30 Vintage Dinner Party Recipes That'll Never Go Out of Style

overhead shot of Chef John’s Coq Au Vin in pot
Photo: Meredith Food Studios

Some retro dinner party recipes are probably OK to leave in the past (people in the 1970s really loved aspics), there are plenty that will never go out of style—from classic French Bourguignon and coq au vin to fun baked Alaska and bite-sized salmon appetizers. Turn to this collection of some of our very best tried-and-true dinner party ideas next time you host a vintage-inspired soirée.

01 of 31

Easy Beef Bourguignon

Easy Beef Bourguignon
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

"This is the speedy, easy version of boeuf Bourguignon, the classic French slow-cooked beef dish. Delicious over cooked egg noodles or mashed potatoes. Leftovers taste great as well - just reheat on the stove." —Pam Lolley

02 of 31

Chef John's Coq au Vin

overhead shot of Chef John’s Coq Au Vin in pot
Meredith Food Studios

"I wish I had leftovers, This was sooooo good!! The sauce was incredible. The chicken was melt-in-your-mouth. It was just a party going on in your mouth all the way around. So easy, but so fancy." —Linda Adams Dodge

03 of 31

Cheese Fondue

low angle looking at a piece of bread dipped into cheese fondu
dotdash meredith food studios

"I've been making this fondue since the early '70s. This recipe uses two types of cheese and always turns out super smooth. I like to serve it with cubes of crusty bread for dipping, but baby potatoes, bell peppers, and sliced apples also work great!" —Sheila

04 of 31

Authentic Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

Authentic Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Coctel de Camarones estilo Mexicano) served in individual shot glasses with saltine crackers on the side
Allrecipes

"When people at a party ask for a recipe, you know it is a five star one." —Bob Britten

05 of 31

Beef Wellington

looking at a whole beef Wellington with a few pieces sliced next to sauce in a bowl

DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

"This beef Wellington recipe includes a rich red wine sauce. It's easier than you think to make and absolutely perfect for entertaining at Christmas or any time you want to impress your guests!" —Marla

06 of 31

Chicken Florentine

Chicken Florentine

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

"Chicken Florentine, with perfectly-seared boneless chicken breasts in a creamy white wine and spinach sauce, is a complete, one-skillet dinner, easy enough for a weeknight, fancy enough for a date night." —Renu Dhar

07 of 31

Chicken Marsala

an overhead, close-up view of chicken marsala in a skillet.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

"Chicken Marsala is one of my favorite things to get when we go out to eat. For years I have been trying to duplicate and this recipe has come the closest." —Susan Van Nostrand

08 of 31

Classic Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken Cordon Bleu II

"Wow. Best Chicken Cordon Bleu ever. The sauce really makes it." —Christopher Udowenko

09 of 31

Stanley Tucci's Mom's Chicken Cacciatore

A casserole dish of chicken cacciatore.

Sara Haas

"It tastes like love." —Sara Haas

10 of 31

Cucumber Cups with Dill Cream and Smoked Salmon

Cucumber Cups with Dill Cream and Smoked Salmon

"Beautiful smoked salmon appetizer with cucumber, dill, and cream cheese, plus a bit of lemon to perk things up." —RuthE

11 of 31

Baked Alaska

baked alaska

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

"Baked Alaska is a cake topped with ice cream and caramelized meringue. It's so delicious and a great way to wow your guests! You can use your favorite flavor of ice cream or a combination of flavors." —shirleyo

12 of 31

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

a top down view of a perfectly baked upside down pineapple cake
humblepieliving

"Pineapple upside-down cake is a gorgeous retro dessert that delights all ages! This easy recipe uses a cast iron skillet to bake the tender sweet cake and perfectly caramelized pineapple and cherries." —Anne

13 of 31

Broccoli Ham Ring

3799006-broccoli-ham-ring-photo-by-molly
Molly

"Impress your friends with this attractive ham and cheese crescent roll ring thats also filled with broccoli and onion." —Rebecca

14 of 31

Shrimp Scampi with Pasta

a low angle view of a single serving of shrimp scampi with pasta garnished with fresh chopped parsley
Dotdash Meredith Food Studio

"Shrimp scampi with linguine is the ultimate seafood pasta dish. Works with any pasta; angel hair is less filling." —JustJen

15 of 31

Easy Mini Quiche

close up view of a pile of Mini Quiches garnished with fresh herbs on a platter
Alberta Rose

"I made these for a tea last month for a Waco federation woman club. Garnish with green olives or pimiento." —BOSQUE

16 of 31

Chicken Pot Pie

a low, close up view of a golden-brown chicken pot pie cooling on a rack, with a piece missing revealing the creamy hardy pie filling.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

"A delicious chicken pie made from scratch with carrots, peas, and celery in a pre-made crust. Add thyme and poultry seasoning for more flavor." —Robbie Rice

17 of 31

Chocolate Trifle

mid angle looking at a chocolate trifle with cream and brownies in a glass trifle bowl

DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

"This chocolate trifle is so easy to make! Folks line up for this dessert at church functions." —Wayne

18 of 31

Cocktail Meatballs

image of Cocktail Meatballs in a heated chafing dish
Allrecipes Magazine

"This dish was the hit of the party!" —dasteffey09

19 of 31

Dried Beef Cheese Ball

a close up view of a dried beef cheese ball with a swipe removed revealing the creamy interior.
Victoria Jempty/Allrecipes

"This dried beef cheese ball recipe is a festive favorite in our house. Grandma usually doubles the recipe—otherwise, it won't last long." —Kristi Demanette

20 of 31

Watergate Salad

A bowl of Watergate salad topped with maraschino cherries and sprinkled with chopped nuts, presenting a vibrant green hue typical of the dessert.

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." —Jennifer

21 of 31

Deviled Eggs

close up view of Deviled Eggs garnished with paprika on a platter

DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

"I'm surprised to find myself giving 5 stars to a fairly standard deviled egg recipe, but there is something about the balance of sweet and acid in this that is just right." —Jajam

22 of 31

Pepperoni Pigs in a Blanket

round tray of pepperoni pigs in a blanket appetizers arranged around a cup of mustard sauce for dipping

John Mitzewich

"For these pepperoni pigs in a blanket, cocktail franks are wrapped twice—first in a slice of pepperoni, and then in ready-to-bake crescent roll dough, and baked until deeply golden brown. Even a regular cocktail frank wrapped in pastry is a wonderful thing to eat, but the pepperoni adds lots of flavor and texture—those crispy edges elevate the experience even more." —Chef John

23 of 31

Cassoulet

Chef John's Cassoulet in a red cocotte
catherine.drew

"This is the world's greatest baked bean recipe, and a classic French dish; it's almost the national dish. It's perfect for a cold winter night." —Chef John

24 of 31

Rockin' Oysters Rockefeller

looking down at a tray full of oysters Rockefeller

"Absolutely amazing!! I've made this half a dozen times and it's always a hit. It's like having creamed spinach on top of an oyster!" —ABG0623

25 of 31

Chicken a la King

overhead view of Chicken A La King on a blue plate
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS

"Chicken a la King is easy and elegant. It's a great way to use leftover chicken or turkey. Green pepper and red pimientos make this a pretty dish to serve at Christmas or anytime." —Colleen

26 of 31

Best Salmon Patties

Salmon Patties I

"These tasty salmon patties are easy to make with canned salmon. Delicious for lunch or dinner!" —Sue

27 of 31

Porcupine Meatballs

Porcupine meatballs in tomato sauce served over white rice.

ALLRECIPES / QI AI

"These porcupine meatballs are by far the best I have ever had. This recipe was given to my mom when she married back in 1970." —Melinda S

28 of 31

Salisbury Steak

A plated Salisbury steak, topped with sauce and served with mashed potatoes and green beans

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

"Salisbury steak with a savory onion sauce. This yummy recipe has been in my family for years. It's easy to cook but tastes like it took hours to make! I usually make enough extra sauce to pour over mashed potatoes." —Kelly Berenger

29 of 31

Chef John's Chicken Kiev

Chef John's Chicken Kiev

"This chicken Kiev with homemade garlic and parsley butter might take a bit more time but the delicious results are well worth the effort. You'll enjoy one of the greatest chicken experiences of your life, as well as one of the greatest garlic butter experiences of your life." —Chef John

30 of 31

Waldorf Salad

An overhead shot of apples, celery, walnuts, and raisins mixed in with dressing

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

"Waldorf salad is crunchy, sweet and delicious. You can vary the ingredients in this recipe to your preference." —Penny

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