21 Throwback Pasta Dishes From the 1960s

The 1960s brought pasta casseroles, hearty bakes, and retro sauces that fed families and filled church suppers. These recipes recall the decade’s beloved dishes, from baked spaghetti to tuna noodle casserole, that still satisfy today.

Easy Baked Ziti

Easy Baked Ziti
Easy Baked Ziti . Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

This ultimate baked ziti combines savory ground beef and Italian sausage with creamy ricotta and gooey melted cheese. Make it ahead for a stress-free dinner that’s pure comfort on busy weeknights. A family favorite that’s worth every bite!
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Ziti

Classic Tuna Casserole with Noodles

Classic Tuna Casserole with Noodles
Classic Tuna Casserole with Noodles. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

This creamy tuna casserole brings back childhood memories with every delicious bite. Mom’s secret recipe transforms simple ingredients into the ultimate comfort food—bubbling hot from the oven and guaranteed to warm your soul on even the coldest evenings.
Get the Recipe: Classic Tuna Casserole with Noodles

Chicken Noodle Casserole

Chicken Noodle Casserole
Chicken Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

This heartwarming chicken noodle casserole combines juicy chicken with perfectly cooked egg noodles in a rich, creamy sauce. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s simple to prepare and guaranteed to satisfy everyone at your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Casserole

Easy Eggplant Parmesan Casserole

Easy Eggplant Parmesan Casserole
Easy Eggplant Parmesan Casserole. Photo credit: Blackberry Babe.

Transform garden eggplant into a mouthwatering masterpiece with this comforting casserole. Crispy breaded eggplant layers meld with rich tomato sauce and gooey melted cheese for a dish that’s both satisfying and delicious—the perfect way to savor the season’s harvest.
Get the Recipe: Easy Eggplant Parmesan Casserole

Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole Bake

Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole Bake
Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole Bake. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This zesty fiesta chicken pasta casserole combines tender chicken with corn, black beans, tomatoes and sour cream for a hearty Mexican-inspired meal. Creamy, flavorful and family-friendly, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner solution.
Get the Recipe: Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole Bake

Spaghetti alla Puttanesca Recipe

Spaghetti alla Puttanesca Recipe
Spaghetti alla Puttanesca Recipe. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Savor the bold flavors of this authentic Italian puttanesca. Tangy tomatoes, briny olives, and savory anchovies create a rustic sauce that transforms simple pasta into a memorable meal. A taste of Italy’s culinary heritage in every bite!
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti alla Puttanesca Recipe

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Homemade Hamburger Helper
Homemade Hamburger Helper. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

This cozy upgrade transforms the classic boxed dinner into a delicious homemade treat. Made with real ingredients in just one pan, it delivers all the creamy, cheesy comfort you remember, but with deeper flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a family-pleasing meal in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Hamburger Helper

Baked Rigatoni Recipe

Baked Rigatoni Recipe
Baked Rigatoni Recipe. Photo credit: Walking On Sunshine Recipes.

Dive into this comforting Baked Rigatoni Pasta featuring tender noodles smothered in rich tomato sauce and blanketed with melted cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights yet special enough for family gatherings, with leftovers that taste even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Baked Rigatoni Recipe

Baked Mac and Cheese

Baked Mac and Cheese
Baked Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Stetted.

Indulge in the timeless comfort of baked mac and cheese, a versatile classic that shines as both an elegant holiday side and a heartwarming family dinner. With its golden crust and creamy interior, this crowd-pleaser brings joy to your table any day of the year.
Get the Recipe: Baked Mac and Cheese

Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta

Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta
Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

This mouthwatering pasta combines perfectly seasoned ground beef with a rich tomato sauce and gooey melted cheese. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’ll satisfy the whole family and makes excellent leftovers for busy weeknights. A true crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta

Classic Spaghetti Pie

Classic Spaghetti Pie
Classic Spaghetti Pie. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

Transform your spaghetti night with this reimagined classic! Our spaghetti pie takes familiar ingredients and creates a delicious, eye-catching dish that will wow your family. It’s comfort food with a twist that’s sure to become a new favorite in your dinner rotation.
Get the Recipe: Classic Spaghetti Pie

Homemade Skillet Lasagna

Homemade Skillet Lasagna
Homemade Skillet Lasagna. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Ditch the boxed dinner for something truly spectacular! This homemade skillet lasagna delivers all the comfort of traditional lasagna with half the effort. Ready in minutes, it’s packed with savory flavors and gooey cheese that the whole family will devour.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Skillet Lasagna

American Goulash Recipe

American Goulash Recipe
American Goulash Recipe. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Dig into this nostalgic American classic that brings comfort with every bite. Ground beef and pasta simmer in a rich tomato sauce, creating the perfect weeknight meal that’s both satisfying and simple to prepare. Your family will request this hearty one-pot wonder again and again!
Get the Recipe: American Goulash Recipe

Chicken Tetrazzini

Chicken Tetrazzini
Chicken Tetrazzini. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

This comforting chicken tetrazzini combines tender chicken with mushrooms in a luxurious creamy sauce, all topped with a golden, crispy cheese crust that bubbles to perfection in the oven. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleasing casserole for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tetrazzini

Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells

Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells
Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Indulge in these oversized pasta shells brimming with creamy ricotta and Italian cheeses, all nestled in a bed of rich marinara sauce. This Olive Garden-inspired dish delivers restaurant-quality comfort food right to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells

Four Cheese Manicotti

Four Cheese Manicotti
Four Cheese Manicotti. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

This four cheese manicotti combines ricotta, mozzarella, asiago and parmesan with a rich homemade meat sauce for the ultimate Italian comfort food. Make it ahead for easy entertaining or a special family dinner that everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Four Cheese Manicotti

Creamy Beef Stroganoff With Ground Beef

Creamy Beef Stroganoff With Ground Beef
Creamy Beef Stroganoff With Ground Beef. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This budget-friendly beef stroganoff transforms ground beef into a creamy, comforting delight that’s ready in just 35 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, it uses simple pantry ingredients to create a hearty meal that will satisfy the whole family without straining your wallet.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Beef Stroganoff With Ground Beef

Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese Recipe. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Indulge in the ultimate comfort classic with this oven-baked Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese. Creamy, cheesy, and perfectly satisfying, it’s the familiar taste that brings back childhood memories with every forkful. A simple pleasure that never disappoints.
Get the Recipe: Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Linguine with Clam Sauce

Linguine with Clam Sauce
Linguine with Clam Sauce. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Dive into a restaurant-worthy pasta that’s surprisingly simple to make at home. Tender linguine wrapped in a buttery garlic sauce, studded with juicy clams and brightened with white wine. This sophisticated weeknight wonder delivers coastal Italian flavor in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Linguine with Clam Sauce

Lasagna Rollups

Lasagna Rollups
Lasagna Rollups. Photo credit: Running To The Kitchen.

Indulge in cozy comfort food with these irresistible butternut squash lasagna roll ups. Each pasta bundle wraps tender chicken and nutrient-rich spinach in a velvety butternut sauce that’s pure creamy decadence. A perfect fall dinner that combines elegance with heartwarming flavor.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Rollups

Baked Rigatoni Recipe

Baked Rigatoni Recipe
Baked Rigatoni Recipe. Photo credit: Walking On Sunshine Recipes.

This cozy baked rigatoni combines al dente pasta with savory tomato sauce and gooey melted cheese for a simple yet satisfying meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s even better as next-day leftovers!
Get the Recipe: Baked Rigatoni Recipe

About Stephanie Manley

Stephanie Manley is the creator of CopyKat.com. She has been recreating copycat recipes since 1995. Learn more about Stephanie Manley.

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