Try this elegant meal to prepare for your family that will be hearty and delicious!  This is a favorite dish that will taste even better than you remember it.  There are no prepackaged mixes or red and white labeled soup cans, just natural ingredients.  This is Beef Stroganoff the way it was intended to be […]

If you are looking for something different for Sunday dinner this week, give this exciting dish a try.  The combination of flavors produced from the lemon, juice, olives and brine, white wine, rosemary and garlic is incredible!  The flavors are complex, but preparation is very easy.  Your family will LOVE it. Ingredients 1 Tablespoon – […]

This is an easy and fast dinner for Sunday Night.  If you have never tried a recipe from this site, you have to try this one.  Make it your own! Ingredients 2 Each –  Large skinless, boneless chicken breasts 1.5 Pounds – Cheddar Cheese, grated 1 Each – 28 oz. Can of Green Chili Enchilada […]

Popping with flavor is the only way to describe this delicious Greek Pasta Salad.  It VERY EASY to prepare. If you have never actually tried one of the recipes featured at 52SundayDinners.com, treat yourself to this great single course meal that is popping with flavor. Ingredients 2 Pounds – Fresh (never frozen) Skinless Boneless Chicken […]

Check out our recipe for Chicken Enchilada Casserole here.  Living in Texas, we have grown to LOVE Tex-Mex food.  I love beef enchiladas.  I just don’t like the work involved.  Half of the time the shape of the enchiladas is irrelevant because the serving spatula is slicing through them like any other casserole.  So this […]

OK, even if you have never had a minimum wage job making tacos at Taco Bell, you can still please your family with a plate full of spicy goodness from South of the Border. Ingredients 24 Each – Jumbo Corn Taco Shells 2 Pounds – Lean Ground Beef 90/10 1/2 Cup – Tone’s Taco Seasoning […]

Many families associate roasted ham with the premier Christian holidays, Christmas and Easter.  When my mother-in-law arrived for this ham dinner, she asked, “what’s the special occasion?”  At our house, getting together each Sunday and enjoying the fellowship is a special occasion, each week.  This is a super easy dish and your family will LOVE […]

Prepare this super easy meal in 5 minutes before Sunday church and you will have the afternoon off.  It is SO easy and delicious. Ingredients 5 Pounds – Boneless Pork Chops, sliced to approximately 1/2″ thick 1 Each – Large  Onion sliced into 1/2″ rings 1/3 Cup – Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce 1/3 Cup […]

Italian Wedding Soup has an odd history.  I was introduced to it by our daughter, Kate Newberry.  Although I could not trace it’s origin, I am pretty sure it is not served in Italy at weddings.  The “Wedding” is not an event, but is the marriage of meatballs and spinach.  The end result has many […]

Basil is the classic Italian herb.  My grandmother, Nana Sarullo, used it often in her pasta sauces.  Italians call it spaghetti gravy.  I don’t remember her making pesto, but the aroma of the garlic and basil sure makes me think of her home.  I frankly did not hear the term “Basil” until I was in […]

As I type this classic recipe, I am reminded of what 52 Sunday Dinners is all about.  Each Sunday one of my wonderful grandkids serves as “Junior Chef” for the afternoon.  At the time of this writing, I have 10 grandkids and one more on the way!  They all love to cook and even more […]

This in one of those recipes that should be in your family’s regular rotation.  It should be a staple.  It is quick and easy to prepare and all age groups will love it.  There is a fair amount of butter and cream in it, and is sometimes called “Heart attack on a plate” so don’t […]

On a recent trip to Venice Beach, California, Teresa and I stepped into a sidewalk cafe/cantina to grab a quick lunch and to get off of our feet for a few minutes.  We asked the waitress for a suggestion and shortly thereafter were enjoying a Baja Bowl, similar to this one.  The flavor profile is […]

Everyone loves an easy Sunday Dinner that includes bubbling cheesy goodness.  This version of the traditional King Ranch Chicken has a few extras such as cilantro and black olives.  Your family will love it!  The basic framework for this recipe is tried and true and you can count on it producing excellent results every time. […]

  Shrimp & Grits, Shrimp & Grits, Shrimp & Grits.  It’s the hot thing today.  Lucky for us, it’s easy and it is VERY tasty.  This a favorite has its roots in Savannah, Georgia.  So let’s take a virtual trip to the Eastern Seaboard and get started. Shrimp Ingredients: 1.5 Pounds – Raw Shrimp, Peeled […]

Hot Tamale Pie.  Hot Tamale Pie. If I don’t get some, I think I’m gonna die!  OK, that tune is for Alligator Pie, but if you keep reciting the Alligator Pie tune it will remind you to go the the grocery store and pick up the few ingredients you will need to provide a great […]

Chicken Cacciatore is the perfect combination of elegant and rustic.  Cacciatore literally means “hunter style” in Italian.  This dish, however, can be as elegant as you wish.  It is PACKED with flavor. Preparation is easy. Ingredients 10 – Fresh Chicken Thighs with Skin and Bones 5 Tablespoons – Extra Virgin Olive Oil 3/4 Cup –  […]

52 Sunday Dinners is all about experimenting with different food concepts.  Try this interesting twist on traditional Italian spaghetti pasta.  Simply replace standard spaghetti noodles with spiral cut zucchini, yellow squash and carrots.  You may prepare it with meat balls, or Italian sausage and top with your favorite marinara sauce or even pesto sauce.  This […]

If your grocer stocks fresh Turkey Breasts, give this simple barbeque technique a try.  The flavor the turkey will absorb from the hardwood smoke will add amazing flavor to the turkey which is sometimes bland.  The slow cooking of the smoker will produce a tender and juicy dinner that your whole family will love. Ingredients […]

Hold on to your Southwestern hat.  This tasty creation will have your family going back for second helpings and even third helpings!  I call it Dave’s Two Two Crock Pot Chicken because it is literally two cans of this and two cans of that, etc.  Throw it in your crock pot and forget about it […]

Wow! I never think of Jambalaya without thinking of Sr.  That’s Hank Williams Sr.  singing “Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and file‘ gumbo” It just gets you in a festive mood no matter what’s bugging you.  This is a “one pot” recipe and is very easy to make.  It is always encouraging when the family […]

If you love Macaroni and Cheese, and who doesn’t, you’ll love this simple Baked Ziti recipe.  It is packed with Italian flavors of Italian herbs and Mozzarella Cheese.  This will be a Sunday Dinner your family will beg you to repeat often. Ingredients 1 Pound – Rigatoni Pasta 1/2 Pound – Fresh Broccoli, cut into […]

Preparation for these delicious Skewered Lemon Chicken-Kabobs is easy, but a bit time consuming.  Preparation for marinating begins the day before.  The result is lean strips of chicken breasts bursting with flavor that your family will love. Ingredients 4 to 5  Pounds –  Fresh (never frozen) Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast 4 Each –  Lemons (one […]

The inspiration for this Sunday Dinner comes from my Syrian dad, not my Italian mother.  Dad has been cooking variations of this dish to rave reviews.  This is my try at it.  You will find this meal easy to prepare and your family will love it. Ingredients 1 Pound – Rigatoni Pasta 1.25 Pounds –  […]

Oh Boy! So you have tried Tex-Mex Enchiladas at all of your favorite restaurants, locally owned and franchise establishments. You never thought about making them in your own kitchen. Well give this easy recipe a try and your own kitchen will become your new favorite Tex-Mex establishment. We’ll add a little something special to give […]

Every few weeks someone in the the family says, “That is the best Sunday Dinner ever!”  Two of my family members made that claim when I prepared this meal with my Junior Chef. These pork chops prepared with Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs were mouth watering and delicious! Ingredients 5 Pounds – Pork Chops, custom cut […]

So this Sunday is more hectic than normal and you don’t want to spend it in the kitchen, even though you enjoy cooking.  Plan this 30 minute meal with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and refrigerator.  Feel free to add or take away ingredients, based on what you have available, and your […]

A great Sunday Dinner does not have to be complicated or elegant.  The main objective of 52 Sunday Dinners is to inspire you and your family to place your feet under the same table each Sunday evening.  It is to inspire fellowship and conversation.  This Smoked Pork Loin will certainly meet that objective. Preparation is […]

In March of 2015, Teresa and I were looking for some local cuisine in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We happened to walk  into a local  establishment, La Hacienda.  It is a hybrid between a small mom & pop grocery store and a restaurant.  They had a great assortment of cheese, fresh meat, wine and bread.  […]

Get Ready for Mardi Gras!  OK. Mardi Gras in on a Tuesday, but try this gumbo recipe the Sunday to celebrate Mardi Gras. Louisiana cuisine is famous for being spicy, flavorful and hearty. Having lived in Louisiana, I can tell you that in Southern Louisiana gathering for a good meal means meeting with family.  In […]

This dish is an elegant Sunday Dinner that will impress the adults, and the novelty of the “secret packs” will fascinate the kids.  En Papillote is simply French for “in parchment” and is a great way to present your creation.  You’ll see two series of pictures here. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Ingredients 3 Pounds […]

Fact: My mother is a saint.  She was 100% Italian.  My dad is 100% Syrian.  She prepared this Syrian classic recipe of stuffed grape leaves for our family several time a year.  This is the exact simple recipe that was captured by my brother Peter on January 1, 1998.  He has had an interest in […]

Oh Boy! You will love the rich flavor of this Beef Roast smothered in Mushroom Steak Sauce and it is very easy to prepare.  Prep early for a low and slow Sunday afternoon simmer and your family will be “richly rewarded” with a meal that is densely packed with flavor and will be fall-apart-tender. You […]

OK, I’ll have to admit that I am stretching a little out of my comfort zone with this recipe.  I wanted my family to experience a new flavor palate and we had never eaten Eastern Indian food as a family.  In preparation, I read a few recipes and watched several YouTube videos on Indian cuisine.  […]

Family dinners should be comfortable, friendly and welcoming.  Nothing says comfort, friendship or welcome better than Chicken & Dumplings.  It is FUN to make, allows you the flexibility to be creative, and is a perfect opportunity to include your children or grandchildren in the process.  If you search online for “Chicken & Dumplings” you will […]

My dad is a man of many talents.  You might say he is a Renaissance Man.  He intentionally taught his five children a variety of life skills, including gardening and “farming” on our 3/4 acre city lot in Greenville, Mississippi.  On that small parcel, we often had chickens and ducks.  There were times when we […]

If you are a frequent reader of 52SundayDinners.com you know that the recipes usually allow for “Left-Overs” so you can enjoy the fruit of your labor Monday or Tuesday as well.  With this Sicilian recipe, “for-GED-a-bot-it.”  Your family will wipe this elegant meal out!  The combination of flavors generated by the fennel, the seafood and […]

My mouth is watering as I write this post.  Now, I don’t want to insult you and give you a step-by-step recipe for cooking hamburgers.  I will, however, give you a few tips that might be helpful to you. Planning and Preparation Regular burgers require about 1/4 pound of ground beef, or about 4 burgers […]

This is a variation on previous 52SundayDinner where we cooked Jumbo Buffalo Wings.  The main difference is that in this recipe we add eggs and lemon juice to thicken the crust. Yes, it is a bit like Shake & Bake, but it is from scratch. Ingredients 6 Pounds – Fresh Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts (not […]

Your family will LOVE this easy Southwestern version of grilled chicken.  Frankly the 10 pounds of chicken listed in this recipe was almost not enough for 7 adults and a bunch of young grandkids.  They loved it and there were plenty of empty chicken leg bones at the end of the evening to prove it! […]

This is a “Stick to your ribs” comfort food that is great any time of the year.  My version of this uses ground beef and turkey, which technically classifies it as Cottage Pie.  Shepherd’s Pie uses the same basic ingredients and preparation, but uses lamb instead of beef and turkey.  The combination of flavors is […]

Stuffed Bell Peppers were often prepared and served at home by my mother, Mama Sara.  This version is slightly different.  The combination of flavors will be well worth the little extra effort to produce this satisfying meal.  This meal is a good opportunity to co-op with a junior chefs in your family. Ingredients: 2.25 Pounds […]

Oh Boy! If you want to prepare this Sunday Dinner, order up some John Henry’s herb rub in advance.  Order specifically his Tammy’s Herbal Rub Seasoning.  You may follow this LINK to have it delivered to your door. The current price is only $6.49 for 12 ounces.   John Henry personally performed a demonstration at […]

Our family loves to dine at traditional hibachi grills.  Every large town has one or more.  They were popularized in the 1960s by the food chain Benihana.  Unfortunately, it is not practical to take the WHOLE family at one time to any local restaurant that doesn’t have a playground. The solution, plan one of your […]

I know that when my mouth waters as I type, you will love this selection.  This recipe is SOOOO easy I hate to even add it, but the marinated beef is very tasty and is almost fat free. The entire experience is worth the aroma that will fill your house on Sunday afternoon. Ingredients One […]

Snow Crab Legs are always a “crowd pleaser.”  The preparation is straight forward and requires little reason to deviate.  Say “Crab Legs this Sunday” and you will have distant relatives claiming to be driving through your town on Sunday evening. How could something this simple be so good?  I don’t know, but every time Red […]

Some like it HOT, and that’s what you get when you rub this pork loin with Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning.  It will not make you sweat and run from the kitchen, but will produce a powerful, nice heat to complement the pork.  As you can see in the images, I actually used half of […]

This meal provides a SOLID chili that everyone will enjoy and allows them to add all the “fixins” to suit their personal taste.  This recipe is easy (2 on a scale of 1 to 10), uses a few canned ingredients, but is guaranteed to be a big hit with your family, sports gathering, church function […]

Paella is a dish that is as beautiful as it is delicious.  There are many variations on this recipe.  Try this Texas/Spanish version.  Your family will love it and they’ll be impressed at your ability to cook this traditional Spanish dish.  There are many unique flavors that may be new to your family’s taste buds, […]

One of the fun things about this site, 52SundayDinners.com, is that I get to experiment and encourage you to experiment.  Brisket is made to be smoked, right? Of course.  It all about the rub, the wood, the smoke ring, the barbeque competition, bragging rights, etc.  So forget all of that for one week.  What if […]

Caution: This recipe yields two pans of tasty lasagna that will put the knees of family members under your table on Sunday, and in the middle of next week. Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon – Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 Pounds –  Sweet Italian Sausage 1 Pound – Lean Ground Beef (96/4) 1 Each – Large Onion […]

Growing up in a home with Italian and Syrian parents I was exposed to some terrific cultural cuisine.  This recipe for Kibbie ironically was given to my wife Teresa by my Italian mother, who cooked it regularly for my Syrian dad.  Purists might use lean lamb, but my family almost always used lean beef – […]

I can almost hear the grease popping in Mama Sara’s cast iron skillet as the housekeeper (Josephine) prepared a batch of  Salmon Croquettes.   These tasty patties have not been elevated to the status of crab cakes in recent years, but Salmon Croquettes taste great, just like it’s cousin the crab cake,  and are equally […]

Your family will LOVE this delicious and juicy Sunday Dinner.  It is built around a pork loin.  Pork loin is a surprisingly inexpensive cut of meat.  It cost much less than pork ribs or other “cheaper” cuts of meat.  The problem with pork loin is that it is very lean, and therefore can be very […]

OK, I laughed until my jaw hurt when I saw “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”  One of the punch lines from Andrea Martin was, “I’ll make lamb” referring to a future vegetarian cousin-in-law that did not eat meat. [See link below] Although lamb is definitely meat, it is not as popular as beef or pork, […]

Simple is good!  Shish-Kabob is simple to prepare and delicious to eat.  Every time I Shish-Kabob I remember the many times my dad would have his five Syrian brothers over for dinner.  The Syrian version is called “Laha-Mish-Wi” and was often made with lamb.  Their shish-kabob was always cooked somewhere between rare and raw.  I […]

Chicken Parmesan is a in the regular rotation at our home.  You will find two recipes for it here at 52SundayDinners.com.  If you appreciate Nana Sarullos’s cooking you will appreciate THIS authentic version.  Below you will find a more traditional version.  It requires stove-top browning, plus baking. Ingredients 4.5 Pounds – Fresh Skinless Boneless Chicken […]

If you love fried catfish like our family loves fried catfish, you could eat it quite often.  Many of us grew up in the Mississippi Delta, the undisputed epicenter of the farm raised catfish culture.  This healthier alternative taste just like fried catfish and has an awesome spice blend that will tickle your taste buds.  […]

How about inviting your family over this Sunday evening, enjoy a fantastic meal and clean one pot?  Sound Good?  Thy boiling some fresh shrimp with potatoes and corn. Main Ingredients 6 Pounds –  Fresh Shrimp, Size 26 – 30 (meaning 26 -30 shrimp per pound) 10 Ears –  Fresh Corn on the Cob 5 Pounds […]

With three kids and a busy lifestyle, Teresa always made Potato Soup for our family when the temperature dropped.  Now it is a regular in our rotation of Sunday Dinners for our kids and grandkids.  This is Teresa’s tried and true recipe, that will serve you very well. Soup Ingredients 8 Pounds –  Russet Potatoes, […]

I remember the first time I heard about Fish Tacos.  I thought the mixture of seafood and Mexican cuisine was a joke.  Well, I soon learned to love that balance of Southwestern flavors such as Cilantro, Avocado, Lime and Salsa with the richness of freshly fried fish.  This is a “joke” I can’t get enough […]

Broiled chicken is healthy and delicious.  There is sometimes resistance to uncommon foods like lamb or duck, but everyone loves chicken. Ingredients 4 Pounds – FRESH, (not frozen) Chicken Breasts 1/3 Cup – Special Italian Marinating Sauce, also known as Italian Salad Dressing.  The best recipe you’ll find is HERE. Preparation Place chicken and Special […]

This elegant meal is a crowd pleaser and your family will ask you for this salmon dish often.  Preparation is fast and easy. Clean-up is a snap! Ingredients 2.75 Pound – Salmon Fillet (estimate 1/3# per adult and a little for the kids) Extra Virgin Olive Oil Old Bay Seasoning Morton’s Nature Seasoning Two Each […]

Part of the fun of meeting for Family Dinners is to allow “hands-on” participation by everyone.  Quesadillas offer an excellent opportunity for everyone to become engaged in the cooking process, even the two year old grandchildren. Ingredients Consider this ingredient list a list of  suggestions.  You may use alternate ingredients, based on your family taste. […]

OK, so you overlooked the opportunity to cook oriental food for your family a couple of weeks ago.  Don’t pass up this challenge.  It SOOOOO easy. This will wake up your taste buds! Ingredients 4 Large – Boneless skinless FRESH Chicken Breasts – Total wt., 3#, cut into 3/4″ cubes 6 Each – Italian Zucchini […]

Handmade Fettuccine Pasta is easy to make and the reaction is always, “This is SOOO much better than store-bought pasta.” Ingredients 2 Cups of Semolina Flour 2 Cups of All Purpose Flour 1 Teaspoon of Salt 6 Large Eggs 1 Tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Note: If Semolina flour is not available in your […]

This is an easy oriental dish that will be a big hit with your family.  You will notice that this is a similar entree to THIS RECIPE in 52SundayDinners.com, only a little different.  Side dishes include Fried Rice and Egg Rolls. Ingredients 1 Pound – Lean Sirloin Steak, cubed 3/4″ 2 Small – Broccoli Crowns, […]

When the weather turn nice, we turn to the grill.  Steak is admittedly our favorite, but grilled chicken is a close second.  This chicken is seasoned with a very mild and unique spice, Coriander.  Coriander is native to southern Europe and North Africa to southwestern Asia. Ingredients 5 Pounds – Fresh Chicken Breasts, approximately seven […]

This Pork Loin laced with Forbidden Rice is a seriously good meal for your family.  Adults and kids will love the novelty of the lean white meat surrounded with a beautiful PURPLE spiral ring of rice and seasoning. Ingredients for Rice 1/2 Cup – Forbidden Rice 1 Cup – Short Grain Brown Rice 1.5 Tablespoons […]

  This should work fine for any Spring Sunday Dinner.  I’m posting this from my mother’s kitchen in Oxford, Mississippi, where she is in poor health.  This post will be featured on Mother’s Day.  My mom (Mama Sara) seemed to really enjoy this meal.  I know it will make me think of her whenever we […]

This dinner is one of my Mother-in-Law’s “Top Five” favorite Sunday Dinners.  We call it Three Sea Creatures in a Corn Field because it is a mixture of seafood on CORN Pasta.  This seafood is complemented by the corn pasta in the same way Shrimp & Grits go together. It is easy to prepare and […]

This easy Sunday Dinner is basic GOOD FOOD.  It doesn’t matter what your ethnicity is, you have probably been exposed to this dish in your youth.  The principle, put a combination of good meat and vegetables in a pot after church on Sunday.  Cook it on low heat until dinner.   The result is a nutritious […]

Nothing brings-in the summer better than fresh vegetables. Ingredients 1.5 Pounds –  Fresh Asparagus, Chopped Large with Bottoms Trimmed . 8 – Roma Tomatoes, Diced 2 – Italian Zucchini Squash, Diced 7.5 Ounces (1/2 can) – English Peas 3 Tablespoons – Extra Virgin Olive Oil 3 Tablespoons – Butter 1 Teaspoon – Dean & Jacobs […]

Say “Ravioli” and what is the first thing that comes to mind? That’s right, those over-sized red, white & green cans with the Chef on the label.  They are filled with who-knows-what! After you prepare this signature dish, you will forever be remembered as the Ravioli King or the Ravioli Queen.  It’s that good. I […]

My family loves New Orleans Muffuletttas.  Combine this simple Sicilian influenced mega-sandwich with Pasta Salad and you have an easy Sunday Dinner they will remember for a long time, and request often. Muffuletta Ingredients 3 – 10″ Round Buns, or Large French Loafs 12 oz. –  Smoked Turkey Breast, or Ham 12 oz. – Hard […]

Call it a stew.  Call it a pot roast.  Call it a hearty cassoulet. Call it what you wish, but you won’t have to call your family the second time you serve this delicious venison dish. The inspiration for this Sunday Dinner came when my friend Wayne sent me some venison from Coleman, Texas.  He […]

Many meals are centered around the meat or main entree.  The star of this show, however, is the Avocado Salad.  I can guarantee that no matter how much you prepare, your family will consume it and love it.  This refreshing weekend meal does not center around hot dogs or hamburgers or even smoked barbecue, but […]

If you are bummed-out that your favorite pro ball team has jacked-up the price of their tickets to a small fortune, OK a large fortune, here’s your answer.  Invite family and friends over this Sunday Evening for a great meal and a game.  While the weather is still suitable for outdoor grilling enjoy family, friends […]

Both of my mother’s parents came to America from a small town in Sicily when they were teenagers.  They came from the town of San Ambrogio.  It is near Cefelu and not far from Palermo.   My grandmother was a great cook and she coupled her gift with a constant desire to feed the masses. […]