Food and Recipes Dinner 25 Easy Sunday Dinner Ideas The Whole Family Will Love By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on May 12, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely If there's something we know to be true, it's that Southerners love a good debate. We may not be able to settle on the proper way to spell pimiento cheese or the true geographic origins of Brunswick stew, but there is one thing we can all agree on. 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, all 25 Sunday dinner ideas in this collection are crowd-pleasers with the kids and adults alike—and make great leftovers for the week. 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. Plus, we've included forever favorites like Spaghetti Casserole, Mama's Fried Chicken, and King Ranch Chicken that hit the spot every time. A family meal isn't complete without good food and even better company, and these easy recipes are sure to get you there. Go ahead, start scrolling and saving recipes for week, and the next and next. 01 of 25 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. 02 of 25 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. 03 of 25 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. 04 of 25 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. 05 of 25 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! 06 of 25 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. 07 of 25 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. 08 of 25 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! 09 of 25 Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler Alison Miksch Recipe: Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler A casserole topped with biscuits is an easy winner in our book. You can save some time with the shredded chicken with a rotisserie chicken from the store or a bird from your local barbecue joint. 10 of 25 Beef Stroganoff Antonis Achilleos Recipe: Beef Stroganoff The ultimate comfort food that still feels like a special occasion dish, this Beef Stroganoff recipe is a surefire family favorite. 11 of 25 One-Hour Brunswick Stew Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: One-Hour Brunswick Stew Shredded chicken, okra, and beans add body and texture to this classic fall dish that'll be ready quicker than ever before. 12 of 25 Chicken Thighs with Tomato-Caper Sauce Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Recipe: Chicken Thighs with Tomato-Caper Sauce You can always count on a chicken thigh for juicy, bone-in flavor. Pair with grits and a homemade Tomato-Caper Sauce and Sunday supper will never be the same. 13 of 25 Tortellini Mac and Cheese Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Tortellini Mac and Cheese Creamy and rich, this cheese-on-cheese recipe proves you can never have too much of a good thing. The tortellini holds it own, tough—you'll be sure to enjoy the fluffy noodle as a base. Tip: Our test kitchen recommends using a refrigerated noodle rather than something out of the box for this recipe. 14 of 25 Instant Pot Pulled Pork Chili Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke Recipe: Instant Pot Pulled Pork Chili Chili and BBQ combine to make the ultimate comfort food. While this recipe calls for an Instant Pot, it can also be adjusted to cook on low in your slow cooker. 15 of 25 Buffalo Ranch Chicken-Broccoli Casserole Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Buffalo Ranch Chicken-Broccoli Casserole The taste of your favorite ranch-dunked buffalo wings just got an elevated suppertime makeover. 16 of 25 Pan-Seared Flank Steak with Herb Sauce Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Recipe: Pan-Seared Flank Steak with Herb Sauce 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. 17 of 25 Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese A guaranteed crowd-pleaser, this is the comforting casserole everyone needs before they kick off the week. 18 of 25 Chicken Fajita Casserole Will Dickey; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners Recipe: Chicken Fajita Casserole Fajita night has never been more fun. Mixed together in one dish, this casserole-style supper is sure to spice up your next taco night. 19 of 25 Creamy Salmon Fettuccini and Spring Vegetables Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Creamy Salmon Fettuccini and Spring Vegetables There's nothing like a seafood supper on Sunday, and this recipe hits all the marks—pasta, asparagus, green peas, salmon, and fettuccine. 20 of 25 One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Orzo Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Orzo Expect big flavor from this family-style garlic-butter shrimp. 21 of 25 Mushroom and Thyme Chicken-Broccoli Casserole Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Mushroom and Thyme Chicken-Broccoli Casserole Easy enough for a weeknight but rich and elegant enough to reserve for Sunday supper. 22 of 25 Sheet Pan Hanger Steak and Vegetables Victor Protasio; Prop Styling; Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Sheet Pan Hanger Steak and Vegetables Easy to assemble, this quick sheet pan dinner—featuring two veggies and a protein—will satisfy everyone's desire or a Sunday night steak. 23 of 25 Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs This speedy spaghetti recipes makes sixteen delicious meatballs—enough to feed the whole family and then some! 24 of 25 Spaghetti Casserole Jennifer Davick Recipe: Spaghetti Casserole For us, spaghetti casserole is the epitome of a comforting, always-hits-the-spot dish. And, honestly, we can't thing of a better feeling to have on a Sunday night—especially when you're surrounded by those you love the most. 25 of 25 One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta Tex-Mex flavor and penne pasta are a match made in heaven. Mix it all up in a cast-iron skillet and serve it family-style. 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." Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit