17 Classic Dinners People Kept Cooking Once the Holidays Were Over

17 Classic Dinners People Kept Cooking Once the Holidays Were Over

Once the holiday meals wind down, dinner often shifts back to food that feels familiar and reliable. These are the kinds of recipes people returned to because they were filling, practical, and comforting without feeling heavy. The focus here is on traditional dishes made with simple ingredients that carry real staying power. These 17 classic dinners kept showing up well after the decorations came down.

17 Classic Dinners People Kept Cooking Once the Holidays Were Over
Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel

A plate of pasta with mushrooms and sprigs of dill.
Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel is a baked noodle casserole made with pasta, mushrooms, leeks, eggs, and dairy that finishes in about 55 minutes. The ingredients bake into a firm, sliceable dish. The flavor is earthy and savory. Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel works well for leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel

Chicken Marbella Ottolenghi

Close up on ottolenghi chicken marbella on plate.
Chicken Marbella Ottolenghi. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Chicken Marbella is a baked chicken dish made with chicken, olives, capers, garlic, and dates that finishes in about 60 minutes. The ingredients roast together into a glossy, cohesive dish. The flavor balances savory, tangy, and lightly sweet notes. Chicken Marbella remains popular long after special occasions pass.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Marbella Ottolenghi

Chicken Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombiano)

Colombian tamales on a plate.
Chicken Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombiano). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Chicken Colombian Tamales are banana leaf-wrapped parcels made with chicken, cornmeal, vegetables, and spices that take about 2 hours to prepare and cook. The ingredients steam into a soft, cohesive meal. The flavor is savory and gently spiced. Chicken Colombian Tamales are often made in batches to last through the week.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombiano)

Classic White Fish In White Wine Sauce

White fish fillets on a white plate with lemon wedges and fork.
Classic White Fish In White Wine Sauce. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Classic White Fish in White Wine Sauce is a stovetop dinner made with white fish, wine, butter, and aromatics that’s ready in about 30 minutes. The sauce lightly coats the fish without overpowering it. The flavor is clean and savory. Classic White Fish in White Wine Sauce feels practical and timeless.
Get the Recipe: Classic White Fish In White Wine Sauce

Chicken And Rice Casserole

Chicken plov on a plate with a fork.
Chicken And Rice Casserole. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Chicken and Rice Casserole is a one-pot baked dish made with chicken, rice, carrots, onions, and spices that’s ready in about 60 minutes. The ingredients cook together into a complete meal. The flavor is savory with light sweetness from vegetables. Chicken and Rice Casserole works well for family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Chicken And Rice Casserole

Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies

Hands holding paprika chicken and vegetables on a sheet pan.
Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies is an oven-baked meal made with chicken, vegetables, paprika, and oil that’s ready in about 40 minutes. The ingredients roast together into a complete dinner. The flavor is savory with gentle spice. Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies fits easily into a weeknight routine.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies

Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole

A baked dish in a red casserole dish featuring layers of melted cheese, zucchini slices, and a seasoned meat mixture. The surface is lightly browned, garnished with chopped herbs.
Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole is a baked dinner made with ground beef, rice, zucchini, cheese, and sauce that’s ready in about 30 minutes. The ingredients cook into a creamy, filling dish. The flavor is savory and mild. Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole works well for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole

Mujadara

White casserole dish with middle eastern mujadara.
Mujadara. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Mujadara is a one-pot dish made with lentils, rice, onions, and oil that’s ready in about 45 minutes. The ingredients cook into a filling, protein-rich meal. The flavor is savory with deep onion notes. Mujadara is often cooked repeatedly for its simplicity and staying power.
Get the Recipe: Mujadara

Pomegranate Chicken With Walnuts

A close-up image of a slow-cooked meat dish garnished with fresh parsley and pomegranate seeds served in a rustic pot.
Pomegranate Chicken With Walnuts. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Pomegranate Chicken with Walnuts is a stovetop dish made with chicken, walnuts, and pomegranate molasses that cooks in about 60 minutes. The sauce thickens into a rich coating for the chicken. The flavor is savory with gentle sweetness and tang. Pomegranate Chicken works as a hearty dinner without feeling heavy.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Chicken With Walnuts

Easy Moussaka Recipe

Close-up of a baked casserole dish featuring layers of cheese with crispy golden edges, topped with fresh green herbs.
Easy Moussaka Recipe. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Easy Moussaka is a baked casserole made with eggplant, lentils, tomato sauce, and creamy topping that finishes in about 60 minutes. The layers bake into a structured dish. The flavor is savory and gently spiced. Easy Moussaka reheats well for later meals.
Get the Recipe: Easy Moussaka Recipe

Ajiaco Colombiano (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe)

A bowl of ajiaco colombiano soup with chicken, corn on the cob, and avocado.
Ajiaco Colombiano (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Ajiaco Colombiano is a hearty chicken and potato soup made with chicken, corn, potatoes, and herbs that simmers into a full meal in about 90 minutes. The broth thickens naturally and pairs well with rice, avocado, capers, and cream. The flavor is savory and deeply comforting. Ajiaco Colombiano is the kind of soup people rely on through cold winter evenings.
Get the Recipe: Ajiaco Colombiano (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe)

Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

A dish in a black baking pan filled with baked casserole. The top is golden brown with crispy edges and garnished with sliced green onions. A portion has been removed, revealing a creamy interior.
Chicken Hash Brown Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Chicken Hash Brown Casserole is a baked meal made with chicken, hash browns, cheese, and sauce that’s ready in about 45 minutes. The ingredients form a hearty, sliceable dish. The flavor is rich and savory. Chicken Hash Brown Casserole fits easily into weeknight cooking.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

Buckwheat Kasha With Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions

Three bowls of buckwheat kasha with mushrooms and greens.
Buckwheat Kasha With Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Buckwheat Kasha With Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions is a stovetop grain dish made with buckwheat, mushrooms, onions, and oil that’s ready in about 45 minutes. The ingredients cook into a nutty, hearty base with soft vegetables throughout. The flavor is earthy and savory. Buckwheat Kasha works well as a simple dinner or filling side.
Get the Recipe: Buckwheat Kasha With Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions

Bosnian Pita Pie

Cheesy cinnamon rolls in a white baking dish.
Bosnian Pita Pie. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Bosnian Pita Pie is a baked savory pastry filled with meat or vegetables wrapped in thin dough and finished in about 75 minutes. The ingredients bake into crisp layers with a tender filling inside. The flavor is rich, savory, and balanced. Bosnian Pita Pie is filling enough to serve as a full dinner.
Get the Recipe: Bosnian Pita Pie

Chicken Borscht

A bowl of borscht topped with sour cream and fresh dill, with a spoon in the bowl.
Chicken Borscht. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Chicken Borscht is a soup made with chicken, beets, cabbage, carrots, and broth that simmers for about 90 minutes. The ingredients soften into a deeply colored, filling soup. The flavor is savory with gentle sweetness. Chicken Borscht is commonly eaten throughout winter.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Borscht

Matzo Lasagna with Cottage Cheese

A baked lasagna in a rectangular dish, topped with tomato sauce, basil leaves, and grated cheese. A spatula is lifting a portion from the dish, revealing layers of pasta and filling. The dish is on a light countertop.
Matzo Lasagna with Cottage Cheese. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Matzo Lasagna with Cottage Cheese is a baked casserole layered with matzo, cottage cheese, tomato sauce, and eggs that cooks in about 60 minutes. The ingredients bake into a cohesive, sliceable dish. The flavor is savory and comforting. Matzo Lasagna often continues appearing after holidays end.
Get the Recipe: Matzo Lasagna with Cottage Cheese

Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes

17 Classic Dinners People Kept Cooking Once the Holidays Were Over
Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes is a baked meal made with chicken, potatoes, garlic, and buttermilk that takes about 75 minutes. The ingredients roast into tender chicken and crisp potatoes. The flavor is savory with light tang. Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes feels familiar and reliable.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes

Post Comment