50 Sunday Dinner Recipes The Family Would Never Risk Missing (2024)

Take the time to make something extra impressive this weekend!

By Camille Lowder and Mackenzie Filson
50 Sunday Dinner Recipes The Family Would Never Risk Missing (1)

We've all got plenty of weeknight dinners in our back pocket for any odd Tuesday, but what about those more special occasions? A fancy-ish Sunday dinner can really elevate anything you're celebrating, whether it's a holiday, birthday, or simply just making it to Sunday! Plus, the weekends are often when we’ve got more time to really tackle a fun kitchen project with friends and family, like beef bourguignon and homemade ramen. Get inspiration from our list of 50 Sunday dinner ideas that are sure to impress on a Sunday (or any day).

When we think of an impressive main dish, the first thing that comes to mind is roast meat. We’ve got tons of options for you here, like a tomato butter roast chicken, beef brisket, a rack of lamb, roast beef, a glazed spiral ham, and a pork loin roast. Don’t be intimidated, we’ve laid out all the tips and tricks you’ll need to succeed. Trust us, once you try one of these recipes, you’re going to want to make them every week! Not serving a crowd? Try one of our delicious meat dishes more fit for a smaller meal, like our coq au vin. It's a famous recipe for a reason (and super-romantic, if that’s your thing).

When we’re gearing up for the week ahead, we really crave pasta (like carb-loading for the workweek rat race maybe?). We’ve included a number of our favorite protein-filled pasta dishes here, like beef stroganoff, lemon chicken asparagus pasta, and miso Bolognese. If you’ve never attempted something like chicken pot pie or beef Wellington because it seemed too involved, no time like this weekend!

Speaking of time, we know that making adjustments to your diet is WAY easier when you control what goes into your food. If weekdays are for meat-heavy takeout lunches and delivery dinners, on the weekends try your hand at a vegetarian or vegan dish, like our vegetarian moussaka or vegan meatloaf. You might even find a new favorite among these recipes.

For more dinner inspiration, check out our favorite weeknight dinners too. If you, like us, love all our kitchen gadgets, check out our favorite recipes for air fryers, instant pots, and slow cookers that'll help you get dinner on the table fast.

1

Sheet-Pan Easter Dinner

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Think you don’t have enough time or space to cook Easter dinner? Think again. Featuring cheesy potatoes au gratin, maple-glazed ham, garlicky asparagus, and paprika-spiced carrots, our streamlined version of this notoriously complicated meal is as simple as 2 sheet pans and 30 minutes in the oven.

Get the Sheet-Pan Easter Dinner recipe.

2

Feta, Spinach & Tomato Stuffed Salmon

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Oven-roasted salmon is already delicious on its own, but adding a filling made of briny feta cheese, earthy cooked spinach, and savory-sweet cherry tomatoes will take your favorite fish up a few notches. To finish it off, the salmon gets topped with a mix of scallions, crushed red pepper, and yep—extra feta. You can make this a full meal with a side of crispy roasted potatoes or wild rice. If you're keeping things keto, try some cauliflower rice or zoodles!

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3

Tomato-Butter Roast Chicken

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I am firmly in the camp that everyone should know how to properly roast a chicken, and this should be the recipe you try. Tomato butter works wonders on chicken. Not only does it keep the bird moist, but the healthy dose of tomato paste brings a slightly sweet, umami acidity, which chicken could often use. Plus, there are no better veggies than ones that have been roasted underneath a chicken, collecting all of that flavor-packed schmaltz. This is a great way to add some excitement to a classic roast chicken.

Get the Tomato-Butter Roast Chicken recipe.

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4

Perfect Roast Beef

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Roast beef might sound fancy and complicated to make, but it's actually quite simple! With a good piece of meat and some simple herbs, you can have roast beef that's way more tender and flavorful than the store-bought kind.

Get the Perfect Roast Beef recipe.

5

Cabbage Schnitzel

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A breaded fried cutlet is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and these cabbage schnitzels are no exception. Coated in crispy golden brown bread crumbs and drizzled with a luscious mushroom gravy, this vegetarian spin on a meaty classic will delight meat lovers and vegetarians alike.

Get the Cabbage Schnitzel recipe.

6

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon & Orzo

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When you’re in the mood for a one-pan dinner that delivers on the comfort food factor, this recipe with creamy orzo and sun-dried tomatoes is the one to turn to. Round out the meal with a simple green salad and serve with crusty bread for sopping up all of the creamy sauce. If you have any white wine left from deglazing the pan, feel free to pour yourself a glass alongside. 😉

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7

Creamy Feta-Lemon Penne With Asparagus

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The secret to this springy pasta’s success? A tangy “cream” sauce made with rich Greek yogurt and salty feta that provides a bright contrast for the earthy, vegetal flavors of pan-fried asparagus.

Get the Creamy Feta-Lemon Penne With Asparagus recipe.

8

Cabbage Parmesan

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If you’re reading this with doubts, please keep them at bay for a few minutes, for this cabbage Parmesan isn’t what it seems. Actually, it’s way better than what you may imagine and is a refreshing twist on chicken Parmesan that'll surely win over your Italian family and friends!

Get the Cabbage Parmesan recipe.

9

Beef Bourguignon

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This is certainly not a quick weeknight dinner, BUT, that doesn't mean it's hard. Here's the basic rundown: Sauté bacon, sear beef in bacon fat (yum!), add veggies and stir to coat with flour, add wine and broth, transfer to oven, bake until beef is super-tender, make Julia Child proud.

Get the Beef Bourguignon recipe.

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10

Easy Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

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Truly comfort food at it’s finest, chicken pot pie represents the addictive marriage of a flaky, buttery crust with diced chicken, onions, carrots, and peas in a creamy sauce. While it's a dish that you can easily find pre-made in almost any grocery freezer aisle, we strongly believe that making your own is worth it!

Get the Easy Homemade Chicken Pot Pie recipe.

11

Pork Loin Roast

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Woody herbs like thyme and rosemary infuse a lot of fragrant flavor into otherwise bland pork. Mustard is always classic (we love grainy Dijon-style!) and pairs nicely with brown sugar. Also, butter. Always butter. Switch it up with an herby sauce, a sweet and savory fig chutney, or apricots for another classic combo.

Get the Pork Loin Roast recipe.

12

Polenta with Wild Mushroom Ragú

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Make this showstopper with a custom blend of your favorite funghi! If wild mushrooms are not accessible, creminis or button mushrooms would also work perfectly. If serving for a dinner party or event, the ragú can be made up to three days in advance; just reheat gently on the stovetop while you make the polenta.

Get the Polenta with Wild Mushroom Ragú recipe.

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13

Beef Wellington

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To add another layer of complexity to the finished product, brush the seared tenderloin with mustard. Feel free to use your favorite type—we love a variety with some heat like dijon or spicy brown mustard.

Get the Beef Wellington recipe.

14

Homemade Shoyu Ramen

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Making ramen from scratch is pretty darn elaborate. Our shoyu ramen recipe calls for making four important components: dashi and tare for the soup base, and nitamago and chashu as showstopping toppings. We promise, the effort is SO worth it.

Get the Homemade Shoyu Ramen recipe.

15

Chicken Parmesan Pasta

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The salty goodness of crisped pork belly transfers over to the leaner white meat. Toasting our panko in that same pan leads to an even more flavorful bread-crumb topping, complete with a slightly spicy, Italian-seasoned everything bagel seasoning addition.

Get the Chicken Parmesan Pasta recipe.

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16

Baked Risotto with Lemon, Peas & Parmesan

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If you’ve never made risotto because you didn’t want to stand there stirring forever, then this recipe is for you. It packs all the satisfying flavor of a slow-stirred version into a fraction of the hands-on time because you bake the risotto rather than cooking it on the stove top.

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17

Cast-Iron Skillet Steak

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Think you have to go to a fancy restaurant to eat a really great steak? Nah. You can cook a restaurant-quality steak in 15 minutes (sometimes even less) at home. The key: making sure your skillet is super-hot, and your steak super-dry and well-seasoned before the searing starts.

Get the Cast-Iron Skillet Steak recipe.

18

Vegan French Onion Stew

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Even if you're plant-based, you can *still* get your French onion soup fix! Finishing the "cheese" toasts right in the soup pot makes for an impressive presentation, for sure. But if you’re meal prepping, it’s best to do that job on a sheet tray instead to avoid losing soggy pieces of bread in your leftovers (if there are are any, that is!)

Get the Vegan French Onion Stew recipe.

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19

Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie

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When it's cold out, a steaming hot pot pie filled with creamy, flavorful gravy, sweet and tender veggies, and topped with a shatteringly flaky crust is EVERYTHING. Here, mushrooms replace meat and are every bit as satisfying as their meaty counterparts.

Get the Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie recipe.

20

Rack of Lamb

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If working with lamb isn't something you do often, it can seem intimidating. But trust us, it's really simple. We've got a few tips and tricks here to help you achieve this holiday showstopper.

Get the Rack of Lamb recipe.

50 Sunday Dinner Recipes The Family Would Never Risk Missing (2024)

FAQs

What can you eat on a Sunday instead of a roast? ›

20 Sunday dinner ideas
  • Nduja lasagne. ...
  • Harissa roast salmon with lemon & chickpea couscous. ...
  • Slow cooker gochujang short ribs with apple slaw. ...
  • Vegetarian enchiladas. ...
  • Spatchco*ck peri-peri chicken. ...
  • No-fuss shepherd's pie. ...
  • Leek, cheese & potato pie. ...
  • Chicken arrabbiata stew with parmesan dumplings.

What to make for dinner when nothing sounds good? ›

What to eat when nothing sounds good: 25 balanced meal ideas
  • Ham or turkey & cheese sandwich with a side of fruit.
  • Rotisserie chicken with frozen microwaveable rice and veggies.
  • “Adult Lunchable”: cheese, crackers, deli meat, raw fruits or veggies with dip.
  • Frozen chicken tenders or nuggets on top of a salad.
Jan 11, 2023

What is the 7 color Sunday meal? ›

A standard 7 colours plate must contain the basics like inyama of your choice, gravy, rice, potatoes, butternut or pumpkin, bean salad, ibeetroot, green beans or peas and carrots.

What are the most popular items on a Sunday roast? ›

The five most important roast items, and the percentage of the British public who selected them, are:
  • Gravy - 97%
  • Roast Potatoes - 94%
  • Meat - 84%
  • Yorkshire Puddings - 84%
  • Carrots - 81%

What cut of beef is best for Sunday dinner? ›

For roasts, the best cuts include rib (on the bone or boned and rolled), sirloin, top rump and fillet. For quick cooking, try fillet, entrecôte, rib eye, sirloin or rump steaks. Brisket, topside and silverside are good for pot roasts, and stewing and braising steak are good for stews and casseroles.

What veg is on a Sunday dinner? ›

What Vegetables to have with a Roast Dinner? In a recent YouGov poll, boiled broccoli was chosen as second to roasted parsnips when it comes to ideal roast dinner vegetables. Beyond broccoli and parsnips, people voted for various other vegetables such as peas, carrots, cauliflower, and green beans.

What time should you have a Sunday roast? ›

Some Sunday roast revelations from the poll are as follows: A Sunday Roast should be served at exactly 3:15pm in the afternoon. Necessities are three slices of beef, four roast potatoes and gravy all over the plate, but not drowning the food is a must.

What are the 4 most popular foods? ›

popularity is the % of people who have a positive opinion of a american dish. Find out more
  1. 1 Mashed potatoes86%
  2. 2 French Fries86%
  3. 3 Hamburgers85%
  4. 4 Cheeseburger83%
  5. 5 Grilled Cheese82%
  6. 6 Steak and Baked potato82%
  7. 7 Hash browns82%
  8. 8 Fried Chicken82%

What to eat when theres no food? ›

15 Delicious Things to Throw Together When You're Pressed for Food Options
  • Buttery, gooey grilled cheese. ...
  • PB&J because duh. ...
  • Tuna melt tostadas. ...
  • Pancakes! ...
  • Scrambled eggs. ...
  • Waffles. ...
  • A Hagrid-size bowl of cereal. ...
  • Spaghetti carbonara.
Apr 28, 2020

What to make when you have no time to cook? ›

Try making food ahead of time! Overnight oats are all the rage these days because they're a healthy, delicious, and easy go-to in the morning (having cooked overnight!). We also recommend batch cooking brown rice, quinoa, farro, and other healthy grains to have in the fridge for when the week gets busy.

What sounds good tonight for dinner? ›

40 Easy Dinner Ideas to Make Tonight
  • Chicken Pot Pie Pasta. ...
  • 30 Minute General Tso's Chicken. ...
  • Instant Pot Spaghetti. ...
  • Honey Sesame Chicken. ...
  • Chicken Chow Mein. ...
  • Chicken Katsu. ...
  • Air Fryer Chimichangas. ...
  • Baked Firecracker Chicken.
Sep 19, 2022

What shall we have for dinner tonight? ›

  • Mediterranean hasselback chicken.
  • Beef caldereta.
  • Easy kare-kare.
  • Biang biang crispy lamb mince noodles.
  • Thai red curry turkey meatballs.
  • Baked stuffed eggplant alla norma.
  • Roast butter chicken and smashed potatoes.
  • Muffin pan satay chicken roti cups.

What is the best dinner at night? ›

13 Simple Dinners to Cook Up Better Sleep
  • Veggie Marinara + Pasta. Photo courtesy of Bare Feet in the Kitchen. ...
  • Seared Cod + Kale Orzo. Photo courtesy of Bigstockphoto. ...
  • Taco Rice Bowls. ...
  • Deli Turkey Wrap. ...
  • Roasted Salmon + Veggies. ...
  • Turkey Burgers + Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • Grilled Cheese + Tomato Soup. ...
  • Quinoa Salad + Walnuts.
Aug 22, 2023

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