25 Old-Fashioned Dinners That Made Sundays Special

Sundays have long been the day when families slow down and gather around the table for a meal worth remembering. These 25 old-fashioned dinners bring back the kind of cooking that made those moments feel warm and complete. Each one is built on simple methods and familiar ingredients that have stood the test of time. As you scroll, expect a mix of comfort, nostalgia, and flavors that feel like home.

Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies

Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies roasts seasoned chicken with a mix of vegetables in one pan. The paprika adds a mild warmth to the dish. The vegetables caramelize in the oven while the chicken cooks through. This simple method is often used in old-fashioned dinners where everything was served together.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies

Chicken Colombian Tamales

Chicken Colombian Tamales are made by filling cornmeal dough with chicken and vegetables, then wrapping them in banana leaves. They are steamed slowly until the filling is tender and the dough is set. The banana leaves give the tamales a distinct aroma. These have the unhurried character found in many old-fashioned dinners.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Colombian Tamales

Creamy Citrus Chicken with Rosemary

Creamy Citrus Chicken with Rosemary cooks chicken in a sauce made from grapefruit, orange, and cream. The citrus adds brightness while rosemary brings an herbal note. The sauce thickens as it simmers, coating the chicken. Bright, flavorful sauces like this helped balance richer foods in old-fashioned dinners.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Citrus Chicken with Rosemary

Baked Creamy Salmon

Baked Creamy Salmon is prepared by roasting salmon fillets and potatoes together with a garlic cream sauce. The dish cooks in about 30 minutes in a single pan. The sauce keeps the salmon moist while the potatoes turn golden. It's a quick option that still feels substantial.
Get the Recipe: Baked Creamy Salmon

Matzo Lasagna with Cottage Cheese

Matzo Lasagna with Cottage Cheese layers matzo, tomato sauce, cottage cheese, and mozzarella in a baking dish. It's baked until the cheese melts and the top turns golden. The matzo softens while absorbing the sauce. Layered bakes like this were a familiar sight in dinners served family-style.
Get the Recipe: Matzo Lasagna with Cottage Cheese

Chicken Sancocho

Chicken Sancocho is a stew of chicken, plantains, yucca, corn, and potatoes simmered together. The mix of ingredients creates a thick, hearty broth. It's usually cooked in a single large pot. Stews like this were central to old-fashioned dinners that needed to feed many people at once.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sancocho

Instant Pot Chicken with Sweet Peppers

Instant Pot Chicken with Sweet Peppers cooks chicken, tomatoes, and peppers under pressure for quick tenderness. The sealed cooking helps the flavors blend in less time. It's ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish. This makes it convenient without losing depth of taste.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken with Sweet Peppers

Pasulj Serbian White Bean Soup

Pasulj Serbian White Bean Soup is made by simmering white beans with tomatoes, paprika, and herbs. The slow cooking creates a creamy texture without blending. It's often prepared in large batches and reheats well. Bean soups like this were a steady presence in old-fashioned dinners during colder months.
Get the Recipe: Pasulj Serbian White Bean Soup

Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel

Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel is made by mixing cooked pasta with sautéed mushrooms, leeks, and herbs, then baking until set. The top becomes lightly crisp in the oven. The leeks add a mild onion flavor that works well with the mushrooms. Pasta casseroles like this often showed up in old-fashioned dinners for large groups.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel

Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks

Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks are soaked in a mix of spices, garlic, and lime before baking. The oven cooking makes the skin crisp while keeping the inside juicy. The marinade infuses every bite with flavor. They bring the hearty feel of old-fashioned dinners where meat was the centerpiece.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks

Chicken Pumpkin Risotto

Chicken Pumpkin Risotto is made by slowly stirring rice with broth, chicken, and pumpkin until creamy. The pumpkin adds a subtle sweetness that works well with the savory chicken. Constant stirring helps release starch from the rice. Comforting rice dishes like this were often part of old-fashioned dinners in the fall.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pumpkin Risotto

Chicken Marbella

Chicken Marbella is baked with prunes, olives, capers, and herbs after marinating overnight. The long marinade allows the flavors to blend into the chicken. It's cooked in the oven until the meat is tender and the sauce thickens. Its balance of flavors feel exactly like the old-fashioned dinners meant for special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Marbella

Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes

Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes uses a buttermilk marinade to tenderize the chicken before roasting. The potatoes cook in the same pan, soaking up the seasoning. The result is crispy skin and soft, flavorful potatoes. One-pan meals like this were a staple in old-fashioned dinners for their ease and heartiness.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes

Potato Vegetarian Vareniki

Potato Vegetarian Vareniki are dumplings filled with seasoned mashed potatoes and boiled until tender. They can be served with sautéed onions or sour cream. The dough is thin enough to highlight the filling. Handmade dumplings like these were often part of old-fashioned dinners made from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Potato Vegetarian Vareniki

Homemade Gefilte Fish with Beet Chrein

Homemade Gefilte Fish with Beet Chrein is made by grinding whitefish with matzo meal, shaping it into patties, and poaching in broth. The gentle simmer keeps the texture light. It's served with a sharp beet and horseradish sauce. This method reflects the careful preparation often seen in old-fashioned dinners rooted in tradition.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Gefilte Fish with Beet Chrein

Ajiaco Colombiano

Ajiaco Colombiano is made by simmering chicken, potatoes, and corn with the herb guascas until tender. The soup develops its flavor over a gentle, extended cook on the stove. It's served with rice, avocado, capers, and cream for a complete meal. The kind of soup that often appeared in old-fashioned dinners, it's best when given time to deepen in taste.
Get the Recipe: Ajiaco Colombiano

Greek Vegetarian Moussaka

Greek Vegetarian Moussaka is layered with zucchini, potatoes, and a tomato-based sauce before being topped with béchamel. It's baked until the top is golden and the layers are soft. The slow baking lets the flavors blend together. Vegetable-based mains like this were common in old-fashioned dinners that relied on what was in season.
Get the Recipe: Greek Vegetarian Moussaka

Buckwheat Kasha with Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions

Buckwheat Kasha with Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions is cooked by simmering buckwheat until fluffy, then topping it with browned vegetables. The mushrooms add depth while the onions bring sweetness. This is a hearty grain-based dish that holds up well. Such grain dishes were common in old-fashioned dinners for their simplicity and nourishment.
Get the Recipe: Buckwheat Kasha with Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions

Classic White Fish in White Wine Sauce

Classic White Fish in White Wine Sauce is made by lightly pan-searing fish before simmering it in a buttery wine sauce. The short cooking time keeps the fish flaky and tender. The sauce adds richness without overpowering the dish. Meals like this were often chosen for old-fashioned dinners that felt a little more refined.
Get the Recipe: Classic White Fish in White Wine Sauce

1-Pot Pomegranate Chicken and Rice

1-Pot Pomegranate Chicken and Rice combines chicken, rice, pistachios, and pomegranate seeds in one pot. Everything cooks together so the rice absorbs the flavors. The dish is ready when the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through. One-pot meals like this were a hallmark of old-fashioned dinners for their efficiency.
Get the Recipe: 1-Pot Pomegranate Chicken and Rice

Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers

Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers are made by filling hollowed peppers with seasoned turkey, rice, and herbs. They're baked until the peppers soften and the filling is cooked through. The grains soak up the juices from the meat and vegetables. The colorful presentation makes them a favorite for family meals.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers

Colombian Whole Fried Mojarra Frita

Colombian Whole Fried Mojarra Frita starts with fresh fish seasoned with lime and spices before frying until crisp. The cooking locks in moisture while giving the outside a golden crust. It's often served with rice, salad, or plantains. Dishes like this are a staple in old-fashioned dinners centered around sharing.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Whole Fried Mojarra Frita

Roasted Salmon on a Bed of Apples and Potatoes

Roasted Salmon on a Bed of Apples and Potatoes bakes the fish over sliced apples and potatoes. The juices from the salmon mix with the fruit and vegetables as they cook. The potatoes soften while the apples turn lightly caramelized. It's the sort of combination that often appeared in old-fashioned dinners built on fresh produce.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Salmon on a Bed of Apples and Potatoes

Mujadara

Mujadara is a simple dish of lentils, rice, and caramelized onions cooked together. The onions are browned slowly to bring out their sweetness. Everything is combined so the flavors can meld as it simmers. It's the kind of humble yet filling dish that was a regular part of old-fashioned dinners.
Get the Recipe: Mujadara

Pomegranate Chicken with Walnuts

Pomegranate Chicken with Walnuts simmers chicken in a sauce made from pomegranate molasses and ground walnuts. The sauce thickens as it cooks, coating the meat. This dish has a rich, slightly tangy flavor. Sauces like this often brought variety to old-fashioned dinners without complicating the cooking.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Chicken with Walnuts