Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (2024)

When it comes to wrapping up the weekend with a good meal while saving some energy and time for the week to come, keep these easy recipes in your back pocket. Our favorite Sunday night dinner ideas are comforting—and you don't have to cook all day to pull them off. We keep it simple with meals that come together in an hour or less but taste like they are cooked low and slow. There are no ultra-processed foods in these nutritious entrées, because fresh ingredients are just as quick to cook when you know what to do with them.

End your weekend on a relaxed note with one of these meals that soothe and satisfy. And when Monday morning comes around, you'll be off to a good start.

93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

01of 22

Chicken Saltimbocca With Sage

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (1)

Chicken breast cutlets are wrapped in prosciutto and fresh sage leaves for this tasty riff on the traditional version that uses veal. Serve with polenta or mashed potatoes and steamed squash, or with a tomato salad.

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02of 22

Fish Stew With Herbed Toasts

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (2)

Light yet also substantial, this tomatoey fish stew is a flexible dish. Make it with cod or halibut or another meaty white fish. It's also fast, dinner will be on the table in 30 minutes. Pro tip: Double up on the toasts, it is Sunday, after all

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03of 22

Turkey Pesto Meatball Soup

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (3)

Dark meat turkey and pesto give lots of flavor to this bowl of comfort. Whether you've made your own pesto and chicken broth and stored them in the freezer or they're both store-bought, this is a meal we consider convenience food.

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04of 22

Quick Pork Goulash

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (4)

This version of goulash may be quicker to make than the traditional stew, but it doesn't sacrifice the sweet and warming flavors of peppers, carrots, and paprika.

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05of 22

Creamy Lemon Chicken With Spinach and Artichokes

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (5)

For those nights when you could use a rich, satisfying meal but you don't have a lot of time to give, there's this comforting meal. You can make it in about half an hour, and it all cooks in one skillet.

06of 22

White Fish Stew With Dumplings

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (6)

Hearty and comforting but also healthy—that's this easy stew. It starts with filets of cod or halibut, but we think the cornmeal dumplings are the real stars.

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07of 22

Vegetarian Gumbo

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (7)

Getting a head start on Meatless Monday? Try making this comforting dinner on Sunday night (it's also vegan!).

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08of 22

Beef and Barley Burgers

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (8)

Add cooked barley, grated carrots, and ginger to a burger for their flavors and textures, as well as their health benefits. It doesn't hurt that it makes these burgers an economical dinner, too.

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09of 22

Shrimp Chow Mein

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (9)

Having a few specialty ingredients and condiments on hand can really help when it comes to pulling together a quick dinner—on Sunday or any other night. The Asian pantry staples needed for this meal can all be found in supermarket aisles, and keeping a bag of shrimp in your freezer is always a good idea.

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10of 22

One-Pot Penne With Spinach, Ricotta, and Pine Nuts

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (10)

Stirred into cooked pasta and vegetables at the last minute, ricotta makes a simple, creamy sauce. Adding half a cup or so of the pasta-cooking water to the pot will help melt the ricotta and coat all the ingredients. Don't forget to reserve some water before you drain the pasta.

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11of 22

Lemon Parsley Fish Cakes

Make this recipe for Sunday supper, but also consider making an extra batch of the fish cakes and storing them in the freezer for the next time you need a quick dinner solution. You could also make a different cod recipe for dinner one night, double the recipe, and save leftover cooked fish to turn into these fish cakes the next.

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12of 22

Beef-Zucchini Meatballs

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (12)

Meatballs are the comfort food of choice for many of us. Mixing healthy grains and grated zucchini into these meatballs adds not just bulk and flavor but also makes them a healthy option. Factor in the time to cook your grains or keep some pre-cooked in your freezer.

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13of 22

Buttermilk Chicken

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (13)

Baking chicken pieces instead of frying them saves time and clean-up; the chicken goes straight from a buttermilk dip to seasoned, crunchy coating before being popped into the oven.

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14of 22

Black Beans and Sausage

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (14)

Cook this quick, simple dinner in one skillet and serve it over rice or with flatbread. You can adapt it using a favorite sausage instead of kielbasa or swapping sour cream or grated cheese in for the yogurt.

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15of 22

Clam Chowder

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (15)

A creamy pot of chowder is a wonderful excuse to gather around the table. Serve with buttered, toasted rolls or a baguette, make a green salad, and a delicious dinner is done.

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16of 22

Turkey and White Bean Chili

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (16)

This white chili is seasoned with cumin, jalapeño, cilantro, and just a hint of tomato. Seek out dark meat turkey instead of white for added richness.

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17of 22

Flounder in Parchment With Asparagus and Shiitakes

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (17)

Not only does it result in a quick, restaurant-quality dinner, but this recipe also teaches an essential technique. Once you get the hang of folding parchment into an airtight packet, you'll see that this way of cooking has many advantages; it's healthy, minimizes cleanup, and concentrates flavors.

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18of 22

Healthier Chicken Parmigiana

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (18)

Here's a lighter, quicker version of the classic Chicken Parm. There's no frying, and a simple tomato-onion purée simmers in the oven with the chicken as it cooks.

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19of 22

Beef and Potato Burritos

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (19)

Oh so versatile, a burrito can be what you want it to be—breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This one's got the meat and the potatoes. We call it a meal in one.

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20of 22

Beef and Broccoli With Black Bean Garlic Sauce

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (20)

This must-make dinner relies on two ingredients worth keeping on hand: Chinese black bean garlic sauce and sesame oil. Be sure the sesame oil says toasted on the label for the distinctive flavor it adds to stir-fries and other dishes.

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21of 22

Brick Chicken With Vinegar Peppers

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (21)

Like dinner at your family's favorite Italian restaurant, this 50-minute entrée features tender chicken with an agrodolce or sweet-and-sour sauce made with peppers, onions, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and capers. The technique of cooking under a skillet (or "brick") promotes crispy, golden skin.

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22of 22

General Tso's Chicken

Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (22)

The key to success with stir-frying is the concept of mise-en-place, the French term for having your ingredients ready to go. Once the ingredients are all lined up at the stove, give your full concentration to the wok, and you'll turn out this delicious Chinese restaurant dish easily and in no time at all.

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Soothing and Satisfying, These Quick Sunday Night Dinner Recipes Are Just What You Need (2024)

FAQs

What to eat for dinner on a Sunday night? ›

Sunday Suppers
  • Sausage Ragu with Pappardelle Pasta.
  • A magnificent Roast Beef Tenderloin.
  • Roast Lamb Leg with Gravy.
  • My best Pulled Pork.
  • Standing Rib Roast (Prime Rib)
  • Baked Mac and Cheese.
  • Family Meat Pie.
  • Peach Cobbler.

What's a good dinner idea for tonight? ›

Baked Salmon with Grapefruit Salad.
  • Instant Pot Chicken Marinara With Polenta. ...
  • Broccoli Pesto Pasta. ...
  • Lemon Chicken. ...
  • Ratatouille Sheet Pan Dinner With Sausage. ...
  • Salmon en Papillote (Salmon in Parchment) ...
  • Baked Salmon with Grapefruit Salad.
Jun 10, 2024

What to make for dinner when you have nothing in? ›

These simple dinner ideas use only a handful of ingredients so you can still whip up a meal using whatever you have in the cupboard.
  • 15-ingredient sausage rolls. ...
  • 2Creamy mushroom gnocchi. ...
  • 3Fast falafel bowl. ...
  • 45-ingredient satay beef skewers. ...
  • 55-ingredient meatball carbonara. ...
  • 6Speedy wild rice and salmon salad.

What is on a traditional Sunday dinner? ›

The modern day Sunday Roast

While the ingredients of the Sunday roast have remained largely the same over the centuries: meat, carrots, parsnips, gravy, potatoes, there have been some changes to the way the meal is prepared and served.

What to do when you don't know what to eat? ›

For example, if you are craving something sweet, a bowl of fruit with yogurt or a smoothie might hit the spot. A bag of chips or a bowl of popcorn might do the trick if you are craving something salty. And if you are craving something savory, a bowl of pasta or a grilled cheese sandwich might be just what you need.

What is Italian Sunday dinner? ›

The Food at an Italian American Sunday Dinner

Every Italian-American family has its own specific menu, but we typically ate pasta and meat, which usually consisted of meatballs, sausages, beef, and pork (including brasciolla). My grandfather was a butcher, so the meat would always be fresh and prepared to perfection.

What vegetables go on a Sunday dinner? ›

Our best Sunday roast side dish recipes include classic accompaniments such as roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots and peas. Some of our favourites include these garlic and bay roast potatoes, creamy baked leeks and roast sprouts with cranberries (ideal for Christmas).

What to have instead of roast dinner? ›

Traditional 'Meat and veg' alternatives to Sunday Roasts family meals
  • Beef Hotpot Recipe Here.
  • Beef Stew or this Beef Bourguignon recipe.
  • Corned Beef Hash. ...
  • Meat and Potato Pie.
  • Potato and Mince beef hash Recipe here.
  • Cottage Pie with Vegetables.
  • Steak, served with vegetables and chips or potatoes.
  • Stew and Dumplings.

What to cook for dinner when nothing sounds good? ›

What to eat when nothing sounds good: 25 balanced meal ideas
  • Ham or turkey & cheese sandwich with a side of fruit.
  • Rotisserie chicken with frozen microwaveable rice and veggies.
  • “Adult Lunchable”: cheese, crackers, deli meat, raw fruits or veggies with dip.
  • Frozen chicken tenders or nuggets on top of a salad.
Jan 11, 2023

What to make for dinner when unsure? ›

20 dinners for when you don't know what to cook
  • Spaghetti puttanesca. It's amazing how much flavour a tin of anchovies can add to dinner. ...
  • Carrot biryani. ...
  • Chorizo chilli pepper pasta. ...
  • Paneer korma. ...
  • Lemony tuna pasta. ...
  • Pork noodle stir-fry. ...
  • Fish fingers & mushy peas. ...
  • Chinese chicken curry.

What is a good time for Sunday dinner? ›

Lizzie Post's Top Tips for a Successful Sunday Dinner

Invite guests to arrive between one and four in the afternoon. Keep the menu simple and seasonal, but have plenty of everything. Say yes to help—with the prep, the food, the cleanup, the works.

What is a white night dinner? ›

Dîner en Blanc ("Dinner in White" in French) is a worldwide event spanning six continents in which people dressed in white have a meal in a temporary dining setup in a public space. Diners are required to provide their own food, tables, chairs and tablecloths.

What should I eat for dinner at 10pm? ›

Easy-to-digest carbs

Eating carbs releases serotonin, which is a chemical that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle, Lockwood says. Make a mini-meal containing easily digestible carbs, like brown rice and quinoa, and a small amount of lean protein, like chicken or fish, she says.

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