LAZY Sunday Dinners: Feta Pasta, Roasts, Chicken, Etc.

The weekend is almost over, SIGH. Sunday rolls around and you have one thing on your mind, or you’re hearing it from your husband and kids, WHAT’S FOR DINNER? If you’re anything like me, you might take it easy with cooking on the weekends and get take-out or delivery on Friday and Saturday. So when Sunday rolls around, I’m ready to cook something cozy and delicious. And sometimes nutritious. But sometimes I just want something rich and decadent. It depends on my mood. In addition, I like cutting corners and making a Sunday dinner that seems extravagant…but really allowed me to enjoy the evening and relax. All that being said, here’s our 15 lazy Sunday dinner ideas!

Easy Pasta Recipes for a Lazy Sunday Dinner

Keep in mind, depending on your expertise or level of cooking, some of these recipes will be super easy and some might feel intermediate. For me, any recipe that takes less energy to make (but maybe not less time) is what I call a lazy Sunday dinner. My family (and I) adore pasta dinners on the weekend, because during the week we are usually opting for healthier options. So if you want to keep your Sunday lazy but still make some scrumptious pasta, here’s a few ideas:

1. Easy Spaghetti Recipe

I don’t want to be too partial here, but this recipe for spaghetti is my own. It’s not only easy to make, it’s delicious and cuts some major corners. By starting with the Ragu sauce base, you’re cutting out a lot of time. Once you have all the ingredients stewing in your pot, you’re pretty much done. There’s some prep time ahead with the chopping of onion and optional peppers, but overall this is an easy recipe. And my family loves having it on a Sunday evening. And, a bonus, you’ll probably have leftovers that you can eat throughout the week!

2. The Baked Feta Pasta Recipe That Broke Tik Tok

I’m not going to lie to you, I am not a Tik Toker (is that even what you’d call it?) BUT I do see some of the recipes from Tik Tok make their way to FaceBook, Pinterest, and other sites I do frequent. The recipes are not only interesting but sometimes GENIUS. This Baked Feta Pasta recipe is one of those genius recipes! You literally throw the majority of the ingredients in a dish, bake it in the oven for 40 minutes, then take it out. Add your pasta and some lemon zest to this concoction and BOOM. You’re done! Super easy and delicious lazy Sunday pasta dinner!

3. LAZY Sunday Shrimp Scampi Pasta

One of my favorite pasta dishes is shrimp scampi pasta. It’s delicious and easy to make. If you have some spaghetti noodles (or any pasta noodles for that matter), shrimp, white wine and garlic, you’re in business. It doesn’t require a ton of ingredients and comes together quickly. If you have two people cooking (like two roomies or husband/wife), it makes it even easier. Try this fifteen-minute shrimp scampi pasta recipe from the Stay at Home Chef this Sunday!

3 Lazy Sunday Chicken Dinner Ideas

Chicken is a pretty general option that suits most picky eaters. And, if you enjoy having family or guests over on Sundays, it makes the quintessential meal. PLUS you can choose chicken dinner options that allow for you to do less work and be a little lazy on your Sunday afternoons/evenings.

1. Rosemary Roast Chicken with Lemons

The first time I ever made this recipe, I thought it was involved and disgusting. But then again, it was the first time I’d ever cleaned out a whole chicken by myself. I am a self-taught home cook…my family didn’t cook much when I was growing up, so when I went out on my own I had to learn everything on my own. Well, this recipe might be difficult if you’ve never cooked a whole chicken before. But if you have, it’ll be super simple and allow for a lazy Sunday dinner. A rosemary roast chicken stuffed with lemons is perfect with steamed veggies like broccoli or green beans and instant mashed potatoes. I make this recipe now often and it is super easy!

2. Instant Pot Adobo Chicken Thighs

Girl. If you don’t have an instant pot, you need one STAT. My mother-in-law gave me the large instant pot, and at first, I was like what is this thing? Then I started using it more and more and realized what a boon it is to have in the kitchen! Especially for lazy Sunday dinners. This recipe doesn’t even need a recipe. Literally put chicken thighs (frozen or thawed) into your instant pot, with a cup of broth or water, and a generous helping of adobo seasoning. Then cook on manual or on the meat setting for 15-20 minutes until your chicken thighs are easily shredding. Put in burritos, chicken casseroles, soups, salads, etc. on a lazy Sunday night AND throughout the week!

3. Crack Chicken in the Instant Pot

Warning! This lazy Sunday dinner recipe is not necessarily healthy for you, BUT it is freaking delectable! Guys, this recipe is full of shredded chicken, cheese, and ranch. What could be any better than that? When your crack chicken is done in the instant pot, throw it on a bun, over top a salad (but who really wants to do that LOL), or over a mound of mashed potatoes. DROOOOLING! Plus, it’s easy. Check out our Kid Friendly Instant Pot Recipes that include this one!

Pork and Beef Lazy Sunday Dinner Ideas

The next three lazy Sunday dinner recipes require time but not a lot of effort. What I love about these recipes is that you can eat it for dinner on Sunday, then save the leftovers and make them into new weeknight meals. I’m all about saving time and money.

1. Mississippi Pot Roast

One of my absolute favorite Sunday dinners is Mississippi Pot Roast. It reminds me of my Southern upbringing and is super easy to make. The main ingredients are a beef roast, ranch and au jus seasoning packets, beef broth, a jar of Greek pepperoncini and veggies of your choice! This can be made in a crockpot/slow cooker OR made quicker in your Instant Pot. To make it less spicy and more tolerable to those who don’t like spice, leave out the pepperoncini. Here’s an awesome recipe by Belle of the Kitchen. Pour the roast and its juices over mashed potatoes, rice, or try it like an open-faced sandwich.

2. One Pan Ranch Pork Chops and Vegetables

I think the most labor intensive part of cooking big Sunday dinners is the dish-washing and clean-up. Don’t you? SO, that being said, one of the easiest clean-ups is a meal made all on one pan. Sheet pan meals are seriously fabulous for weeknight and lazy Sunday dinners. Try this One Pan Ranch Pork Chops and Veggies recipe by Ree Drummond (the Pioneer Woman on Food Network). It’s not labor intensive and the clean-up is a breeze! Allowing you to enjoy your R&R on the weekend.

3. One Pan Sausages, Peppers, and Potatoes

I told you I like my one-pan meals! With the price of food lately, this meal doesn’t cost too much and you might even have leftovers. Plus you know what one pan means – LESS DISHES! Literally slice up some sausages, peppers, onions, and potatoes. Slather them in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then roast in the oven at a high temp for about 40 minutes and you have an easy and hearty meal for a lazy Sunday. Here’s the recipe. And check this out. If you have leftovers, repurpose them as Breakfast the next morning by adding a fried egg over top! Scrumptious.

Soup and a Sandwich Sunday Dinners

I’ve discovered something that’s a little out of the norm for lazy Sundays, but works perfectly especially if you have leftover meats and whatnot in your fridge. Instead of creating a full meal from scratch, open your fridge and take stock of what you already have. If you have leftover chicken, pork, beef, or some other kind of meat, you have the basis of a delicious sandwich OR soup. Here’s some further soup and sandwich lazy Sunday dinner ideas:

1. Broccoli Cheese Soup & Pork Sandwiches

If you have an Instant Pot, you have a powerful tool at your fingertips. One that allows the laziest of cooks to be even lazier on Sundays LOL. Don’t worry, I’m not judging you. I’m one of those lazy cooks. If you have cheddar cheese (pre-shredded), steamed broccoli, broth and heavy cream, you can make this Broccoli Cheese Soup in the Instant Pot. AND if you have leftover meat, I particularly using leftover shredded pork, you can make an open-faced sandwich by heating up your meat and adding to a mayo-covered slice of bread.

2. Chicken Noodle Soup & Biscuits

Country. Southern. Comfort. Food. That’s all you need to know. Chicken noodle soup is so delicious any time of year, but absolutely perfect in the Winter AND as a lazy Sunday dinner. This recipe from Averie cooks takes only 30 minutes and can be paired with Pillsbury ready-made biscuits. Be sure to pick up a Rotisserie chicken to cut corners (so you don’t have to make the chicken yourself), AND I opted for shredded carrots in a bag instead of chopping/slicing. Any shortcuts I can take with prep-work I’ll take.

3. Basil Grilled Cheese Sandwiches & Tomato Soup

Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup are just what the doctor ordered. Or, maybe not the doctor but the Sunday rest guru? Seriously, grill up some cheese sandwiches with thick crusty bread and your favorite kind of cheese (double slices). Add a few basil leaves to the sandwich at the end and simply heat up some Campbell’s tomato soup on the stove. I know some folks are yelling at me right now, so if you really want to make your tomato soup from scratch, be my guest. OR be lazy and shortcut it a bit this Sunday, hmm? Don’t forget to dunk those cheesy slices in your soup and SLURP.