55 Best Dinner Ideas for a Lazy Sunday With the Family
You can't go wrong with these classics.
Nothing brings family and friends together like Sunday dinner. Whether you're looking for dinner ideas for two or potluck dishes to feed a crowd, these easy comfort food recipes are sure to be enjoyed by everyone at the table. While we've included plenty of the soups, roasts and casseroles that you probably associate with traditional Sunday dinners, we've also included some "lazy" versions of new dishes that will instantly become family favorites.
There's no need to spend the whole afternoon tending to Sunday dinner (unless you want to, of course!). Many of these family dinner recipes come together in 30 minutes, while others make use of the slow cooker or Instant Pot for long-simmered flavors without the time-consuming effort. Plus, some of these ideas result in an extra-large batch, perfect for eating all week long. Who says Sunday dinner leftovers don't count as a make-ahead meal for the week?
These best Sunday dinner ideas make the most of whatever you have on hand, whether it's pork, chicken, beef, vegetables, or something else entirely.
Sheet Pan Okonomiyaki
This savory Japanese dish calls for shredded green cabbage and a salty, spicy sauce drizzled over everything. The whole family will request this week after week.
Get the Sheet Pan Okonomiyaki recipe.
Grilled Pork and Pineapple Sandwiches
For an easy, summer-y Sunday dinner, consider these sandwiches that come together on the grill. The Adobo ketchup-glazed pork is incredible.
Get the Grilled Pork and Pineapple Sandwiches recipe.
Blackberry-Glazed Ribs
Take ribs to the next level with a coating made of blackberry jam, barbecue sauce, and a splash of lime juice.
Get the Blackberry-Glazed Ribs recipe.
Creamy Chicken and Zoodle Spaghetti
Nothing says "cozy Sunday dinner" like a big pile of cheesy pasta. This one adds spiralized zucchini, chicken, sour cream, and lemon for a unique and light take on the dish.
Jammy Grilled Cheese
For a special kid-friendly dinner that's still sophisticated enough for grown-ups, try these elevated grilled cheese sandwiches. It doesn't get better than melty brie, sweet jam, sourdough bread and butter.
Get the Jammy Grilled Cheese recipe.
Smoky Chicken Tostadas
This Sunday dinner looks and tastes like you spent hours tending to it, but the secret is it takes less than an hour, thanks to the creative use of rotisserie chicken.
Get the Smoky Chicken Tostadas recipe.
BBQ-Glazed Hot Dogs with Spicy Slaw
Who says hot dogs can't be Sunday dinner? When they're brushed with tangy BBQ sauce and piled high with jalapeño-spiked coleslaw, they become something truly special.
Get the BBQ-Glazed Hot Dogs with Spicy Slaw recipe.
Double Mustard–Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
Another Sunday dinner recipe that's perfect for summer is this flavorful grilled dish, which brings together apple juice and mustard for a unique, bright taste.
Pasta e Fagioli
This one-pot meal made with al dente pasta, plenty of veggies and creamy white beans is the definition of a cozy dinner.
Get the Pasta e Fagioli recipe.
Honey-and-Balsamic–Glazed Ham
Take your Sunday dinner to the next level with this ham covered in a sweet-and-salty glaze made from black peppercorns, honey, mustard and balsamic vinegar.
Get the Honey-and-Balsamic–Glazed Ham recipe.
Lemony Garlic and Herb Pork Tenderloin
This juicy pork tenderloin is covered in fresh herbs and simmered in a flavorful marinade for the perfect Sunday dinner.
Manhattan Clam Chowder
New England Clam Chowder gets all the glory, but this Manhattan Clam Chowder deserves a spot on the table, too. It's made with a tomato base, white wine and briny clams.
Get the Manhattan Clam Chowder recipe.
Sesame-Crusted Salmon With Miso-Roasted Radishes
Get ready for all the oohs and ahhs when you set this gorgeous dish on the table. And it only takes six ingredients to make the entire meal.
Get the Sesame-Crusted Salmon With Miso-Roasted Radishes recipe.
Chicken, Sausage and White Bean Stew
This protein-packed stew combines slow-cooked meat with beans and veggies for a satisfying family meal. Did we mention it only uses one pot?
Get the Chicken, Sausage and White Bean Stew recipe.
RELATED: 21 Healthy Soups and Stews That'll Warm You up All Winter
Lasagna With Meat Sauce
Loaded with a pork meat sauce, three cheeses, spinach, and herbs, this comforting dinner will have everyone asking for seconds ... and thirds.
Get the Lasagna With Meat Sauce recipe.
RELATED: 30 Best Kids' Dinner Ideas for When Your Picky Eater Just Won’t Try Anything
Honey-Ginger Cedar Plank Salmon
Cedar, soy sauce, honey, and sriracha give salmon a complex flavor. Serving one large piece is an elegant presentation that everyone gets to share.
Crispy Pork Noodles
Inspired by Szechuan cuisine, the recipe features ramen noodles tossed in a creamy peanut sauce and topped with crispy, pan-fried pork.
Get the Crispy Pork Noodles recipe.
Short Ribs With Creamy Polenta
Tender braised Instant Pot short ribs over creamy pecorino cheese polenta is the ultimate comfort food for a family-packed Sunday dinner. Pass the wine!
Turkey Tacos
Ground turkey spiced with smoky chipotle chile powder in a hard shell taco is the most fun way to kick-off a new week. Margarita optional, but highly recommended.
Get the Turkey Tacos recipe.
Shrimp Enchiladas With Zucchini and Corn
Make a quick enchilada sauce of store-bought salsa verde, cilantro and sour cream and you’ll get this vibrant recipe on the table in under 40 minutes (really!).
Samantha (she/her) is an Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she writes about tasty recipes, must-try food products and top-tested secrets for home cooking success. She has taste-tasted hundreds of products and recipes since joining GH in 2020 (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.
Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter.
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