Italian sunday lunch: 39 irresistible recipes between nonna's tradition and modern cuisine
Sunday has an unmistakable smell: that of dishes cooking slowly in the kitchen and the table set for a special lunch. In Italy, Sunday lunch is much more than a culinary habit: it is a time for sharing, chatting, laughing and recipes that taste like home. From rich and enveloping first courses to succulent main courses and irresistible desserts, each course becomes the perfect opportunity to get together and enjoy the pleasure of good food.
In recent years, the Sunday lunch menu has evolved to become even richer and more creative. Alongside the great traditional Italian recipes such as lasagna, cannelloni, roasts and tiramisu, new dishes, quicker preparations and original ideas that make the most of seasonal ingredients now find their place. The result is a Sunday lunch that retains all the charm of home cooking, but with a touch of modernity and imagination.If you're wondering what to cook for Sunday lunch, here you'll find 39 easy and tasty recipes including appetizers, first courses, main courses, side dishes and desserts perfect for creating a complete menu and making Sunday a real feast at the table.
Sunday lunch appetizers: tasty ideas to start the menu
Sunday lunch appetizers are the perfect way to open the menu and immediately set the tone for the table. In many households, simple traditional recipes are chosen, but more and more often revisited appetizers are being included that add variety and originality. Alternating classic hors d'oeuvres and modern preparations makes for a rich and convivial start to the meal, perfect for whetting the appetite while you wait for the first course.
This sardine pâté is not only a super quick recipe to make, but we can also prepare it with ingredients that everyone has at home. It is a perfect appetizer for a snack with friends or any other type of celebration, as we can serve it on crispy bread...
Looking for a chic, quick and no-fuss aperitif ? This smoked salmon aperitif spread is as beautiful as it is delicious! Creamy cream cheese, finely chopped smoked salmon , capers, dill and a touch of lemon... all beautifully arranged and ready to...
Bresaola tortelloni stuffed with ricotta and arugula are a quick, light and flavorful cold appetizer perfect for any occasion . Made with thin slices of bresaola instead of pasta , they wrap a creamy filling made with fresh ricotta, Parmesan...
Simple ingredients, just a few minutes of preparation and you have a tasty dish to bring to the table: pea, feta and mint meatballs cooked in an air fryer are a great vegetarian alternative to traditional meatballs . They are very versatile and...
Not too hungry in this heat? We offer you a quick, fresh, and tasty recipe to soothe your stomach: toasts! Here, the combination of fresh cheese, pesto sauce, and cherry tomatoes will be perfect to snack on as is or to accompany with a mixed salad. Enjoy!
Very easy to prepare, quick and economical, this recipe for air-fried roasted peppers is sure to become a summertime staple :-) The advantage of this recipe is that it can be used in a variety of ways: as a topping for bruschetta , to spice up a...
These savory flans are an excellent idea if you're looking for a simple, light and flavorful recipe. The duo of mushrooms + spinach , sautéed with garlic, shallot and a touch of parsley, adds an irresistible fragrance. Mixed with a base of eggs,...
These single-serving savory cheesecakes with cherry tomatoes and basil are a tasty and versatile idea, perfect as a cold appetizer , summer finger food or buffet proposal. The crunchy base of crackers and butter supports a velvety cream prepared...
As you know, we love verrines to start the meal :-) They immediately give a more chic and elegant touch to the table, perfect for festive meals . Whether as an aperitif or as a starter, these ultra-colorful vegetarian verrines will be a...
First courses for Sunday lunch: between grandmother's recipes and revisited versions
Pasta dishes for Sunday lunch are often the real stars of the table. Fresh pasta, baked recipes and creamy risottos represent the most authentic Italian tradition. Alongside the great classics, however, more and more often there are revisited first courses, which reinterpret traditional recipes with different ingredients or more modern presentations. The result is a rich and varied Sunday menu, capable of surprising without losing its connection to tradition.
Ricotta and mushroom crepes are an elegant, ultra-creamy dish that’s perfect for anyone who loves comforting flavors and vegetarian cooking without giving up richness. The crepes start with a smooth, silky batter of flour, eggs, milk, and butter,...
Italian cuisine is synonymous with simplicity and authentic taste , where every ingredient tells a story of tradition and passion . This pasta dish with sausage sauce is the perfect embodiment of this: a few carefully chosen ingredients of...
Some time ago we prepared linguine with frozen seafood and it was a great success . So, we decided to replicate that magic with an equally tasty and super practical risotto . The beauty of this recipe is that you can prepare it in very little...
If we had to choose one dish that everyone agrees on, it would be lasagne bolognese ;) With its generous layers of pasta, long-simmered Bolognese sauce , creamy béchamel sauce and golden Parmesan gratin, it's the recipe par excellence for a...
This recipe takes you back to childhood with delicious stuffed crepes filled with béchamel sauce and ham. Homemade, they are even better! Step by step, we explain all the stages of making these savory crepes that will delight both young and old. Serve...
Shrimp and lemon risotto is an iconic dish of Italian cuisine , ideal for special occasions (even a romantic dinner ❤). Elegant and balanced in flavor, it combines the creaminess of the rice with the sweetness of the shrimp and the freshness of...
Today, let's cook a classic of Italian cuisine . A delicious, ultra-soft and comforting gnocchi recipe: Gnocchi alla sorrentina ! This traditional vegetarian recipe is normally oven baked like a gratin, but we offer you a super easy version to...
Pasta with mushrooms and cream is one of those dishes that tastes of home and comfort . Creamy, fragrant and irresistibly enveloping, it combines the delicacy of mushrooms with the full flavor of cream and Parmesan cheese , creating a soft,...
Main courses for Sunday lunch: rich recipes between tradition and reinterpretations
After an important first course comes the main courses for Sunday lunch, often featuring more elaborate and flavorful preparations. Roasts, meatballs and baked disheshave always been protagonists of Sunday cooking. Alongside these great classics, there is also room for revisited main courses, faster or with new combinations, perfect for those who want to renew the Sunday menu without sacrificing taste.
Air fryer meatballs are one of those recipes that feel almost too good to be true : juicy and tender on the inside, perfectly crispy on the outside, and ready in minutes. They’re a total win for busy weeknights, but also work perfectly as a fun...
Looking for a simple , comforting and tasty side dish ? This potato and mushroom gratin has it all. Between the melting texture of the potatoes, the delicate fragrance of the mushrooms sautéed with garlic and shallots, and the sweetness of the...
There are dishes that fit just as well in a special dinner as in a weekday lunch. Pistachio-crusted salmon is one of them. It combines healthiness with the pleasure of eating something tasty and well presented, without unnecessary complications....
Reinvent a classic of Italian cuisine with our recipe for breaded eggplant Milanese-style or schnitzel style , in vegetarian version and cooked in the airfryer! Imagine the golden crunch of a Milanese, but with eggplant instead of meat . This...
It is a simple and delicious vegetarian gratin , ideal for making the most reluctant to eat vegetables. This preparation brings together all the flavors of Mediterranean cuisine that we love: mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and of course eggplant. If...
Pumpkin cake with mushrooms and scamorza cheese is an easy and flavorful vegetarian meal, perfect for fall lunches and dinners . Made with a soft dough of pumpkin and potatoes , enriched with Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs for a firm texture, it...
Side dishes for Sunday lunch: dishes that complement the menu
Side dishes for Sunday lunch are meant to accompany main courses and make the menu more balanced. Popular recipes alternate between traditional side dishes such as baked potatoes and lighter, more modern vegetable preparations. Choosing varied side dishes allows you to enrich the Sunday menu with different flavors and textures.
There are recipes that can turn a few ingredients into an unforgettable dish. Oven-baked creamy cacio e pepe potatoes are one of them: a perfect encounter between the simplicity of country tradition and the intensity of Roman cuisine's flavors...
Need a quick , tasty and always effective side dish ? Mushroom poêlée ticks all the boxes! Whether on its own, with eggs, rice, pasta or as a garnish for grilled meat, it's got it all. A few fresh mushrooms, a hint of garlic, a touch of shallot, a...
Let yourself be enchanted by this recipe for carrots in honey and clementine sauce . This combination of flavors has transformed a simple ingredient into a sophisticated dish, perfect for both special occasions and everyday meals. The...
Potatoes are clearly the perfect accompaniment that can be served with all sauces! Economical, practical, and available in a whole range of preparations, this tuber never ceases to surprise us. And today, we offer you a perfect recipe for your...
In fact, there's always an eggplant lurking in our fridge, sometimes forgotten for a few weeks (poor thing!). Well, this fantastic vegetable always comes to our rescue, because it's so versatile that it can be used for any preparation...
One of our favorite vegetables? Leek! The best recipe to make with it? Leek fondue! A simple and healthy dish that delights everyone at the table. Ideal for pairing with a piece of fish such as salmon or shellfish like scallops. Today, we share...
Soft and fluffy duchess potatoes are the perfect accompaniment for all your meats and fish! An easy recipe that blends potatoes and butter for a creamy result. Make them at home, they will be even better ;-) We guide you step by step with our...
Desserts for Sunday lunch: tradition and delicacies to close the menu
Sunday dessert is the moment everyone looks forward to. After a rich and convivial lunch, serving a dessert is the perfect way to end the Sunday lunch menu. Here, too, tradition meets modernity: alongside the great classics of Italian pastry, there is room for revisited desserts that are lighter or presented differently.
It's impossible to find anything more comforting than a strawberry jam tart. It's the kind of dessert that evokes the warmth of home, simplicity, and the kind of afternoon tea we all love. In this version, it becomes even more irresistible thanks to a...
Feel like revisiting tiramisu with a tangy twist that changes everything? This lemon tiramisu is fresh , light and terribly addictive! Instead of coffee, the ladyfingers are dipped in a lemon syrup and alternated with a smooth mascarpone cream...
Looking for a light dessert without the fuss? This skyr flan is just what you need! With just a few ingredients and a turn in the oven, you get a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture reminiscent of childhood desserts, but in a lighter version. The...
We love cheesecakes , but we know that, due to its fat and calorie content, it is a pleasure to be enjoyed in moderation... Or better yet, with a healthier version! Think it's not possible? Take a look at this recipe, much lighter and proteinier...
Head to the island of Capri in Italy to discover this delicious Torta Caprese! A dessert with a rich chocolate flavor, easy to make for a moist and extra fudgy result. No doubt: no family member will be able to resist it! The ingredient that makes all...
You need to try this recipe urgently! The softness of this cake is clearly incomparable, an almost airy texture that will conquer almond lovers . In addition to being absolutely delicious, this cake is gluten-free , ideal for those who have...
Have a trip to Italy without leaving your kitchen ! Thanks to PetitChef, be the best at baking this classic : Tiramisu !
Alert to all tiramisu lovers, here are some completely addictive mignardises: rochers tiramisu-style :-) These little marvels combine everything we love in a classic tiramisu: a creamy mascarpone , a touch of coffee and a cocoa coating. Perfect for...
Daniele Mainieri
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