11 Sunday Night Dinner Ideas to Try in 2025

Sunday nights are often a time for relaxation and unwinding after a long week.

One of the best ways to spend this evening is by gathering around the dinner table with loved ones and enjoying a delicious, home-cooked meal.

In this article, we’ll explore 11 Sunday night dinner ideas that you can try in 2025, complete with specific recipe ideas to inspire your culinary creativity.

1. Baked Chicken Parmesan with Pasta

Start the year off right with a classic Italian-American dish that’s easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. To make baked chicken parmesan, you’ll need:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 pound pasta (such as spaghetti or ziti)
• Fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Dip each chicken breast in beaten eggs and then coat in breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan cheese.

Place the coated chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.

While the chicken is baking, cook the pasta according to package instructions and heat up the marinara sauce.

To assemble the dish, place a cooked chicken breast on top of a bed of pasta, spoon some marinara sauce over the top, and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake in the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

2. Slow Cooker Chili with Cornbread

There’s nothing like a warm, comforting bowl of chili to cozy up with on a Sunday night. To make slow cooker chili, you’ll need:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup cornbread mix
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 large egg

Brown the ground beef in a skillet and then transfer it to a slow cooker. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced red bell pepper to the slow cooker, along with the canned tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, chili powder, and cumin.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the flavors have melded together and the chili has thickened. To make the cornbread, mix together the cornbread mix, milk, and egg in a bowl until just combined.

Pour the batter into a greased 8-inch square baking dish and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

3. Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowl

If you’re looking for a healthier Sunday night dinner option, consider a roasted vegetable quinoa bowl. To make this dish, you’ll need:

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 large carrot, peeled and sliced
• 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
• 1 small red onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or cilantro

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss the sweet potato, carrot, red bell pepper, and red onion with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet.

Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned. While the vegetables are roasting, cook the quinoa according to package instructions.

To assemble the bowls, divide the cooked quinoa among four bowls and top with the roasted vegetables, minced garlic, and a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs (if using).

4. Grilled Steak Fajitas

Add some sizzle to your Sunday night dinner with grilled steak fajitas. To make this dish, you’ll need:

• 1 pound flank steak
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 large bell peppers (any color), sliced
• 8 small flour tortillas
• Optional: sour cream, salsa, avocado, shredded cheese

In a large zip-top plastic bag, combine the lime juice, garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the flank steak to the marinade and seal the bag.

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.

Remove the steak from the marinade and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked to your desired level of doneness.

While the steak is cooking, grill the sliced onion and bell peppers until tender and lightly charred. Warm the flour tortillas by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 20-30 seconds.

Assemble the fajitas by slicing the grilled steak against the grain and serving with the grilled vegetables, warm tortillas, and your choice of toppings.

5. Baked Salmon with Lemon and Herbs

For a lighter and fresher Sunday night dinner option, consider baked salmon with lemon and herbs. To make this dish, you’ll need:

• 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
• 2 lemons, sliced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place a salmon fillet on each piece of parchment paper or foil.

Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Top each salmon fillet with a slice of lemon, a sprig of rosemary, and a sprig of thyme.

Fold the parchment paper or foil over the salmon to create a packet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through.

6. Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry

For a quick and easy Sunday night dinner, consider a chicken and vegetable stir-fry. To make this dish, you’ll need:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large bell pepper, sliced
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (such as broccoli, carrots, and snap peas)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Add the sliced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Add the sliced bell pepper and mixed vegetables to the skillet and cook until tender, about 3-5 minutes.

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce and honey. Pour the sauce over the vegetables and stir to combine. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to combine with the vegetables and sauce.

7. Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff

For a hearty and comforting Sunday night dinner, consider beef and mushroom stroganoff. To make this dish, you’ll need:

• 1 pound beef strips (such as sirloin or ribeye)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 cups mixed mushrooms (such as button, cremini, and shiitake)
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 8 ounces sour cream
• 1 cup cooked egg noodles

Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef strips to the skillet and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.

Add the sliced onion to the skillet and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the mixed mushrooms to the skillet and cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes.

In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and dried thyme. Pour the sauce over the mushrooms and stir to combine.

Return the cooked beef to the skillet and stir to combine with the sauce. Serve the beef and mushroom mixture over cooked egg noodles and top with a dollop of sour cream.

8. Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa

For a fun and flavorful Sunday night dinner, consider chicken tacos with avocado salsa. To make this dish, you’ll need:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 8 small flour tortillas
• Avocado salsa (see below for recipe)
• Optional: shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, diced avocado, sour cream

In a large zip-top plastic bag, combine the lime juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken to the marinade and seal the bag. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.

Remove the chicken from the marinade and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

Warm the flour tortillas by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 20-30 seconds. Assemble the tacos by slicing the grilled chicken and serving with avocado salsa, and your choice of toppings.

Avocado Salsa Recipe:

• 3 ripe avocados, diced
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

In a medium bowl, combine the diced avocado, red onion, jalapeño pepper, lime juice, and garlic. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

9. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Coleslaw

For a delicious and easy Sunday night dinner, consider slow cooker pulled pork with coleslaw. To make this dish, you’ll need:

• 2 pounds pork shoulder
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup beer
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 hamburger buns
• Coleslaw (see below for recipe)

In a slow cooker, combine the pork shoulder, barbecue sauce, beer, brown sugar, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork. Shred the pork with two forks and stir to combine with the sauce.

Split the hamburger buns in half and toast until lightly browned. Assemble the sandwiches by spooning the pulled pork onto the buns and topping with coleslaw.

Coleslaw Recipe:

• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Salt and pepper, to taste

In a medium bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

10. Baked Chicken and Sweet Potato Hash

For a hearty and comforting Sunday night dinner, consider baked chicken and sweet potato hash. To make this dish, you’ll need:

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 eggs, beaten (optional)

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, toss the sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper until they are evenly coated. Spread the sweet potatoes out in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender.

While the sweet potatoes are roasting, cook the diced onion and minced garlic in a large skillet over medium heat until the onion is translucent. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

Stir in the smoked paprika and season with salt and pepper to taste. To assemble the hash, divide the roasted sweet potatoes among four plates and top with the cooked chicken and onion mixture.

If desired, make a well in the center of each plate and crack in a beaten egg. Bake in the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the egg is cooked to your desired doneness.

11. Vegetarian Quinoa Bowl with Roasted Vegetables

For a healthy and flavorful Sunday night dinner, consider a vegetarian quinoa bowl with roasted vegetables. To make this dish, you’ll need:

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 large carrot, peeled and sliced
• 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or cilantro

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). In a medium saucepan, bring the quinoa and water or broth to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and fluffy.

While the quinoa is cooking, toss the sweet potato, carrot, and red bell pepper with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned.

To assemble the bowls, divide the cooked quinoa among four bowls and top with the roasted vegetables, minced garlic, and a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs (if using).

Conclusion

These 11 Sunday night dinner ideas offer a variety of delicious and easy-to-make options to suit any taste or dietary preference.

Whether you’re in the mood for something classic and comforting or new and adventurous, there’s something on this list for everyone. So why not get cooking and make Sunday night dinner a special occasion to look forward to?