Food Recipe Collections & Favorites 30 Sunday Dinner Ideas That Are Anything But Stressful Because Sunday dinner doesn't have to be complicated to be comforting! By Phoebe Fry and Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Instagram Website 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 March 14, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos 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 moments of the weekend bogged down with dinner prep and dishes.Lucky for you, we've rounded up 30 easy Sunday dinner ideas to prepare for you and your loved ones without leaving your kitchen a mess. There's something for everyone in here, from a cheesy pasta, to a sheet pan salmon dish and a tofu stir fry. The common thread? All 30 recipes are easy to whip up and execute, and won't leave you with a pile of pots, pans, and dishes to clean once the meal is over. 38 Essential, Easy Chicken Recipes for Every Night of the Week 01 of 30 Skillet Chipotle-Pork Enchiladas Victor Protasio Enchiladas are typically made by coating tortillas in a spicy sauce before filling and then individually rolling and baking them, however this dish follows a different model that significantly cuts down on prep time. Instead, you’ll slice the corn tortillas into wedges and mix them into the sauce and filling in one dish—similar to chilaquiles. With this clever hack, this comforting Mexican favorite requires just 25 minutes of hands-on work. get the recipe 02 of 30 Everything Salmon Skewers With Sriracha Aïoli Victor Protasio Put that everything bagel seasoning to good use, and season tender pieces of salmon on a skewer with it. In between the fish pieces there are slivers of crisp bok choy and pungent scallions, while a homemade spicy mayo and white rice complete the 40-minute meal. get the recipe 03 of 30 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, you’ve got 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 04 of 30 Soy-Glazed Salmon Sandwiches With Watercress Jen Causey In this recipe, you'll coat salmon filets with a glaze made from chili sauce, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Give them a quick sear before serving atop fluffy brioche burger buns with crisp watercress salad. Within just 25 minutes, you've got yourself a delicious (and healthy!) meal for four. get the recipe 05 of 30 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 the noodles. Arugula, another co-mingler, adds more protein to the dish, as do the almonds used to give the pesto its creamy texture. get the recipe 06 of 30 Red Lentil Soup With Lemon and Dill Victor Protasio In this chunky soup, creamy red lentils, fire-roasted tomatoes, and carrots are flavored with the citrusy notes of lemon and sumac—a Middle Eastern spice made from dried ground berries. Believe it or not, this soup comes together in just 30 minutes. get the recipe 07 of 30 Roasted Root Veggie Quinoa Bowls Victor Protasio Squash, parsnips, red onions, and Brussels sprouts are the veggies that add color and protein to these grain bowls. The vegetables are roasted with a little olive oil and salt, and joined by quinoa, spinach, and a dollop of hummus. The whole thing comes together courtesy of a punchy mustard vinaigrette. get the recipe 08 of 30 Orzo With Shrimp and Olives Fred Hardy This mash-up of a Greek salad and pasta salad is a hassle-free Sunday night meal 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 bring the flavor. For an even richer dish, add a dollop of store-bought tzatziki once everything has been plated. get the recipe 09 of 30 Fettuccine With Dairy-Free Bolognese Victor Protasio Skip the milk and add umami-rich nutritional yeast to create this scrumptious dairy-free Bolognese. You’ll start by browning ground beef before cooking down the mirepoix, then the mixture cooks in a glug of red wine and crushed tomatoes until the sauce has thickened slightly. Finally, the nutritional yeast ties everything together so you can serve this sauce over a plate of freshly cooked pasta. get the recipe 10 of 30 Pho-Inspired Vegetable Noodle Soup Fred Hardy If you love pho, this pho-inspired soup will likely be right up your alley. While there’s no meat in this vegetarian dish, you will find umami-rich shiitake mushrooms, tender tofu, and sweet carrots alongside vermicelli rice noodles. A sliced serrano chile, star anise, and plenty of fresh cilantro add a ton of flavor. get the recipe 11 of 30 Coconut Chicken Cutlets With Mango Chutney Slaw Fred Hardy These crispy coconut-coated chicken cutlets prove that dinner can be stress-free and exciting all at once. The breading process is simple since a quick dip in mayonnaise replaces the flour and egg combo, and while the chicken cooks you have more than enough time to prepare the zesty mango slaw. get the recipe 12 of 30 One-Pot Chicken Sausage and Beans Caitlin Bensel Chicken sausage and beans layer on the flavors in this simple one-pot recipe, which is inspired by the classic cassoulet. In this dish, you’ll also find soft onions, juicy tomatoes, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping. This meal serves eight, and takes about 40 minutes to make. get the recipe 13 of 30 Seared Fish Tacos With Marinated Peppers Since the fish takes less than 10 minutes to cook, these tacos come together in no time. The paprika-seasoned protein is joined by a zingy salsa made with a jar of roasted red peppers, and the finishing touches include slices of ripe avocado and briny, salty feta. get the recipe 14 of 30 Sheet Pan Pierogies With Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Shallots, and Mustard Dressing Not only is this meal made in a single sheet pan, but it also stars frozen pierogies, making it a stress-free dinner in more ways than one. Shallots and Brussels sprouts roast alongside the cheese and potato bites, meaning the whole meal is done at the same time. get the recipe 15 of 30 Skillet Polenta in Creamy Tomato Sauce Caitlin Bensel Grab a tube of plain polenta at the store to make this inventive, comforting recipe—perfect for a chilly evening. Nestle polenta slices and white beans in a rich tomato sauce with Italian spices, and you've got a complete vegetarian meal. get the recipe 16 of 30 Free-Form Enchilada Verde Marcus Nilsson Enchiladas are a great way to feed a crowd, and these free-form ones come together in a single baking dish—no mess involved. Filled with butternut squash, salsa, beans, and cheese, these enchiladas are hearty and packed with flavor. get the recipe 17 of 30 Chicken Thighs with Couscous and Olives Antonis Achilleos This one-skillet meal comes together in no time, and the 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 18 of 30 Peanut Butter Ramen Antonis Achilleos Made with peanut butter, soy sauce, chili sauce, and sesame oil, you're going to want to eat the sauce on its own! This recipe breathes new life into instant ramen noodles, and only takes a few minutes to prepare. get the recipe 19 of 30 Mushroom White Pizza White pizza is the kind of thing that feels totally restaurant-fancy, but is actually quite easy to make at home. To make the base, simply stir together ricotta and shredded mozzarella with garlic and oil. Top with sautéed mushrooms and you’ve got something worthy of date night at home. This pizza is cooked grandma-style, stretched out into one family-style serving on a baking sheet. Serve with an arugula or romaine salad on the side. Get the recipe: Mushroom White Pizza. Greg DuPree The trick to pulling off pizza night without a big fuss? Store-bought dough! We love this elegant pizza, topped with ricotta, mushrooms, and fresh parsley. get the recipe 20 of 30 Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco Soup Jennifer Causey We're big fans of the slow cooker when it comes to entertaining; this recipe only requires 10 minutes of hands-on time and leaves 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 21 of 30 Quick Spring Lamb and Vegetable Stew Quentin Bacon This freezer-friendly stew is hearty and rich--exactly what you want to tuck into after a long day. Plus, it only uses one pot! Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving for a little brightness. get the recipe 22 of 30 Shrimp Lo Mein Lo mein—a Chinese dish that means stirred noodles—is a standard takeout order for many Americans, but making it at home is an opportunity to not only expand your culinary repertoire, but to cut down on expensive delivery. Lo mein noodles are stirred into a sauce—in this case, a mixture of soy, lime, sugar, Sriracha, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. What’s not to like? You’ll also fold in shrimp and sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, scallions, and mushrooms, plus fresh baby bok choy. Get the recipe: Shrimp Lo Mein. Greg DuPree This untraditional lo mein incorporates a whole assortment of veggies, including shiitake mushrooms, bok choy, and bell pepper. From start to finish, this noodle dish takes only 25 minutes to prepare. get the recipe 23 of 30 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. This recipe only uses a bowl, a sheet pan, and a blender or food processor to whip up a creamy avocado-yogurt sauce that's well worth the extra dirty dish. get the recipe 24 of 30 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 25 of 30 Sheet Pan Salmon With Potatoes and Broccolini Victor Protasio Keep things simple with this nourishing weeknight meal. A quick vinaigrette with lemon, shallot, and mustard gets drizzled on top of the salmon and vegetables at the end for brightness and flavor. get the recipe 26 of 30 Steak With Gnocchi and Green Beans Victor Protasio This easy steak recipe only calls for a few dishes and a handful of ingredients, and the gnocchi-green bean side comes together in just a few minutes. Serve with crusty bread to sop up every last bit. get the recipe 27 of 30 Fettuccine With Asparagus, Leeks, and Mint Victor Protasio Perfect for a spring dinner, this lemony pasta is full of verdant, springy produce, which not only tastes delicious, but also looks beautiful on the plate. Shave some Parmesan and sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes on top for a little pizzazz. get the recipe 28 of 30 Sweet-and-Sour Tofu Alison Miksch All you need is a large non-stick skillet to make this sticky, sweet-and-sour tofu, which has ketchup in the sauce for sweet tomato flavor. Throw some broccoli florets in the pan, and dinner is done! get the recipe 29 of 30 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. It's highly possible that you already have everything (or almost everything) you need to make this recipe already in your kitchen. get the recipe 30 of 30 Lemony Fish With Orzotto Antonis Achilleos This recipe is a lesson in pan-searing fish until its skin is golden and crisp, with a supple, tender interior. Place the filets on top of creamy, lemony orzo "risotto," dotted with sweet peas and dinner is ready. get the recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit