These lazy Sunday dinner ideas serve six or more, use everyday ingredients, are family-friendly, and take ten minutes or less to prep.
When family dinner calls for simplicity, choose recipes that stretch to feed a crowd and appeal to picky eaters. On Sunday nights, offer a comforting, effortless meal that everyone at the table will enjoy.
The best Sunday dinners are familiar comfort foods made with simple ingredients. The recipes below feature short ingredient lists, easy steps, and minimal hands-on time.
One of the perks of a lazy Sunday dinner is leftovers—each recipe makes about six servings, so you’ll likely have extras for the week.
“Lazy” means:
- Ingredients that are easy to find
- A short ingredient list
- Minimal steps
- Ten minutes or less of prep time
Kitchen equipment
Many of these lazy Sunday dinners are dump-and-go or set-it-and-forget-it meals. A few recipes make use of one of these helpful appliances:
- Instant Pot: A 6- or 8-quart size works well for family meals.
- Slow cooker (Crock-Pot): A 6-quart model is ideal for larger batches.
Both Instant Pots and slow cookers have a “warm” function, which keeps food at serving temperature while everyone gathers at the table.
Tips for serving picky eaters
Feeding picky eaters doesn’t have to mean making multiple mains. Try these simple strategies:
- Offer at least one familiar item. Bread rolls, plain rice, or a favorite veggie can help hesitant eaters feel comfortable.
- Serve build-your-own meals. Tacos, burritos, burgers, and rice bowls let everyone customize their plate.
- Keep backup options available. Frozen waffles, chicken nuggets, or simple snacks can save the evening when needed.
- Serve family-style. Keeping dishes on the table lets everyone take what they like without constant getting-up-and-down.
30-Minute Meals
If you want something fast, these lazy Sunday recipes come together quickly so you can spend less time in the kitchen.
4-Ingredient Mac and Cheese
Chicken Burrito Skillet
One Pot Pasta
Lasagna Soup
Pasta
Pasta is ideal for family dinners: affordable, easy to prepare, and great for feeding larger groups.
Instant Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni
No-Boil Mac and Cheese
One Pot Italian Sausage Rigatoni
Slow Cooker Meatballs With Ravioli
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
One Pot Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
One-Pan and One-Pot Recipes
One-pan and one-pot recipes mean easy prep and minimal cleanup—perfect for relaxed Sunday dinners.
Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
Oven-Roasted Sausage and Potatoes
Cheesy Potato Skillet Bake
Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
Stuffed Peppers Skillet
Crockpot Meals
Slow cookers let you set it and forget it so you can spend more time with family and less time cooking. Choose a main protein and let the slow cooker do the work.
Crockpot Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
Mississippi Pot Roast
Crockpot BBQ Chicken with Italian Dressing
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
Slow Cooker Lamb Shoulder
Slow Cooker Swiss Steak
Soup Recipes
Soup works both as a starter and as a satisfying main—especially when paired with crusty bread or a simple salad.
Tortellini Chicken Soup
Instant Pot Tortellini Soup
15 Bean Instant Pot Soup
Minestrone Soup
Build-Your-Own Dinner Night
Build-your-own dinners are ideal for accommodating different tastes and dietary needs. Set out components and let everyone assemble their own tacos, burritos, sandwiches, or bowls.
Refried Black Bean and Cheese Tacos
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
What easy dinner ideas would you like to see next? Share your suggestions for future simple, family-friendly meals.
More
If you love these easy Sunday dinners, try other simple main-course recipes for weeknights and weekends.
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Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
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Crockpot Velveeta Mac and Cheese
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One Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Breasts
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One Pot Ground Beef Egg Noodles
