Four Days, Sixteen Dishes – Easy Recipes for Every Meal Over the Long Weekend
From Friday to Monday, here’s every recipe you’ll need.
The long weekend is the perfect excuse to pause, unwind, and indulge – and what better way to do that than with good food? Whether you’re spending the holiday surrounded by friends and family or simply enjoying a slower pace at home, having a few crowd-pleasing recipes up your sleeve will ensure every meal feels a little bit special.
Even the most passionate home cooks can feel overwhelmed by the idea of planning four days’ worth of meals. That’s where we come in. From golden pancakes to vibrant pastas and buttery pastries, we’ve got you covered. Don’t fancy taking on 16 recipes alone? (We get it – that’s a lot for one person.) Divide the dishes between your family, housemates or fellow guests if you're attending events over the weekend. If takeaway and frozen pizza are more your speed, simply bookmark this list and chip away at it over the coming months until you’ve built a repertoire of go-to favorites. Impressed houseguests, guaranteed.
This curated lineup of tried-and-tested recipes will take you from Friday through to Monday – with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert sorted each day. Think fresh, seasonal ingredients, comforting classics, and fuss-free meals that still feel celebratory. Hot tip: Stock up on ingredients ahead of time so you’re not caught short on a public holiday.
So whether you're hosting a group, contributing a dish to a get-together, or treating yourself to a solo feast, these 16 recipes will help you savor every moment of the long weekend.
Friday
Fried Egg Bánh Mì
Start the long weekend with a bang. Don't settle for boring eggs on toast when you can add pickled carrot, coriander, mayo and a hint of chilli, bringing Vietnamese café vibes to your breakfast table. Slept in? No problem, this is perfect for brunch or lunch, too.
Soy Sauce Longevity Noodles
Traditionally enjoyed in celebratory settings to wish for long life, this light, fresh noodle dish is a great option if you’re having a communal Friday lunch. Serve it in a large serving bowl to encourage sharing and spark conversation. Or, just make yourself a single serving and celebrate the fact you’re not at work.
Cherry Tomato and Olive Pizza
You can’t go wrong with a homemade pizza, laden with fresh toppings and melted cheese. This vegetarian crowd-pleaser feels indulgent yet easy. It’s a fun recipe to cook as a group, ideal for relaxed Friday night entertaining.
Strawberry Glazed Lemon Loaf
Light, zesty and topped with a sweet berry glaze, this loaf is almost too pretty to eat. Depending on your level of sweet tooth, serve on its own, with fresh fruit, ice cream, cream or custard.
Saturday
Sweet Potato Waffles With Coconut Cream, Maple Syrup & Berries
Earthy, sweet and crispy-edged, these waffles feel like a treat but are deceptively nutritious. Topped with coconut cream, maple syrup and fresh berries, this delightful vegan morning treat strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tart, thanks to the seasonal fruits and creamy plant-based topping.
Vegetable Dumplings
Simple to make and perfect for sharing, these dumplings are light, savory, and completely moreish. The filling is well balanced with a variety of textures, and then seasoned to perfection with ginger, soy sauce and spring onions. A benefit of this dish is also that they can be made ahead of time, frozen and then cooked when needed.
Lemon and Pistachio Casarecce Pasta
A zesty, nutty pasta that brings sunshine to your table, best enjoyed al fresco with friends. Silky, lemony pesto meets roasted pistachios and a salty parmesan bite for a perfectly balanced dinner dish.
Twice-Baked Almond Biscotti
After a day of decadent eating, these crunchy, golden biscuits paired beautifully with an after-dinner espresso or digestif will hit the spot (without tipping you into too-full territory).
Sunday
Classic Pancakes
Fluffy, golden, and begging to be topped with maple syrup, fruit, or chocolate – a comforting start to your Sunday. Forget shake-and-bake bottles, these pancakes are super easy to whip up, and if you’d rather get some extra zz’s on a Sunday, you can whip up the batter the night before.
Japanese Egg Sandos
A nostalgic and satisfying sandwich packed with creamy egg filling, ideal for a low-effort midday meal. Eating solo? Perfect, you can make a few for yourself. Feeding a crowd? This recipe is scalable, simply double (or triple) your ingredients so all of your guests can enjoy these creamy slices of deliciousness.
Brown Butter Pomodoro With Olive Gremolata
An elevated twist on a weeknight staple, this is simple, rich, and packed with umami. The nuttiness of the brown butter adds a rich depth to the classic tomato sauce, while the punchy olive gremolata brings brightness, texture, and zing to every bite.
Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
A modern take on the Easter classic, with gooey chocolate chips making every bite better than the last. Yes, you can pick them up from the store, but trust us, making them yourself at home just hits differently.See the recipe here.
Monday
Vegan Lemon and Blueberry Drizzle Loaf
Okay, some might categorise this as a dessert, but if you can’t have cake for breakfast on a long weekend, when can you? Bursting with blueberries and lemon, this luscious loaf is full of fresh, sweet, and vibrant flavors. Topped off with a simple lemon drizzle and served with coffee or tea, this recipe is sure to impress any overnight guests.
Crispy Tofu Baos
Pillowy buns with crunchy fillings, these are flavor-packed and perfect for a chilled-out Monday. They’re perfect for any time of the day, but make for a lovely light lunch or a delicious dinner entree. Another bonus: bao buns can be made a day in advance and steamed to reheat right before serving.
Risotto Verde With Peas, Spinach, and Parsley
If you’ve made it to the end of the long weekend and are craving something green, but still comforting, this is for you. Risotto is adored for its richness, versatility, and deliciously heartwarming taste. And while this creamy classic may have a reputation for being tricky to make, this flavor-packed take on the Northern Italian staple is straightforward and won't disappoint. It’s the ideal slow dinner to wind down the long weekend.
Silky Crème Caramel
Velvety, nostalgic and impossibly smooth, this showstopping dessert rounds off your Easter feast on the sweetest note. The namesake of our Crème and Caramel bedding, top off your weekend by curling up in your dessert-inspired linen sheets and drift off to the memory of a long weekend well-spent.
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