5 Comforting Weeknight Dinners for Busy Nights

These recipes fit perfectly into my schedule.

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.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published September 22, 2025
Micah Siva
A skillet of a vegetable and quinoa dish labeled Simply Weeknight Recipes with a plated portion nearby

Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne

This week is the Jewish New Year, so I am taking a few days off to celebrate and spend time with my family. This means that we eat a little differently, host, and are hosted by friends for meals. It also means that my son’s daycare is closed and I’m on full time mom duty while preparing a dinner party for a crowd.

The holiday season has always been a favorite, and it was one of the places where I learned to cook. My mom and grandma would host most holidays together, and they’d putter around the kitchen with their homemade aprons making elaborate meals for our friends and family. While I won't be with my family this year, I will be channeling this energy into these five recipes.

  • Mom's Chicken and Noodles

    chicken and noodles

    Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

    Remember that matzo ball soup I made last week? That’s being repurposed into chicken noodle and matzo ball soup for dinner. Soup is a staple holiday food, and my family loves the combination of noodles and matzo balls. I’ll be adding a few more veggies to this, like parsnips and spinach, for a true one-bowl-meal. I won’t be with my family to celebrate, but this dish feels like a big hug from mom.

  • Greek Dressing Salmon

    Four salmon fillets baked on a tray, garnished with seasoning

    Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss

    Recipe developer Jessica Furniss says, "One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s ready in under 20 minutes. After brushing the salmon fillets with Greek dressing, marinate them in the fridge for five minutes. While the fish marinates, lightly oil a baking sheet and preheat it in the oven. Then, add the fish (skin-side down) to the oiled, hot baking sheet and bake for 12 to 13 minutes." So easy!

  • Mediterranean Grilled Vegetables

    Plate with grilled vegetables and garnishes

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne

    One of my favorite party tricks is that I can build an entire menu that can be prepped in advance and served at room temperature. While you might not find that overly impressive, it means that I can actually enjoy company without hiding away in the kitchen. Grilled vegetables are a staple in my hosting rotation, especially when they can sit in a zippy marinade. I love that people can pick and choose which veggies they take, and I can use up that eggplant I had high hopes for. The best part? They are great for lunches the next day, piling it onto grain bowls or salad greens.

  • Chicken and Apples in Honey Mustard Sauce

    Chicken Apple Honey Mustard

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    It’s traditional to eat apples and honey during Jewish new year, and I like to add both ingredients to as many meals as possible, like this chicken dish. We’re hosting some neighbors for a potluck dinner, so I’ll make this as our main along with a big green salad with a honey lemon vinaigrette and an apple cake for dessert.

    Continue to 5 of 5 below

  • Vegetable Couscous Skillet

    A skillet with couscous, vegetables, and goat cheese, garnished with greens and ready to serve

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne

    Recipe developer Robin Asbell says, "Over the years, I've come up with a fast, one-pan skillet dinner that works with just about any vegetable. It’s ready in 15 minutes, and it’s my go-to on those days when a light meal on the patio is exactly right." I love one-dish meals and Mediterranean flavors, so this will be perfect for a busy weeknight.

Explore More: