Sunday dinner has a rhythm all its own. The oven runs low and slow, something simmers on the stove, and the whole house smells like garlic, roasted meat, or bubbling cheese by the time everyone sits down. A good Sunday dinner lineup gives you cozy, crowd-pleasing meals like pot roast, roast chicken, and baked pasta that double as Monday leftovers.
The best part about cooking this way is the payoff stretches past one meal. A roast chicken turns into soup. A pot of chili feeds you twice. Casseroles reheat just as well on a Tuesday as they tasted fresh out of the oven.
Below are 19+ tried-and-true Sunday dinner ideas, from classic roasts and casseroles to soups and skillet suppers, plus a plan for turning Sunday’s extras into easy Monday meals.
1. Classic Beef Pot Roast
Few meals say Sunday like a pot roast simmered until it falls apart with a fork. This one leans on chuck roast, carrots, potatoes, and onions braised low in beef broth with garlic and thyme.
Ingredients:
- 3 lb beef chuck roast
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 4 potatoes, quartered
- 1 onion, sliced
- 3 cups beef broth
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 sprigs thyme
Method: Sear roast in oil, 4 minutes per side. Add vegetables and broth, cover, and braise at 325°F for 3 hours. Serves 6. For more ideas, check out our best beef chuck roast recipes.
2. Lemon-Herb Roast Chicken
A whole roasted chicken with crisp, golden skin and bright lemon flavor makes an easy centerpiece any Sunday. The bird roasts with butter, garlic, rosemary, and lemon halves tucked inside the cavity.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (4-5 lb)
- 4 tbsp softened butter
- 1 lemon, halved
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 sprigs rosemary
- 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper
Method: Rub chicken with butter and seasoning, stuff cavity with lemon, garlic, and rosemary. Roast at 425°F for 70-80 minutes until internal temp hits 165°F. Serves 4-6. Try this zesty one pan lemon herb chicken recipe for a weeknight version.
3. Beef Lasagna
Layers of tender noodles, rich meat sauce, and creamy cheese make lasagna a Sunday classic worth the extra effort. It bakes low and slow so the layers set and slice cleanly.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 15 oz ricotta
- 2 cups mozzarella
- 1/2 cup parmesan
- 1 egg
Method: Brown beef, stir in marinara. Mix ricotta with egg. Layer noodles, meat sauce, and cheeses three times. Bake at 375°F, covered, 45 minutes, then uncovered 15 minutes. Serves 8. Pair it with ideas from our best sides for lasagna.
4. Glazed Baked Ham
A sticky-sweet glaze turns an ordinary baked ham into the star of the table. Brown sugar, honey, and mustard caramelize over the ham as it bakes.
Ingredients:
- 8 lb bone-in ham, fully cooked
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup orange juice
Method: Score ham in a diamond pattern. Whisk glaze ingredients and brush half over ham. Bake at 325°F, 15 minutes per pound, basting every 20 minutes with remaining glaze. Serves 10-12.
5. Classic Meatloaf
Meatloaf delivers the kind of homey comfort that makes Sunday dinner feel complete. Ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, and a tangy ketchup glaze bake together into a tender, sliceable loaf.
Ingredients:
- 2 lb ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 onion, diced
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
Method: Mix beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, and onion. Shape into a loaf. Top with ketchup mixed with brown sugar. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour. Serves 6. Round out the plate with our best side dishes for meatloaf.
6. Chicken Pot Pie
A golden, flaky crust hides a creamy chicken and vegetable filling that tastes like a hug in a bowl. Carrots, peas, and celery simmer in a rich gravy before baking under pastry.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1/3 cup flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 cups mixed vegetables
- 2 pie crusts
Method: Make a roux with butter and flour, whisk in broth and milk. Stir in chicken and vegetables. Pour into a crust, top with second crust, vent, and bake at 425°F for 35 minutes. Serves 6. This leftover rotisserie chicken pot pie recipe is a great shortcut version.
7. Slow Cooker Beef Chili
Chili simmered all day in the slow cooker turns tough, inexpensive beef into something deeply flavorful. Beans, tomatoes, and a mix of warm spices build layers of flavor over low heat.
Ingredients:
- 2 lb ground beef or stew meat
- 2 cans (15 oz) kidney beans
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 2 cups beef broth
Method: Brown meat, add to slow cooker with remaining ingredients. Cook on low 7-8 hours. Serves 8. For a beefier spin, try this hearty chuck steak chili recipe.
8. Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie layers savory ground meat and vegetables under a blanket of buttery mashed potatoes. It bakes until the top turns golden and slightly crisp at the edges.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lb ground lamb or beef
- 1 cup peas and carrots
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
- 2 tbsp butter
Method: Brown meat with onion, stir in tomato paste, vegetables, and broth. Simmer 10 minutes. Spread in a baking dish, top with mashed potatoes, dot with butter. Bake at 400°F for 25 minutes. Serves 6.
9. Pork Tenderloin with Apples
Pork tenderloin roasted with sliced apples and a touch of maple syrup makes a dinner that tastes like fall any time of year. The apples soften into a sweet, saucy topping as the pork roasts.
Ingredients:
- 2 lb pork tenderloin
- 2 apples, sliced
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Salt and pepper
Method: Sear tenderloin in oil, 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a baking dish, surround with apples tossed in maple syrup and cinnamon. Roast at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until internal temp reaches 145°F. Serves 4.
10. Chicken and Dumplings
Soft, pillowy dumplings simmered in a creamy chicken broth make this one of the coziest meals around. Shredded chicken and vegetables fill out the pot while dumplings cook right on top.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- 1 cup celery, sliced
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 3/4 cup milk
Method: Simmer broth with chicken and vegetables 15 minutes. Mix flour, baking powder, and milk into a soft dough, drop spoonfuls into simmering broth. Cover and cook 15 minutes. Serves 6. This comforting leftover rotisserie chicken and dumplings recipe uses up extra chicken well.
11. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Pulled pork cooked low and slow turns into shreddable, saucy meat perfect for piling onto soft buns. A simple spice rub and tangy barbecue sauce do most of the work.
Ingredients:
- 3 lb pork shoulder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 8 sandwich buns
Method: Rub pork with paprika and garlic powder. Place in slow cooker with broth. Cook on low 8 hours. Shred, mix with barbecue sauce, pile onto buns. Serves 8. Browse our best delicious beef crockpot recipes for more slow cooker inspiration.
12. Shrimp and Grits Casserole
This Southern-inspired bake turns classic shrimp and grits into a make-ahead casserole with a cheesy, creamy base. Smoky bacon and sharp cheddar give it real depth.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled
- 1 cup grits
- 4 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar
- 4 strips bacon, chopped
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
Method: Cook grits in water, stir in cheddar. Cook bacon, add shrimp to the drippings until pink. Whisk eggs and milk, combine with grits and shrimp. Pour into a dish, bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Serves 6.
13. Baked Salmon with Lemon and Asparagus
Salmon fillets roasted alongside asparagus spears make a light but satisfying Sunday option. Lemon slices and a drizzle of olive oil keep the fish moist and bright.
Ingredients:
- 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
- 1 lb asparagus, trimmed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper
Method: Arrange salmon and asparagus on a sheet pan, drizzle with oil, top with garlic and lemon slices. Roast at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until salmon flakes easily. Serves 4.
14. Eggplant Parmesan
Crisp breaded eggplant layered with marinara and melted mozzarella brings Italian comfort to the table without any meat. Baking instead of frying keeps the texture tender but not greasy.
Ingredients:
- 2 large eggplants, sliced
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup parmesan
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella
Method: Dip eggplant in egg, then breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping once. Layer with marinara and mozzarella in a dish, bake 20 more minutes. Serves 6.
15. Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Layered tortillas, shredded chicken, and enchilada sauce bake into a bubbly, cheesy casserole with a little kick. It comes together faster than rolling individual enchiladas.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 2 cups red enchilada sauce
- 10 corn tortillas
- 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup diced onion
Method: Layer tortillas, chicken, sauce, onion, and cheese twice in a baking dish. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes until cheese is bubbly. Serves 6. See our best chicken recipes for more weeknight options.
16. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Bell peppers stuffed with seasoned rice and beef make a tidy, colorful Sunday dinner that always feels a little special. Tomato sauce spooned over the top keeps the filling moist as it bakes.
Ingredients:
- 6 bell peppers, tops removed
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Method: Brown beef, mix with rice, half the sauce, and seasoning. Stuff peppers, place in a dish, top with remaining sauce and cheese. Bake at 375°F for 35 minutes. Serves 6.
17. Sausage and White Bean Soup
This rustic soup turns smoky sausage, white beans, and greens into a warming one-pot meal. Kale or spinach wilts in at the end for color and a little earthiness.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 2 cans (15 oz) white beans
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups chopped kale
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves
Method: Brown sausage with onion and garlic. Add broth and beans, simmer 20 minutes. Stir in kale until wilted. Serves 6. Explore our best crockpot soup recipes for slow cooker variations.
18. Mushroom Risotto
Creamy risotto made with earthy mushrooms and a steady hand of warm broth rewards a little patience at the stove. Parmesan stirred in at the end gives it a silky, rich finish.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1/2 cup parmesan
- 2 tbsp butter
Method: Sauté mushrooms in butter, set aside. Toast rice, add wine, then broth one ladle at a time, stirring until absorbed. Stir in mushrooms and parmesan. Serves 4.
19. Chicken and Broccoli Mac and Cheese
This baked mac and cheese adds shredded chicken and tender broccoli for a complete meal in one dish. A sharp cheddar sauce coats every noodle without turning gluey.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 cups shredded cheddar
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk
Method: Cook pasta and broccoli together. Make a roux with butter and flour, whisk in milk, stir in cheese until melted. Combine everything, bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. Serves 6. See our best chicken breast recipes for more ways to use leftover chicken.
How to Plan Sunday Dinner for Monday Leftovers
Planning ahead turns one Sunday meal into two or three easy dinners. Cook a larger portion than you need on purpose, then plan Monday’s meal around what’s left.
A few swaps make this simple:
- Pot roast or ham becomes sandwiches, hash, or gets tossed into a quick soup.
- Roast chicken shreds easily into tacos, salads, or a pot of chicken and dumplings.
- Chili or soup often tastes better the next day once the flavors settle.
- Casseroles like lasagna or enchilada bake reheat well covered in foil at 350°F.
Store leftovers in shallow containers so they cool fast in the fridge, and use them within three to four days. Label containers with the date if your fridge tends to turn into a mystery zone by midweek.
For more structured leftover plans, our 20 leftover roast beef recipes and our best leftover roast beef recipes offer ways to stretch a single roast across several meals.
