Food Recipe Collections & Favorites 40 Sunday Dinner Ideas That Are Short on Stress and Fuss Because Sunday dinner doesn't have to be complicated to be comforting. By Phoebe Fry and Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 30, 2024 Close Photo: CAITLIN BENSEL There's nothing like a cozy dinner with friends and family to soothe a case of the Sunday scaries, but nobody wants to spend the last hours of the weekend bogged down with dinner prep and dishes.Lucky for you, we rounded up a slew of easy Sunday dinner ideas that don't leave a mess in your kitchen. This list has something for everyone, from pasta and pie to sheet pan suppers, stir-fries, and skillets. The common thread is they're easy to whip up and don't leave you with a pile of pots, pans, and dishes to clean. Pick one for your next Sunday dinner. 01 of 40 Skillet Chipotle-Pork Enchiladas Victor Protasio Enchiladas typically involve lots of filling, rolling, and baking, but this dinner recipe significantly cuts those prep tasks. Instead, slice the corn tortillas into wedges and mix them into the sauce and filling, similar to chilaquiles. This one-skillet recipe's shortcuts allow you to serve this comforting Mexican favorite after just 25 minutes of hands-on work. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 40 Soba Noodle Salad with Chili-Glazed Shrimp Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley A comforting and flavor-packed bowl of noodles and shrimp makes for an ideal ending to the weekend. The juicy shrimp is coated in a sweet and savory glaze made from zesty lime and chili garlic sauce. Scallions add flavor to the shrimp while cooking, plus make for a tasty garnish. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 40 Crowd-Pleasing Carbonara Pizza Jen Causey Never had an egg on a pizza? Here's your sign to get cracking. It adds great flavor and protein and pairs perfectly with Pecorino cheese and savory pancetta. Think the flavor profile of bacon, egg, and cheese, but atop freshly baked pizza dough. Yum, right? GET THE RECIPE 04 of 40 Everything Salmon Skewers With Sriracha Aïoli Victor Protasio This quick dinner recipe puts that everything bagel seasoning to good use by seasoning tender pieces of salmon on a skewer. Between the fish chunks are slivers of crisp bok choy and pungent scallions poised for a nice char on a grill pan (or on the grill, of course). Finish with homemade spicy mayo and white rice in just 40 minutes. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 40 Almond-Crusted Chicken With Arugula Salad Caitlin Bensel Almond flour stands in for panko on these crispy chicken cutlets, while sesame seeds add a pop of flavor and crunch. On the side is a lemony arugula and Brussels sprouts salad that pairs perfectly with the juicy protein. To transform this into a kid-approved Sunday dinner, simply slice the cutlets into strips and serve with ketchup. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 40 Roasted Broccoli Pesto Pasta Caitlin Bensel Broccoli pulls double duty in this pasta recipe as both a pesto component and a veggie that mingles with your choice of whole-grain pasta. Arugula, another co-mingler, adds micronutrients while almonds give the pesto its creamy texture and a dose of protein. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 40 Red Lentil Soup With Lemon and Dill Victor Protasio In this chunky soup, creamy red lentils, fire-roasted tomatoes, and carrots are flavored with citrusy notes from lemon and sumac (a Middle Eastern spice made from dried ground berries). You'll hardly believe the depth of flavor this soup develops in just 30 minutes. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 40 Roasted Root Veggie Quinoa Bowls Victor Protasio Cut butternut squash, parsnips, red onions, and Brussels sprouts are the veggie stars that add color and flavor to these grain bowls. Roasted with a little olive oil and salt, they're joined by quinoa, spinach, and a dollop of hummus. The whole thing comes together courtesy of a punchy mustard vinaigrette. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 40 Orzo With Shrimp and Olives Fred Hardy This mash-up of a Greek salad and pasta salad is a hassle-free Sunday night meal option that’s ready in just 30 minutes. Sweet peppers, plump sun-dried tomatoes, and toothy orzo mingle with the shrimp, while lemon, olives, and a sprinkle of fresh oregano deliver flavor. For a richer dish, add a dollop of store-bought tzatziki. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 40 Fettuccine With Dairy-Free Bolognese Victor Protasio Skip the milk and add umami-rich nutritional yeast to create this scrumptious dairy-free Bolognese. Start by browning ground beef before cooking down the mirepoix, and then cook the mixture with a glug of red wine and crushed tomatoes until thickened slightly. Ladle over a plate of freshly cooked pasta and serve to delighted dinner guests. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 40 Pho-Inspired Vegetable Noodle Soup Fred Hardy If you love pho, this pho-inspired soup is right up your alley. It's a meat-free dish packed with umami-rich shiitake mushrooms, tender tofu, sweet carrots, and vermicelli rice noodles. A sliced serrano chile, star anise, and plenty of fresh cilantro add a ton of flavor. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 40 Coconut Chicken Cutlets With Mango Chutney Slaw Fred Hardy These crispy coconut-coated chicken cutlets prove that dinner can be stress-free and exciting. The breading process is a simple quick dip in mayonnaise instead of the usual flour and egg combo. While the chicken cooks stovetop, you have more than enough time to prepare a zesty mango slaw. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 40 One-Pot Chicken Sausage and Beans Caitlin Bensel Chicken sausage and beans layer flavors in this simple one-pot dish inspired by a classic French cassoulet. The recipe—which also features soft onions, juicy tomatoes, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping—serves eight and takes only 40 minutes. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 40 Seared Fish Tacos With Marinated Peppers Since the fish takes less than 10 minutes to cook, these tacos come together in no time. The recipe pairs the paprika-seasoned cod (or grouper) with a zingy salsa made with a jar of roasted red peppers. Finishing touches include slices of ripe avocado and briny, salty feta. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 40 Sheet Pan Pierogies With Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Shallots This meal cooks on a single sheet pan and stars frozen pierogies, making it a stress-free dinner on multiple levels. Shallots and Brussels sprouts roast alongside the cheese and potato bites, so the whole meal is done at the same time. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 40 Skillet Polenta in Creamy Tomato Sauce Caitlin Bensel Grab a tube of plain polenta at the store to make this inventive, comforting dinner recipe that's perfect for a chilly evening. In a single skillet, nestle polenta slices and white beans in a rich tomato sauce with Italian spices, simmer, and then broil for a complete vegetarian meal. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 40 Free-Form Enchilada Verde Marcus Nilsson Enchiladas are a great way to feed a crowd on a Sunday, and these free-form ones come together in a single baking dish with no mess involved. Filled with butternut squash, salsa, beans, and cheese, these meat-free enchiladas are hearty and packed with flavor. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 40 Chicken Thighs with Couscous and Olives Antonis Achilleos This one-skillet meal comes together in no time, and its combination of crispy chicken skin and tender couscous is irresistible. Shower with fresh cilantro and pomegranate seeds to make each plate look like a party. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 40 Peanut Butter Ramen Antonis Achilleos Made with peanut butter, soy sauce, chili sauce, and sesame oil, you're going to want to eat this dish's sauce on its own! The simple dinner recipe breathes new life into instant ramen noodles and takes just minutes to prepare. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 40 Mushroom White Pizza Greg DuPree The trick to pulling off pizza night without a big fuss is store-bought dough. This recipe uses it as a foundation for an elegant vegetarian pizza topped with ricotta, mushrooms, and fresh parsley. GET THE RECIPE 21 of 40 Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco Soup Jennifer Causey We're big fans of the slow cooker when it comes to entertaining on a Sunday. This recipe uses it to cut prep down to 10 minutes hands-on, leaving you with a vibrant, party-ready soup. Set out some shredded cheese, sour cream, and hot sauce for your guests to dress up their bowls. GET THE RECIPE 22 of 40 Quick Spring Lamb and Vegetable Stew Quentin Bacon This freezer-friendly, one-pot stew is hearty and rich, exactly what you want to tuck into after a long weekend. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving for a little brightness. GET THE RECIPE 23 of 40 Shrimp Lo Mein Greg DuPree This untraditional lo mein incorporates an assortment of veggies, such as shiitake mushrooms, bok choy, and bell pepper. From start to finish, this noodle dish takes only 25 minutes to prepare. GET THE RECIPE 24 of 40 Summer Nachos Greg DuPree You may not think of nachos as health food, but these vegetarian nachos are covered in good-for-you ingredients: corn, red cabbage, and zucchini, to name a few. The recipe only calls for a bowl, sheet pan, and blender (or food processor) to whip up a creamy avocado-yogurt sauce that's well worth an appliance to clean. GET THE RECIPE 25 of 40 Cheesy Pasta With Sausage and Brussels Sprouts Caitlin Bensel Something feels so right about a big baked pasta for Sunday dinner. This one includes bites of sweet Italian pork sausage and charred Brussels sprouts, all coated with a Worcestershire-spiked cheese sauce. It's decadent, comforting, and easy to scale up to feed a big group. GET THE RECIPE 26 of 40 Sheet Pan Salmon With Potatoes and Broccolini Victor Protasio Keep things simple with this nourishing weeknight meal that's special enough to take center stage at Sunday dinner. Just before serving, drizzle a quick vinaigrette of lemon, shallot, and mustard on the salmon and vegetables for a bright, flavorful finish. GET THE RECIPE 27 of 40 Steak With Gnocchi and Green Beans Victor Protasio This easy steak preparation only calls for a few dishes and a handful of ingredients. The gnocchi-green bean side comes together in just a few minutes with a final sauté in butter with shallots, parsley, and capers. Serve with crusty bread to sop up every last bit of that buttery goodness. GET THE RECIPE 28 of 40 Chickpea-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Caitlin Bensel Filling and deeply satisfying, these chickpea-stuffed sweet potatoes are seasoned with cinnamon and cumin, and topped with a dollop of spiced yogurt. The best part is you likely already have everything you need to make this on hand. GET THE RECIPE 29 of 40 Lemony Fish With Orzotto Antonis Achilleos This dinner recipe is a lesson in pan-searing fish for crisp, golden skin and a supple, tender interior. Those filets—mahi-mahi or other white fish—are set atop creamy, lemony orzo "risotto" dotted with sweet peas. GET THE RECIPE 30 of 40 Bulgogi With Cucumber Kimchi Salad Amy Neunsinger This bulgogi recipe (courtesy of Joanna Gaines) cooks quickly, but set aside 4 to 5 hours on Sunday afternoon to marinate the beef in a sugar and soy mixture to work its magic before hitting the grill. We love the contrast of the thinly sliced steak with steamed rice and crunchy, cooling cucumber-kimchi salad. GET THE RECIPE 31 of 40 Garlicky Hoisin Beef Anna Williams Put the phone down! Skip the takeout and make your own Chinese-inspired dish, which probably tastes better and is certainly less expensive. Hoisin sauce—a thick, fragrant condiment popular in Cantonese cooking—features prominently in this recipe, coating the beef and veggies in a single wok or skillet. GET THE RECIPE 32 of 40 Quick and Easy Shepherd's Pie Marcus Nilsson Shepherd's pie is the perfect Sunday dinner choice but can take hours to prep and cook with a mile-long list of ingredients. That's where this recipe comes in. It uses shortcuts of store-bought (or leftover) mashed potatoes and a bag of frozen mixed vegetables, resulting in a hearty, comforting, layered dish in just 20 minutes. GET THE RECIPE 33 of 40 Broccoli, Spinach, and Three-Cheese Lasagna Quentin Bacon Lasagna is a family favorite as a Sunday dinner, and this recipe is tweaked to deliver all those familiar flavors with a lot less stress. It's meatless, so there's no browning required. It uses no-boil lasagna noodles, so leave your pasta pot on the shelf. And finally, it's packed with extra vegetables, and kids probably won't notice. You can easily double this four-serving recipe to accommodate extended family members. GET THE RECIPE 34 of 40 Sheet Pan Chicken and Sweet Potatoes Greg DuPree This twist on a meat and potatoes dinner pairs chicken quarters with sweet potatoes. They share the same sheet pan and roast together in a hot oven (450°F) for the same amount of time (20 to 25 minutes), so there's no juggling cookware and cook times. During the cook, toss a simple salad, and this dinner's ready! GET THE RECIPE 35 of 40 Deep Dish Eggplant Parmesan Paul Sirisalee This crowd-pleasing, vegetarian casserole celebrates eggplant's meaty texture and distinctive flavor. It alternates layers of roasted eggplant rounds with jarred marinara and cheese (mozzarella and Parm), all topped with panko for a bit of crunch. Serve with mixed greens quick-tossed in a simple red wine vinaigrette. GET THE RECIPE 36 of 40 Slow-Cooker Curried Chicken With Ginger and Yogurt José Picayo Curry is the perfect dish for feeding a crowd on a Sunday, and a slow cooker is perfect for developing the popular Asian dish's rich, deep flavors. This recipe cooks boneless, skinless chicken thighs low and slow as the aromatic curry spices develop. A dollop of Greek yogurt mixes with the chicken just before it's served over rice. GET THE RECIPE 37 of 40 Ham and Leek Quiche Jennifer Causey Pick up a frozen pie shell at the grocers to make quick work of assembling this quiche. You'll fill it with sauteed chard and leek, ham, Gruyère (a hard Swiss cheese), buttermilk, and eggs, and then bake. In 45 minutes, you have a beautiful Sunday dinner centerpiece that's golden brown, cheesy, and delicious. GET THE RECIPE 38 of 40 One-Pan Salmon With Roasted Cabbage and Olive Vinaigrette Alison Miksch "One-pan" is code for easy to cook and easy to clean, so this recipe is eminently qualified as a stress-less Sunday dinner option. What's more, it exemplifies clean eating, so it's easy on your digestive system, too. While the salmon and cabbage roast in the oven, pull together a quick vinaigrette with mustard, olives, and raisins for a unique finish. GET THE RECIPE 39 of 40 Mango Chicken Curry With Coconut Rice Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley When thinking about easy Sunday dinner meals, people don't always go straight to curries. But with this simple dish that features yellow curry paste, ginger, and mangoes, you won't find an easier dish. Mangoes sweeten the pot, while the chicken thighs bring a richness that rounds out the meal. GET THE RECIPE 40 of 40 Hoisin-Serrano Meatballs and Rice Noodle Salad This sweet and spicy dinner comes together in a snap, with the bulk of the work needed to make the meatballs. The best part? The meatballs can be made in advance and stored, either raw or cooked, until you're ready to eat. GET THE RECIPE 30+ Essential, Easy Chicken Recipes for Every Day of the Week Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit