If you’re cooking for Pesach for the first time, navigating the holiday’s unique ingredients and traditions can feel a little overwhelming. But don’t worry—these classic recipes are staples every cook should have in their Pesach repertoire.

With these tried-and-true dishes on your table, you’ll be ready to tackle the cooking marathon like a pro. When it’s all said and done, you’ll be patting yourself on the back and thinking, “Was that really so hard?”

You’ve got this!

Savory:

1. Pesach Cholent by Yussi Weisz

Yussi Weisz lets you in on the secrets of the perfect Pesach cholent! 

For more Heimish recipes, watch Shabbos with Yussi!

2. Best Pesach Schnitzel of Life by Esty Wolbe

These pretzel-crusted chicken nuggets are a unanimous winner among Esty’s own panel of discerning junior judges and are sure to be a winner in your home, too!

For more great cooking, watch Easy Does It!

3. Grandma’s Chicken Soup by Eitan Bernath

We all know that everyone thinks their grandma makes the best chicken soup, so it won’t surprise you to know that my grandma Linda makes THE BEST chicken soup, and if you disagree, you’re wrong! That said, one thing we can all agree on is that the most important ingredient in any chicken soup recipe is love. And mine is full of it. My grandma makes this for the High Holidays and at Passover. This two-day recipe has all the classic flavors: chicken, carrots, celery root, parsnip, and fresh herbs. Of course, the star of the show is the matzo balls. Matzo balls fall into two categories—dense and fluffy—and people are usually loyal to one. It is a tradition in my family, passed down from my paternal great-grandfather to my father, to make dense matzo balls, and here in this book, I’m ready to take on all the dense matzo ball haters that I haven’t converted already: my matzo balls have a texture that is chewy but still tender, and they don’t disintegrate into the broth, so you can get a bit of each ingredient in every spoonful.

4. Bubby’s Chunky Vegetable Soup by Nechama Norman

This recipe was based on a Pesach recipe I received from my dear Aunt Bashie. I spent many a Pesach by her home and loved this soup. I once went to make this soup and realized I didn’t have any meat bones as I thought I did. Thankfully, I had just made a whole roasted chicken for dinner that night. I took the carcass and placed it into a net…the result was delicious and no one could get enough of this!

5. Shallot and Fennel Chicken by Rorie Weisberg

When creating a healthy main, avoiding sugary sauces is a must. This recipe is unique and elegant without excess sugar.

6. Simple But Delicious London Broil by Chanie Nayman

London broil really doesn’t need anything complicated. Just a few ingredients and cooked well, and it’s delicious every time. Pair it with greens and lots of fresh roasted vegetables!

7. Simply Saucy Brisket from the Dining In Cookbook

It doesn’t get any easier than this, and the taste is divine!

8. Basic Potato Kugel by Chantzy Weinstein

9. Savory Sautéed Veggie Kugel by Jennifer Robins and Simone Miller

Most people think of kugels as being slightly sweet with egg noodles, cinnamon and lots of dairy. While that is one tasty preparation, there are certainly others! This one packs in lots of veggies and is perfect for a side dish, yet hearty enough for a meal. Take your pick!

Sweet:

10. Rebbetzin Devorah Leah Twerski’s Pesach Sponge Cake by Sarah Faygie Berkowitz

11. Passover Coffee Cake Muffins (Gluten Free) by Chanie Nayman

Easy to prepare – no eggs to separate – and great tasting gluten free coffee cake muffins, perfect for Passover snacking or any time of year.

12. Gluten-Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies by gr8twin

Excellent recipe. Everyone looks forward to these cookies. They’re nut free!

13. Pesach Fruit Crisp by Faigy Murray

On Pesach, we make batches and batches of fruit crisps. The light and fruity dish is a perfect side to a heavy meal. Or delicious with yogurt for breakfast. Or served warm with a scoop of ice cream for dessert… you get the idea. It’s extremely versatile and can be used in any way!

14. No-Flip Passover Crepes by Naomi Nachman

These versatile egg crepes, aka Pesach lukshen, are a staple on any Passover menu!

For more great cooking, watch Sunny Side Up!

15. Flourless Nut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies by Leah Nagel

Almond-butter-based baked goods are the new Passover staple, and these chewy nut butter cookies are among the best of the bunch.

16. Triple Chocolate Biscotti for Pesach (Gluten Free) by Paula Shoyer