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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Dinner

    30+ Sunday Family Dinner Ideas (by season!)

    Published: Sep 2, 2022 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    30+ Sunday Family Dinner Menus with a photo of a table set for a large dinner

    There is no better time to connect with your family and friends than a Sunday night, around a table, with family style food, great conversation, and a laugh or two.

    If this is something you haven’t started but are considering, even if it is just once a month, go for it! Not only will you love it, your friends and family will love it, and if you have kids they will love it too!

    Large table set with plates, napkins, food and flowers

    I have put together a great resource to ease some of the planning. Below are 30+ menus of some of our favorite dinners to serve on a Sunday night. The best part is that it is separated BY SEASON! Because something you serve on a Sunday in December is probably not the same menu you would serve on a Sunday in July!

    Table of Contents hide
    1 My Memory
    2 Why Plan A Sunday Family Dinner?
    3 Doesn’t Need To Be Family
    4 Know Your Audience
    5 Semi Homemade
    6 What Can I Bring?
    7 How Can I Help? -Assigning Jobs
    8 Summer Dinners
    9 Fall Menus
    10 Winter Meals (Holidays Too!)
    11 Spring Supper
    12 Dessert and Drinks
    13 Finding More Meal/Menu Resources
    14 Stay Connected
    15 Subscribe To Stay Connected

    My Memory

    I grew up having big Sunday family dinners at least once a month, at my Grandparent’s. I remember eating T-Bone steaks on the grill with all the traditional family recipe side dishes. My Grandpa would set a stack of white bread and butter on the table and my sister and I would sit on the piano bench to make sure everyone had a seat at the table.

    Those are the kind of memories you make when you plan Sunday dinners. The smell of T-Bones on the grill still brings back ALL of those memories.

    Why Plan A Sunday Family Dinner?

    Unlike entertaining on a Saturday or Friday night, your Sunday guests usually retire early and it isn’t considered a “party”. Which makes it more of a time to connect and recharge before the week ahead.

    I think in modern times we move so fast that we forget to stop and connect with the people around us. We have our faces in our phones watching other peoples lives. Why not invite some of those people over and connect with them in real time!?

    Doesn’t Need To Be Family

    Maybe you live far away from your immediate family or you have a very small family, that is ok! You can still absolutely plan a big Sunday Dinner! It is a great time to connect with close friends or people you want to get to know.

    Know Your Audience

    More than likely if you are having a “family” dinner then you know if your guests have any food allergies or aversions. But if some new faces are joining your table make sure you check in with everyone to see if there are any allergies or aversions.

    family in the kitchen making dinner

    You want to make sure everyone has something to eat if they are coming to your feast! You wouldn’t want to serve salmon on a night you are having someone allergic to fish… or pot pie on a night someone is gluten free!

    Semi Homemade

    By no means does your entire meal need to be homemade! When you are having a large dinner it is a great time saver to take some help from the grocery store, deli or favorite restaurants.

    deli or bakery counter with pastries and breads

    For example if you are ordering pizza, then plan to make a great side salad and dessert. Or if you making pulled pork then get the coleslaw and baked beans from a local deli.

    Here are some other ways you can think about making things semi-homemade:

    • Meat from your favorite BBQ Restaurant.
    • High quality store bought pasta sauce, like Rao’s
    • Bagged Salad.
    • Side dishes from your grocery store deli.
    • Salsa from your favorite Mexican Restaurant.
    • Rotisserie Chickens.
    • Takeout pizza from your favorite spot.
    • Dessert from a great bakery.

    What Can I Bring?

    More than likely when you send out the text or email to let people know that you are hosting Sunday dinner, your guests will reply with “we will be there, what can I bring?”.

    a blue pot being taken off the stove top with towels in hand

    This is your opportunity to take a little help and get everyone involved in the dinner! If you already know what you are having (main dish), then let them know what you are making and ask them to bring a side dish, dessert or appetizer.

    Now if you have a guest you know is having a tough week, you can absolutely reply…”Nothing! We have it covered, come and relax and enjoy your night with us”.

    How Can I Help? -Assigning Jobs

    Another likely scenario at your Sunday dinner is that your guests will arrive and say “how can I help?”. When you are in the throws of making dinner it can be hard to assign tasks or think of what still needs to be done.

    a cutting board and someone chopping a cucumber

    Save a few tasks that you know you can ask your guests to help with. Here are a few ideas:

    • Set the plates and silverware on the table
    • Fill the water glasses on the table
    • Get bread baskets ready for rolls.
    • Open wine or help serve/make cocktails or drinks
    • Chopping veggies (for burger toppings or a salad)
    • Stir a pot
    • Boil/cook pasta
    • Transfer dishes to serve ware
    • Get serve ware (spoons, forks, ladles) ready for dishes

    Summer Dinners

    Summer is the perfect season to relax and recharge with your family and friends over a Sunday dinner! Make a cocktail and get the grill out. Here are some menus perfect for a Summer Sunday Dinner:

    Grilled Turkey Burgers – Buns and all your favorite burger toppings, Grilled Veggie Skewers (mushrooms, onions, peppers, zucchini) with Basil Pesto drizzled over top, Potato Salad, chips, Cucumber Onion Salad (or buy store bought from local grocery store deli)

    Grilled Hamburgers– Buns and all your favorite burger toppings, Potato Salad (or Instant Pot Potato Salad), store bought baked beans, store bought coleslaw, chips

    Grilled Steak Tacos– taco shells, 15 minute Refried Beans, Mexican Rice, Citrus Honey Pineapple, Chips with Salsa and Guacamole, Ginger Margaritas

    Grilled Steak Tacos assembled with pico de gallo and chipotle crema

    Instant Pot BBQ Shredded Beef – buns, extra BBQ sauce, pickles or pepperoncini slices, Skillet Mac and Cheese, store bought baked beans, store bought coleslaw, chips, homemade lemonade

    Chili Dog Bar – Buns, hot dogs, chili for hot dogs, all your favorite chili dog toppings, chips, cold macaroni salad from grocery store deli, Instant Pot Corn on the Cob, Raspberry Jello Fluff

    Grilled Chicken BLT Sandwiches – Buttermilk Grilled Chicken, Horseradish Cream Sauce, crispy cooked bacon, tomato, lettuce, buns, Cheesy Potato Casserole, Roasted Asparagus, Raspberry Jell-O Fluff , deviled eggs

    Instant Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches – Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad, Roasted Fennel drizzled with fresh Pesto, fresh fruit salad, and chips

    Taco Buffet – Homemade Taco Meat and/or Instant Pot Chicken Tacos, hard and soft taco shells, all your favorite taco toppings, chips with salsa & guacamole, Refried Beans, Mexican Rice, Cilantro Lime Slaw

    Fall Menus

    Here we are starting to get into some soups & stews, but it is also a great season for grilling! It’s not as hot outside so you might even be able to eat al fresco. Here are some great Sunday Dinner Menus for Fall:

    Grilled Pork Burgers with Garlic Cream Sauce– Buns, tomato, lettuce, onion, sweet potato fries, cucumber salad, baked beans

    Grilled Hamburgers with Bacon Jam – Buns, Boursin Cheese or Blue Cheese, Corn on the Cob, Store Bought Cole Slaw, Cheesy Potato Casserole

    Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup – Store bough kale and cranberry salad, warm crusty bread (like ciabatta or sourdough)

    Chili or Turkey Chili – Saltine crackers or Fritos, all your favorite chili toppings, veggie tray with homemade ranch or blue cheese dip, Sweet Cornbread Muffins, Honey Butter, Deviled Eggs

    Chicken Poblano Soup – extra toppings (sour cream, tortilla strips, cheese, cilantro, green onions, etc…), cheese quesadillas cut into small triangles, guacamole, salsa, tortilla chips, green side salad with a Mexi-ranch dressing.

    two bowls of chicken poblano soup with tomatoes and cheese in the background

    Rosemary Pork Tenderloin – horseradish cream sauce dip, Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes or Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, Pickled Beets, Roasted Carrots, Rolls and Butter

    Corn Chowder – Hot ham and cheese sliders, green side salad, kettle chips

    Ground Turkey Shepherds Pie – Sauteed green beans, green side salad, raspberry jello fluff, and rolls with butter

    Turkey or Chicken Tetrazzini – garlic bread, green side salad, and roasted carrots

    Spaghetti with Meat Sauce – garlic bread, Sauteed Green Beans, and Big Italian Salad

    Fried Chicken – get the fried chicken from your favorite restaurant or grocery store, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Green Beans, Corn Casserole, cucumber salad from grocery store deli, Buttermilk Cornbread, Honey Butter

    Winter Meals (Holidays Too!)

    Now we are talking comfort food- light a fire in the fire place, whip up some mashed potatoes and braise a roast all day. This is also the season of holidays, the perfect time to connect with family and loved ones. Here are a few menus for your Winter Sunday Dinner:

    Beef Pot Roast with Gravy and Carrots – Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli Bacon Salad, Cranberry Sauce OR Chunky Apple Sauce , rolls and butter

    The Best Homemade Lasagna – big Caesar salad, garlic green beans and a lot of garlic bread

    Swedish Meatballs **- Buttered Egg Noodles OR Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli Bacon Salad, Roasted Carrots, Cranberry Sauce, rolls and butter

    **(there is also and Instant Pot version of the Swedish meatballs)

    Beef Ragu with Pasta –Roasted Fennel drizzled with Pesto, Caesar salad, garlic bread (about 5 people per pound of pasta)

    5 Hour Beef Stew – saltine crackers, side salad with a tart vinaigrette, rolls or warm ciabatta bread and butter

    Beef Stew in a Dutch Oven with bread and parsley

    Scalloped Potatoes and Ham – Roasted fennel, warm chunky apple sauce, broccoli bacon salad, rolls and butter.

    Braised Tri Tip with Red Wine Glaze – Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Carrots, pickled beets (or other pickled veggie), Corn Casserole, rolls and butter

    Turkey (or Chicken) Pot Pie – broccoli bacon salad, chunky apple sauce (serve warm), deviled eggs, rolls and butter

    Ham Balls – Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Green Beans, Raspberry Jello Fluff, rolls and butter

    Instant Pot Pork Roast with Veggies & Gravy – Oven Roasted Fennel, Instant Pot Apple Sauce (make ahead) OR Cranberry Salad, rolls and butter – if your family likes mashed potatoes you can omit the Red Potatoes from the Instant Pot, add more carrots and mushrooms and then add mashed potatoes to your menu!

    Spring Supper

    Things are starting to warm up and bloom, it’s a great time to recharge with your loved ones over a family style dinner. Here are some menus that are perfect for Spring:

    Taco Buffet – Homemade Taco Meat and/or Instant Pot Chicken Tacos, hard and soft taco shells, all your favorite taco toppings, chips with salsa & guacamole, Refried Beans, Mexican Rice, Cilantro Lime Slaw

    Egg Salad Sandwiches – croissants, broccoli bacon salad, roasted asparagus, fresh fruit, and sweet potato chips

    Chicken Enchilada Suiza – Refried Beans, Mexican Rice, Cilantro Lime Slaw

    Italian Meatballs and Spaghetti – cooked pasta (about 5 people per pound), extra parmesan cheese, Big Italian Salad, garlic bread

    Baked Italian Meatballs in Marinara sauce with extra parmesan cheese

    Instant Pot Shrimp Risotto with Asparagus – Big Italian Salad and garlic bread

    Cajun Salmon – store bought dirty rice OR Skillet Dirty Rice, roasted asparagus, cornbread muffins with honey butter

    Chicken Spiedini – pasta (about 5 people per pound) and marinara sauce, garlic green beans, store bought Caesar salad, garlic bread

    Pulled Pork Sandwiches – buns, BBQ sauce, pickles and/or pepperoncini, store bought creamy coleslaw, cheesy potato casserole, broccoli bacon salad, Deviled Eggs

    Dessert and Drinks

    You can find some great dessert and drink recipe on Mom’s Dinner! Check out the categories here:

    • All Dessert Recipes
    • All Cocktail and Drink Recipes

    Finding More Meal/Menu Resources

    I LOVE posting this kind of resource! Planning full meals with side dishes can be a big task. Here are some more helpful Full Meal resources on Mom’s Dinner:

    • 10 MEAL TRAIN DINNER IDEAS WITH RECIPES
    • 30 EASY MEALS FOR A LARGE GROUP ON VACATION
    • 30+ EASY BACK TO SCHOOL DINNER IDEAS

    Stay Connected

    Sign up for the Mom’s Dinner newsletter to keep in touch and to be first to know about new content:

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    About Susie Weinrich

    Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

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