1990's EASY DINNER IDEAS - Pantry Cooking Ideas from Betty Crocker!

[@tinashort9098]

I worked as a CNA for over 20 yrs and lived with my last patient for 4 yrs. I inherited her cookbooks!! She had every little book that came with every kitchen gadget or appliance that she had ever bought!!! I have her kitchen aid mixer and it’s probably one of the first ones ever made and it still works like a brand new one!!!❤

[@lauriebrown2858]

Wow that’s awesome I have some old cook from the 1950’s to the 1990’s. To me I just mix whatever I have in my cabinets to see what works. I can’t take heat in my food I had some Indian food I was in the hospital because my acid reflux went wild I was coughing up acid foam. The food was good though.

[@chetasaur]

im so nostolgic for recipes like this growing up in the 90s-early 2000s my mom cooked alot of dishes like these.

[@ld5307]

Lol. Same with the dinner anxiety 😅 My husband gets annoyed when I talk about what's for dinner, literally during breakfast ❤A girls gotta plan!

[@cooking_the_books]

I totally agree! 😁

[@Miss_Camel]

If you cook it and he eats it, he better not be getting annoyed!! 🤣 You just tell him I said so next time. 🤍

[@hattiem.7966]

The hubby can fix himself a bowl of cereal.😅

[@kellyoconnell2169]

LOL! I loved your cheese argument comment! Some people right? CHEESE! Is that really an argument? Love your recipes and sense of humor!

[@cooking_the_books]

Give cheese a chance! 😂

[@Barbara-nc9iq]

NO GIVE PEAS A CHANCE

[@Miss_Camel]

There’s no such thing as “too much cheese”, and who is literally questioning your measurements by eyeballing it in a video? Imagine caring that much about something that did not affect you in any way. 🤣🤣🤣

[@paulasmith7803]

Everyone needs a hobby😂

[@BusyBusyPanda]

As a Wisconsinite I'm fairly sure you just insulted my ancestors and I accept your challenge to a cheese duel.

[@lisapop5219]

Having an easy meal as we speak. Sautéed kielbasa, onions, cabbage & onions in bacon drippings. We also have some peirogi. Quick & easy.

[@cooking_the_books]

Sounds great! 😋

[@thecraftydawn]

We do this dish with a lot of variations. Have you ever made this dish with green beans?

[@lisapop5219]

@@thecraftydawn can't say I have

[@ndines6237]

Anna I can tell that you are a proper cook, by your comments on how the ingredients behave as you use them. I love love love your channel - it’s makes me relax and takes me back to a time when life was kind of simpler. Less plugged in. Thanks luv! ❤

[@heidifogelberg3544]

I really like your take on getting trolled. Good for you, Cheese Queen!

[@cooking_the_books]

Cheese Queen! 😂

[@heidifogelberg3544]

@@cooking_the_books All Hail!

[@MdnightWnd]

I feel the same nostalgia for those books! The second I saw that it took me back to my childhood - I'm pretty sure my mom had at least one of these. I was 13 in October of 1992 so we're of similar age. The 80s and 90s were a great time.

[@karenfellenz1115]

I think black olives would be amazing in the bean bake. It reminds me of something my mom made when i was growing up.❤

[@kathrynlarsen3683]

For the salad, if you add salmon, I believe adding dill either to the salad or dressing would make it pop.

[@barbiec4312]

I click like right away because I KNOW it is going to be great.

[@madelineryan7999]

Looking forward to baked potato recipes!

[@debbieblaylock9997]

1990 was the year I got married and the food looks delicious

[@jenniferbrown2402]

That little cornflower casserole is so cute!

[@redrooster1908]

So stinking cute 😍

[@suestephan3255]

Yes we love your sense of humor. Anna the cheese pie looks like something to make on another episode.

[@ebryan1408]

I got married in 1972 and Corning Ware was the popular thing for wedding and shower gifts. I had both of the pans you used today as well as a coffee percolator. Your recipes today sounding very family, too.

[@eathomelive]

Our electricity was out for 4 days after a big summer storm. Our gas stove still worked. So, we had percolator coffee, and it was so good.

[@lauriebrown2858]

My parents were married in 1974 they were married for 48 years before my mom passed away. We still have some glass bowls and a pan set with all the lids. I still use them. Friday I’m going to make my homemade pasta sauce and can it for the next year. I miss canning my own vegetables we don’t have enough room for a large garden.

[@ChurchladyHmm]

This video really shows your sense of humor and I love it. To those starting cheese arguements--I hope they bring shame back.

[@Ogreletmama]

Came here to say just this! LOVING the smart alevk I'm seeing come out that you normally don't show. Keep riling up those cheese "mongers"! Lol

[@susans9491]

🎼🎶🎵 All we are saying, Is give cheese a chance!🎵🎶

[@janelleclark4458]

In October 1992, I celebrated my 22nd birthday! I was also a new wife trying to cook dinners on a small budget--I could very easily have picked up this booklet at Giant Eagle. Maybe I did! Thanks for picking a cookbook from a very memorable time in my life. ❤

[@RukminiDMaria108]

Pittsburgh!

[@sonnyd4reel]

any mention of october in the 90's makes me happy (my birthday is 10/30/90)

[@vanessas3385]

Having a quick and easy meal pantry right now! I roasted some yellow onions in Mexican spices and vegan butter. Melted white queso Velveeta and refried beans in the microwave. Fried up some fake hamburger with Mexican spices and frozen corn. Tossed it all together in a bowl and am eating it with tortilla chips. Not healthy, but awfully comforting. I’m enjoying reading about other people’s easy meals 😊

[@OZARKMOON1960]

I also had salmon patties growing up (60s and 70s) and they were always served with lemon juice on top, creamed potatoes and creamed canned peas. There were a few leftovers that mom had the next night, because dad and I would have some kind of pork the next night and mom didn't eat pork. Still remember her sitting at kitchen table and going through the canned salmon to pick out the bones.

[@janemartin229]

Betty Crocker/Bisquick must've published hundreds of those little recipe booklets. I have a binder made for them and it's full. I am a Duke's mayo girl, and their lids fit the regular Mason jars, so I save them and never have to buy any.

[@janelleclark4458]

Ooh, that's good to know! I recently switched from Hellman's to Duke's.

[@JamesBond-lt5tr]

Love the classic Pyrex, there’s nothing better to cook with!

[@leslieyancey5084]

I made something last week that I just improvised at the last minute, and it turned out so good! I started to make spaghetti, but couldn’t get my canned tomatoes open, so it became a beef and rice dish. I browned some ground beef with finely chopped carrots, celery, and onion, salt, peeper and oregano. Then stirred in some uncooked rice and some chicken stock and let it cook until the rice absorbed all the stock. It was better than I thought it would be!

[@marilyncausey9348]

That does so good! Thanks for sharing!

[@NashRambler]

I like your beautiful dishes as much as I like your sense of humor and recipes. Your videos always make me smile.

[@chaucernerd1690]

I’ve used buttered Special K as casserole topping. It’s got such a nice airy crunch.

[@redrooster1908]

My Mom called stove top recipes: hot dishes. Baked in the oven with a topping on it? Casseroles.

[@kaylakitty3814]

@@redrooster1908 I grew up with just hot dishes, then. My mom didn’t transferred things over to a casserole dish to bake and there was never a crunchy topping😢.

[@mustwereallydothis]

I don't know why I never thought of that. That would be amazing. I use rice crispies as a chicken coating, and that's a huge family favorite.

[@BusyBusyPanda]

I am from Wisconsin & I actually DO start cheese arguments on the internet. So from a cheese jerk afficianado let me tell ya honey your cheese skills are spot on. No notes. Keep up the cheesy good work.

[@cooking_the_books]

I appreciate that! 😁

[@BusyBusyPanda]

@@cooking_the_books in all honesty it's pretty hard to mess up basic cheese skills. I worked in a cheese factory for a few years I've seen cheese gone wrong & it can happen but c'mon don't expect cheesemeister quality from the average schmo. That's just unreasonable! I'm like you. I just shred it, dump it, mmmm yum eat it. Easy peasey it's so cheesey!

[@lisapop5219]

This was the year that I got married. 😂 I was too po broke to buy magazines. Memories 😊

[@amberheywood2603]

$1 Hunts canned spaghetti sauce and $1 noodles was dinner... been there done that... I can list so many poor meals.

[@lisapop5219]

@amberheywood2603 it was so long ago that hamburger was $1 a pound and that was the most expensive part. We used to be able to survive on $20 after paying bills & buying groceries for 2 weeks. My husband was recently in the Marine Corps.

[@annettefournier9655]

Thanks Anna. Oh please do the caramel cream apples. I think my grandkids would love the bean bake🎉

[@loriloristuff]

I have a recipe for gluten-free brownies that uses refried beans. So more recipes using frijoles? Yes please! Anyway, cheddar cheese is relative, and more cheese is never a bad thing. Really, that *could* be six servings with the lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream. You could even add cooked ground beef. It's raining here, too. Duke's lids fit on Ball/ Mason regular jars. I ditch the "dead" mayo jar and save the lids. No I don't can with the plastic lids. I'd add a little parm or romano to that green salad. The apple is a great idea! The garlic dressing would be great with salmon. You can sub leftove rotisserie chicken in the spaghetti, too. I'd add mushrooms, canned or otherwise. I have an exact of that dish from the spaghetti. I used to have four. They are great for dips. I guess "great" is my word for the week. Have a great week, and thank you for the video. 😊

[@alannahdavisodell8140]

I have this exact cookbook! I have about 50 of them that I bought throughout the late '80s and the '90s. I learned to cook with the easy-to-follow recipes in them. Picked them up at the grocery store checkout.

[@NancySchmidt-r4l]

It’s so nice to meet someone who also loves olives, mushrooms and dates. My family doesn’t. However I really like celery and I know it’s not your favorite, lol!

[@AKS-rp2pv]

Love your videos. We are the same age and you bring so many memories back when I cooked with the women in my family. Now I’m hungry!!! 😂.

[@lavendergal2508]

Back in the 90s we used to eat a lot of hot Bacon, spinach salads

[@hattiem.7966]

I never had them til I was 40.

[@jamiemiller3792]

Love your channel so much! Would love to see more 90s recipes! So nostalgic for me! ❤

[@deannahogue3713]

My Mom used to bring these little cook books home from the commissary... that 1st recipe looks intriguing and pretty tasty!

[@silverlimosine]

I do a meal plan for the entire week. I know exactly what we’re having for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day for 7 days straight. Some might say it’s overkill, but my family has never been forced to order takeout for nearly a year because there’s always something prepped and ready!

[@sdb9884]

I do this for dinner, but I still don’t always follow it. Great job!

[@marilyncausey9348]

Industrious! 👏

[@lauriebrown2858]

I try to do it for the month. My father and I haven’t ordered out since my mother passed that was April last year.

[@draggonsgate]

The bean casserole reminds me of burrito filling... definitely cheese, lettuce and taco sauce on top of it! The speghetti I think would be nice with no meat all... like a quick alfredo... and I LOVE my little 1 qt corning casserole! Mine doesn't have the cornflower on it though... I have the Just White set, 1qt to 5 qt...

[@AmaliaSings]

"am I salsa Deficient" is just the new motto for my life

[@kimbee3083]

A jar of prego and a can of tuna spaghetti was for many of my dinners in the early 90’s as a young adult😊

[@FiercedeityBrad]

That first recipe made me think of my moms bread recipe using a can of refried beans. She always bought these newsstand cookbooks too 😂

[@redrooster1908]

I have been "salsa deficient" many times and need some. It's definitely a thing 🌶 🫑

[@MsAudreyDavis]

That last sauce you made with the tuna and olives 🫒 would be great served over toast too! 🍞 ❤

[@leahlangenfass5227]

I think it's called "measure with your heart " so use as much cheese as you want 😂

[@MelanieCravens]

No such thing as too much cheese, in my opinion. My hubby's opinion is any cheese is too much cheese! So, yeah, when I make meals with cheese in/on, I leave it off of his portion! And double it on mine and the kids'.

[@AB2B]

I don't mind the tuna, but I'm not an olive fan, so I think I'll try adding just pimentos and see how that goes. Thank you for some more unique and tasty recipes!

[@cookingwithsherry]

Gotta love Betty Crocker! I really was interested in the Mexican bean bake ! Thanks for sharing

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

That salad looks ideal for my general tastes, thanks!

[@Standinthegap4ever]

There was a restaurant in our town by the name The Mighty Potato. They served huge Idaho baked potatoes with various toppings. I always ordered the one with chili, sour cream, tomatoes, black olives & cheese. They had good soups & steak too. Disappointing that they closed.

[@cooking_the_books]

Oh gosh, sounds like a place I would have liked! 😁

[@Jen-Chapin]

We have Hungry Hobo! They make subs but also these big baked potatoes. So good.

[@BrowneyedGirlmjd]

I think of the three recipes the one surprised me the most was the Bisquick bake. That definitely looks like something that I could try and put in the fridge and eat for a week . Oh, and I wanna try the salad dressing, but I definitely add more mustard. 😁

[@58sewgood]

Looks great meatless Monday

[@ratchmbrbeth3215]

The casserole dishes and the baking Amish brings back memories.

[@lovelylyrics1687]

Some people just aren't happy unless they can fuss about something...I love your vintage dishes I'm so envious I wish they made stuff like that now

[@jaimiehorton9669]

I love when you do the 90's, it makes me nostalgic! My mom is big on salmon loaf, like meat loaf with tinned salmon. The salmon burger made me think of it. But her having dual citizenship she only makes it with Canadian salmon and drives across the border to get it 😂 I'm sure it would be good with canned American salmon too!

[@susan_elizabeth]

I bought those little booklets all the time in the 90s.

[@thecraftydawn]

As we are doing after breakfast dishes, lol, my hubby and I start to plan the other two meals. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do 😂😂

[@staceyn2541]

I love the first recipe idea. I bought refried beans at Sam's, so a new use is very welcome! I have always thought that small grocery stores must use the Betty Crocker or Better Homes and Gardens cookbooks as the guide for what they should stock. Keeping it simple. Southern Indiana has a few very sparsely populated counties with one tiny grocery store each. I miss those days. I find the options at bigger grocery stores can be overwhelming. Deciding what to have for dinner is my least favorite part of life lately.

[@MerryKat]

I made the Mexican Bean Bake. It was GOOD!! Perfect meal for a cold, wet day. It's a Keeper. Thank you for all the great recipes.

[@cristywyndham-shaw5111]

Ooo, Caramel Cream Apples would be a perfect recipe for the autumn months. 🎉

[@Korea4Me]

When my youngest son was little, he used to call broccoli 'trees'. He was a breeze to feed because he ate anything (still does!)

[@lovelylyrics1687]

He's brilliant! Broccoli trees taste so much better than regular broccoli 🥦

[@lauriebrown2858]

My niece for a year only had Mac and cheese, hotdogs and chicken cordon blue. Now she ears everything.

[@jenniferbrown2402]

I made the Mexican Bean Bake tonight. It is so good. And so easy. I will definitely be making it again. I topped it with sour cream, chopped tomatoes and diced onion. Edit: Made it again! This is now in my regular rotation. I added corn which worked well.

[@lovelylyrics1687]

Me too im forever in love with the 80s and 90s... everything i pine for waking up to MTV VH1 sticky hairspray hairstyles rabbit fur coats and dingo boots ooh I miss it all of it

[@Laura_6262]

I’ve got everything I need in the pantry for the mex bean bake. Trying it tonight! Internet cheese arguments…😆😆😆

[@sarahs.7211]

Queeeeen!!! Thanks for this labor that you do. I can't remember if I've seen you make porcupine meatballs, but we had em tonight with puffy little dinner rolls and fried cabbage with bacon. The meatballs read as mini meatloaves held together with rice and they're cooked in a sweet tomato sauce. Apparently they're a depression era recipe. If you find them in one of your sacred texts, I'd recommend giving them a try!

[@cooking_the_books]

Thank you! and yes, I did make Porcupine Meatballs waaaaaaay back in the early days of my channel. They were delicious! I know there are many ways to prepare them, so I may try a different recipe in the future.

[@staceyn2541]

I make porcupine balls as just a casserole. Layer of rice, topped with broth and tomatoes, sprinkle the meat around, but the Lawry's seasoned salt is key to the flavor. Cover and bake for about an hour. My kids didn't like the crispy rice bits in the orignal. I also can't stand futzing with food any more. So, throwing layers into a casserole suits me. Plus, it uses barely a pound of meat which is a huge savings.

[@sarahs.7211]

@@staceyn2541 my kid is 2 so if it's not peanut butter, nuggets, or bread, she's not eating it right now and my husband is spiritually opposed to casseroles 😂. I just scooped my mixture out with a cookie scoop and plopped it directly into the skillet to brown so it was pretty easy.

[@staceyn2541]

@@sarahs.7211 My kid would change her mind about foods every few months so that was a struggle. You liked this last time!!! Ugh. She's 22 now and loves all the things she used to hate. Drives me nuts. I had to cook without obvious onions for 10 years. Now she eats extra onions. She hates meatballs, always has. So I went the casserole route for her. Kids!

[@cbears57]

I make porcupine meatballs with beef rice-a-roni & beef broth gravy. We serve over another box of rice -a-roni with added peas and carrots. I will have to try the tomato sauce version. Thanks for a great idea.

[@stephanieb1196]

Hello, I will try these recipes . Thank you

[@heleneminger]

The bean concoction kind of reminded me of a Mexican lasagna that my husband's sisters boyfriend made for a dinner party, I hated it my husband loved it so through the years I've modified the concept into something we both like by adding taco meat and Olives

[@bethbrec]

I would agree with your cheese comment. It totally makes a difference in what size of grating you use in determining volume. A pile of finely shredded cheddar cheese can result in a greater volume of cheese due to the air between the individual shreds. So 8 oz of cheese shredded up can result in 2 cups or not depending on which size grater holes used. So for cheese arguments, I'm your huckleberry. 😂 It's the old by weight vs. by volume.

[@cooking_the_books]

Oh yes, I’ve had to explain weight vs. volume several times. In this case the recipe listed 3 ounces of cheese rather than using a cup measure. I kind of prefer it that way so there’s no question! 😂

[@ChickenTaquillaTaco]

I was born in 81 and I have such memories about the Betty Crocker mini-series cookbooks (the ones you find near the checkout counter). The fact that you’re cooking these gives me a real nostalgic feeling of my mom making these dishes back in the late 80’s and 90’s. You’re not um…… looking for a hubs that likes good retro food and enjoys cooking, are ya? lol! Keep up the videos as I live for the vintage recipes and these complete two checkboxes in my life. 👍🏼

[@MrCount44201]

I love your videos. It''s so fun to watch you making meals from by-gone era's. I really enjoy, thank you.

[@avan01]

Awww were the same age and my mom had a ton of those little recipe books! I love ❤️ what you're doing here, and i love cooking too

[@auburnkim1989]

Another great one! Thanks so much for sharing. Btw, according to Monty Python..."Blessed are the cheese makers." 😂

[@georgemcnair3647]

I was 24 years old in 1992 and I bought those little books all the time.

[@brendashope1558]

In 1992 I was just in my first job and enjoying these types of cookbooks and meals. Great memories and also a reminder of simple and delicious meals. *if it has cumin, I am ALWAYS adding sour cream on top 😂. Something about that salsa always gets me too, it smells so good!!

[@DunderMiflinScranton]

I just discovered your channel. You are a delight! I was a young married person in 1992 and I bought these little recipe books all the time. Now I’m old and married and get my recipes from KZbin. Love your videos. ❤

[@Rhaenspots]

Ayyyy 1990s! This is when I grew up!

[@Cynthia-pf4hm]

I love your videos. I've tried several recipes. I promise not to argue with you about cheese! 😂

[@digvijayparmar8349]

❤❤❤ yum yum

[@ld5307]

Love your apron! 🧡🍂🎃

[@cooking_the_books]

Thank you!! 😊

[@Megan-zi9tf]

Gosh you're so pretty and your laugh is infectious! So happy I found your channel! Can't wait to watch the rest of your videos! ❤

[@denisebunker6674]

Yes for the bake potato!

[@BergenholtzChannel]

Love your apron!

[@redrooster1908]

Loving the Fall color scheme on your apron and Pyrex mixing bowl 😁 🎃

[@cooking_the_books]

Thank you! 😊

[@belindajacalne994]

Hi Anna, another great video! I think I have this booklet somewhere 🤔. Glad the recipes you featured do not take a lot of time to make, especially when you're pressed for time. Have a great week!❤

[@Shooshoobella7]

At first I thought it was strange that the salad dressing had no acid in it, like vinegar or lemon juice. But then I remembered that when I make ranch dressing with those Hidden Valley Ranch packets at home, they are made the same way, with milk and mayo (unless you get the buttermilk recipe and use that instead of the milk). So I'm going to have to try the one you made; the garlic and mustard sound pretty yummy, might even try adding some chopped parsley. Thanks for sharing, those little booklets really take me back 🙂

[@bizburgess1947]

Wow! You inspired me to try bake potato with ur tuna recipe on top. I am sure I bought this cookbook back in the day. My life was super busy and even now that it is just the 2 of us (both retired), getting something new on the table 3 meals a day is always a challenge. We don't eat meat and hubs can't eat gluten. I can't use over-processed food, so scratch cooking for the win. Baked potato to the rescue. Love tuna. Thank-u Anna.

[@cooking_the_books]

Great idea!! Thank you for watching. 😊

[@sab8080]

Thanks for the idea! Just recently started to suspect I may have a gluten intolerance. I will keep your modification in mind😊

[@dorothyrushforth888]

I think you’re in a playful mood tonight Anna 😂❤

[@romyo1853]

Love your Corningware and Pyrex collection and that you use it! I remember my parents had these Betty Crocker recipe books and i definitely got a microwave cookery book when i moved out on my own. 😂

[@KatieCooksandCrafts]

I like to use english muffins for pulled pork sandwhiches.

[@PatiAnn]

Back in the 90s n 2000s I collected those little books 😊❤

[@masonhamlin3921]

I love my Spice O Life Corningware, and have several of my mom's Pyrex bowls and casserole dishes. You make we want to get on ebay and make my collection larger! ...my family would scream..No! lol This mom was a sucker for those type of recipe books! Especially fall editions. I miss the good old days! ❤

[@cristywyndham-shaw5111]

The tuna spaghetti dish reminds me of tuna noodle casserole. Just needs the buttered breadcrumb topping. I'm deff going to try making the dressing for salad. Homemade dressing tastes so much better than store bought, plus no weird chemicals, artificial flavours, or emulsifiers. Thanks for the inspiration, Anna. Peachy chicken sounds...peachy! 😂 (Sorry, couldn't resist 😅)

[@christineforbesforbes2324]

❤️u. Can u do some appetizer recipes for Thanksgiving and the winter holidays? I always have to bring the appetizers and want something different and not too filling. Tx ❤ur channel

[@cooking_the_books]

I will see if it fits into my content schedule! In the meantime, I did film a video with 3 snacks/apps for Thanksgiving day a few years ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGirlJabqMqVotU

[@ladyrazorsharp]

The bean bake reminds me a little of an Enchirito! (vintage Taco Bell for the win, lol) Warm tuna is not my jam but would definitely try the recipe with chicken. Reminds me of something my mom would have served for a ladies' luncheon, with the salad alongside. These are so fun!

[@melissalambert7615]

I like to start arguments about cheese - Ha, ha! If you added apples to the salad it would be like a jazzed up Waldorf salad. I often make baked potato with leftovers, esp brocc and cheese! All good recipes. Hi from Oregon.

[@beckylynn529]

We’re about the same age and I remember my mom having a bunch of these (in fact, I think she might have had that exact book). So fun! Thank you for the walk down memory lane!

[@baileywright3113]

Salsa deficient has me cracking up! 🤣🤣

[@clkemp6725]

The first recipe sounds great. I need to include Bisquick in my next Target order.

[@brookecario145]

Tried it for dinnee tonight. We all loved it! I made some taco meat on the side, lettuce, and all the toppings.

[@tiffanysanchez9184]

New follower and I loved the video.

[@cooking_the_books]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@sdb9884]

I love tuna, but developed a life-threatening allergy to it as I got older. Canned chicken is one of my new staples, so I appreciate you mentioning it as a replacement!

[@patrickgomes2213]

People like to argue with you about cheese? "Who's in charge of cheese?" ~ Rose Nylund