Retro Decades Party Theme: Food Ideas

HORS D’OEUVRES (Appetizers)

  1. “Atomic Bites” – Deviled Eggs Three Ways (1950s)

Visual: Classic deviled eggs, but each row tinted or topped differently (paprika/red, dill/green, bacon bits)

Tray Setup: Use a chrome or ceramic egg platter with labeled signs per flavor

Recipe:
Ingredients:

  • 12 hard-boiled eggs
  • 1/3 cup mayo
  • 2 tsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp vinegar
  • Salt & pepper
  • Garnishes: smoked paprika, fresh dill, bacon bits

Instructions:

  1. Slice eggs lengthwise, remove yolks into a bowl.
  2. Mash yolks with mayo, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper until smooth.
  3. Divide into 3 bowls:
    • Bowl 1: classic (top with paprika)
    • Bowl 2: mix in dill
    • Bowl 3: add chopped bacon
  4. Pipe or spoon back into egg whites. Chill until serving.
  1. “Disco Meatballs” – Sweet and Tangy Cocktail Meatballs (1970s)

Visual: Glazed meatballs skewered with retro toothpicks

Tray Setup: Silver or mirrored tray with mini disco ball toothpick flags

Recipe:
Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 jar grape jelly (1 cup)
  • 1 bottle chili sauce (1 cup)

Instructions:

  1. Mix beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, and garlic powder.
  2. Roll into 1-inch balls and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
  3. In saucepan, combine jelly and chili sauce. Heat until melted.
  4. Add meatballs to sauce, simmer 10 minutes.
  5. Serve on skewers or toothpicks.
  1. “Neon Nacho Cups” – 1980s Taco Bar Bites

Visual: Mini taco cups in bright colored wrappers with 80s style garnish

Tray Setup: Use a neon tray liner with zigzag or geometric print

Recipe:
Ingredients:

  • 1 pack wonton wrappers
  • 1 lb ground beef or veggie crumbles
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • Shredded cheddar, sour cream, diced tomato, green onion

Instructions:

  1. Press wonton wrappers into muffin tin. Bake at 350°F for 8 minutes until golden.
  2. Brown beef, drain, add taco seasoning + water per packet instructions.
  3. Fill cups with taco mix, top with cheese, tomato, sour cream, green onion.
  4. Serve warm or at room temperature.

MAIN DISHES

  1. “TV Dinner Sliders” – Classic Mini Burgers with a Retro Twist (1950s–60s)

Visual: Sliders served in aluminum trays or mini TV-dinner-style compartments

Tray Setup: Use divided trays, garnish with mini pickle skewers

Recipe:
Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • Slider buns
  • American cheese
  • Pickle chips
  • Ketchup & mustard

Instructions:

  1. Shape beef into 2-inch patties. Salt and grill or pan-sear until cooked through.
  2. Add cheese slices, let melt.
  3. Assemble with buns, pickle, and condiments.
  4. Serve warm in retro-style foil trays.
  1. “Peace, Love, Pasta” – Tie-Dye Mac and Cheese (1960s)

Visual: Mac and cheese in multiple color sections (natural food dye) swirled like tie-dye

Tray Setup: Ceramic dish with psychedelic swirl pattern drawn in sauces or garnishes

Recipe:
Ingredients:

  • 1 lb elbow pasta
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar
  • Natural food color powders or gel (blue, pink, green)

Instructions:

  1. Boil pasta, drain.
  2. Make roux with butter and flour, whisk in milk, simmer.
  3. Add cheese, stir until melted.
  4. Divide into 3 bowls, color each one.
  5. Spoon into tray in a swirl pattern. Use a knife to gently marble. Serve hot.
  1. “Grunge Grilled Cheese Bar” – DIY 1990s Grilled Cheese Station

Visual: Guests customize their sandwiches from add-ins and watch them griddled

Tray Setup: Wooden cutting board with bowls of add-ins: bacon, tomato, avocado, jalapeños

Ingredients:

  • White and rye bread
  • Cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack
  • Butter
  • Optional fillings as above

Instructions (for staff or pre-prep):

  1. Butter bread.
  2. Fill with selected cheese and toppings.
  3. Grill on skillet until golden. Cut in triangles and serve warm.

DESSERTS / SWEETS

  1. “Cassette Cakes” – Mini 1980s Layered Brownie Bites

Visual: Brownie bites layered with icing, piped to look like cassette tapes

Tray Setup: Black tray with neon piping and tape-label name cards

Recipe:
Ingredients:

  • 1 box brownie mix
  • Vanilla and chocolate frosting
  • Black decorating gel or fondant strips

Instructions:

  1. Bake brownies in a flat 9×13 pan. Cool and cut into rectangles.
  2. Pipe a frosting layer on top to resemble cassette body.
  3. Use gel or fondant to create reels and label design.
  4. Chill until firm.
  1. “Jello-O-Rama Cubes” – 1960s Layered Jell-O Squares

Visual: Rainbow-striped gelatin squares served on mirrored or silver tray

Tray Setup: 1960s-style glass serving dish with reflective base

Recipe:
Ingredients:

  • 3 flavors of Jell-O
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 3 envelopes unflavored gelatin

Instructions:

  1. Prepare first Jell-O layer (half the water) and chill until firm.
  2. Mix 1 packet unflavored gelatin with 1 cup hot water, then add condensed milk. Pour over set layer, chill.
  3. Repeat with remaining flavors, alternating colors and milk layers.
  4. Cut into 1-inch cubes.
  1. “Pop Rocks Parfaits” – 1990s Candy Explosion Cups

Visual: Layered mousse or pudding with colorful Pop Rocks sprinkled on top

Tray Setup: Clear plastic cups on a glow tray; sprinkle Pop Rocks just before serving

Recipe:
Ingredients:

  • Instant vanilla pudding
  • Whipped cream
  • Food coloring (optional)
  • Pop Rocks candy (various flavors)

Instructions:

  1. Make pudding, chill.
  2. Divide into bowls, color each with food coloring.
  3. Layer colored pudding in clear cups, top with whipped cream.

Sprinkle with Pop Rocks right before serving.

Return to Retro Decades Party Theme