How to plan a stress-free roast dinner

Cookpad Team -

Roast dinners are extremely popular in the UK. But ask any home cook, and they will tell you that serving up a full roast with all elements ready at the same time (and cooked perfectly) takes a fair bit of planning. This blog will take you through how to plan a stress-free roast dinner that everyone will enjoy.

What is a roast dinner, anyway?

A British roast dinner is traditionally a main element of roasted meat, fish or a veggie alternative. This is served alongside a selection of vegetables, often roast potatoes and boiled or steamed fresh vegetables like carrots and peas. You may want to serve a sauce such as mustard or horseradish with beef, apple sauce with pork. Many families like to pop a Yorkshire pudding on the plate too, and then of course you’ll need a thick delicious gravy to pour over everything.

Sunday roast Recipe by Craig Stokes
Take your Sunday Roast to the next level with this simple recipe
CookpadCraig Stokes
Roast dinner Recipe by Barney’s Kitchen
Add veg, pigs in blankets, stuffing and cheese sauce to make an ultimate feast.
CookpadBarney’s Kitchen
Little Sunday Roast Recipe by Santy Coy
This is a quick, simple and cost effective way to prepare roast chicken when you only need a small quantity and you don’t need to roast a whole chicken. Perfect for Sunday lunch and dinner. #CA2025 #roastchicken #dinner #lunch #chickenbreast #streakybacon #thyme #potatoes #minicorn #zucchini #carot …
CookpadSanty Coy

Sounds like a lot? It kind of is. But that’s where planning comes in.

Why are roast dinners tricky to get right?

Because you’ve got to cook everything so it’s ready at the same time. And that’s the real challenge: crisp roasties, tender meat, hot veggies, puffed-up Yorkshire puddings… all coming together just in time to serve. The good news? It’s 100% doable with a clear game plan.

My Slowcooked Brisket Beef Sunday Roast Recipe by Maureen 😀
#RoastDinner #Beef #Potatoes #Veg #Comfortfood This Meal is a Winter warmer a nice Roast Dinner. Here in England, it’s called a Sunday Roast it was the time years ago when it would have been a family gathering around the table every Sunday a Roast Dinner, consisting of Roast potatoes, meat, carrot a…
CookpadMaureen 😀

✅ How to Plan Your Roast Dinner Step-by-Step

Start by listing each part of your meal and giving it a cooking time. Here’s an example based on a roast chicken dinner:

  • 1.5kg Roast chicken – 1 hr 20 mins in the oven + 20 mins resting time
  • Roast potatoes – 15 mins parboil + 1 hr in the oven
  • Yorkshire puddings – 25 mins in the oven
  • Steamed vegetables – 10 mins on the hob
  • Gravy – 5 mins (instant or from meat juices)
  • Cold sauces – ready to serve

Now work backwards from your ideal serving time. Want to eat at 2pm? Your chicken might need to go in around 12:20. Potatoes can go in just after that. Write down the timings or use your phone’s timer to keep on track.

Butterflied Rosemary+Sage Roast Chicken And Cajun Season+Thyme Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe by chefmrstorm
Garnish Balsamic Carrot-Red Onions-Parsley Medley and Peashoots Variant of Traditional Roast Dinner. Incredibly delicious and juicy tender chicken #mycookbook
Cookpadchefmrstorm
Clementine roasted carrots 🥕 Recipe by Clare Knivett
As the temperature cools and the evenings draw in, roasted veg and roast dinners become a main stay 💚. This makes a great side dish for a roast dinner. Carrots are water soluble, so retain their flavour best if roasted in oil or fat.
CookpadClare Knivett
Roasted Rosemary sweet potatoes #vegan-friendly #vegetarian Recipe by mk
Great hot, great cold, great as a side dish, great as main or a key ingredient of a salad. Keeps well in fridge for a few days. Pecans go wonderfully with this dish - adding them will make it feel like a whole meal. I do not carmelise them or roast them to preserve nutrients, but add a handful once …
Cookpadmk

💡 Top tips for a stress-free roast

  • Set the table before you start cooking
  • Don’t forget to put salt, pepper and any cold sauces on the table
  • Use heat-proof mats for serving hot dishes
  • Warm plates in the oven just before serving – it helps keep everything hot
  • Don’t panic! Even if timings slip, your roast will still taste amazing

Roast dinner ideas

Not sure where to start? We suggest choosing a recipe from the Cookpad community. Both beginners and experienced cooks will find inspiration here:

1,472 easy and tasty roast chicken recipes by home cooks
Huge variety of great homemade roast chicken recipes including asian roast chicken, roast chicken with herbs, roast chicken wing
CookpadCookpad
Classic roast beef recipes: perfect every time
Explore a variety of classic and easy roast beef recipes that capture tradition and simplicity in every bite. Perfect for a holiday meal or Sunday lunch.
CookpadCookpad
540 easy and tasty roast pork recipes by home cooks
Huge variety of great homemade roast pork recipes including roast pork belly, slow cooker roast pork, roast pork leg
CookpadCookpad
816 easy and tasty roast potato recipes by home cooks
Huge variety of great roast potato recipes published by home cooks like you!
CookpadCookpad
140 easy and tasty homemade gravy recipes by home cooks
Huge variety of great homemade gravy recipes published by home cooks like you!
CookpadCookpad
79 easy and tasty yorkshire puddings recipes by home cooks
Huge variety of great yorkshire puddings recipes published by home cooks like you!
CookpadCookpad

Planning a roast dinner can feel like a juggling act – but it doesn’t have to be. With a simple timeline and a bit of preparation, you can serve up a full roast with all the trimmings (and none of the stress).

Why not try preparing a delicious roast dinner this week? Don't forget to share your Cooksnaps and recipes on Cookpad so we can see how it turned out.