20 Sunday Dinner Ideas With Easy Recipes
Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits
Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits
A chicken pot pie casserole is the most comforting dish for any night, and this recipe is topped with savory bacon-cheddar biscuits to make it that much more deliciously satisfying.
The Secret to Crispy Oven-Roasted Potatoes
Whether you are making a potato salad for a picnic or creamy mashed potatoes for a weeknight supper, you know there is a type of potato for every job. For crispy roasted potatoes, you want one that isn’t too starchy but isn’t too waxy, either. An all-purpose potato, such as Yukon gold, red, or fingerling, is a good choice, but the russet potato, usually reserved for baking, will do in a pinch. Wash, peel (you can skip this part if you are using a thin-skinned potato such as a red), and cut the potato into halves or quarters, depending on the size of the potato. Just be sure to cut all the pieces the same size so they will cook evenly.
The key to getting that crispy, golden surface on your roasted potatoes is to roughen up the outside of the potatoes after you peel them. You can do this one of two ways. In the first method you will use an ordinary dinner fork. Run the tines of the fork up, down, and all around each washed (and peeled, if desired) potato, loosening the surface. Salt the potatoes next; this adds flavor to the potato and also dries out the surface, which aids in achieving maximum crispiness. Let the potatoes sit two to three minutes (to absorb the salt) before you toss them in fat and roast them according to your recipe directions.
The second method is to parboil the potatoes, which simply means to simmer them in boiling water only until the surface is tender –don’t let them simmer too long or you may as well opt for making mashed potatoes. Place the potatoes in a colander and shake them; as in the first method, your goal is to roughen up the exterior of the potato. Do this in batches if you are working with a large amount of potatoes. Sprinkle the potatoes with flour, which, just like the salt, dries out the potatoes and helps achieve a crispy surface. Any moisture on the potato will create steam, which in turn creates a soggy potato so make sure the potatoes are dry before basting them with oil or butter, and proceeding with your recipe.
The following holds true regardless of which method you choose:
Preheat your pan along with the oven. The pan will be screaming hot when you add the potatoes and the crisping action will start immediately.
And don’t overcrowd the pan. Space the potatoes; if they are touching, they will steam instead of get crispy.
King Ranch Chicken
Recipe: King Ranch Chicken
This casserole is one of our all-time favorite go-to recipes for a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal that’ll start the week on a tasty note. The rich dish is full of smoked chicken, sharp Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, green chiles, chili powder, roasted peppers, and toasted cumin.
Company Pot Roast with Creamy Mushroom Grits
Recipe: Company Pot Roast
A pot roast is a go-to Sunday staple thanks to its slightly more indulgent feel, and this recipe uses garlic, red wine, and bacon to give a savory, melt-in-your-mouth entrée that pairs perfectly with our Creamy Mushroom Grits.
Mama's Fried Chicken
Recipe: Mama's Fried Chicken
Nothing says Sunday in the South quite like fried chicken, and this deliciously crispy and juicy recipe will make sure you never venture back to that bucket-style fried chicken again.
Slow Cooker Sausage Minestrone
Recipe: Slow Cooker Sausage Minestrone
We can’t get enough of this comforting slow-cooker soup filled with veggies, Conecuh sausage, and pasta. The more it all sits together, the more flavor it’ll get—so don’t be afraid of popping it in the fridge for leftovers!
Fried Pork Chops with Peas and Potatoes
Recipe: Fried Pork Chops with Peas and Potatoes
This well-rounded supper gives you crispy pork chops, hearty roasted potatoes, and tender petite green peas topped with a lighter sauce. It’s the perfect way to end your weekend and begin your week.
Garlicky Roasted Spatchcock Chicken
Recipe: Garlicky Roasted Spatchock Chicken
This sheet pan supper is full of garlicky, roasted flavor with crispy chicken, red new potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts. You can shred any leftover chicken for lunch salads topped with any lingering roasted veggies.
Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake
Recipe: Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake
This creamy bake comes together in half an hour, and the tender kale and cheesy sauce makes for a crowd-pleasing main dish. You can pair it with roasted chicken if you prefer, but it’s more than filling on its own!
Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings
Recipe: Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings
This classic hearty chicken and dumpling recipe is comforting for any Sunday evening, but the cornbread dumplings give it an even more Southern twist.
Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese
Recipe: Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese
This full-bodied meat and vegetable sauce will set you up for success in just 25 minutes. You can make extra to freeze or simply pack up the leftovers for when you’re facing mid-week craziness. Remember to reserve some pasta water when you boil the spaghetti noodles, because adding the starchy water to the meat sauce adds richness and creaminess.
BBQ Rub Roasted Chickens with Potatoes and Carrots
Recipe: BBQ Rub Roasted Chickens with Potatoes and Carrots
This rustic dinner gives a filling, leftover-friendly option for your Sunday supper that will leave your family full and happy. The dry rub is stellar on just about anything, but baked on a whole chicken allows for huge flavor.
Ancho-Chile Flank Steak and Sweet Potato Tacos
Recipe: Ancho-Chile Flank Steak and Sweet Potato Tacos
The tender flank steak flavored with lime, cumin, and ancho chile pairs perfectly with the roasted sweet potatoes and tomatillos. This easy dinner is a favorite when we’re looking for something other than our usual Sunday casseroles. The leftover steak makes a great salad topper too!
Hearty Beef and Freezer Veggie Soup
Recipe: Hearty Beef and Freezer Veggie Soup
The great thing about making this soup on a Sunday is that it sets you up for a few days of leftovers to be heated up in a pinch. The flavors only get better with time spent melding together in the fridge! It’s packed with veggies, pasta, and stew meat for a hearty meal.
Sheet Pan Shrimp and Vegetables with Rice
Recipe: Sheet Pan Shrimp and Vegetables with Rice
Any quick sheet pan supper is a favorite in our book, but especially recipes that diverge from our usual chicken and pork chops. Summer veggies, fresh shrimp, and basmati rice make for a fresh, light Sunday meal. Adding the ingredients in stages to the sheet pan ensures that the vegetables cook through and the shrimp stays juicy, while still keeping cleanup minimal!
Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage
Recipe: Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage
This baked pasta dish is on the table in just 40 minutes, so you don’t have to worry about missing any valuable family time on your lazy Sunday. The tomato sauce speckled with Italian sausage has a great little kick to it.
Lemon Pork Chops with Quinoa Salad
Recipe: Lemon Pork Chops with Quinoa Salad
Go fresh and light with this lemony recipe paired with a snap pea-quinoa salad and topped with crunchy almonds. The best way to cook quinoa: Simmer, drain, and let it stand, covered, to steam; then fluff.
Ham and Lima Bean Fried Rice
Recipe: Ham and Lima Bean Fried Rice
This fried rice gets some Southern flair from cubed ham and baby lima beans, and most of the ingredients are probably in your freezer or pantry right now. This recipe also makes great lunches for the week, if there are any leftovers to save!
New Tuna Casserole
Recipe: New Tuna Casserole
This update on our classic recipe hits all of the creamy, cheesy, and crunchy notes for a fresh tuna casserole that your family will love.
Curried Shrimp with Peanuts
Recipe: Curried Shrimp with Peanuts
Cooking the curry powder with the flour brings out the essential oils that make for an ultra-flavorful dish. Ginger, lime, and jalapenos add a zesty zing to the shrimp and sauce; and we serve this with ready-to-serve basmati rice for a quick side.
Don’t know what to cook for Sunday dinner? Try making a recipe from our list of easy Sunday dinner ideas that everyone in the family will love.