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.

Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel

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

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)

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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