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25 Forgotten Side Dishes From The 1980s We Want Back!
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00:00what if i told you the nineteen eighties didn't just look bright it tasted bright every dinner table shimmered with colour neon jello moulds golden cheese casseroles and salads that somehow never had lettuce
00:14back then microwaves felt like magic margarine ruled the fridge and convenience was the new luxury it was the decade when dinner didn't need to be fancy just fast fun and full of flavour
00:28and for a while it worked families gathered around glowing tvs sharing meals from pyrex dishes and tupperware bowls but somewhere between the diet fads and the fresh food craze those sides disappeared quietly like the jingles and the vhs tapes that played beside them
00:47yet if you listen close enough you can still hear the sizzle smell the butter and taste the comfort of a time when america cooked with joy because these dishes weren't just food they were memories
01:00so grab a fork and let's bring them back one forgotten flavour at a time this is twenty five forgotten side dishes from the nineteen eighties we want back
01:11one california pasta salad back in the nineteen eighties every potluck table had a bowl of california pasta salad sitting right in the centre glowing under the kitchen light like edible confetti
01:24tri-colour rotini swirled together with black olives diced peppers and cubes of cheddar all slicked with zesty bottled italian dressing
01:34it wasn't health food it was happy food the kind you grabbed after church picnics or backyard barbecues where someone was always playing kenny logins on a boombox
01:45what made it special wasn't the recipe it was the idea something cold colorful and ready in fifteen minutes
01:54moms called it fancy because it looked like something from a california cafe even though the ingredients came straight from the local a and p
02:02a box of pasta cost under a dollar a bottle of dressing another buck fifty and the rest came from the fridge
02:10even in twenty twenty five you could feed six people for under eight dollars cheaper than a single takeout salad today
02:18and maybe that's why we still crave it every bite tastes like sunshine in a bowl like summer afternoons when nothing needed to be complicated
02:27coming up next is a side dish that lived on steakhouse menus and family cookouts alike one that turned a simple potato into a legend
02:36two twice baked potato boats if the california pasta salad was the life of the potluck the twice baked potato boat was the king of the dinner plate
02:46picture this a baked potato sliced open its insides scooped out whipped with sour cream butter shredded cheddar and bacon bits then stuffed back in like a creamy thyme capsule of comfort
03:00one more trip to the oven and that golden crust would bubble up just right crispy on top soft underneath in the eighties this side dish was luxury on a budget
03:12restaurant served them next to steak mom's served them next to meatloaf you could make six for less than five bucks back then even in twenty twenty five it's still cheaper than a single restaurant side
03:25but more than the taste it was the ritual sitting at the kitchen table steam rising everyone digging in before the cheese cooled and just when you thought potatoes couldn't get better the next dish on every family table proved otherwise
03:40a bubbly cheesy creation that turned plain vegetables into pure gold three broccoli cauliflower au gratin
03:49nothing says 1980s comfort quite like vegetables buried under a blanket of cheese
03:54broccoli cauliflower au gratin was the era's way of making kids eat their greens without realizing it
04:01it started in a world of convenience frozen florets straight from a bag a can of condensed soup a handful of shredded cheddar and a few buttery crackers crushed on top for that signature crunch
04:14you'd mix pour and bake until the kitchen smelled like heaven on a school night when the casserole came bubbling out of the oven golden around the edges it felt like a small victory nutrition disguised as indulgence
04:29moms loved it because it cost almost nothing a family sized dish came in under three dollars back then and even today you can pull it off for under eight it wasn't about fancy presentation
04:42it was about stretching a bag of vegetables and making them taste like sunday dinner one spoonful could turn a picky eater into a believer and just when you thought you'd seen the height of cheesy genius
04:54america layered up another creation that would steal the spotlight at every backyard barbecue and potluck table that followed
05:01four layered taco salad if one dish captured the wild spirit of 1980s creativity it was the layered taco salad it wasn't mexican food not really but it was america's idea of festive
05:15picture this picture this clear glass bowls stacked with colors crisp lettuce spiced ground beef shredded cheese chopped tomatoes refried beans sour cream guacamole and a glorious crown of crushed doritos it was edible architecture built to impress
05:34the neighbors and disappear in minutes every scoop was a perfect bite of salty creamy crunchy chaos you could make the whole thing for under five bucks back
05:44and it fed a crowd without breaking a sweat people loved showing it off because it looked like something out of a tv commercial
05:51bright fun and unapologetically over the top
05:55moms made it for birthdays church suppers and friday night family movies and when that first scoop hit the plate no one cared about authenticity they cared about flavor and togetherness it was dinner and decoration in one but just when the salads couldn't get any bolder the next one was
06:13the next one arrived with a sweetness that made even the skeptics reach for seconds five poppy seed
06:20spinach salad in the 1980s this was the salad that made everyone feel a little sophisticated the poppy seed
06:28spinach salad wasn't born in diners or drive-ins it came straight from glossy magazine pages promising California
06:35California freshness in every bite fresh baby spinach a new thing back then was tossed with sliced strawberries
06:43mandarin oranges toasted almonds and that thick sweet poppy seed dressing that clung to every leaf like honey it looked elegant tasted refreshing and made you feel like you were eating something straight out of a country club brunch for most families it was a special occasion side Easter dinners
07:02bridal showers or when you wanted to impress the neighbors and best of all it was cheap
07:09a few bucks for a bowl big enough to feed a crowd in 2025 it still works under $10 and ready in 10 minutes the best part that first bite sweet tangy crunchy and cool felt like spring on your tongue
07:25but just when Americans thought they'd gone healthy another craze swept across the decade one that involved raw veggies dip and a bottle of something brand new that would change the way we snacked forever
07:32six ranch dressed vegetable tray the moment that little packet of hidden valley ranch hit grocery shelves America changed the way it crunched in the 1980s a party wasn't a party without a big round tray of raw veggies in the
07:54center of the coffee table broccoli florets celery sticks carrot coins and cherry tomatoes all fanned out like a flower around a bowl of that creamy white dip
08:01suddenly vegetables didn't feel like a chore they were fun fresh and dunkable ranch was more than dressing it was a cultural phenomenon kids who once ran from greens now dipped everything in it chips pizza crust even french fries and
08:23french fries for busy families it was the ultimate quick side no oven no stove just a fridge raid and a swirl of sour cream mayo and that magic powder in 1984 you could make enough for a crowd for under two bucks even in 2025 the cost barely cracks five it wasn't fancy but it brought
08:46people together around the same plate proof that sometimes the simplest things stick around the longest but just when ranch ruled the table another kitchen
08:53shortcut was about to make even plain rice taste like a home-cooked miracle seven rice-a-roni casserole by the mid-1980s rice-a-roni had a permanent spot in every pantry it wasn't just the San Francisco treat it was the fast fix that made weeknight dinners feel complete
09:13mom's would pour that familiar box into a skillet add butter a can of cream of mushroom soup a handful of leftover chicken and suddenly dinner looked homemade the sound of those tiny noodles toasting in the pan was pure comfort the smell meant food was almost ready in a decade obsessed with convenience this casserole became the bridge between scratch cooking and instant food quick cheap and surprisingly satisfying
09:42a full dish a full dish cost maybe three dollars back then and even in 2025 you can still pull it off for under seven dollars it was the kind of meal that stretched a little bit of meat into a family feast served steaming in the same glass baking dish used for every potluck and PTA dinner and while this golden casserole warmed hearts across America another 80s favorite was waiting in the wings a crispy cheesy bar snack that marched straight into the
10:12suburban kitchens into suburban kitchens and onto every game day table 8 potato skins with cheddar and bacon bits few side dishes captured the 80s like a plate of potato skins the ultimate mix of thrift and indulgence born in chain restaurants and sports bars they turned leftovers into legends cooks would scoop out baked potatoes brush the skins with butter crisp them under the broiler
10:42the result the sour cream the result crunchy salty cheesy perfection that disappeared faster than the commercials between plays every family tried them at home they were cheap easy and felt fancy enough to impress guests in 1985 you could make a whole tray for under four bucks even today it's one of the best six dollar snacks you'll ever eat they weren't just appetizers they were community food made for sharing around the coffee table
11:12during game night and just when potatoes had reached rock star status another global trend was about to reshape the salad bowl an Asian inspired dish that blended sweetness crunch and a little bit of California cool 9 Chinese chicken salad by 1986 America had discovered Asian flair and nothing captured that fascination quite like Chinese chicken salad it wasn't authentic Chinese cuisine it was California cool
11:42light light light sweet and crunchy served in every fern filled cafe and potluck spread from coast to coast shredded lettuce or cabbage formed the base topped with grilled chicken strips fried wonton noodles mandarin orange segments and sliced almonds all tossed in that sesame soy dressing that shimmered like liquid gold it was healthy enough to feel new exotic enough to feel fancy and cheap enough for any kitchen to pull off
12:11most versions cost less than four dollars to make back then even now it's under ten the dressing alone was pure magic tangy nutty just a little sweet and it clung to every bite
12:24one forkful and you'd taste the optimism of the decade bright bold a little bit experimental it was the salad of the modern woman the home cook who balanced aerobics classes and microwave dinners with flair
12:39and when you thought veggies couldn't get any trendier along came a baked creation that mixed zucchini cheese and one unexpected pantry hero that defined the home kitchens of the eighties ten zucchini bake with bisquick crust
12:55before the gluten free crays or keto talk the nineteen eighties had its own magic word in baking bisquick this all-purpose mix wasn't just for pancakes it turned every home cook into a casserole artist the zucchini bake with bisquick crust was proof you'd shred fresh zucchini toss in some onions cheddar cheese and a few beaten eggs then stir in bisquick until it became this golden cheesy pie that smelled like summer it was light
12:57buttery buttery buttery and somehow
13:27it somehow felt both homemade and effortless housewives clipped it from better homes and gardens and by the mid-eighties it was a staple at family reunions and church picnics for under three dollars you could feed six hungry people and even in 2025 it's still a seven dollar wonder it tasted like sunshine and comfort wrapped in one slice people loved it because it used up garden vegetables before they spoiled turning everyday leftovers into something special
13:57and just when it seemed the casserole had peaked the decade stacked its flavors even higher with a dip so iconic it became the life of every party from reagan's america to today's tailgates
14:09eleven seven layer dip nowhere did nineteen eighties food reach peak party glory quite like the seven layer dip it looked like edible art a glass dish of perfect stripes
14:22refried beans guacamole sour cream salsa shredded cheese chopped tomatoes and sliced black olives every potluck had one sitting proudly beside the chips and by half-time or intermission it was always scraped clean
14:38this dish told a story about the decade itself bold colors big flavors and no shame in using a can opener it cost maybe six dollars to make in nineteen eighty eight and even today you can pull it off for under ten
14:53but what really made it magical was how it brought everyone together you didn't slice it you scooped it shoulder to shoulder laughing swapping stories dunking another tortilla chip into nostalgia
15:06each bite was creamy spicy and cool all at once the perfect balance of chaos and comfort and while the dip ruled every party table the next dish took that same energy into the everyday kitchen turning stuffed vegetables into microwave masterpieces that felt as fast as they were filling
15:25twelve twelve stuffed bell peppers with minute rice if there was one dish that captured the microwave revolution it was stuffed bell peppers made with minute rice they were colorful clever and ready in a flash pure nineteen eighties brilliance
15:41you'd hollow out green or red peppers fill them with a mix of instant rice tomato sauce ground beef and a pinch of dried herbs then zap them until the kitchen smelled like sunday dinner
15:54no long simmering no oven heat just that humming microwave magic it looked home cooked but fit right into the decade's love affair with speed a family of four could eat for about four dollars back then even in twenty twenty five it's still under nine dollars
16:12every bite was tender juicy and nostalgic the taste of home wrapped in convenience for parents juggling late shifts and little league it was a hero meal
16:23and as families traded slow-cooked stews for instant flavor another trend was quietly stirring on stove tops a rice dish that borrowed a hint of curry and a touch of adventure from far beyond the suburbs
16:36thirteen curried rice with raisins and almonds the nineteen eighties were all about adventure at least on the dinner plate curried rice with raisins and almonds felt exotic even if it came from a jar of curry powder tucked between the paprika and lorry's seasoning salt
16:55housewives discovered it in glossy cookbooks and airline magazines promising global flavor made easy you'd saute onions in butter toss in white rice add a spoonful of curry and stir in a handful of raisins and slivered almonds for that sweet crunch
17:12it looked fancy smelled mysterious and tasted like something from far-away lands all for about three dollars a pot it wasn't authentic indian food but it brought color and curiosity to suburban tables proving that america was hungry for more than casseroles
17:30even in twenty twenty five this simple mix costs under eight dollars and still brings that same warm spiced comfort and while the curry craze made week-night dinners feel worldly another side dish was quietly stealing hearts
17:45one glazed in sweetness shining in orange and impossible to forget once it hit the holiday table fourteen sweet and sour carrots before kale salads and roasted roots were trendy the nineteen eighties had their own showstopper vegetable sweet and sour carrots
18:03they were glossy bright and always arrived at the table during holidays or sunday dinners gleaming like little orange jewels the recipe was simple baby carrots simmered in a syrupy mix of orange juice pineapple tidbits brown sugar and a splash of vinegar
18:21sometimes a spoonful of mustard or marmalade gave it that extra kick the result was tangy sweet and strangely addictive the kind of side dish you took just a spoonful of and somehow went back for thirds it was a hit because it looked fancy cost pennies and could be made hours ahead
18:41in nineteen eighty three the whole dish ran maybe two dollars today even with grocery inflation it's still under six more than anything it tasted cheerful a bite of sunshine next to the ham or roast
18:55but while carrots ruled the special occasion table another green and creamy contender was about to bring steakhouse flair straight into suburban kitchens fifteen creamed spinach casserole
19:08every steakhouse in the nineteen eighties had one secret weapon creamed spinach and like everything in that decade americans found a way to bring it home straight from the freezer aisle
19:20the creamed spinach casserole was comfort disguised as elegance families mixed frozen spinach with cream cheese a can of mushroom soup and a sprinkle of nutmeg then baked it until the top bubbled like green velvet
19:34it looked fancy enough for company but was simple enough for tuesday nights you could make the whole pan for under three dollars back then and in twenty twenty five it's still one of the cheapest crowd pleasers you can bake for under seven dollars
19:49the flavor was rich buttery and just a little indulgent proof that vegetables didn't have to taste like sacrifice and while this creamy classic ruled the dinner table the next side dish was brighter sweeter and far more whimsical
20:04a colorful creation that jiggled its way into every potluck and kids birthday party across america
20:10sixteen fruity gelatin salad if you grew up in the nineteen eighties you remember this one a wobbly pastel masterpiece that looked more like dessert than a side dish
20:22fruity gelatin salad was the shining star of every church basement potluck and family reunion buffet it started with a box of jello cherry lime or orange mixed with canned fruit cocktail a scoop of cool whip and a handful of mini marshmallows that floated to the top like tiny white clouds
20:42some folks added cottage cheese for texture others folded in crushed pineapple or shredded carrots because that's just what the decade did it was cold sweet and impossible to resist
20:55kids loved the jiggle parents loved how cheap it was under two dollars to make a giant bowl in nineteen eighty four still under six in twenty twenty five the first spoonful always brought a smile the taste of every family gathering rolled into one bite
21:12and while jello ruled the table in technicolor glory another newcomer from across the ocean was sneaking into american kitchens a tiny grain that made health food feel just a little bit glamorous
21:24seventeen couscous primavera by the late nineteen eighties dinner tables were starting to look a little more health conscious and couscous primavera was the poster child of that new mindset
21:38it came straight from the pages of sunset and bon appetit promising mediterranean flair with minimal effort most home cooks didn't even know what couscous was until they saw it on a box at safeway labeled instant
21:52you'd pour boiling water over the tiny grains fluff it with a fork then toss in a bag of thawed frozen mixed vegetables and a generous drizzle of bottled italian dressing
22:04in fifteen minutes you had a light colorful side that looked straight out of a spa cookbook but cost less than three dollars to make in twenty twenty five it's still a budget miracle under eight bucks for a family bowl
22:18it was the kind of dish that made you feel worldly without leaving the kitchen and just when couscous made healthy look cool another warm buttery classic was sliding out of toaster ovens everywhere bringing the irresistible smell of garlic and pillsbury dough straight into suburban homes
22:36eighteen garlic butter rolls few smells could compete with garlic butter wafting from a nineteen eighties kitchen these rolls were a weeknight miracle the kind of side that made a simple dinner feel like a restaurant meal
22:50every mom had a tube of pilsbury crescent dough chilling in the fridge ready to pop with that satisfying whoosh when the cardboard cracked open each triangle was brushed with melted butter sprinkled with garlic powder and parsley then rolled tight and baked until golden brown and flaky
23:10the moment the tray came out hands would hover waiting for permission that never really came cheap fast and foolproof a dozen cost barely two dollars in nineteen eighty five and still under five dollars to-day
23:24they were perfect with spaghetti casseroles or just by themselves dunked in leftover sauce and while these buttery crescents turned every dinner into an event another twist on a classic was already cooling in the fridge
23:38a pasta salad that borrowed its caesar charm straight from the decade's growing obsession with gourmet shortcuts nineteen caesar pasta salad by the end of the nineteen eighties americans had fallen hard for caesar salad and like everything else that decade touched it didn't stay simple for long
23:58someone had the idea to toss that garlicky creamy dressing over cold pasta instead of romaine and just like that caesar pasta salad was born
24:08tricolor rotini made a comeback coated in bottled caesar dressing mixed with shredded parmesan
24:14cherry tomatoes and maybe a few crunchy croutons for good measure it was casual but classy the kind of side you brought to a cookout when you wanted to look like you'd gone gourmet without trying
24:26the whole thing cost about three bucks to make in nineteen eighty nine still under eight to-day and it fit right in with the power lunch era light cool and ready in minutes
24:38every bite was a mix of tangy and creamy the perfect blend of lazy and luxe and while this salad ruled the picnic table the next side dish proved that even humble potatoes could keep up with the microwave boom sweeping america's kitchens twenty
24:54microwave scalloped potatoes nothing summed up the wonder of nineteen eighties kitchen innovation like microwave scalloped potatoes this was the dish that made every new microwave owner feel like a genius no more waiting an hour for the oven just layer thin slices of potato with cream shredded cheddar and a sprinkle of onion powder in a glass dish cover it with plastic wrap and zap it until the top bubbled
25:21dinner in fifteen minutes flat it was warm creamy and a little rebellious because cooking from scratch in a microwave still felt futuristic for families juggling work homework and sitcoms it was the ultimate weeknight win
25:37the whole dish cost maybe three dollars back then even now it's under seven and the best part wasn't just the speed it was the pride that feeling of harnessing space-age technology to make something cosy
25:51but just when the microwave had mastered potatoes it turned its magic to something even cheesier a casserole so rich and comforting it defined an entire decade of family dinners twenty-one broccoli rice cheese whiz bake
26:07if one dish could sum up the nineteen eighties in a casserole dish it was this gooey masterpiece broccoli rice cheese cheese whiz bake was the love child of convenience and comfort a bubbling mix of frozen broccoli cooked rice a can of cream of mushroom soup and a full jar of cheese whiz poured right in no measuring no fuss just stir and bake until it turned into a golden molten blanket of nostalgia
26:35housewives loved it because it used pantry staples kids loved it because well it tasted like liquid gold the crunchy topping of buttered bread crumbs sealed the deal
26:47back then you could whip up a family-sized tray for under four dollars today it's still under nine dollars and tastes exactly like a time capsule the first spoonful was creamy salty and warm a taste of tv dinners after-school cartoons and simpler nights around the table
27:06and just when families thought nostalgia couldn't get any sweeter another classic returned from america's early days revived with an eighties twist that swapped mayonnaise for yogurt and called it light twenty two
27:20apple waldorf revival when the nineteen eighties tried to lighten up the apple waldorf revival was the elegant answer born from a century old hotel salad it came back with an eighties twist low-fat yogurt instead of mayonnaise a drizzle of honey and just enough lemon juice to keep the apples crisp chopped red apples celery and seedless grapes gave it crunch and sparkle while a handful of toasted walnuts made it feel fancy
27:48it was the kind of fancy it was the kind of dish you served at baby showers brunches or those ladies luncheons every community center seemed to host
27:57in glossy cookbooks it was called modern but at home it was just sweet cool and comforting the whole bowl cost maybe three dollars in 1986 still under seven dollars today light but satisfying it carried that perfect balance of health and nostalgia
28:15and just as this crisp salad revived an old classic another throwback was getting its own neon makeover
28:22a glistening holiday tradition molded into unforgettable shapes of cranberry red twenty three cranberry pecan molded salad every holiday table in the late eighties shimmered with one thing the cranberry pecan molded salad it was the elegant cousin of the jello
28:40one of the jello desserts from a decade before ruby red studded with crushed pineapple chopped pecans and sometimes even a splash of ginger ale for fizz
28:51moms poured it into copper molds shaped like wreaths or rings then unmolded it with a prayer and a sigh of relief when it held its glossy shape
29:01the first slice was always the prettiest jewel bright and trembling just enough to catch the light it paired perfectly with ham or turkey balancing sweet and tart in one nostalgic bite
29:13in nineteen eighty seven the ingredients cost barely two fifty dollars even now this retro beauty runs under seven dollars to make every forkful tasted like christmas eve potlucks and family jokes that never got old
29:28and when the holidays faded another simple pleasure lingered on the table warm buttery carrots that proved the decade still knew how to make fancy feel home cooked
29:39twenty four honey glazed baby carrots with dill
29:43this dish was pure nineteen eighties elegance simple ingredients dressed up to look restaurant ready
29:49honey glazed baby carrots with dill were on every family's fancy dinner menu whether that meant easter sunday or just impressing the in-laws the secret convenience
30:01bags of pre-trimmed baby carrots were the new grocery store sensation and with a little butter honey and a sprinkle of dill they turned into something glossy fragrant and sweet
30:13moms would toss them in a skillet until the honey caramelized just enough to coat every carrot like glass
30:20the flavor was equal parts garden fresh and candy sweet the perfect mix of wholesome and indulgent
30:26in nineteen eighty eight you could make them for about two dollars
30:30even in twenty twenty five they're still a six dollar showpiece
30:34they were easy beautiful and a reminder that a little glaze could make anything feel special
30:40and as the decade wound down one last side dish carried that same spirit
30:47a buttery steamy favorite that brought farm fresh flavor straight to the microwave generation's dinner table
30:54twenty five herb butter corn on the cob
30:58few sides screamed summer in the eighties louder than buttery corn on the cob
31:04and this version was pure kitchen magic gone were the giant pots of boiling water this was the microwave era and americans were obsessed with doing everything faster you'd wrap each ear in wax paper with a pat of butter a sprinkle of salt and a dash of dried parsley or dill
31:23then nuke it until the kitchen smelled like a backyard cookout the butter melted into every kernel coating the corn in that rich herby gloss that made paper plates and plastic forks feel like luxury
31:36it cost about a dollar for a family batch in nineteen eighty eight still under five today and it fit perfectly with the decades motto convenience without compromise
31:47every bite snapped with sweetness warmth and just a little nostalgia the taste of cookouts fireworks and long summer evenings that never seemed to end
31:57and as that last buttery cob disappeared so did an era a time when america's side dishes were bright bold and full of heart
32:06the nineteen eighties may be gone but the flavors they're still right there waiting to make a comeback on your kitchen table
32:14the nineteen eighties weren't just a decade of big hair and neon lights they were a moment when food felt fun again
32:21every dish from a wobbly jello mold to a bubbling casserole carried the optimism of a country obsessed with convenience creativity and comfort
32:32these side dishes told the story of families finding connection between microwaves and tv trays of moms turning five dollar groceries into feasts
32:42and of a nation discovering that flavor didn't have to be fancy to be memorable
32:46they were bright bold and a little over the top just like the decade itself and even now one bite of that cheesy broccoli bake or those buttery rolls can take you straight back to a kitchen filled with laughter linoleum floors and the hum of the microwave
33:04so maybe it's time to bring them back not just for nostalgia but as a reminder that joy still lives in simple recipes and shared moments
33:13if this trip down memory lane brought back a few cravings hit that subscribe button and join us here at the america we remember where old recipes never die and every bite tells a story worth savoring
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