5 Weeknight Friendly Recipes That Feel Like a Celebration

For celebrating the new year or just any old night.

By
Micah Siva, RD
Micah Siva
Micah Siva, RD
Micah Siva is a trained chef, registered dietitian, recipe writer, and food photographer, specializing in modern Jewish cuisine. She runs Nosh with Micah, her personal blog.
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Published December 29, 2025
Micah Siva
A bowl of pasta with shrimp in a creamy sauce labeled as a Simply Weeknight Recipe

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

The bulk of the holidays might be over, but there’s something magical about the week between Christmas and New Years. The stress of holiday prep and planning are gone, my workload dies down, and there’s a stillness in the air. It might be one of my favorite weeks of the year.

During this week, I have a little more time on my hands and the desire to make the party last a little longer by making weeknight-friendly recipes that feel special, whether there’s something we’re celebrating or not. But don’t think that this means you will be toiling in the kitchen for hours on end. You can still get that celebratory feeling without the hassle.

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  • Chicken Piccata

    A helping of chicken piccata on a plate topped with sauce

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    Growing up, chicken piccata was my mom’s go-to meal for entertaining. I loved the contrast of rich breaded chicken with a tangy lemon and caper sauce. It’s simple but effective, and makes any dinner feel like a special occasion. Capers are my favorite, so I always double the amount and add a few cloves of garlic to the sauce. I’ll be doubling the sauce (because yum) and serving it over pasta with a green salad on the side. It's an easy way to make a weekday special!

  • Mushroom Risotto Recipe

    A bowl of mushroom risotto with a spoon scooping risotto out of the bowl.
    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    Risotto can feel intimidating, I get it! While it does require a little babysitting, it’s mostly hands-off, save for stirring it every so often. Keep this on the stove while you putter around the kitchen, tending to it any time you walk by the stove. If you have a bottle of white wine leftover from your holiday festivities, use it in this recipe for mushroom risotto. I’ll be doubling the mushrooms in the recipe and serving it on its own with a crisp glass of white wine once my toddler goes to bed for a weeknight date night in.

  • Rosemary Crusted Lamb Chops

    Two lamb chops with rosemary, served on a plate
    Elise Bauer

    If you really want to impress, make lamb chops. While it may seem intimidating, it’s actually easier than you think, with the hardest part being waiting for it to marinate. Flavored simply with rosemary and garlic, all you do is marinate, sear, and rest. Serve with polenta and sautéed greens for a simple but fancy meal, whether in your fanciest frock or your pajamas.

  • Panko-Crusted Salmon

    Elise Bauer

    Salmon is one of my go-to weeknight proteins. It’s easy, it’s fast, and my whole family likes it. But when I want to make dinner feel a little special, I crust my salmon with everything from panko to pistachios. Panko breadcrumbs stay crisp, not soggy, and the mustard “glue” adds flavor to my salmon, keeping the moisture inside. This method is quick enough for a weeknight, but impressive enough for last-minute entertaining. I’ll be serving this with rice and roasted broccoli to host some neighbors for an impromptu dinner party.

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  • Shrimp Pasta Alla Vodka

    Shrimp Pasta alla Vodka
    Elise Bauer

    Pasta on a weeknight is standard, but there’s something about pasta alla vodka that feels like it should be reserved for special occasions… even though it couldn’t be easier. Adding a quick cooking protein (like shrimp) is an easy way to turn a pasta dish into a main meal, and a splash of vodka truly makes all the difference. All you do is add the raw shrimp to the sauce, it couldn’t be easier! Serve with a hunk of sourdough bread to get any of that excess sauce. You won’t want to waste it!

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