40+ Easter Dinner Ideas - 1

By Becky Hardin

Published Apr 6, 2019

easter dinner recipes guide - 2 96 best easter dinner recipes - 3

If you’re wondering what to make for Easter Dinner this year, I’ve got you covered with these easy recipes. I’m always looking for new ideas for Easter lunch or dinner, though I like to keep a few traditional dishes on the menu too. I’ve gathered a big list of Easter Sunday meal ideas, from juicy hams and other main dishes, all the way down to the salads and side dishes.

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Recipes for Easter Dinner (or Lunch)

Easter Dinner is a big deal in our family. It’s one of the biggest holidays of the year, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a big feast! So start preparing for Easter Sunday now with some of these amazing recipes.

I love to gather friends and family around the table for a nice Easter meal with lots of delicious food. I start with a nice juicy ham, or maybe lamb every once in a while, and then I add tons of side dishes. I always make sure there’s plenty of food on the table, because it’s not a holiday without leftovers!

I’ve gathered some of my favorite easy Easter meal ideas to share with you. Whether you want to stick to a super traditional Easter dinner, serve a light Easter Sunday lunch, or mix things up with something different, you will surely find some recipes here to try out.

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Sheet Pan Easter Dinner with Ham

Easy Easter Dinner Menu

Create the perfect menu for Easter Sunday with these Easter dinner recipes! Make a delicious lunch or dinner by combining any of the recipes below that catch your eye. Pair any main dish with a few side dishes, and don’t forget a nice salad and some bread. Make a small meal for the family, or create a feast for extended family, friends, or any guests you have.

If you’re looking to cook just for two people, I highly recommend trying this Sheet Pan Easter Dinner with Ham or Sheet Pan Easter Dinner with Lamb . You get a traditional meal in just the right portions!

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Honey Glazed Ham

Easter Ham Recipes

Nothing says traditional Easter dinner like a beautiful Easter ham at the center of the table! I have recipes for all sorts of delicious glazes and easy cooking methods.

  • Honey Glazed Ham : This copycat recipe will be the star of any Easter dinner! It makes the best baked ham, with the most deliciously sweet glaze.
  • Pineapple Ham : A brown sugar glaze and crushed pineapple help to create caramelized slices of pork as the ham bakes in the oven.
  • Honey Mustard Maple Ham : The sweet and tangy glaze turns a typical spiral ham into a stunning main dish.
  • Air Fryer Cranberry Glazed Ham : The Air Fryer has become my new secret for making holiday meals. It’s the quickest and easiest way to make a tasty ham.
  • Orange Honey Ham : A honey, brown sugar, and orange marmalade glaze adds bright and beautiful flavor to juicy pork.
  • Air Fryer Garlic Butter Ham : Add an herb-y garlic butter, place the ham in the fryer, and it’ll be ready in about 1 hour.
  • Pecan Bourbon Glazed Ham : A rich bourbon glaze and crunchy pecans adds tasty flavor and texture.
  • Brown Sugar Glazed Ham : This recipe has been a favorite for Easter dinner for years. Me and my family just love it because the glaze is so so good!
  • Glazed Ham Steaks : These delicious Glazed Ham Steaks will be ready in just 20 minutes, making them the quickest and easiest holiday dinner!
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Rack of Lamb

Easter Meal Ideas with No Ham

Looking for something to serve for Easter dinner or lunch besides ham? There are plenty of others ideas. Try lamb, pork, beef, or even turkey for your main course instead.

  • Rack of Lamb : Cooking lamb for Easter is a great way to make the holiday feel really special. And the cool yogurt mint sauce complements the savory meat so well.
  • Pork Crown Roast : This Easter dinner recipe will be a real show-stopper. It’s surprisingly easy to make, and leads to the juiciest slices of pork.
  • Honey Baked Turkey : Inspired by that well-known ham we all love, this turkey breast tastes just amazing with that glaze.
  • Prime Rib Roast : If you want super tender slices of beef, you need to try this easy main dish. It’s great for a crowd of guests!
  • Crockpot Turkey Breast : Using a slow cooker for your Easter main dish is a good way to free up oven space for other recipes. And the turkey comes out nice and juicy!
  • Red Wine Pot Roast : A traditional Sunday roast with tender meat, carrots, and a red wine sauce works just as well on Easter Sunday.
  • Beef Tenderloin : This recipe does require some extra time and steps, but it’s well worth the effort for beef that melts in your mouth
  • Spatchcock Chicken : I like cooking this chicken for holidays when it’s just me and the family, because it’s super easy, doesn’t take much time, and it’s just the right amount of meat.
  • Baked Pork Tenderloin : A range of spices, mustards, and honey create an incredible flavor profile for this pork.
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Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Easter Salad Recipes

A salad or two will balance out your Easter lunch. But these aren’t boring salads; these are flavorful recipes that will be devoured just as quickly as the rest of the food!

  • Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad : Brussels Sprouts, toasted almonds, and cheese are tossed with a honey lemon dijon vinaigrette to make a beautifully-fresh and vibrant salad.
  • Creamy Cucumber Salad : Apples, cucumbers, and radishes are dressed in a creamy dressing that really makes the natural flavors pop.
  • Waldorf Salad : This classic salad is such a great recipe for Easter lunch, or to serve before dinner. It’s fresh, fruity, crunchy, and sweet!
  • Grilled Corn Salad : It only takes 20 minutes to make this flavor-packed side dish, and I think it pairs especially well with chicken, turkey, or beef.
  • Strawberry Salad : This big salad is filled with fresh berries, almonds, feta, and more, then tossed with a poppy seed dressing.
  • Grape Salad : I love having this sweet and creamy salad on the Easter table. Brown sugar adds just the right kind of sweetness!
  • Quinoa Salad : Quinoa, chickpeas, black beans, avocado and more are tossed in a honey lime vinaigrette. It’s the perfect accompaniment to so many Easter dishes.
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Asparagus Almondine

Easter Dinner Side Dishes

Add as many Easter side dishes as you like to your Easter dinner menu. Whether you prefer vegetables, potatoes, cheesy sides, or casseroles, here are some ideas to try.

  • Asparagus Almondine : Simple, classic, beautiful, and easy to make, what more could you want for an Easter side dish recipe?
  • Easy Mashed Potatoes : Hands-down, these are my favorite mashed potatoes, because they’re so easy to make and sooo creamy.
  • Green Bean Casserole : I never get tired of making this classic for holiday meals. The creamy mix topped with crunchy fried onions can’t be beat!
  • Creamed Corn : If you need a last-minute addition to the menu, whip up this side dish in just 10 minutes!
  • Broccoli Rice Casserole : Broccoli, rice, cheese, and a creamy mix…what’s not to love about this casserole side dish?
  • Bacon Wrapped Green Beans : Bundles of fresh green beans are wrapped in bacon and seasoned with paprika and brown sugar for a simple dish that pairs well with Easter dishes.
  • Sauteed Leeks : You only need a few ingredients to turn this simple veggie into a flavor-packed dish.
  • Au Gratin Potatoes : Nothing beats a cheesy potato dish for holiday dinners! Thinly sliced potatoes and onions are baked in a rich, creamy sauce with a cheesy crust. Yum!
  • Macaroni Salad : I love having a cold pasta salad for more casual Easter lunches, and this one is so quick to make.
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Cornbread

Bread Ideas for Easter Dinner

Easter Dinner wouldn’t be complete without a bit of bread to serve along with all of the other dishes. Biscuits, rolls, and other fun breads really round out the meal.

  • Cornbread : I love making this fresh cornbread for Easter meals because it just goes so well with ham and other pork dishes, and it makes a huge batch.
  • Buttermilk Biscuits : It only takes an hour to make these from scratch! But you can make them ahead of time to freeze too, so they’re ready to bake on Easter Sunday.
  • Sweet Potato Rolls : Soft, fluffy, and perfectly moist, these rolls are always a hit on holidays.
  • Crescent Rolls : These flakey rolls are so easy to make, and I love the airy texture inside. The kids always eat these up so fast!
  • Easter Bread : It’s an Easter tradition around here to make this sweet bread topped with almonds and sprinkles. I like to serve it between lunch and dinner, but it’s fun to eat with your meal too.
  • Hawaiian Rolls : Everyone loves a good Hawaiian roll, and they taste even better when made fresh. Trust me, you’ll want to take the time to make these.
  • Spoon Bread : If you’ve never tried this before, you’ll be amazed by how comforting the tender texture of this bread is.

These easy Easter dinner recipes will help you prepare the best Easter Sunday menu. So many delicious ideas to try, and your family is sure to love any of them. Enjoy!

More Easter Recipes

Looking for more recipes for the holiday? Find desserts, brunch ideas, side dishes, and more to try.

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40+ Easter Dinner Ideas - 19

By Becky Hardin

Published Jul 12, 2017

A screenshot of text - 20 basic grocery list - 21 grocery list iPad image - 22 grocery list free printable - 23 essential grocery list - 24

This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.

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Essential Grocery List

It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!

It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.

However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.

In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.

I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.

grocery list iPad - 26

Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List

What to Buy at the Grocery Store

This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.

When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.

So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!

Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!

Fresh Produce

  • Apples
  • Bananas
  • Strawberries
  • Avocados
  • Bell Peppers
  • Carrots
  • Broccoli
  • Garlic
  • Lemons/Limes
  • Onion
  • Parsley
  • Cilantro
  • Basil
  • Potatoes
  • Spinach
  • Tomatoes

GRAINS

  • Breadcrumbs
  • Pasta
  • Quinoa
  • Rice
  • Sandwich Bread
  • Tortillas

MEAT/PROTEIN

  • Chicken
  • Eggs
  • Ground Beef
  • Sliced Turkey
  • Lunch Meat

DAIRY

  • Butter
  • Sliced Cheese
  • Shredded Cheese
  • Milk
  • Sour Cream
  • Greek Yogurt

BAKING GOODS

  • Baking powder
  • Baking Soda
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Brown Sugar
  • Flour
  • Honey
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Dry Yeast
  • Chocolate Chips
  • Cocoa Powder
  • Powdered Sugar

FREEZER

  • Fruit and Berries
  • Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
  • Juice Concentrate
  • Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
  • Pie Crust
  • Cookie Dough

CANNED/DRIED GOODS

  • Chicken stock/broth
  • Salsa
  • Diced Tomatoes
  • Jam/Jelly
  • Peanut Butter
  • Pasta Sauce
  • Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
  • Soups
  • Tuna
  • Green Chiles
  • Canned Veggies
  • Coffee or Tea

Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods

CONDIMENTS/SPICES

  • Black Pepper
  • Chili Powder
  • Cinnamon
  • Crushed Red Pepper
  • Cumin
  • Garlic Powder
  • Ketchup
  • Mustard
  • Mayo
  • Nutmeg
  • Paprika
  • Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
  • Soy Sauce
  • Steak Sauce
  • Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
  • Salad Dressings

OILS/VINEGARS

  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Coconut Oil
  • Olive Oil
  • Vegetable/Canola Oil
  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • White Vinegar
  • Cooking Wine
  • White Wine Vinegar

SNACKS

  • Crackers
  • Nuts
  • Quick Oats
  • Popcorn
  • Tortilla Chips
  • Cereal

Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!

40+ Easter Dinner Ideas - 27

Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!

I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!

Stock Your Kitchen

Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!

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Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On

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Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)

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How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)

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Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart

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How to Cut Recipes in Half