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 salad is not only super quick to make, but can also be prepared with ingredients that everyone has at home. It is a perfect appetizer for a snack with friends or any other type of celebration, as it can be served on crispy toast. An...
Looking for a chic, quick and no-fuss appetizer ? This smoked salmon appetizer 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 enclose a creamy filling made with fresh ricotta,...
Simple ingredients, just a few minutes of preparation, and you’ll have a delicious dish to serve: pea, feta and mint meatballs cooked in an air fryer are a great vegetarian alternative to traditional meatballs . They are very versatile and can be...
Not very hungry in this heat? Here’s a quick, fresh, and tasty recipe to satisfy your appetite: toasts! The combination of cream cheese, pesto, and cherry tomatoes makes these perfect to enjoy on their own or serve with a mixed salad. Enjoy!
Very easy to prepare , quick and inexpensive, this air-fryer-roasted pepper salad is sure to become one of your favorite summer dishes. The great thing about this recipe is that you can serve it in several ways: as a side dish with meat, as a...
These savory flans are an excellent idea if you're looking for a simple, light and flavorful recipe. The combination of mushrooms and spinach , sautéed with garlic, shallot and a touch of parsley, adds irresistible flavor. Mixed with a base of eggs,...
These single-serving savory cheesecakes with cherry tomatoes and basil are a tasty, versatile idea, perfect as a cold appetizer , summer finger food, or an option for a buffet . The crunchy cracker-and-butter base supports a velvety cream made...
As you know, we love verrines for starting a meal :-) They immediately add a more chic and elegant touch to the table, making them perfect for festive meals. Whether served as an appetizer or a starter, these ultra-colorful vegetarian verrines...
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 crêpes are an elegant, creamy first course, perfect for anyone who loves comforting flavors and vegetarian cooking without giving up indulgence. The crêpes are made with a smooth batter of flour, eggs, milk, and butter, then...
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 the...
Some time ago, we made linguine with frozen seafood , and it was a great success. So we decided to re-create 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 topping, it's the perfect dish to share: delicious...
A recipe that takes us back to childhood? Ham and béchamel crêpes! Homemade, they’re even better ;-) We’ll explain each step in making these savory crêpes, which are sure to delight young and old alike. Serve with a mixed salad for a simple,...
Shrimp and lemon risotto is an iconic dish in Italian cuisine , ideal for special occasions (including a romantic dinner❤️). Elegant and balanced in flavor, it combines the creaminess of the rice with the sweetness of the shrimp and the citrusy...
A hearty, flavorful first course and vegetarian dish made with potato gnocchi , tomato sauce, mozzarella, and grated Parmesan . Gnocchi alla Sorrentina originated in Campania, and the traditional recipe also calls for baking the dish before...
Pasta with mushrooms and cream is one of those dishes that tastes like home and comfort . Creamy, fragrant and irresistibly comforting, it combines the delicate flavor of button mushrooms with the richness of cream and Parmesan , creating a...
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 among the most searched-for recipes right now because they make it easy to serve a tasty , light meal in just a few minutes. Perfect as a main course for the whole family, they’re also ideal as a tasty appetizer or finger...
Looking for a simple, comforting and tasty side dish ? This potato and mushroom gratin has it all. With the tender potatoes, the delicate fragrance of mushrooms sautéed with garlic and shallots, and the richness of the cream, every bite is a real...
There are dishes that fit just as well at a special dinner as at a weekday meal. Pistachio-crusted salmon is one of them. It combines healthy eating with the pleasure of enjoying something tasty and beautifully presented, without unnecessary...
Reinvent a classic of Italian cuisine with our recipe for Milanese-style breaded eggplant , a vegetarian version cooked in the Air Fryer! Imagine the golden crunch of a Milanese cutlet, but with eggplant instead of meat . Cooking it in the Air...
One of the recipes Italians love most, this vegetarian main course is as simple as it is delicious and always wins over every guest. Eggplant parmigiana (also known to many as “eggplant alla parmigiana”) is a perfect example of the flavors of...
Pumpkin meatloaf with mushrooms and scamorza is an easy, flavorful vegetarian main course, perfect for fall lunches and dinners . Made with a soft pumpkin and potato mixture , enriched with Parmesan and breadcrumbs for a firm texture, it is stuffed...
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 meeting of the simplicity of country cooking traditions and the intensity of Roman cuisine ....
Need a quick , tasty and reliable side dish ? Sautéed mushrooms tick all the boxes! Whether you enjoy them on their own, with eggs, rice or pasta, or as a side with grilled meat, they go with just about anything. A few fresh mushrooms, a hint of...
Let yourself be enchanted by this recipe for carrots in sauce made with honey and clementine . This combination of flavors transforms a simple ingredient—carrots—into a sophisticated dish, perfect for special occasions as well as everyday meals....
Potatoes are clearly the perfect accompaniment that can be served with just about anything! Economical, practical, and versatile, this tuber never ceases to surprise us. And today, we’re offering you the perfect recipe for your Sunday family meal:...
In fact, there's always an eggplant lurking in our fridge, sometimes a little past its prime because it's been forgotten for a few weeks (poor thing!). Well, this fantastic vegetable always comes to our rescue because it's so versatile that it...
One of our favorite vegetables? Leeks! The best dish to make with them? Leek fondue! A simple, healthy dish that delights everyone at the table. Ideal served with a piece of fish such as salmon or shellfish such as scallops. Today, we're...
Soft and fluffy duchess potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to all kinds of meat and fish! This easy recipe combines potatoes and butter for a melt-in-your-mouth result. Make them at home and they’ll be even better ;-) We’ll guide you through the...
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.
The strawberry jam tart is a beloved classic of home baking , one of those desserts that taste of home, tradition, and shared moments. It is simple to make yet always wins people over at the first bite. In this version, we’ve made it even more special...
Feel like revisiting tiramisu with a tangy twist that changes everything? This lemon tiramisu is fresh , light and incredibly moreish! Instead of coffee, the ladyfingers are dipped in a lemon syrup and layered with a smooth mascarpone cream spiked...
Looking for a light dessert without the fuss? This flan made with skyr is just what you need! With just a few ingredients and a stint in the oven, you get a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture reminiscent of childhood desserts, but in a lighter...
We love cheesecakes , but we know that, because of their fat and calorie content, they’re best enjoyed in moderation… Or better yet, you can enjoy a healthier version! Think that’s not possible? Take a look at this much lighter, higher-protein recipe...
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...
Do you know L'Amandier ? Well, if you don't, you should try this recipe right away! This cake is exceptionally moist, with an almost airy texture that will win over almond lovers . As well as being absolutely delicious, it's gluten-free , making it...
Have a trip to Italy without leaving your kitchen ! Thanks to PetitChef, be the best at baking this classic : Tiramisu !
A call to all tiramisu lovers: here are some completely addictive little treats: tiramisu-style truffles :-) These little marvels combine everything we love in a classic tiramisu: a creamy mascarpone filling , a touch of coffee and a cocoa coating....
Daniele Mainieri
Comments
MiPetitChef
Mouthwatering !!!