Easter Dinner Recipes for a Simple, Delicious Holiday Menu

Easy Easter Dinner Ideas for Mains, Sides, and Desserts

If you are planning Easter dinner and want recipes that feel special without making the day stressful, this list has you covered. These Easter dinner recipes include classic main dishes, easy side dishes, crowd-pleasing appetizers, breads, salads, and a few favorite Easter desserts so you can build your whole holiday menu in one place.

Whether you are hosting a big family meal after church, planning a cozy Easter supper at home, or just looking for a few fresh spring recipes, these are some of our favorite tried-and-true options. We’ve made every recipe on this list and chose them because they are flavorful, family-friendly, and simple enough to actually make on a holiday. You can mix and match to create a traditional Easter dinner menu or keep it easy with just a main dish, a few sides, and dessert.

Best Easter Main Dishes

These Easter main dishes are great for everything from a traditional holiday meal to a relaxed spring dinner. If you want a classic centerpiece, go with ham or turkey. If you need something easier, a roast or Instant Pot chicken can save time without sacrificing flavor.

1. Juicy Sweet Brown Sugar Baked Ham

For many families, ham is the centerpiece of Easter dinner, and this juicy baked ham is one of our favorite ways to make it. It is easy, mostly hands-off, and turns out moist, tender, and full of sweet and savory flavor from the brown sugar and mustard glaze.

Another bonus? You can make it ahead to simplify the holiday rush. If you want another variation, try this easy brown sugar honey glazed ham recipe.

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2. Instant Pot Whole Chicken

If you want an Easter dinner idea that is fast and surprisingly easy, this whole chicken is a great pick. It cooks quickly in the Instant Pot, stays juicy and tender, and feels special enough for a holiday meal without a lot of work.

This recipe uses a flavorful lemon pepper herb dry rub that pairs beautifully with spring side dishes.

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3. Smoked Turkey

If your family loves turkey for Easter, this smoked turkey is a delicious option. It takes longer than some of the other recipes here, but the flavor is worth it, and the step-by-step instructions make it approachable even for beginners.

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4. Instant Pot Roast

This roast is an easy one-pot Easter dinner that still feels hearty and comforting. The potatoes, carrots, and beef cook together for a meal with built-in sides and simple cleanup.

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5. Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie may not be the most traditional Easter dinner recipe, but it is warm, satisfying, and perfect for families who want something cozy and easy. Use lamb, beef, chicken, or your favorite ground meat, then add veggies and potatoes for a complete meal in one dish.

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Easy Easter Side Dishes and Vegetables

No Easter dinner menu is complete without a few great side dishes. Potatoes are always popular, but spring vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, and glazed carrots round out the meal beautifully.

6. Perfect Roasted Melting Potatoes

These roasted potatoes are buttery, crispy, and tender inside. They pair well with ham, turkey, roast, or chicken, and they feel just a little more special than basic roasted potatoes. You can also try them in the air fryer.

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7. Funeral Potatoes

Cheesy, creamy, and topped with a crisp finish, funeral potatoes are always a hit at holiday meals. They are definitely more indulgent, but Easter is the perfect excuse for a special side dish everyone looks forward to.

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8. Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

If you want a simple potato side with great texture, these air fryer baked potatoes are hard to beat. They come out crispy outside and fluffy inside. If you need an air fryer, our Air Fryer Buying Guide can help.

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9. Slow Cooker Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are classic for Easter, and this slow cooker version helps free up space on the stove. They are creamy, flavorful, and easy to keep warm until dinner is ready.

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10. Lemon Herb Potato Salad

This fresh potato salad is a nice option if you want something lighter and more spring-like on your Easter table. The lemon herb dressing keeps it bright and flavorful.

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11. Grilled Lemon Garlic Asparagus

Asparagus is one of the best spring vegetables for Easter dinner. This lemon garlic version is easy, fresh, and pairs beautifully with nearly any main dish. You may also like our roasted asparagus recipe.

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12. Garlic Buttered Broccoli

This broccoli side dish is simple, healthy, and easy to pair with the richer items on your Easter menu. The garlic butter adds great flavor, and chopped cashews are a fun optional finish.

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13. Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Carrots

Glazed carrots are one of the most classic Easter side dishes, and this slow cooker version is especially easy to prep ahead. If you want another option, try these grilled orange-glazed carrots.

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Easter Appetizers, Salads, and Breads

These recipes help round out your Easter menu with fresh salads, simple starters, and breads or rolls that make the whole table feel complete.

14. Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a must for many Easter menus. This version is lighter than most but still flavorful enough to earn a spot on the holiday table.

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15. Avocado Deviled Eggs

If you want a twist on the classic, these avocado deviled eggs are creamy, fresh, and still holiday-friendly. For perfectly cooked eggs, use this Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs recipe.

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16. Green Salad

A simple green salad adds freshness and color to any Easter dinner. This one uses a homemade zesty Italian dressing and pairs well with rich mains and side dishes.

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17. Pea Salad

If you want a heartier cold side, this pea salad is a great choice. It is filled with bacon, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, and peas, making it a flavorful addition to the Easter table.

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18. Walk-Away Bunny Biscuits

These bunny biscuits are adorable on an Easter table and a fun way to make the meal feel festive. They pair well with any of the main dishes in this roundup.

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19. One-Hour Dinner Rolls

If you prefer a more classic bread basket, these one-hour dinner rolls are soft, quick, and always a hit for holiday meals.

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20. Raspberry Brie Bites

These raspberry brie bites look fancy but are easy to make, which makes them perfect if you want a simple Easter appetizer that still feels a little special.

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Best Easter Desserts

Easter dessert is part of the fun. These recipes work well whether you want one standout dessert, a few small treats for the table, or both. For even more sweets, visit our full Easter treats roundup.

21. Carrot Cake Roll

This carrot cake roll is a gorgeous Easter dessert that looks impressive but is easier to make than you might think. It is a beautiful centerpiece for the dessert table.

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22. Easter Egg Cookie Dough Truffles

These Easter egg cookie dough truffles are festive, safe to eat, and perfect if you want a fun Easter treat the kids can help decorate.

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23. Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs

If your family loves peanut butter and chocolate, these homemade peanut butter eggs are always a good idea for Easter dessert or a sweet little extra on the dessert tray.

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24. Carrot Cake Cheesecake

If you cannot choose between carrot cake and cheesecake, this recipe gives you both. It is rich, festive, and absolutely worthy of Easter dinner.

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25. The Next Best Thing to Robert Redford

This layered dessert is not specifically Easter themed, but it is always a hit for holiday meals. With layers of crust, cream cheese, chocolate pudding, and whipped topping, it is a fun crowd-pleaser to finish the meal.

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Final Thoughts on Planning an Easter Dinner Menu

With these Easter dinner recipes, it is easy to put together a meal that feels special without making the day overwhelming. Choose a main dish, add a few simple sides, include bread or salad, and finish with one of the Easter desserts above. Whether you keep it traditional with ham and deviled eggs or mix in something new like raspberry brie bites or carrot cake cheesecake, this roundup gives you plenty of delicious options.

If you want even more sweet ideas for your holiday menu, don’t miss our full collection of Easter treats and desserts.

More Easter Ideas

• Easter Crafts, Gifts, and Recipes
• Melted Crayon Easter Eggs
• Marbleized Easter Eggs
• DIY Decorative Eggs
• Everything You Need to Celebrate Easter at Home

Frequently Asked Questions About Easter Dinner Recipes

What is a traditional Easter dinner menu?

A traditional Easter dinner often includes baked ham or lamb, potatoes, a spring vegetable like asparagus or carrots, rolls, deviled eggs, and a festive dessert such as carrot cake.

What are easy side dishes for Easter dinner?

Easy Easter side dishes include mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, asparagus, broccoli, potato salad, dinner rolls, and deviled eggs.

What dessert goes well with Easter dinner?

Carrot cake, cheesecake, Easter truffles, peanut butter eggs, and layered cream desserts all go well with Easter dinner.

How many dishes do I need for Easter dinner?

For a simple Easter menu, plan on one main dish, two to three sides, bread or salad, and one to two desserts. That is usually plenty for most family gatherings.