The short answer: These Sunday dinner ideas are for the meal that brings everyone back to the table: 50 ideas in five groups, from classic roasts to budget dinners, plus sides, desserts, a make-ahead plan and what to do with the leftovers. Sunday dinner doesn't need to be fancy. It just needs to be warm, filling and shared.

Our picks for sunday dinner ideas

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Pick one main, two sides and an easy dessert, and let everyone pitch in with a job, from stirring the gravy to setting the table.

Plan Sunday dinner and the rest of the week's meals in the Meal Planner and Grocery List ($3.99). Keep the family's favorite Sunday recipes in the Family Recipe Binder ($6.99) or in the My Family Recipes book ($10.99).

Sunday braise ideas: coq au vin and cioppino.

Meal Planner and Grocery List for planning Sunday dinner

Classic Sunday roasts and mains (12 ideas)

  1. Roast chicken with lemon and herbs
  2. Pot roast with carrots and potatoes
  3. Baked ham with a brown sugar glaze
  4. Pork loin with apples and onions
  5. Meatloaf with mashed potatoes
  6. Prime rib or beef tenderloin for special Sundays
  7. Roast turkey breast
  8. Lasagna
  9. Shepherd's pie
  10. Chicken pot pie
  11. Fried chicken
  12. Leg of lamb with garlic and rosemary

Slow cooker and one-pot Sunday dinners (10 ideas)

  1. Chicken and dumplings
  2. Classic beef stew with chuck and root vegetables
  3. Pulled pork sandwiches
  4. White chicken chili
  5. Classic beef chili with cornbread
  6. Pork shoulder with sauerkraut
  7. Chicken and rice casserole
  8. Smothered pork chops
  9. Minestrone soup with crusty bread
  10. Red beans and rice

Budget-friendly Sunday dinner ideas (10 ideas)

  1. Whole roast chicken (leftovers for two more meals)
  2. Chicken thighs with root vegetables
  3. Baked ziti
  4. Breakfast for dinner
  5. Homemade pizza night
  6. Bean soup and cornbread
  7. Sloppy joes and oven fries
  8. Tuna noodle casserole
  9. Sheet pan sausage and vegetables
  10. Stuffed baked potatoes

Sunday dinner side dishes (10 ideas)

  1. Mashed potatoes and gravy
  2. Roasted carrots
  3. Green bean casserole
  4. Baked mac and cheese
  5. Garden salad
  6. Buttered corn
  7. Roasted Brussels sprouts
  8. Dinner rolls or biscuits
  9. Collard greens
  10. Glazed sweet potatoes

Sunday dinner desserts (8 ideas)

  1. Apple crisp
  2. Peach cobbler
  3. Chocolate sheet cake
  4. Banana pudding
  5. Pound cake with berries
  6. Brownies
  7. Bread pudding
  8. Homemade pie

How to plan Sunday dinner: a simple make-ahead timeline

  1. Wednesday: choose the menu and check the pantry.
  2. Thursday: write the grocery list by store section.
  3. Saturday: shop, make dessert and chop vegetables.
  4. Sunday morning: start the roast or slow cooker meal.
  5. One hour before: cook sides and warm the bread.
  6. Dinner: check the meat temperature, rest it and serve.

Use a thermometer for roasts. The USDA safe temperature chart lists 145°F with a three-minute rest for beef and pork roasts and 165°F for poultry.

Sunday dinner menu ideas by budget

Menu Main Sides Dessert Rough cost for 6
Classic Roast chicken Mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls Apple crisp $20 to $30
Cozy Pot roast Carrots and potatoes cooked with it, salad Brownies $30 to $45
Comfort Lasagna Garden salad, garlic bread Pound cake $25 to $35
Budget Chicken and rice casserole Roasted carrots, biscuits Banana pudding $15 to $25
Special Baked ham Mac and cheese, collard greens, rolls Peach cobbler $35 to $50

These costs are example estimates, not averages. Grocery prices vary by store and region.

Turn Sunday dinner leftovers into weekday meals

  • Roast chicken becomes chicken salad, tacos or soup.
  • Pot roast becomes sandwiches or hash. Our homemade corned beef hash shows the crispy skillet method.
  • Ham becomes split pea soup or breakfast casseroles.
  • Extra mashed potatoes become potato cakes.

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three to four days, as the USDA leftovers guidance recommends. For more weeknight ideas, see easy dinner ideas, fall dinner ideas and our monthly meal planner.

Starter plan: your first Sunday dinner rotation

Week Main Sides
Week 1 Roast chicken Mashed potatoes, green beans
Week 2 Pot roast Salad, rolls
Week 3 Lasagna Garlic bread, salad
Week 4 Baked ham Mac and cheese, greens

Four menus on repeat make planning easy. Write them down once, add the grocery list for each, and Sunday dinner is ready to shop every week.

Making it a birthday? See our birthday dinner ideas for 30 special meals, sample menus and a planning timeline.

Craving a classic? Our fried pork chops come out golden and crisp, and scalloped potatoes and ham makes a cozy one-dish dinner.

Want something easier for the end of the workweek? Try our Friday night dinner ideas. For a quick classic, pan-sear ham steaks with a brown sugar glaze.

Want a Sunday main that's on the table fast? Our baked pork tenderloin needs about 30 minutes and one pan. Round out the plate with side dish ideas.

Feeding a crowd on Sunday? Our easy lasagna recipe bakes in one 9x13 pan and serves 8 to 12, with leftovers for the week. Need weeknight options too? Our family dinner ideas list keeps portions and picky eaters in mind. Browse the whole cluster in our family dinner ideas hub. For a slower-stirred rice centerpiece, make our risotto recipe.

If it is a weeknight instead, pick from these dinner ideas by cooking time, from 20-minute meals to hour-long comfort dishes.

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Frequently asked questions

What are good Sunday dinner ideas? Good Sunday dinner ideas include a roast chicken with vegetables, pot roast, baked ham, lasagna, chicken and dumplings, shepherd's pie, meatloaf with mashed potatoes, and a pork loin with apples. Pair one main with two sides and a simple dessert, and plan the leftovers for Monday lunch.

What is a traditional Sunday dinner? A traditional Sunday dinner is a big family meal, often served in the afternoon or early evening, built around a roast such as chicken, beef or ham with potatoes, vegetables, rolls and a dessert. Many families keep the same menu for years, which is part of what makes it special.

What are cheap Sunday dinner ideas? Cheap Sunday dinner ideas include a whole roast chicken, chicken thighs with root vegetables, a big pot of chili, baked pasta, bean soup with cornbread, breakfast for dinner, and homemade pizza. Whole chickens and less expensive cuts of beef or pork stretch into leftovers for the week.

What can I make for Sunday dinner in a slow cooker? Slow cooker Sunday dinners include pot roast with carrots and potatoes, pulled pork, chicken and dumplings, beef stew, white chicken chili and a pork shoulder with apples. Start it in the morning so dinner is ready when everyone gets home, and make sure meat reaches a safe internal temperature.

What temperature should a roast be cooked to? According to USDA guidance, cook beef, pork, veal and lamb roasts to at least 145°F and let them rest for three minutes. Cook whole chicken and turkey to 165°F, and ground meat to 160°F. Use a food thermometer in the thickest part of the meat, away from the bone.

How long do Sunday dinner leftovers last? Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking and eat them within three to four days, following USDA leftovers guidance. Reheat them to 165°F. If you won't eat them in time, freeze portions in labeled containers for quick weeknight meals.

What are easy Sunday dinner sides? Easy Sunday dinner sides include mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, green bean casserole, mac and cheese, a green salad, buttered corn, roasted Brussels sprouts and dinner rolls. Choose one starch, one vegetable and one bread so the meal feels complete without too much work.

How do I make Sunday dinner less stressful? Plan the menu earlier in the week, shop on Saturday, and prep vegetables and dessert ahead. Choose a main that cooks hands-off in the oven or slow cooker, and give everyone a job, from setting the table to washing dishes. Rotating a few favorite menus saves planning time.

How can Sunday dinner help with weekly meal planning? Cooking a large roast or a double batch on Sunday gives you planned leftovers for the week: roast chicken becomes chicken salad, tacos or soup, and pot roast becomes sandwiches or hash. Plan those leftover meals right on your weekly meal planner so nothing goes to waste.

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Sources

  1. USDA FSIS: Safe minimum internal temperature chart fsis.usda.gov
  2. USDA FSIS: Leftovers and food safety fsis.usda.gov