with crisp, golden skin. This chicken is simply seasoned, but packs in so much flavor. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
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Gumbo in a Jiffy
This is a yummy dish. My husband loves the kick that the sausage gives this quick gumbo, and it’s such a cinch to assemble. —Amy Flack, Homer City, Pennsylvania
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Cheese Chicken Soup
Kids won’t think twice about eating their vegetables after tasting this cheesy soup. —LaVonne Lundgren, Sioux City, Iowa
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Beefy French Onion Potpie
I came up with this dish knowing my husband loves French onion soup. It makes a perfect base for the hearty, beefy potpie. —Sara Hutchens, Du Quoin, Illinois
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Glazed Roast Chicken
I like to make this for weeknight dinners. You can make this roast chicken with apricot glaze or quince jelly. —Victoria Miller, San Ramon, California
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