Let me tell you why Friday night cooking is my favorite time of the week. After all the work stress, I love walking into my kitchen, playing my favorite songs, and just cooking something delicious. It’s so different from those rushed, Monday-to-Thursday dinners when I always check the clock!
I’ve made Friday cooking my special thing. First, I buy fresh ingredients after work. Then I lay out everything on my counter, all my veggies, spices, and tools. There’s something so calming about chopping vegetables when you’re not in a hurry. The sound of the knife on the cutting board. And the smell of fresh herbs helps me forget about all those work emails and meetings.
Sometimes, I make my mom’s old recipes. Other times, I try something new I saw online. But whatever I cook tastes amazing. This is because I’m relaxed and enjoy making it. It’s my way of saying “Hello weekend!”
1. That Golden Aesthetic Pizza
(Serves 4) A perfect circle of golden-brown crust with melty cheese pools and slightly charred edges that’s honestly so Instagram-worthy.
Ingredients + Cost:
- Pre-made pizza dough ($3.99)
- Marinara sauce ($2.49)
- Fresh mozzarella ($4.99)
- Fresh basil ($1.99)
- Olive oil ($0.50 worth)
Total cost per serving: ~$3.50
Instructions;
- Start by preheating your oven to like 450°F – this is literally crucial for that perfect crust
- Roll out the dough until it’s giving that perfect 14-inch circle vibe
- Spread 1/2 cup marinara leaving a 1-inch border (trust the process)
- Layer with 8 oz torn mozzarella pieces
- Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Pop in the oven for 15-20 mins or until it’s serving perfection
Cook time: 20 mins
Prep time: 15 mins
2. That Main Character Salmon
(Serves 4) Glistening golden-seared top with a perfectly tender pink center, dripping with silky lemon butter that’s low key addictive.
Ingredients + Cost:
- Fresh salmon fillets ($24.99/lb)
- Fresh lemons ($1.00)
- Premium butter ($4.99)
- Fresh herbs ($2.99)
Total cost per serving: ~$9.50
Instructions;
- Pat 4 (6-oz) salmon fillets dry – this is key for that crispy sear
- Season generously with salt and pepper
- Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a pan until it’s giving that perfect sizzle
- Place salmon skin-side up, sear for 4 mins
- Flip and cook another 3-4 mins while basting with lemon butter sauce
- For the sauce, melt 4 tablespoons butter with juice of 1 lemon
Cook time: 8 mins
Prep time: 5 mins
3. That Extra Meatball Spaghetti Moment
(Serves 6) Thicc, juicy meatballs nestled in a bed of perfectly al dente spaghetti, swimming in a rich red sauce with fresh herbs on top.
Ingredients + Cost:
- Ground beef (80/20) ($7.99/lb)
- Italian sausage ($5.99/lb)
- Premium breadcrumbs ($3.49)
- Fresh parsley ($1.99)
- Eggs ($3.99/dozen)
- Parmesan cheese ($6.99)
- Spaghetti ($2.99)
- Whole peeled tomatoes ($3.99)
- Fresh garlic ($0.99)
- Fresh basil ($1.99)
Total cost per serving: ~$6.50
Instructions;
- Mix 1 lb ground beef + 1/2 lb Italian sausage with 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- Add 1 beaten egg, 1/4 cup grated parmesan, 3 minced garlic cloves
- Form into 12 golf ball-sized spheres (wet your hands first for no stick vibes)
- Brown meatballs in batches until they’re giving that perfect crust
- For the sauce: sauté 6 garlic cloves until fragrant
- Add two 28-oz cans whole peeled tomatoes, break them up
- Simmer meatballs in sauce for 30 mins
- Cook 1 lb spaghetti until al dente (save that pasta water bestie!)
- Toss pasta with sauce, add pasta water if needed
Cook time: 45 mins
Prep time: 25 mins
4. Sheet Pan Fajita Energy
(Serves 4) Rainbow vibes of charred peppers and onions with golden-brown chicken strips, served with a stack of warm tortillas.
Ingredients + Cost:
- Chicken breast ($8.99/lb)
- Bell peppers (3 colors) ($4.50)
- Red onions ($1.29)
- Lime ($0.50)
- Tortillas ($3.99)
- Fajita seasoning ($2.99)
- Avocados ($3.99)
- Sour cream ($2.49)
Total cost per serving: ~$7.25
Instructions;
- Slice 2 lbs chicken breast against the grain into 1/4 inch strips.
- Cut 3 bell peppers and 2 red onions into strips that match the vibe.
- Toss everything with 3 tablespoons oil and 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
- Spread on a sheet pan – don’t crowd the party.
- Roast at 425°F for 20-25 mins, stirring halfway.
- Warm those tortillas in foil for the last 5 mins.
- Serve with sliced avocado, lime wedges, and sour cream.
Cook time: 25 mins
Prep time: 15 mins
5. That Gourmet Burger Situation
(Serves 4) Thick, juicy patties with a caramelized crust, melty cheese waterfalls, nestled in toasted brioche buns with fresh toppings creating that perfect height
Ingredients + Cost:
- Ground chuck beef (80/20) ($8.99/lb)
- Brioche buns ($4.99)
- Aged cheddar ($5.99)
- Red onion ($1.29)
- Butter lettuce ($2.99)
- Tomatoes ($2.49)
- Special sauce ingredients ($5.99)
- Butter ($4.99)
Total cost per serving: ~$9.25
Instructions;
- Divide 1.5 lbs beef into 4 equal portions (6 oz each)
- Form patties with your thumb making a deep dimple in center
- Season aggressively with salt and pepper right before cooking
- Heat cast iron until it’s literally smoking
- Place patties, don’t touch for 4 mins
- Flip once, add cheese immediately
- Cover with lid for 2-3 mins for medium rare
- Meanwhile, make the special sauce:
- Mix 1/2 cup mayo
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp diced pickles
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- Butter and toast buns until golden
Assembly order from bottom up:
-
- Toasted bottom bun
- Special sauce
- Lettuce leaf
- Patty with melted cheese
- Sliced tomato
- Thin red onion rings
- More sauce
- Toasted top bun
Cook time: 15 mins
Prep time: 20 mins
6. Not Your Basic Stir-Fry
(Serves 4) Glossy, colorful veggies and tender chicken pieces coated in a shimmering sauce, served over perfectly steamed rice with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Ingredients + Cost:
- Chicken thighs ($6.99/lb)
- Fresh ginger ($1.99)
- Garlic ($0.99)
- Broccoli ($2.99)
- Snow peas ($3.99)
- Carrots ($1.99)
- Bell peppers ($3.99)
- Jasmine rice ($3.99)
- Soy sauce ($2.99)
- Sesame oil ($4.99)
- Cornstarch ($1.99)
Total cost per serving: ~$9.00
Instructions:
- Marinade prep (30 mins minimum):
- Slice 1.5 lbs chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces
- Mix with 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- Rice prep:
- Rinse 2 cups jasmine rice until water runs clear
- Cook with 2.5 cups water
- Let rest 10 mins after cooking
- Sauce mix:
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
Stir-fry process:
- Heat wok until smoking
- Cook chicken in batches (2 mins per batch)
- Remove chicken
- Stir-fry veggies in order:
- Carrots (3 mins)
- Broccoli (2 mins)
- Bell peppers (2 mins)
- Snow peas (1 min)
- Add chicken back
- Pour sauce, stir until thickened
- Finish with sesame oil
Cook time: 20 mins
Prep time: 45 mins (including marinade)
7. That Luxe Mac and Cheese
(Serves 6) Creamy, golden-topped casserole with crispy breadcrumb crown, revealing rivers of cheese when you dig in.
Ingredients + Cost:
- Elbow macaroni ($2.99)
- Sharp cheddar ($6.99)
- Gruyere ($8.99)
- Heavy cream ($4.99)
- Whole milk ($3.99)
- Butter ($4.99)
- Flour ($2.99)
- Panko breadcrumbs ($3.99)
- Fresh thyme ($1.99)
- Garlic powder ($2.99)
Total cost per serving: ~$7.50
Instructions;
Pasta prep:
- Boil 1 lb pasta in heavily salted water
- Cook 2 mins less than package time
- Reserve 1 cup pasta water
Cheese sauce (béchamel base):
- Melt 6 tbsp butter
- Add 1/3 cup flour, whisk 1 min
Gradually add:
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Simmer until thickened
- Remove from heat
Cheese incorporation:
- Add in stages, stirring between each:
- 3 cups sharp cheddar
- 2 cups gruyere
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp mustard powder
Assembly:
- Mix sauce with pasta
- Pour into buttered 9×13 dish
Topping:
- Mix 1.5 cups panko
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tbsp thyme leaves
- Sprinkle evenly
Bake:
- 375°F for 25-30 mins
- Let rest 10 mins before serving
Cook time: 35 mins
Prep time: 25 mins
How can I Prep these meals to save time on Friday nights?
Most time-intensive components can be prepped in advance:
- Meatballs can be formed and stored raw for up to 24 hours
- Burger patties can be shaped and refrigerated overnight
- Stir-fry chicken can be marinated up to 8 hours
- Mac and cheese can be assembled up to the baking step and refrigerated for 24 hours
- All vegetables can be chopped and stored in airtight containers for 2-3 days
How do I ensure the proteins (chicken, salmon, burger) aren’t overcooked or dry?
Here are the key techniques:
- For salmon: Remove from heat when it’s still slightly translucent in the center (it will continue cooking)
- For chicken stir-fry: Cut pieces uniformly and don’t overcrowd the pan
- For burgers: Form patties gently without overworking the meat, and use a meat thermometer (135°F for medium-rare)
- Always let meats rest: 3-5 minutes for burgers, 5-7 minutes for salmon
What are the best substitutions for making these recipes more budget-friendly?
Several cost-cutting alternatives work well:
- Replace fresh mozzarella with block mozzarella (saves ~$2)
- Use chicken thighs instead of salmon (saves ~$15)
- Substitute half the gruyere with Monterey jack in mac and cheese (saves ~$4)
- Buy whole chicken breasts and cut them yourself for fajitas (saves ~$3/lb)
- Use dried herbs instead of fresh when possible (saves ~$1-2 per herb)
- Make your seasoning blends rather than buying pre-made (saves ~$2-3 per blend)