Sundays are the perfect time to cook a hearty meal that sets you up for the week. These family-sized dinners will leave you with leftovers that reheat easily and still taste great. Casseroles, stews, and slow cooker favorites make it simple to handle busy weekdays without scrambling for a decent meal. With these recipes, you can spend less time in the kitchen during the week and still enjoy something satisfying every day.
Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
This casserole is packed with bold flavors from seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, peppers, and black beans, all baked under a blanket of melted cheese. It’s a great choice for Sunday dinner when you need something hearty. The leftovers reheat beautifully, making it a lifesaver for weekday lunches that feel like an upgrade from your usual routine.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
Cheddar Chicken Bake
This chicken quinoa bake combines tender rotisserie chicken, creamy cheddar, and hearty quinoa for a meal that’s both filling and easy to make. It’s perfect for a Sunday supper when you want something that hits the spot without a ton of effort. The leftovers are just as great, giving you a quick and satisfying lunch option for busy weekdays.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Chicken Bake
Taco Lasagna
Taco lasagna layers all the goodness of taco night—seasoned meat, creamy sauce, and plenty of cheese—into a comforting casserole. It’s a fun Sunday dinner that’s simple to make and packed with flavor. The leftovers hold up well, giving you a lunch option you’ll actually look forward to all week long.
Get the Recipe: Taco Lasagna
Sausage Stuffed Peppers
These bell peppers are stuffed with a flavorful mix of ground Italian sausage, rice, spinach, and creamy ricotta, then topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. It’s a great all-in-one meal for a Sunday dinner that looks as good as it tastes. Plus, the peppers reheat perfectly, making weekday lunches a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Peppers
Lasagna Rollups
These lasagna rollups are filled with a creamy butternut squash sauce, shredded chicken, and spinach, all rolled into tender lasagna noodles. They’re perfect for a comforting Sunday meal that feels special without being too much work. The leftovers are just as great for quick lunches that are hearty and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Rollups
Brisket Chili
This chili takes leftover brisket and turns it into a thick, hearty meal packed with beans, peppers, and a chunky tomato base. It’s the kind of Sunday dinner that warms you up and keeps you going. The best part? It only gets better as leftovers, making weekday lunches a no-brainer.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Chili
Escarole Soup
Escarole soup is a hearty Italian classic made with tender escarole, white beans, pasta, and sausage in a garlicky broth. It’s a great choice for a Sunday meal when you want something comforting and filling. Plus, it reheats beautifully, so you’ll have a lunch ready to go for the week.
Get the Recipe: Escarole Soup
Chicken Apple Cheddar Chili
This creamy chili brings together tender chicken, shredded cheddar, and just the right touch of sweetness from apples. It’s a non-traditional take on chili that’s perfect for a cozy Sunday dinner. Leftovers are flavorful and easy to reheat, making them a standout lunch option.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Apple Cheddar Chili
Short Rib Chili
Made with tender short ribs, this porter-infused chili is hearty, flavorful, and packed with beans and peppers. It’s perfect for a Sunday dinner that feels like a treat, and the leftovers freeze well, giving you easy weekday meals for weeks to come.
Get the Recipe: Short Rib Chili
Moroccan Lamb Lentil Stew
This lamb and lentil stew is seasoned with Moroccan spices and packed with chickpeas, making it a flavorful and filling Sunday supper. Serve it with fresh cilantro and a dollop of yogurt for a complete meal. Leftovers reheat beautifully, making weekday lunches just as satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Lamb Lentil Stew
Bomb Meatloaf
This meatloaf is tender, juicy, and topped with a sweet and tangy glaze that will make it the star of your Sunday dinner. It’s easy to put together and makes for perfect leftover slices that are great in sandwiches or reheated for lunches.
Get the Recipe: Bomb Meatloaf
Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs
These turkey meatballs are packed with shredded zucchini, stuffed with gooey cheddar, and cooked in marinara sauce for a flavorful one-pan meal. They’re a great Sunday dinner option with leftovers that are just as satisfying the next day.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs
Instant Pot Bolognese
Making bolognese in the Instant Pot delivers all the rich, hearty flavors of the classic Italian sauce in a fraction of the time. Serve it over your favorite pasta for a great Sunday dinner, and enjoy the leftovers as quick, comforting lunches all week.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Bolognese
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Sweet and sticky honey garlic chicken made right in the slow cooker is a great alternative to takeout. With tender chicken and chunks of pineapple, it’s perfect for Sunday supper. Leftovers make for quick meals or rice bowls during the week.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese
This one-pot turkey mac and cheese is a grown-up take on the classic, made with real cheddar, spinach, and peppers. It’s a quick and comforting Sunday dinner that’s great for lunches the rest of the week.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese
Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Poblano peppers are filled with shredded chicken, black beans, and plenty of melted cheese for a dinner that’s packed with flavor. It’s a great choice for Sunday night, and the leftovers will save you time and energy during the week.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Creamy Turkey Garlic Stuffed Mushrooms
These stuffed portobello mushrooms are loaded with ground turkey, creamy garlic cheese, spinach, and roasted red peppers. They’re a great way to shake up your Sunday dinner, and the leftovers are perfect for a quick weekday meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Turkey Garlic Stuffed Mushrooms
Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls
These beef bowls are packed with flavor thanks to the slow cooker. With shredded beef, rice, beans, plantains, and peppers, they’re a great Sunday meal prep idea that makes for easy lunches all week long.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls
Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu
This lamb ragu, made with cavatappi pasta and harissa paste, is a bold and hearty one-skillet dinner. It’s perfect for Sunday night and makes for flavorful leftovers that reheat like a dream.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu
Creamy Mushroom Risotto
This mushroom risotto, made creamy with rich umami flavors instead of dairy, is a comforting dish that’s great for a Sunday meal. The leftovers are easy to reheat and keep their texture, making it perfect for weekday lunches.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Risotto
Lamb Bolognese
This lamb bolognese is simmered with carrots, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and red wine for a rich and hearty sauce. Serve it over tagliatelle for a great Sunday dinner, and enjoy the leftovers all week for a quick, no-fuss meal.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Bolognese
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.