Lisa O
Before kale smoothies and gluten-free everything, food was simpler—and sometimes, downright strange. Meals were often made from whatever was in the pantry, and nobody asked if it was “organic.” These foods were a staple of Boomer childhood—and chances are, just reading about them brings it all rushing back.
Meatloaf with Ketchup on Top
It wasn’t dinner—it was meatloaf night. A slab of ground beef, mixed with breadcrumbs, onion, and whatever else Mom could find, topped with that unmistakable ketchup glaze. It came out steaming, often overcooked at the edges, and was usually served with mashed potatoes and green beans. Leftovers? Even better in a sandwich the next day.
Jell-O in Every Color (and Sometimes with Mystery Ingredients)
Jell-O wasn’t just dessert—it was culture. Green with canned pears, red with Cool Whip, or a terrifying “salad” with shredded carrots or mini marshmallows suspended inside. It jiggled. It sparkled. It looked like a science experiment—and it showed up at every holiday, funeral, church supper, and birthday. Like it or not, you ate the Jell-O.
Spam (Fried, Baked, or Sliced into Sandwiches)
It came out of the can with a suction pop, molded into a pinkish rectangle of mystery. But once sliced and fried, it was crispy on the outside, salty, chewy, and shockingly good. Spam sandwiches with mustard were a go-to for school lunches, camping trips, or “we’re out of groceries” nights. High in sodium? Maybe. High in nostalgia? Definitely.
Tang (a.k.a. “Space Juice”)
Bright orange, slightly sour, and “endorsed by astronauts”—Tang was the breakfast drink of champions. You dumped a heaping spoonful into a glass, watched it swirl, and pretended you were part of a NASA mission. It didn’t taste like oranges exactly, but it didn’t matter. It was futuristic. It was fun. And it got us really hyped before school.
TV Dinners in Aluminum Trays
TV trays out, slippers on, and Bonanza on the screen—TV dinners were peak comfort. The aluminum tray had compartments: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes with a crater of gravy, corn niblets, and a tiny molten brownie. It felt futuristic, like something from The Jetsons. You knew it was full of sodium, but it felt fancy. And no one had to cook.
Creamed Corn
It wasn’t pretty, and it definitely wasn’t optional. Creamed corn came from a can, heated on the stove, and plopped on the plate next to your main course. Thick, sweet, and a little too… slurpy, it slid across your plate if you weren’t careful. But paired with mashed potatoes? Not bad. You might’ve hated it—but you still ate it.
Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches
Part lunch, part dessert, part tribute to Elvis. You’d slather peanut butter on soft white bread, slice a ripe banana, and press the two together until the sandwich practically stuck to the roof of your mouth. Some folks even grilled it like a panini. Sweet, salty, sticky, and cheap—it hit every note a growing kid needed.
Tuna Casserole with Potato Chips on Top
A casserole dish of this stuff meant either company was coming or your parents needed to stretch the food budget. Cream of mushroom soup, canned tuna, egg noodles, frozen peas, and a glorious crunchy topping of crushed potato chips. It looked beige, smelled fishy, and somehow always tasted better than you remembered. It also fed a small army.
PB&J on Wonder Bread
This was the lunchbox MVP. Soft, squishy Wonder Bread—so white it was almost glowing—loaded with sticky peanut butter and a generous dollop of jelly. Grape was classic, but strawberry had its fans. You’d take one bite, and it’d glue your mouth shut. No crust? Even better. It wasn’t gourmet, but it was comforting, consistent, and perfect every time.
Macaroni Salad at Every Picnic
If you were at a potluck, picnic, or backyard BBQ in the ‘60s or ‘70s, someone brought macaroni salad. And by someone, we mean everyone. Elbow noodles, chopped pickles, a big dollop of mayo, maybe some paprika or celery if your family was fancy. It was cold, creamy, and sometimes questionably warm after sitting out too long—but you still took a scoop.
Vienna Sausages from a Can
You popped the lid, poured off the salty goo, and pulled out tiny pale sausages, ready to eat straight from the can. These were survival snacks, lunchbox wild cards, and camping food all in one. They were soft, salty, and weirdly addictive. Fancy? No. But in a world before Lunchables, they were just enough.
Fudge Pops from the Freezer
Hot summer day? Open the freezer, pull out a paper-wrapped fudge pop, and race to eat it before it melted all over your hands. They weren’t quite ice cream, not quite chocolate, but they were the cold treat of choice. Drippy, rich, and just the right size to make a sticky mess and a lasting memory.
Boiled Hot Dogs (Served with Ketchup and Relish, No Questions Asked)
Boil ‘em in water, plop ‘em on a plate, serve with a white bun that fell apart halfway through—this was a go-to meal when dinner needed to be fast and cheap. Grilling was optional. Condiments were basic. But somehow, boiled hot dogs hit the spot—especially when eaten barefoot on the back porch with a glass of grape Kool-Aid.
Deviled Eggs at Every Family Gathering
You could bet your life on two things showing up at every holiday: an aunt who brought seven-layer salad and a tray of deviled eggs. Made with mustard, mayo, and a hint of vinegar, they were always topped with a sprinkle of paprika—because presentation mattered. They were the first to go, too. No matter how many were made, they vanished.
Goulash (That Catch-All Pasta Dish with Mystery Meat)
Goulash was what happened when the pantry was nearly bare—but you still had to make dinner. Ground beef, elbow macaroni, canned tomatoes, onions, and whatever seasonings you had lying around. Some versions had corn, others used ketchup. It wasn’t gourmet, but it was hearty, hot, and tasted better the next day. Every family had their own version—and a memory tied to it.