Lazy Sunday Dinner Ideas – The Fitnessista

Sharing some lazy Sunday dinner ideas that you can make quickly and that the whole fmaily will love. 

Hi friends! How are you and how’s the week going? It’s been a great one over here. I’m taking a barre class this afternoon and getting my nails done. They need it!

For today’s post, I wanted to share some quick and easy recipes that would be perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, or a lazy Sunday. I’ve gone back to making quick meals on Sundays and it’s been such a treat to eat something at home that didn’t take a couple of hours to make.

I rounded up 9 quick and easy dinner *recipes* (just throw-together meals!) perfect for those cozy Sunday nights when you’d rather relax than cook up a storm. For us, the rest of the week is equally fast around here… but I had to title this post appropriately for The Man (aka Google).

Here are some of our go-tos:

Lazy Sunday Dinner Ideas

Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Creamy, comforting, and oh-so-delicious, this Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a family favorite that comes together in no time.

Ingredients:

Pasta of your choice

Chicken breasts

Alfredo sauce

Garlic

Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper

Instructions:

Step 1: Cook pasta according to package instructions.

Step 2: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown.

Step 3: In a separate pan, heat Alfredo sauce and minced garlic.

Step 4: Combine cooked pasta, sliced chicken, and Alfredo sauce. Serve topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. I love to serve this with broccoli on the side or a salad kit.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Let your slow cooker do all the work with this hearty and flavorful Beef Stew that’s perfect for chilly Sunday evenings.

Ingredients:

Beef stew meat

Potatoes

Carrots

Onion

Beef broth

Tomato paste

Worcestershire sauce

Garlic

Herbs and spices

Instructions:

Step 1: Place beef stew meat, chopped potatoes, carrots, and onion in the slow cooker.

Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and herbs/spices.

Step 3: Pour mixture over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken

This simple yet elegant Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken is bursting with flavor.

Ingredients:

Whole chicken

Lemon

Garlic

Olive oil

Fresh herbs (such as rosemary and thyme)

Salt and pepper

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then season generously with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Stuff the cavity of the chicken with lemon halves, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs.

Step 4: Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and season well with salt and pepper.

Step 5: Roast in the oven for 1-1.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). I like to serve this with sweet potatoes (cook in the Instant pot with a little water for 30 minutes) and sauteed zucchini.

Quick and Easy Teriyaki Chicken

This Quick and Easy Teriyaki Chicken is better than takeout and only takes 20 minutes.

Ingredients:

Chicken thighs

Soy sauce

Honey

Garlic

Ginger

Sesame seeds

Green onions

Instructions:

Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger.

Step 2: Marinate chicken thighs in the sauce for 10-15 minutes.

Step 3: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook chicken until browned and cooked through.

Step 4: Serve chicken drizzled with extra teriyaki sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. I’ll serve this on top of rice with bok choy on the side.

One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta

This One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta is super easy to make and so delicous.

Ingredients:

Pasta

Cherry tomatoes

Garlic
Olive oil

Fresh basil

Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper

Instructions:

Step 1: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.

Step 2: Add cherry tomatoes and cook until they start to burst.

Step 3: Add pasta and enough water to cover. Cook until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.

Step 4: Stir in fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. I’ll make this as a side dish with rotisserie chicken or sauteed shrimp.

Honey Garlic Salmon

This Honey Garlic Salmon is super healthy and flavorful.

Ingredients:

Salmon fillets

Honey

Soy sauce

Garlic

Lemon

Olive oil

Salt and pepper
Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil.

Step 3: Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush with the honey garlic sauce.

Step 4: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. I like to serve this with potatoes cooked in the air fryer and a salad kit.

Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Indulge in a cozy bowl of Creamy Mushroom Risotto that’s sure to warm you up on a lazy Sunday evening.

Ingredients:

Arborio rice
Mushrooms (such as cremini or shiitake)

Onion

Garlic

White wine

Chicken or vegetable broth

Parmesan cheese

Butter

Fresh parsley

Instructions:

Step 1: In a large skillet, sauté chopped onions and minced garlic until softened.

Step 2: Add sliced mushrooms and cook until golden brown.

Step 3: Stir in Arborio rice and cook until translucent.

Step 4: Deglaze the pan with white wine, then gradually add chicken or vegetable broth, stirring constantly until the rice is cooked and creamy.

Step 5: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, butter, and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Veggie-Packed Quinoa Salad

Keep it light and refreshing with this Veggie-Packed Quinoa Salad that’s perfect for lazy Sunday nights.

Ingredients:

Quinoa

Mixed vegetables (such as bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and avocado)

Lemon

Olive oil

Fresh herbs (such as parsley and mint)

Salt and pepper

Instructions:

Step 1: Cook quinoa according to package instructions and let cool.

Step 2: Chop mixed vegetables and toss with cooked quinoa in a large bowl.

Step 3: Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then add chopped fresh herbs.

Step 4: Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss to combine. Protein bonus: top with some rotisserie chicken or shrimp.

Easy Baked Ziti

This is a family crowd pleaser and such a great comfort foor recipe.

Ingredients:

Ziti pasta

Marinara sauce

Ricotta cheese

Mozzarella cheese

Parmesan cheese

Fresh basil

Salt and pepper

Instructions:

Step 1: Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions and drain.

Step 2: In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta with marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, grated mozzarella cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 3: Transfer mixture to a baking dish and top with additional mozzarella and Parmesan cheese

Step 4. Bake 30 minutes at 350 covered, until cheese is melted. You can also broil the cheese on top for a couple of minutes. Serve with sauteed spinach and crusty bread.

Ok, friends. I’d love to hear your favorite lazy Sunday dinner ideas! What’s something you love to make in less than 20-30 minutes?? Please feel free to drop any recipe links, too! I’m always looking for new ideas.

xoxo

Gina

PS. If you’re looking for more recipe inspo, download my quick and healthy recipe guide and meal pack! It’s totally free and the link is here.

More:

Our go-to easy weeknight dinners

Easy back-to-school dinner recipes

Clean eating recipes for weeknights