23 Sunday Dinner Ideas to Gather, Feast, and Forget About Monday

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Sunday dinners should feel like a break from the rush of the week, not another chore on the list. Sunday dinner ideas that bring people together without a ton of effort are the best kind. Some meals are slow and hearty, meant for long conversations around the table, while others are easy enough to keep things stress-free. No matter the mood, Sunday is a chance to cook something worth remembering before Monday rolls back in. These recipes make sure the weekend ends on a high note.

Air Fryer Pork Belly

Grilled meat slices stacked on a wooden surface, with sauce in a small bowl and steamed buns in the background.
Air Fryer Pork Belly. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Crispy, juicy pork belly with none of the hassle? Sounds like the perfect Sunday dinner idea. The air fryer handles all the hard work while you sit back and enjoy the magic of crackling skin and tender meat.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Belly

Quick and Easy Mini Meatloaf Recipe on a Sheet Pan

A plate with a serving of meatloaf topped with red sauce, accompanied by green beans and mashed potatoes.
Quick and Easy Mini Meatloaf Recipe on a Sheet Pan. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

All the flavor of a classic meatloaf, but faster and with less cleanup. These mini versions bake up quick, making them a no-fuss pick for a laid-back Sunday dinner idea.
Get the Recipe: Quick and Easy Mini Meatloaf Recipe on a Sheet Pan

Lemon Dill Salmon and Asparagus

A plate of baked salmon on a bed of barley, garnished with fresh dill. Asparagus spears and a lemon wedge are on the side.
Lemon Dill Salmon and Asparagus. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This fresh and vibrant dish brings a little elegance to Sunday dinner without making you spend all day in the kitchen. Salmon and asparagus roast together with a lemony kick, keeping things light but still hearty enough to end the weekend right.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Dill Salmon and Asparagus

Chicken Marsala

Skillet with cooked chicken thighs, sliced mushrooms, and rosemary garnish. A white bowl partially visible in the background.
Chicken Marsala. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Classic comfort food with a little extra flair, Chicken Marsala is perfect for a slow Sunday evening. The rich, velvety sauce and tender chicken pair well with mashed potatoes or pasta, making sure nobody leaves the table hungry.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Marsala

Northern Hearty Venison Stew Recipe

Close-up of a ladle lifting hearty beef stew with chunks of meat, carrots, and potatoes from a red pot.
Northern Hearty Venison Stew Recipe. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

If your Sunday calls for a stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal, this venison stew delivers. Packed with bold flavors and slow-cooked to perfection, it’s the kind of dish that makes you want to sit back and relax.
Get the Recipe: Northern Hearty Venison Stew Recipe

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A plate with breaded chicken in creamy sauce, broccoli, and pasta. A fork rests on the side.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Garlic lovers, this one’s for you. Tender chicken smothered in a creamy, garlicky sauce is the kind of comfort food that deserves a spot on the Sunday dinner table. Serve it with crusty bread to soak up every drop.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Chicken Black Beans Salsa Corn Casserole

Close-up of a cheesy nacho dish topped with melted cheese, black olives, and diced vegetables.
Chicken Black Beans Salsa Corn Casserole. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

This casserole keeps things simple but packed with flavor. Juicy chicken, black beans, and corn come together in a dish that’s just as easy to throw together as it is to clean up after.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Black Beans Salsa Corn Casserole

Dutch Oven Venison Stew with Veggies

A bowl of beef stew with potatoes, carrots, onions, and garnished with herbs, set on a wooden table with utensils and a navy napkin nearby.
Dutch Oven Venison Stew with Veggies. Photo credit: Peak to Plate.

A slow-simmered venison stew is exactly what Sunday nights were made for. The rich broth and tender meat make this dish worth the wait, especially when served with a warm slice of bread.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Venison Stew with Veggies

Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

A pot of creamy white soup with visible chunks of vegetables and herbs. A spoon is submerged in the soup. Slices of bread are placed beside the pot.
Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: The Cookin’ Chicks.

This creamy, comforting soup is like a hug in a bowl. Soft gnocchi, shredded chicken, and a rich broth make it the perfect way to wind down your weekend.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

Dutch Oven Whole Chicken with Potatoes

Roasted chicken in a pot with lemon slices, herbs, and onions.
Dutch Oven Whole Chicken with Potatoes. Photo credit: Living Lou.

A whole chicken, roasted to perfection with buttery potatoes, is the kind of meal that makes Sunday feel special. The Dutch oven does all the work, leaving you with juicy meat and crispy skin.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Whole Chicken with Potatoes

Coq au Vin

A pot of braised chicken with mushrooms, onions, carrots, and herbs in a rich brown sauce.
Coq au Vin. Photo credit: GypsyPlate.

This French classic might sound fancy, but it’s really just a slow-simmered chicken dish that’s packed with deep, rich flavors. It’s a great way to take your Sunday dinner up a notch without too much effort.
Get the Recipe: Coq au Vin

Easy Baked Walleye Recipe with Lemon and Almonds

A piece of almond-crusted fish garnished with parsley and a lemon wedge on a blue patterned plate.
Easy Baked Walleye Recipe with Lemon and Almonds. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Light but packed with flavor, this baked walleye is an easy way to bring something fresh to Sunday dinner. The lemon and almonds add just the right amount of crunch and zing.
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Walleye Recipe with Lemon and Almonds

Ptarmigan Spruce Grouse Stew Recipe

A pot of vegetable and meat stew with a ladle, containing chunks of carrots, potatoes, peas, and pieces of meat in a rich broth.
Ptarmigan Spruce Grouse Stew Recipe. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

If you’ve got wild game on hand, this hearty stew is the way to go. Slow-cooked with rich flavors, it’s a comforting dish that makes Sunday dinners feel a little more special.
Get the Recipe: Ptarmigan Spruce Grouse Stew Recipe

Chicken Lentil Soup Recipe

A pot of yellow chicken soup with carrots and herbs, featuring a ladle.
Chicken Lentil Soup Recipe. Photo credit: A Cedar Spoon.

Warm, filling, and packed with protein, this lentil soup keeps things simple without being boring. It’s an easy way to end the weekend on a cozy note.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Lentil Soup Recipe

Leftover Turkey Pot Pie Recipe with Cream of Chicken Soup

A slice of pot pie on a green plate, filled with vegetables like peas, carrots, corn, and pieces of chicken, next to a baking dish with the remaining pie.
Leftover Turkey Pot Pie Recipe with Cream of Chicken Soup. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Leftovers never looked so good. This pot pie is an easy way to turn extra turkey into a creamy, comforting dish that feels like a brand-new meal.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Pot Pie Recipe with Cream of Chicken Soup

Agnello Brasato

A plate of braised oxtail served over rice, topped with a rich tomato-based sauce and garnished with herbs.
Agnello Brasato. Photo credit: Two Pink Peonies.

Slow-braised lamb that melts in your mouth? That’s a Sunday dinner worth waiting for. The deep, rich flavors pair perfectly with mashed potatoes or a simple side of roasted veggies.
Get the Recipe: Agnello Brasato

Easy Cheesy Hamburger Casserole

A bowl of pasta spirals mixed with ground meat, topped with chopped green onions, on a striped cloth.
Easy Cheesy Hamburger Casserole. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

This cheesy, beefy casserole is pure comfort in a baking dish. It’s the kind of meal that fills everyone up and still leaves you with leftovers for Monday.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Hamburger Casserole

Dutch Oven Chicken and Dumplings Soup

A bowl of creamy soup with dumplings, carrots, and celery on a white surface.
Dutch Oven Chicken and Dumplings Soup. Photo credit: Served From Scratch.

Fluffy dumplings, tender chicken, and a rich broth make this the ultimate comfort food. It’s the perfect way to end a lazy Sunday.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Chicken and Dumplings Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

Seven roasted chicken drumsticks with a glaze in a white baking dish, garnished with herbs.
Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: fannetastic food.

Let the slow cooker do the work while you enjoy your day. These drumsticks turn out fall-off-the-bone tender, and the simple ingredients keep things fuss-free.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

Zucchini Pizza Casserole

A baked casserole in a glass dish topped with melted cheese and garnished with herbs.
Zucchini Pizza Casserole. Photo credit: Wholesome Made Easy.

Who needs a crust when you’ve got zucchini? This low-effort casserole has all the cheesy, saucy goodness of pizza, making it a fun and easy Sunday dinner idea.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pizza Casserole

Whole30 Creamy Spinach Bacon Chicken

Pan with cooked chicken thighs, garnished with herbs, bacon pieces, and green vegetables. A spoon is in the pan, with cilantro and a beige cloth nearby on a marble surface.
Whole30 Creamy Spinach Bacon Chicken. Photo credit: Organically Addison.

Creamy, smoky, and packed with spinach, this dish doesn’t skimp on flavor. It’s a great way to keep Sunday dinner simple while still feeling like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Whole30 Creamy Spinach Bacon Chicken

Creamy Barbecue Shrimp Recipe

A white plate with shrimp in a creamy orange sauce, garnished with herbs. It is placed next to a folded beige napkin and silver cutlery on a marble surface.
Creamy Barbecue Shrimp Recipe. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Sweet, smoky, and just a little indulgent, this shrimp dish is a great way to shake up your Sunday night routine. Serve it over rice or with crusty bread for a meal that disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Barbecue Shrimp Recipe

White Bean Kale Soup with Sausage

A bowl of vegetable soup with pasta, carrots, greens, and broth. The "Off Grid Life" logo is in the corner.
White Bean Kale Soup with Sausage. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

This one-pot wonder is as cozy as it gets. Hearty sausage, creamy white beans, and plenty of kale make it a great Sunday dinner idea when you need something warm, filling, and easy to clean up after.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Kale Soup with Sausage

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Sarita Harbour has been stretching her food dollars to feed her family for over 30 years. As a former banker and current freelance writer, she's written boatloads of articles about budgeting, homesteading, gardening, personal finance and more. Her food-related articles have been widely syndicated through AP and MSN. Look for her food features at NBC, The Seattle Times, Yahoo! Life, Chowhound, Tasting Table and MSN.