10 TV Dinner-Inspired Menus For Nostalgic Dining

Remember early foil-covered TV dinners with a special treat like a gooey brownie square or apple cobbler? Created in the 1950s as televisions became family room fixtures, TV dinners now are easily heated up in the microwave. Made more for convenience than gathering around a television set, today's TV dinners range from old favorites like turkey dinners to new options including protein bowls.

Now, you don't have to pull back the foil — you can simply make one of these 10 TV dinner-at-home options. To really get in the spirit, set it all up on one of these retro-inspired trays.

You can also give these menus the meal prep treatment: Make them ahead of time, and store them in a microwave-safe container so these meals can go from freezer to microwave to plate (or stay in the container). Check out some fun TV and movie tray-worthy viewing match-ups too for an extra-nostalgic event.

Sensational Salisbury Steak

One of the first TV dinners in the 50s was Salisbury steak. A comfort food grouping adults and kids alike can love, this trio includes the traditional "steak and potatoes" finished off with a chocolate cake treat. Serve it all up on these modern stoneware TV trays.

Entree: Chef John's Salisbury Steak
Side: Twice Baked Potatoes for the Freezer
Dessert: Chocolate Cake IV

What to Watch: Bonanza TV

Take a Pie to the Tray

Pot pies became popular TV tray options with their all-in-one format. Try these modern pot pie options that feature the flavors of an Indian samosa or veggies.

If you start a meal with a savory pie, you may have to end it with a sweet one. Chef John's well-reviewed and easy apple pie is a cinch to store in this pie keeper that goes from freezer to microwave.

Entree: Indian Samosa Pie
Entree: Easy Vegetable Pie
Dessert: Chef John's Easy Apple Pie

What to Watch: Waitress

Take a TV Tray Trip to Germany

Whether it is Oktoberfest or just a cool fall evening, you can enjoy a meal of yummy pork chops and traditional cabbage rolls finished off by an apple cake that is "chock full of apples." The pork chops live up to their succulent and juicy nature.. Allrecipes recipe creator prell2k4 recommends grilling or pan frying them.

Entree: Succulent Pork Chops
Side: Cabbage Rolls
Dessert: Grandma's Fresh Apple Cake

What to Watch: The Monuments Men

Meet Up Over a Meatloaf

One of the most classic TV dinner options is meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Check out this "EZ" meatloaf and these easy ways to freeze and reheat the matching mashed potatoes.

Got leftover meatloaf? Slice it up for lots of weekday meals, making prep easy too. If you watch closely while you eat your this meat and potatoes meal, 60s icon Mrs. Cleaver may just serve up a meatloaf dinner, too.

Entree: EZ Meatloaf
Side: The Best Mashed Potatoes
Dessert: Cream Cheese Poundcake

What to Watch: Leave It to Beaver, Season 3

Pictured: Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas

Mexican Meal in Minutes

Early TV dinner diners ate up international meal offerings like enchiladas and tamales. Take a little trip of your own with these beef or chicken enchiladas. A hot tamale pie or chiles rellenos (billed by Allrecipes creator Fat~Dog~Lane as "just like your favorite Mexican restaurant!") add to the meal. A sopapilla pie in an easy bar format completes this south-of-the-border supper.

Entree: Shredded Beef Enchiladas
Entree: Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas
Side: Real Chiles Rellenos
Side: Hot Tamale Pie
Dessert: Sopapilla Cheesecake Pie

What to Watch: Three Amigos!

Serve Up Some Parm to the Famiglia

Another TV dinner combo was Italian favorites. Today's frozen family-sized lasagnas came during the journey from early TV dinners. Diners looking for variety loved the idea of Italian entrees in minutes. Create your own version of Italy with make-ahead chicken parmigiana and a side of spaghetti pie.

Entree: Make-Ahead Chicken Parm
Side: Spaghetti Pie II
Dessert: Apple Brownies

What to Watch: The Italian Job

Chop Up Dinner Time With Asian Favorites

Air travel became more realistic as televisions and TV dinners innovated in the 1950s. Diners dreamed of traveling to Asia. The TV dinner companies like Swanson answered with dinners including sweet-and-sour chicken and egg rolls. Make up your own international dining options with a freezer-friendly Thai Chicken and quick pork fried rice. It's easy to create individualized TV dinner options: each diner can choose what they want.

Entree: Freezer-friendly Thai Chicken
Side: Quick Pork Fried Rice
Side: Shrimp Egg Foo Yung

What to Watch: Jackie Chan's First Strike

Not Just for TV Dinners: Break for Breakfast

As TV dinners evolved, breakfast options entered the market leading to today's frozen breakfast burritos and sandwiches. Mix and match these sweet and savory options to create microwavable options that make mornings easier. From sheet pan blueberry pancakes to breakfast burritos, these options go well with the morning news and a cup of coffee.

Entree: Sheet Pan Blueberry Pancakes
Entree: Bacon Cheese Frittata
Entree: Southwest Breakfast Burrito
Side: Ham Potato Broccoli Casserole

What to Watch: Breakfast at Tiffany's

TV Trays and Thanksgiving

If you're watching the Thanksgiving Day parade or just re-runs, the earliest TV dinner option is a great one to recreate. Legend has it that the first TV dinner was Swanson's Thanksgiving turkey offering in the early 1950s. Create your own Thanksgiving dinner any time of the year with this slate of freezer-friendly recipes from a pumpkin cheesecake to cornbread dressing.

Entree: Instant Pot Turkey
Side: Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy
Side: Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Side: Grandma's Cornbread Dressing
Dessert: Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake

What to Watch: It's A Wonderful Life