17 Sunday Dinners Your Family Will Love

Sunday night dinners will always hold a special place in my heart. Growing up, my family always made time to sit down and have our meals together, but on Sunday nights, we'd typically do something special.

My grandpa would fire up the grill or my grandma would get the slow cooker going first thing in the morning, then it would be all hands on deck to pull together some sides and set the table before dinner. It was an ideal way to wrap up the weekend and charge up for the week ahead.

Whether you have a Sunday night dinner tradition or not, here are 17 great meal options that range in effort but are sure to impress whoever grabs a seat at your table.

Mom's Classic Pot Roast

Contributor Stephanie A. Ganz says, "Only use chuck roast for this recipe. The fat from the chuck roast keeps the beef juicy and tender throughout the long cooking process."

Chicken Marbella

If you can plan ahead, get your chicken marinated the night before to make this hands-off, crowd-pleasing, and super juicy chicken Marbella to wind down the weekend.

Mom’s 5-Ingredient Barbecue Meatloaf

Contributor Ivy Manning says, "Mom usually tucks her meatloaf into her well-worn meatloaf pan, but I find that baking the meatloaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet is quicker and tastier. Using a sheet pan also allows for more air circulation during baking, which equals more browned bits around the edges."

Baked Spaghetti

Somewhere between spaghetti and meatballs and lasagna, this baked spaghetti is a one-dish meal with sausage, mushrooms, and plenty of cheese tucked through the strands of spaghetti.

Mom’s One-Pot Chicken and Rice

Contributor Stephanie Burt says, "Feel free to make this dish with any boneless, skinless chicken you have on hand, but the convenience of frozen, bagged tenders means they can go straight from the freezer to the boiling pot."

Foolproof Fillet of Beef

A perfectly-cooked fillet of beef is no easy feat, but this recipe breaks it down and will give you the confidence to pull it off. Serve with mashed potatoes and your favorite vegetable for a lovely Sunday night steak dinner at home.

Chicken Adobo

This savory chicken stew is the unofficial national dish of the Philippines. Author Elizabeth Ann Quirino says, "I am sharing the very first adobo recipe I learned, when I was practically still a child."

Shepherd's Pie

Made with beef instead of the traditional lamb, this comforting casserole is special enough for a Sunday meal with the family and makes great leftovers for the busy week ahead.

Arroz con Pollo

"This is my mother's basic arroz con pollo recipe, which she adjusts depending on her mood and what she has on hand," says author Elise Bauer. "It's an easy, stove-top, one pan dish, great for family meals."

Classic Bolognese Sauce

Founder Elise Bauer says, "Bolognese sauce is traditionally served with fresh tagliatelle pasta, but you can also serve it with fettuccine, pappardelle, penne, or other pasta."

Slow Cooker Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos

Arguably, Sundays are even better for tacos than Tuesdays, especially if you're going to slow-cook some real-deal pulled pork filling for them. After this fragrant pork mixture cooks all day in the slow cooker, everyone at the table can make their taco just the way they like it.

Guyanese Chicken Curry

Author Alicia Ramkirpal-Senhouse says, "I grew up eating this at least once a week, my mom always made the best chicken curry in the family. Now, I cook it for my family once a week as well."

Spring Lamb Stew

This recipe is ideal for you if you have plenty of time to spend preparing a homey, hearty stew for your Sunday evening meal. Don't worry though, the effort will pay off for days to come.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Everyone loves cheese and ham-filled chicken cordon bleu, and it's not as difficult to make as you might think.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Spaghetti and meatballs are a classic choice to end the weekend with and the whole family is sure to love it. Author Elise Bauer says, "This recipe was given to us by Rick Mindermann of our local Italian grocery store Corti Brothers."

Risi e Bisi (Italian Rice and Peas)

Contributor Hank Shaw says, "Can’t find prosciutto? Use any ham. Virginia ham is an excellent substitute."

Smothered Pork Chops

Tender pork with a rich gravy, this Sunday dinner will impress in 40 minutes or less. Serve with mashed potatoes or an easy green salad.