5 Cozy Sunday Dinners to Make

If you’re looking for a little dinner inspiration, I’ve put together five recipes that I think deserve a spot on your menu. There’s a mix of everything here, from low-effort dinners that look like you spent hours in the kitchen to the kind of slow-cooked meals that are worth setting aside an entire afternoon for. Some are recipes I’ve been making for years, while others are newer additions to the blog, but they’re all ones I’d happily make again.

There’s a red wine braised short rib recipe that’s been a staple in my kitchen for years, a creamy French onion soup with ditalini, a whole roasted chicken with lemon pepper butter, and a chicken pot pie made with pillowy gnocchi instead of pastry. Plus, an ale braised pot roast with a fresh, herby topping that might convince you to rethink your usual Sunday roast. Five very different recipes, depending on what you’re in the mood to cook.

• Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
• One Pot Lemon Pepper Chicken
• Creamy French Onion Ditalini Soup
• Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie
• Ale Braised Pot Roast

1. Red Wine Braised Short Ribs

I first shared these short ribs back in 2022, and they’ve been a staple in my kitchen ever since. They’re seared until deeply golden, then braised in a whole bottle of red wine with beef broth, fresh herbs, and black peppercorns until they’re falling off the bone. The real star is the sauce. I strain and reduce all that braising liquid until it’s rich and glossy, then finish it with butter. Serve over mashed potatoes with plenty of sauce. I’ve included Dutch oven, slow cooker, and pressure cooker instructions, so there’s more than one way to make these.

2. One Pot Lemon Pepper Chicken

A whole roasted chicken with crispy golden skin, lemon pepper butter, and a full spread of vegetables, all in one pot. I spread the butter underneath the chicken skin, then roast it over sweet potatoes, leeks, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. The vegetables slowly caramelize in all those buttery chicken drippings, which might be my favourite part. By the time the chicken is done, dinner is pretty much taken care of. Just spoon those pan juices over everything before serving.

3. Creamy French Onion Ditalini Soup

You know I can’t resist finding another way to use caramelized onions. This one’s got all the good stuff from French onion soup: deeply caramelized onions, beef broth, fresh thyme, and Gruyère, but I added ditalini pasta and a splash of cream, so it’s a little more substantial. And rather than making the usual cheesy toasts, bake little piles of grated Gruyère until they’re golden and crispy. They’re super easy to make, and I highly recommend making a few extra for snacking.

4. Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie

All the things you love about chicken pot pie, but with gnocchi instead of a pastry crust. The filling is creamy and packed with shredded chicken, carrots, celery, peas, and fresh rosemary. I use rotisserie chicken to save time, then top everything with pillowy gnocchi and plenty of Parmesan before baking. The gnocchi turn golden and a little crispy on top while staying soft underneath. You can also keep this one on the back burner for when you have leftover Thanksgiving turkey in the fridge.

5. Ale Braised Pot Roast

This isn’t your typical pot roast, and that’s exactly why I love it. Instead of braising the beef in red wine, I use a citrusy white ale with beef broth, garlic, Dijon mustard, and fresh herbs. The roast spends a few hours in the oven until it’s fork-tender, and you can cook the potatoes and carrots right in the same pot. What really makes this one different, though, is the topping. I mix fresh parsley, dill, lemon zest, and grated garlic for a simple, gremolata-inspired finish that works so well with the rich beef. I originally shared this as an alternative to a traditional Easter roast, but it’s just as good for a Sunday dinner any time of year.

FAQ

Which recipes are easy enough for a weeknight?

The One Pot Lemon Pepper Chicken is a great option when you don’t want to spend much time actively cooking. Once everything is prepped, the oven does most of the work. The Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie is another favourite, especially since you can use store-bought gnocchi and rotisserie chicken to save time.

Can I substitute ingredients in these recipes?

Definitely! Each recipe has its own substitutions and notes section with suggestions for making adjustments.

Are any of these recipes gluten-free?

Yes! Ale Braised Pot Roast and One Pot Lemon Pepper Chicken are gluten-free as written. For the Creamy French Onion Ditalini Soup, just use your favourite GF pasta shape for an easy swap, and for the Red Wine Braised Short Ribs skip the coating of flour when searing.

If you try one of these, It would mean the world if you could Leave a rating on the recipe!

Whether you’re in the mood for something quick and easy or feel like spending a little more time in the kitchen, I hope one of these recipes makes it onto your menu this week.

And as always, I love seeing what you’re cooking, so don’t forget to tag me (@britacooks)on Instagram or TikTok, if you give one a try! You can also find my recipes on Pinterest, or head over to my YouTube channel to cook along with me.