20 Sunday Dinner Ideas With Easy Recipes

By Kaitlyn Yarborough
January 12, 2018
Southern Living
Sunday suppers are about as Southern as it gets, and many of our fondest memories are made with the family gathering around the table for quality time and comforting food. Whether cooking for a crowd or just a few, these Sunday dinner ideas include all of the hearty, filling dishes that make great leftovers for the week and are crowd-pleasers with the kids and adults alike. These Sunday supper recipes give one-pot and sheet pan dinners for minimal cleanup, budget-friendly chicken and pork options to cover a crowd, and comforting Southern dishes your family will love. A Sunday supper isn’t complete without good food and even better company, and these easy recipes are sure to get you there.
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Please a Crowd and Have Leftovers to Boot!

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Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Buffy Hargett

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.

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Chicken-Andouille Gumbo with Roasted Potatoes

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chicken-Andouille Gumbo with Roasted Potatoes

This gumbo is perfect for freezing or using as leftovers for the week. You can reheat it, roast some more potatoes, and enjoy the Cajun dish for a quick lunch or dinner later!

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King Ranch Chicken

Southern Living

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.

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Company Pot Roast with Creamy Mushroom Grits

Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

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.

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Mama's Fried Chicken

Southern Living

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.

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Slow Cooker Sausage Minestrone

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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!

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Fried Pork Chops with Peas and Potatoes

Greg DuPree

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.

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Garlicky Roasted Spatchcock Chicken

Alison Miksch

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.

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Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake

Hector Manuel Sanchez

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!

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Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings

Iain Bagwell

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.

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Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Greg DuPree

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.

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BBQ Rub Roasted Chickens with Potatoes and Carrots

Greg DuPree

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.

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Ancho-Chile Flank Steak and Sweet Potato Tacos

Alison Miksch

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!

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Hearty Beef and Freezer Veggie Soup

Greg DuPree

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.

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Sheet Pan Shrimp and Vegetables with Rice

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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!

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Baked Ziti with Sausage

Southern Living

Recipe: Baked Ziti with Sausage

This baked pasta dish is on the table in under an hour, so you don’t have to worry about missing any valuable family time on your lazy Sunday.

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Lemon Pork Chops with Quinoa Salad

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

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.

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Ham and Lima Bean Fried Rice

Greg DuPree

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!

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New Tuna Casserole

Greg Dupree

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.

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Curried Shrimp with Peanuts

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

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.

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By Kaitlyn Yarborough