45 Easy Sunday Dinner Ideas The Whole Family Will Love

Did somebody say fried chicken?

By

Kaitlyn Yarborough

Updated on August 16, 2024

Southern Living Creamed Corn Mac and Cheese — Photo:
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Many of our fondest memories are made with the family, gathering around the table on Sundays for quality time and comforting food. Whether cooking for a crowd or just a few, the Sunday dinner ideas in this collection will satisfy the appetites of kids and adults alike—and make great leftovers for the week. Start scrolling and saving recipes for this Sunday, and the next and next—we've got you covered for the year.

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Slow-Cooker French Onion Soup

Slow-Cooker French Onion Soup — Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

All the flavor, minimal work. Besides decreasing your active time, the slow cooker also infuses this soup with flavor, especially the sweetness and richness of caramelized onions.

02 of 45

Fried Pickle Chicken Tenders

Southern Living Pickle-Brined Chicken Tenders on a platter to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Brined in pickle juice and fried with dill pickles, these chicken tenders are one of our favorite twists on the classic recipe.

03 of 45

Buffalo Ranch Chicken-Broccoli Casserole

Buffalo Ranch Chicken-Broccoli Casserole — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

The taste of your favorite ranch-dunked Buffalo wings just got an elevated suppertime makeover. The tang of the hot sauce pairs with the melty Cheddar and tender carrots to create a casserole that will keep you coming back for more.

04 of 45

Pepper Jelly-Glazed Pork Chops

Southern Living Pepper Jelly-Glazed Pork Chops on a plate with tomatoes, cornbread, and lady peas and greens — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

The South's favorite condiments teams up with pork chops to make them the life of your Sunday dinner party.

05 of 45

King Ranch Chicken

King Ranch Chicken — Southern Living

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 warm dish is full of smoked chicken, sharp Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, green chiles, chili powder, roasted peppers, and toasted cumin.

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Garlic Butter Chicken

Southern Living Garlic Butter Chicken on a platter ready to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This is a winner chicken dinner. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe features a garlicky, buttery pan sauce over crispy chicken cutlets.

07 of 45

Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

sheet pan shrimp boil — Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

This one-pan shortcut for shrimp boil will feed your crowd without the mess, and they may even like it more than the original. The ingredients have a more intense flavor from roasting in butter and Old Bay, plus the shrimp has a more succulent texture.

08 of 45

Southern Bangers And Mash

Southern Living Southern Bangers and Mash on a plate with Speedy Sauteed Greens — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

The pub classic gets a Southern spin with hickory-smoked sausage (we like Conecuh) and spicy mixed greens. Choose your favorite mashed potatoes recipe to complete your plate.

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Mini Meatloaves

Southern Living Mini Meatloaves served over mashed sweet potatoes and buttery peas. — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Who can resist a classic Sunday supper miniaturized into adorable individual servings? A muffin tin is the secret to cooking the loaves, and allow them to brown nicely without drying out. We like them served over mashed sweet potatoes with a side of Buttery Peas.

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Our Best Lasagna

Our Best Lasagna — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

A homemade Bolognese sauce is always worth the effort for Sunday dinner. Otherwise, we kept this lasagna recipe recognizable and simple. Sprinkle fresh basil and parsley on top to dress it up.

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Instant Pot Spaghetti And Meatballs

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs — Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

This speedy spaghetti recipe makes 16 delicious meatballs—enough to feed the whole family and then some. Uncooked pasta, homemade meatballs, and marinara all pressure cook together, making this an obvious winner when you don't want a lot of cleanup.

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Chicken Nachos

Southern Living Chicken Nachos on the pan ready to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This sheet pan dinner is made ridiculously easy to assemble and quick to clean up. Plus, it's easily customizable for your family's preferences. Bring these comforting nachos to your Sunday dinner table in less than a half hour.

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Quick And Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese — Greg DuPree

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.

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Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff — Antonis Achilleos

The ultimate comfort food that still feels like a special occasion dish, this Beef Stroganoff recipe is a surefire family favorite. Beef tips cook for an hour until tender; then the dish is enriched with sherry and sour cream.

15 of 45

Fried Pork Chops With Peas And Potatoes

Fried Pork Chops with Peas and Potatoes — Greg DuPree

Here's a classic meal for the ages. This well-rounded supper gives you crispy pork chops, hearty roasted potatoes, and tender petite green peas topped with a lighter sauce. A lovely gravy made with wine and chicken stock gets drizzled over top.

16 of 45

Chicken Fajita Casserole

Chicken Fajita Casserole — Will Dickey; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Fajita night has never been more fun. Mixed together in one dish, this casserole-style supper is sure to spice up your quiet Sunday dinner. You could even indulge in a pitcher of summer cocktails.

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Garlicky Roasted Spatchcock Chicken

Garlicky Roasted Spatchcock Chicken — Alison Miksch

Try spatchcocking chicken to evenly cook every part of the bird. This sheet pan supper is full of garlicky, roasted flavor with crispy chicken, red new potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts. You can shred leftover chicken for lunch salads topped with any lingering roasted veggies.

18 of 45

One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp With Orzo

One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Orzo — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Expect big flavor from this family-style garlic-butter shrimp. This 30-minute main doesn't require fussing with multiple skillets: The shrimp cooks directly over the orzo, making cleanup a breeze.

19 of 45

Pan-Seared Flank Steak With Herb Sauce

Pan-Seared Flank Steak with Herb Sauce — Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

While this quick steak recipe is simple enough to make any night feel special, there's something about cutting into steak on a Sunday that just feels right. The bright, herbaceous sauce is inspired by chimichurri, which is typically served with steak in Argentina.

20 of 45

Greek Diner Meatballs

Southern Living Greek Diner Meatballs on a plate to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

With just hint of cinnamon and cumin, these zesty meatballs are a fresh spin on the classic.

21 of 45

Tortellini Mac And Cheese

Tortellini Mac and Cheese — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Creamy and rich, this cheese-on-cheese recipe proves you can never have too much of a good thing. The tortellini holds it own, though—you'll be sure to enjoy the fluffy noodle as a base.

22 of 45

Instant Pot Pulled Pork Chili

pulled pork chili — Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Chili and BBQ combine to make the ultimate mashup. While this recipe calls for an Instant Pot, it can also be adjusted to cook on low in your slow cooker. Just remember to get it started in the morning.

23 of 45

Pulled Pork Mac And Cheese

Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese — Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

There are never too many variations on mac and cheese. Dijon mustard and extra-sharp Cheddar add a needed tang to balances out the richness of pulled pork and creamy sauce. Instead of mixing barbecue sauce into the pasta, we opted for a little drizzle on top of the buttery panko breadcrumbs.

24 of 45

Creamy Kale And Pasta Bake

Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake — Hector Manuel Sanchez

This creamy bake comes together in only half an hour. The tender kale and cheesy sauce makes a crowd-pleasing main dish with a healthy side. You can pair it with roasted chicken if you prefer, but it's more than filling on its own.

25 of 45

Barbecue-Pork Pizza

Cut barbecue pork pizza on a cutting board on a table with a pizza cutter and two glasses of water beside. — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

Ditch the pepperoni. Pulled pork and barbecue are the unexpected heroes of this tasty pizza.

26 of 45

Creamy Rice with Scallops

Creamy Rice with Scallops — Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Impress company and family alike with the creamy savoriness of creamy rice and scallops. This risotto-like dish combines bacon, corn, and scallops for the ultimate Sunday dinner.

27 of 45

Mama's Fried Chicken

Mama's Fried Chicken — Southern Living

Nothing says Sunday in the South quite like fried chicken. This deliciously crispy and juicy recipe will make sure you never venture back to that bucket-style fried chicken again. Soak your chicken in buttermilk at least two hours before frying.

28 of 45

Chicken And Cornbread Dumplings

Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings — Iain Bagwell

This hearty chicken and dumpling recipe is comforting for any Sunday evening, and you won't have to watch the stove since it's prepared in the slow cooker. The cornbread dumplings give this classic an even more Southern twist.

29 of 45

One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta — Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Tex-Mex flavor and penne pasta are a match made in heaven. Mix it all up in a cast-iron skillet and then brown the pepper Jack cheese under the broiler. Serve this all-in-one-meal family-style at the table.

30 of 45

Simple Pan-Seared Fish

Simple Pan-Seared Fish — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

This restaurant-worthy pan-seared fish cooks in no time, and can be prepared with any white fish from from grouper to cod to red snapper. We've paired it with a vibrant pea salad with radishes and honey-mustard vinaigrette, but feel free to get creative based on what's in season.

31 of 45

Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast

Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast — Hannah Zimmerman

Traditionally cooked in a slow cooker, we've speeded up the process of preparing pepperoncini pot roast by using the Instant Pot. We find the salad peppers and ranch seasoning add a bit of zest to a traditional Sunday supper.

32 of 45

Chicken And Wild Rice Casserole

Southern Living Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole with a serving scooped out onto a teal plate — Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Here's a special-enough-for-Sunday version of the old-school chicken and rice.

33 of 45

Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi With Peas

Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas — Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling Torie Cox

Once you've tasted gnocchi sautéed in butter until toasty brown you'll want to serve it every Sunday. This easy pasta dish gets its flavor from simple ingredients like garlic and lemon zest. It's also ready in under 30 minutes, which makes it a winner.

34 of 45

Honey-Garlic Chicken

honey garlic chicken and mashed potatoes with brussels sprouts — Victor Protashio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

The sticky honey glaze in this chicken recipe will make it a hit with the whole family. We've paired it with Bacon-Balsamic Brussels Sprouts, but the slight Asian flair of the dish would make bok choy just as appropriate on the side.

35 of 45

Slow-Cooker Ham

Southern Living Slow Cooker Ham two servings on two plates with salad and bread — Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Kelsey Moylan; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

If you've got a crowd coming for Sunday dinner, this fool-proof recipe is certain keep them happy. A smoked ham cooks in a sweet-and-tangy base flavored with apricot preserves and whole grain mustard. Send leftovers home with the guests or use them in sandwiches and casseroles all week long.

36 of 45

Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie

Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie — Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Torie Cox; Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This dish is a labor of love, and that comes through when you take your first bite. A refrigerated pie dough will save you time. You also can substitute rotisserie chicken and chicken broth if you don't have an hour to poach a broiler chicken.

37 of 45

Ground Beef Vegetable Soup With Gnocchi

Ground Beef Vegetable Soup with Gnocchi — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

This vegetable soup gets real substance once you add the gnocchi (use refrigerated, which is lighter and puffier than the vacuum-sealed kind). You can customize easily by adding your favorite vegetables.

38 of 45

Baked Ziti With Sausage

Baked Ziti with Sausage — Southern Living

A steaming casserole of baked ziti is sure to make everyone's eyes light up at the dinner table. This version uses pancetta, ground Italian sausage, and fresh torn basil to pack in the flavor. You can also prepare it ahead of time and bake when ready.

39 of 45

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Simple Suppers Challenge: Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole — Greg DuPree

Layers of pasta and chicken, pesto and spinach, and Alfredo sauce bake together into gooey goodness in this casserole. Other than the pasta, no cooking is required before assembly. You'll be thrilled to pull something so good out of the oven after so little effort.

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Ham And Noodle Casserole

Ham and Noodle Casserole — Jen Causey

Baby carrots and asparagus are tucked into this cheesy casserole for a complete and satisfyingly rich meal. You can use glazed ham or chop up a ham steak for the mixture. Croutons make a nice, crispy topping.

41 of 45

Turkey With Shallot-Mustard Sauce And Roasted Potatoes

Turkey with Shallot-Mustard Sauce and Roasted Potatoes

Your family and guests will love the classic herb blend of thyme, rosemary and sage on a turkey breast braised in the slow cooker until savory and tender. You can put the fingerling potatoes in the oven to roast about 30 minutes before dinnertime.

42 of 45

Kentucky Slow Cooker Burgoo

Kentucky Slow-Cooker Burgoo — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

This old-fashioned Kentucky stew is a big-batch recipe meant to be shared with the family. Our version includes pork shoulder and sausage plus loads of corn, carrots, cabbage, and potatoes. Dump it all in the slow cooker and come back for dinner at the end of the day.

43 of 45

Pulled Pork-Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Southern Living Zucchini Boats on a platter to serve, topped with slaw — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Traditionally, stuffed zucchini boats are filled with Italian-inspired meats, but the pulled pork in this recipe is even better. In 40 minutes, you'll have a rich and tangy main course the whole family can enjoy.

44 of 45

Chicken-And-Biscuit Cobbler

Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler — Alison Miksch

A casserole topped with biscuits is an easy winner in our book, especially when a savory vegetable and herb mixture lies underneath. You can save some time with the shredded chicken with a rotisserie chicken from the store or a bird from your local barbecue joint.

45 of 45

Breaded Pork Chops

Southern Living Breaded Pork Chops on a platter to serve with sauce — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Surprise the entire family with pork chops that are perfect for pairing with rice, potatoes, and fresh greens. The best? These are ready in 30 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Sunday dinner and supper?

Both terms refer to the largest or main meal of the day, but there are a few reasons why you might refer to this meal as dinner or supper. There is a generational divide causing most younger people to refer to this meal as dinner rather than supper. Additionally, farmers in the 17th and 18th centuries preferred larger meals around midday, making modern-day lunchtime the "dinner" so they could continue working throughout the afternoon.
Where does the term "supper" originate?

Supper is related to the German word for soup, "suppe," which supports using this phrase for the last meal of the day as individuals consumed hot soup in the evenings. According to Dictionary.com, supper's word origins are from the Old French word "souper," which translates to "evening meal."

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