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Sunday is quickly approaching, you guys! My kitchen is already planning the whole thing without me.
One of my favorite things about the weekend, besides the lattes, is having a real reason to slow cook something all afternoon.
Last month my neighbors dropped by right as the oven timer went off and they stayed for two hours, lol!
Don’t fret if Sunday dinner feels like a lot some weeks. I used to struggle with the whole spread until I figured out a rotation that actually works.
Keep on reading for 20 sunday meal ideas the whole family will fight over! From pot roast to waffles and short ribs, there’s something here for every kind of Sunday.
SUNDAY MEAL IDEAS
1. Slow Cooker Pot Roast Dinner
We’re starting off strong with the classic pot roast! I basically just shove it in the pot and forget about it while everyone naps on the couch, haha!
Toss carrots and potatoes right in with the beef so the whole meal finishes together. The house smells like a hug by dinnertime.
I always add a bay leaf too because it makes the broth taste like it simmered all day.
- Set it before church, done by supper
- Fork tender after eight hours low
- Carrots go in with the roast
- Gravy from the drippings alone
2. Roast Chicken With Herb Butter
The skin gets that golden snap and the kitchen smells like rosemary for hours.
Rub the butter under the skin, not just on top. It bastes itself as it roasts, which honestly feels like cheating.
- Sunday classic since forever
- Butter goes under the skin
- Roasts at 425 degrees
- Rest it ten minutes before carving
3. Creamy Baked Mac And Cheese
Is it really a Sunday dinner without mac and cheese? Not in my book! This baked version gets a crackly top that the stovetop kind just can’t manage.
Who doesn’t love that?
- The crispy top negotiator
- Sharp cheddar plus gruyere
- Bakes until bubbling at edges
- Panko on top for crunch
4. Family Style Lasagna Bake
This lasagna bake feeds a crowd without any real effort past the assembly. I always layer it the night before. I slide it in Sunday afternoon because future me deserves a break!
The leftovers taste even better on Monday, if there are any left, lol!
- Feeds the whole extended family
- Assemble the night before
- Three cheese layers total
5. Sunday Brunch Waffle Bar
A waffle bar turns a regular Sunday morning into an event. Everyone builds their own plate and nobody argues about toppings, mostly.
It disappears within minutes and I never even get seconds, haha!
- Everybody builds their own plate
- Toppings spread out buffet style
- Keeps warm in a low oven
6. Braised Short Ribs With Mashed Potatoes
These short ribs fall apart with just a fork, no cutter required! Braised low and slow, they turn the mashed potatoes underneath into something dangerous.
I always make extra potatoes because everyone fights over the gravy. This is the dinner that makes the whole house smell like a restaurant.
- Fork does all the work here
- Braises low for three hours
- Red apple cider in the sauce
- Mashed potatoes soak up the gravy
7. Homemade Pizza Night Spread
Pizza night turns Sunday into everyone’s favorite day. I set out bowls of toppings and let people build their own, chaos included!
No shame in that.
- Everyone builds a different pie
- Dough proofs for one hour
- Toppings set out buffet style
- Bakes at 475 for a crisp crust
8. Herb Crusted Salmon Sheet Pan
This sheet pan salmon is the easiest Sunday dinner I make, hands down! Everything roasts together and cleanup takes about two minutes.
The herb crust gets crispy while the inside stays flaky. How good does that sound?
- One pan, almost no cleanup
- Roasts at 400 for fifteen minutes
- Lemon slices go underneath
- Herb crust from the pantry
9. Classic Sunday Roast Vegetables
Roasted vegetables round out any Sunday roast perfectly. Carrots, potatoes and parsnips get tossed in the same pan as whatever meat is roasting.
I always plan for leftovers but they never actually survive the night. They soak up all those drippings and honestly steal the show sometimes, lol!
- The side that steals the show
- Roasts alongside the main dish
- Root vegetables hold up best
- Finished with flaky salt
10. Skillet Cornbread With Honey Butter
Skillet cornbread with honey butter might be the most requested side in our house. It bakes up golden in a cast iron skillet. It gets crispy edges every single time.
The honey butter melts into every crack before anyone even sits down. Same!
- Crispy edges, every single time
- Bakes in a cast iron skillet
- Honey butter melts on top
- Ready in twenty five minutes
11. Hearty Beef Stew Bowl
Beef stew is the ultimate answer to a freezing afternoon. Everything simmers together until the meat practically falls apart on its own.
I always make a double batch because it never lasts long enough. This is one of those winter meal ideas that tastes even better the next day. Same!
- Better the second day, always
- Simmers low for two hours
- Potatoes go in near the end
- Crusty bread on the side
12. Butternut Squash Soup Bread Bowl
Butternut squash soup in a bread bowl is peak cozy. The bread soaks up every last drop, so nothing goes to waste.
I always roast the squash first for a deeper flavor before blending it smooth. That extra step is the whole reason people ask for the recipe, am I right?
- The bowl you get to eat
- Served in a hollowed loaf
- Topped with toasted pumpkin seeds
13. Cheesy French Onion Soup
French onion soup with that molten cheese lid is basically a hug in a bowl. The onions caramelize for what feels like forever, but it’s worth every minute!
I always broil it right before serving so the cheese gets those brown spots. Nobody at my table has ever complained about waiting.
- That cheese lid does everything
- Onions caramelize for one hour
- Broiled until bubbly on top
- Gruyere melts best over crusty bread
14. Baked Ziti With Sausage
It bakes in one dish. There’s rarely a leftover container in the fridge after.
Talk about a crowd pleaser on a cold night!
- The one everyone asks for by name
- Mozzarella melted on top
15. Classic Roasted Turkey Platter
A roasted turkey platter is the whole reason everyone shows up on time in November. Golden skin, a little herb butter underneath, that’s the entire secret!
This is one of those thanksgiving meal ideas that never changes at our table. Honestly, why would it?
Let it rest a full twenty minutes before anyone touches the carving cutter.
- The centerpiece that gets applause
16. Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows
Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows causes actual debate at my table every year. Some people want it more savory, others want the marshmallows torched dark.
The lovers of the torched top always win, lol!
- Torched or golden, pick a side
- Marshmallows broiled until toasted
- Pecan crumble as the other camp’s choice
17. Green Bean Almondine Side
Green bean almondine is the side that actually gets eaten past the first helping. Toasted almonds give it a little crunch nobody expects.
It disappears fast enough that I now make a double batch. How cute is that?
- Actually gets a second helping
- Green beans blanched then sauteed
18. Pumpkin Pie With Whipped Cream
Pumpkin pie with whipped cream is non negotiable in our house! Store bought crust works just fine, nobody has ever noticed.
- The slice that always disappears first
- Whipped cream made fresh
- Store bought crust works fine
19. Cranberry Orange Relish Bowl
Cranberry orange relish is the bright spot next to all that heavy food. It takes about ten minutes and needs zero cooking.
I make it every time and forget until the last second, which somehow works out fine, haha! This one balances out the whole plate, honestly.
- No cooking, just a food processor
- Whole cranberries pulsed with orange
- Sugar added to taste
- Chills for at least an hour
20. Herb Stuffing In Cast Iron
Last but definitely not least, we have herb stuffing baked right in a cast iron skillet. The edges get crispy while the middle stays soft and buttery.
Fresh herbs make all the difference here, dried just won’t do the same job.
This is the dish that vanishes before the turkey even gets carved. Who’s surprised?
- Crispy edges, soft middle, no contest
- Baked in a cast iron skillet
- Fresh herbs mixed through
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Sophie
