16 Easy Sunday Dinner Ideas (With Recipes)

The weekends are your opportunity to indulge. Indulge in cooking, indulge in eating, and indulging in quality family time.

And Sundays are the best. There’s no getting stuck in traffic or going to work, and you don’t need to hit the shop or run a few errands because you did all that on Saturday.

Sundays are the days for cooking those favorite meals that you didn’t have time to cook through the working days. And now you can whip up something the whole family can enjoy together.

In some households across the pond in Europe, every Sunday dinner is like a mini Thanksgiving, with a large roasted meat together with potatoes, vegetables and gravy.

And there are several variations on this standard that you can whip up on a Sunday for you and your family. Or you can go for something entirely different, but just as comforting and delicious.

Here, we’ve put together a shortlist of some easy Sunday dinner ideas and recipes for lazy Sundays.

Sunday Dinner Ideas and Recipes

We tried to include some meals that you cook low and slow, and ones that you can fix and forget, so that you’re not hovering over the range all day, and you’ve got quality time for hobbies or for taking some time with your family.

Let’s get started!

1. Perfect Roast Chicken Dinner

Now this is quite the staple Sunday dinner. You get some real nice savory flavors, with the fresh thyme, garlic and the freshly ground black pepper.

The chicken takes over an hour to slowly roast in the oven, and you can throw the vegetables in the oven to roast at the same time, which leaves you free to spend time with your family or catch up on your TV soaps.

It’s a relatively healthy meal, with lots of white meat and plenty of nutritious veg. And it’s quite the people pleaser too.

2. Homemade Baked Mac And Cheese

Mac and cheese is an American classic for good reason – it’s the perfect comfort food, and something that even the kids will love. 

What I love about this particular recipe is that it features a gorgeous crumb on the top so you get that sumptuous contrast in textures between the crumb and the gooey creamy macaroni. 

You can just use Panko, or you can add a couple of extras such as Parmesan shavings and a pinch of paprika.

To make it a little healthier, you could use low-fat cheese and whole wheat macaroni.

3. Smoked American Lamb Shoulder

If you have a smoker in your backyard and love a good old-fashioned cookout, then check this out.

It features lamb which isn’t so popular here in the states because of its relatively high price, but it’s very popular across the pond in the UK, and also in New Zealand too.

It has a distinctive but pleasant taste, and the recipe even guides you as to what wood chips to use in the smoker for best results.

4. Perfect Crispy Fried Chicken

You know how chicken can often taste quite bland and dull?

Well, not with this recipe! It’s not only super flavorful, but you get a crispy and crunchy outside, while the meat inside is perfectly juicy and tender.

What I love about this particular recipe is that it comes with a handy FAQ section, answering all your most frequently asked questions on the subject of cooking, serving and storing your homemade fried chicken.

5. World’s Best Lasagna

Lasagna has to be one of Europe’s best tasting recipes, and this recipe has proved to be super popular with those who’ve tried it out, earning excellent ratings on the AllRecipes website.

I just love the layers of pasta, and how the taste of the tomatoes really contrasts with the various cheeses used.

What makes this recipe different from your regular lasagna recipe is how it uses a pound of sweet Italian sausage as well as the more usual lean ground beef. It makes it so moreish!

And better yet, it’s something even the kids will love!

6. Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Believe you me, this dish tastes just as good as it looks – mouthwateringly so.

It’s a really good comfort food to enjoy during winter and fall, when you need a little warming up. And I just love how well these ingredients go together, with the freshly ground black pepper, tender chunks of beef, and, best of all, the red wine.

But what I really love about this dish is that once you’re prepared the meat, vegetables and sauce, you can simply stick it in the slow cooker, cook it low and slow, and forget about it for the rest of your day until you’re ready to sit down with the family and enjoy it.

7. Chicken Pot Pie

You know, pies aren’t just for dessert. Check out this delicious chicken pot pie recipe taken from New England Today Food. It’s a savory pie that’s both creamy and filling.

It makes for perfect comfort food during those cold winter months when you need something to warm you up.

8. Classic Beef Meatloaf

Now this is classic American comfort food that the whole family can enjoy. You can make it in just over an hour and each serving comes to less than 300 calories. Not bad hey?

What I love about this recipe is that there are no bells and whistles, and nothing too fancy, so even novice cooks can’t go far wrong.

And moreover, this meatloaf is an excellent source of protein, vitamins and essential minerals such as iron.

9. Chicken & Dumplings

They say a dish is only as good as the ingredients used. And we agree that it certainly applies in this particular dish. 

The ingredients include the likes of heavy whipping cream for the soup, white wine or apple cider, bay leaves and peppercorns.

The website for this recipe has a handy but small FAQ section, and all the nutritional facts for the recipe.

10. Barbecue Chicken

Who doesn’t love a little barbecue chicken!

What I love about this recipe is how you can either use pieces of boneless chicken breast to please the kids, or you can use chicken legs, thighs and wings, for that “falling off the bone” effect. And it’s relatively low in calories to boot.

The recipe doesn’t call for any complicated marinades, or for a long stint of time marinating. And you are free to choose between cooking it on the grill or cooking it in the oven.

And it will work well with just about any barbecue sauce. You can either make your own homemade barbecue sauce, or you can cheat and use a ready-made store bought one to make things even quicker and easier.

The website for the recipe has a handy FAQ section, and all the nutritional information for the recipe.

11. One Pot Mexican Beef & Rice Casserole

If you like a little spice in your food, how about something Mexican like this one pot Mexican beef & rice casserole from damn delicious?

The addition of Monterey Jack cheese is what makes it for me – it goes great against the chopped tomatoes.

What I love about this dish is how you can make the whole thing in just one pot, which means less washing up to do.

And you’re going to love just how filling it is – with all that rice and beans you’ve got plenty of fiber to keep everyone going until the next meal time.

12. Easy One Pan Maple Glazed Salmon

How do you like the sound of juicy salmon fillets caramelized in a maple glaze?

I’m sure I can tempt you! This dish not only tastes great, but can be ready to put on the table in just 20 short minutes.

The only issue is trying to decide what side dish to have with it!

13. Corn Chowder Recipe

I just love this recipe – it’s the addition of sweetcorn together with the scrummy bacon that makes it for me. And the heavy whipping cream, of course. It blends just great with the chicken broth. 

Such a great crowd pleaser that goes down a delight. And it only takes 15 minutes to prep. Not bad hey?

And there’s a video on the website showing you exactly what you need to do to make it.

14. Slow-Roasted, Twice-Fried Porterhouse Steak

Take a look at that steak – doesn’t it look just delicious!

Sure, the recipe has a lot of steps to it, but I can promise you it’s gonna be totally worth it! And if you can’t find time on a Sunday, then when can you do it?

With its crispy crust and juicy, tender insides, it’s sure going to go down a treat with all your dinner guests.

And you can serve it up with some nice fresh crispy salad to bring a little more variety and flavor to the palette. 

15. Vegetarian Sweet Potato Curry

Now this is a dish that can satisfy two kinds of picky eaters – those who love their curries, and those who are vegetarian.

And best of all, each portion served comes to less than 400 calories, and the ingredients required are all very readily available and easily available at your local grocery store.

It’s the ginger in the dish that really makes it for me – it goes just great with the tomatoes!

16. Slow Cooker Pork and Cider Stew

Again, we have a great slow cooker meal for you that you can simply set and forget as you carry on with your day.

I love just how sweet this dish is with its fresh apples, apple cider and caramelized pearl onions. You won’t be disappointed!

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