Alternative Sunday menu ideas from James Martin

Discover more James Martin recipes for more of the renowned's chef's highly rated ideas.

Alternative starters

Make the most of fresh ingredients for a majestic start to your Sunday lunch. From a zingy salad to a velvety soup, there's something here for everyone to enjoy.

Find more inspiration in our starter recipe collection, including the best soups, salads and platters.

1. Chilli & lime squid salad

James Martin's sensational seafood starter looks impressive yet is deceptively easy to make, so it's great for anyone who hasn't cooked with squid before. Marinating the squid overnight allows you more time on the day, taking the stress out of hosting. Sear just before serving over fresh avocado and peppery rocket.

See our simple starter recipes or discover more seafood recipes.

2. Roasted butternut squash soup with goat's cheese & rosemary tarts

Serve your soup with something special on the side for a sophisticated starter. The ultimate comforting combination, James Martin tops squash soup with crispy pancetta and toasted pine nuts for added texture, served with his crisp puff pastry cheese tartlets.

Discover more butternut squash soup recipes.

3. Smoked salmon with capers & pickled shallots

Bring a touch of elegance to Sunday lunch with James Martin's smoked salmon starter, with capers and pickled shallots providing a vibrant kick. A fresh and zingy salad that's packed with contrasting flavours, it's ideal for entertaining.

See more smoked salmon starter recipes.

Alternative mains

Bored of your classic roast dinner? Discover James Martin's extra special Italian-style roast pork with crispy crackling, as well as his five star-rated summer roast chicken with creamy Tuscan butter beans.

For vegetarians, opt for his caramelised shallot tarte tatin, studded with goat's cheese for a main course that hits all the right notes. So delicious, it'll please everyone.

Find more ways to update up your Sunday lunch with our best family one-pan roast recipes. For smart ways to cook without over-spending, see how to cook Sunday lunch on a budget.

4. Italian-style roast pork with crispy crackling

James Martin's fennel-seasoned porchetta is Sunday lunch-worthy, boasting an irresistible layer of perfect crackling. It's guaranteed to wow everyone at the table.

See more roast pork dishes in our roast pork collection.

5. Herby lemon chicken with Tuscan beans

James Martin's summer alternative to a traditional Sunday roast is best enjoyed al fresco. Served with Tuscan-style butter beans and golden, crisp pancetta, it's a family-friendly dish that's perfect for celebrating the sunny weather.

See more summer roast recipes.

6. Barbecued fillet of beef with mustardy soured cream sauce

James Martin's fillet of beef makes a stand-out dinner party main, barbecued or griddled for a smoky outer crust and a meltingly tender middle. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, plus it doesn't require lots of fiddly ingredients to make.

Try more roast beef recipes.

7. Shallot tarte tatin with goat's cheese

Try James Martin's rustic cheese and onion tart for an easy vegetarian main that will soon become a weekend favourite. It uses shop-bought puff pastry to cut corners and is finished with creamy goat's cheese to cut through the sticky shallots.

Take a browse through more easy vegetarian mains.

Alternative sides

Perk up your Sunday lunch with James Martin's flavour-packed sides. Opt for comfort with a light a lemony potato gratin, choose hearty French-inspired lentils with pancetta or make a robust blue cheese salad that's loaded with crunchy texture.

8. Lemony potato gratin

Dauphinoise can be a bit rich, so James Martin has made a lighter version which mixes stock with cream. It's just as creamy and indulgent, but a little less heavy. It's a five star-rated side which makes brilliant use of low-cost ingredients.

See more gratin recipes and dauphinoise recipes.

9. Puy lentils & pancetta

This hearty puy lentil side with pancetta offers an elegant French twist to your menu, with finely chopped vegetables, red wine, sherry vinegar and thyme.

See more puy lentil recipes as well as our French recipes.

10. Blue cheese, butternut & barley salad with maple walnuts

Salads don't get much more robust than this – James Martin teams roasted onions and squash, deep-flavoured cheese, crunchy nuts and healthier grains to make a salad for the ages.

See more vegetarian salad recipes.

Alternative desserts

Impress your guests with an irresistible pud — James Martin combines two dessert staples in his vibrant rhubarb crumble trifle. If you're a sucker for cheesecake and partial to a slice of banoffee pie, you'll love James Martin's banoffee cheesecake.

10. Rhubarb crumble trifle

Two mighty desserts merge in this knockout pud made from baked rhubarb, mascarpone laced with almond liqueur and a covering of oat and almond crumble. It makes a stunning centrepiece which will no doubt become a family favourite.

See our best trifle recipes and crumble recipes for more inspiration.

11. Banoffee cheesecake

If you want a crowd-pleaser of a dessert, you can't go wrong with James Martin's banoffee cheesecake. Sporting a creamy soft-set caramel, it'll be devoured in minutes.

See our banoffee desserts as well as our ultimate cheesecake recipes.

Alternative drinks

If you want to jazz up a glass of prosecco or champagne, James Martin's sloe royale cocktail offers berry sweetness to a glass of fizz. Or turn your hand to a orange & cranberry spritz, a zingy non-alcoholic refresher that's ready in minutes.

12. Sloe royales

Break open a bottle of fizz and combine with sloe gin for a wonderful fruity tipple. You can use prosecco or champagne, as well as edible glitter for extra sparkle.

See more prosecco cocktail recipes.

13. Orange & cranberry spritz

James Martin's non-alcoholic spritzers makes a super quick and refreshing addition to your menu, mixing smooth orange juice with cranberry juice and sparkling elderflower.

See more mocktail recipes.

Planning your Sunday lunch menu? See more recipes:

Roast dinner hacks
Sunday lunch ideas
Sunday lunch around the world
10 top tips for making Sunday lunch on a budget
How to use up Sunday lunch leftovers
How to make the ultimate Sunday lunch

Which menu will you be choosing? Let us know in the comments...