Easter Dinner Recipes

If you’re planning a last minute Easter dinner and need some menu or recipe ideas, then you are in the right place my friend! These Easter dinner recipes are some of my favorite crowd-pleasers and some that I’m excited to try.

I’ve found some amazing recipes so you don’t have to do any more digging on Pinterest. (Unless you want to.)

Be sure to save this post so you can find all these great recipes anytime you need some great dinner party ideas.

Since I usually play at church on Easter morning we like to invite our families over for an early dinner. This year is a bit different in that my brass ensemble is still on corona hiatus. We’re also keeping the guest list pretty small.

But it also means that I’ll be able to help Josh cook and prep in the morning, which gives us a little more flexibility on the menu. Typically we make the main entrees, a side and dessert. Then our relatives will usually bring additional sides or appetizers.

This got me thinking – what would the ultimate menu be for Easter dinner?

Appetizers:

Charcuterie board (aka fancy grown up lunchables)-

Grab a bamboo cutting board and add your favorite snackables – cheese slices like cheddar and gouda, pepperoni, summer sausage, olives, grapes, strawberries, crackers. Etsy is a great place to find personalized cutting boards but you can find some good ones on Amazon or even at Ikea.

Fruit kabobs

Grab some skewers and your favorite fruit cut into bite sized pieces. Alternate your fruit as you poke each piece onto the skewer.

Some great options- strawberries, pineapple, grapes.

Deviled Eggs

My father-in-law has mastered deviled eggs, which are always a hit and rarely leave any left over.

This recipe has just a few ingredients and is on my list to try.

Place your finished deviled eggs on a serving tray or if you can use a deviled egg platter like this one.

Veggie Tray

Fill a serving tray with your favorite fresh veggies and dip for guests to munch on.

Ranch dressing is always a hit at our house with baby carrots, cucumber slices, red pepper slices, and broccoli.

Easter Dinner Main Dish Recipes:

Ham

When you buy a ham they will typically have heating instructions that work well or can be served at room temperature. 

If you want to mix it up then you might enjoy this Maple-Vanilla Ham: https://maplefromcanada.ca/recipes/vanilla-and-maple-ham/

Turkey

I don’t currently have a go-to turkey recipe. We usually have Thanksgiving at one of our parent’s homes so when I make turkey it’s usually just a turkey breast that I cook in the Crock Pot with onion, garlic and herbs. This is a great option if you don’t want to make lots of turkey. Depending on the size it could feed 2-4 people. 

If you’re making a whole turkey you might enjoy this roast turkey recipe.

Duck

Josh has been wanting to try making duck so this recipe for roast duck with blackberry-orange sauce will be making an appearance this year. It seems like a pretty standard roasting recipe and the blackberry orange sauce should be perfect for this springtime meal.

Easter Dinner Side Dishes:

Mac & Cheese

If you’re short on time grab a box of Stouffers or Bob Evan’s ready made from your store. But if you have time to make Mac & Cheese from scratch your tastebuds and family with thank you! 

Josh made this 5 cheese mac & cheese a couple of years ago and it was a hit! Seriously one of the best mac & cheese dishes I’ve ever tried. (Don’t watch the video if you’re hungry.) It’s packed with flavor and has just the right amount of stringy cheese pull.

Mashed Potatoes

These can be made a day or two ahead and reheated or you can grab the premade Bob Evans ones from the refrigerated section of your local grocery store. 

This recipe from Chef John is delicious!

Roasted green beans

Green beans are one of my favorite sides and this recipe is quick to pull together. The garlic complements the natural flavor brought out by roasting these green beauties.

Garlic Roasted Green Beans

Zucchini Fries

This recipe for baked parmesan zucchini fries is on my to-try list. I love parmesan and it goes so well with veggies. 

Glazed Carrots

In past years we’ve made roasted carrots with baby carrots seasoned with lemon juice, salt and pepper and roasted in a 350℉ oven until tender. They’re tasty, just don’t use too much lemon juice! 

I’m thinking of trying this recipe for honey roasted carrots this year.

Easter Dinner Dessert Recipes:

Carrot Cake

This is a classic Easter dinner dessert recipe. The carrots are reminiscent of the Easter bunny. I made this Duncan Hines carrot cake as cupcakes with cream cheese frosting a couple years ago for my brass ensemble (after we played) and everyone loved them. 

If you prefer baking from scratch, this recipe is on my to-try list. 

Hummingbird Cake

I’m so excited to try this recipe for this year’s Easter Dinner!

Hummingbird cake is packed with flavor with bananas, pineapple, pecans and spices and topped with cream cheese frosting.

Dessert Charcuterie Board

Another great use for a cutting board or favorite platter. Have fun adding a variety of sweet treats sure to satisfy any sweet tooth!

A dessert board makes for a fun display and while impressive to look at can be fairly easy to put together using store bought options. 

Some great goodies to include: cookies, mini cupcakes, jelly beans, peeps, a chocolate bunny, Sour Patch bunnies, or Sweet Tart chicks, ducks and bunnies.  Add your favorite egg-shaped candies like Snickers, Cadbury creme eggs, M&Ms, Reese’s peanut butter eggs.

Drinks:

You can keep drink options pretty simple by offering lemonade, iced tea and water.

I picked up a couple bottles of wine from Aldi. Their Winking Owl wines are budget friendly and delicious.

Sometimes we’ll have a signature cocktail for the day. Last time we made a batch of strawberry mint juleps.

Happy Easter!

I hope you found this list helpful for planning out your own Easter dinner. I’ve found a combination of semi-homemade and made from scratch dishes to be satisfying for everyone. 

If you’re really hard pressed for time or just don’t want to cook but do want to enjoy a holiday meal there are quite a few restaurants (Bob Evans) and grocers (Kroger) that offer full meals that you can heat and serve. These are easy and delicious options.

It can be a really fun time to share your culinary skills and creativity! 

Let me know in the comments, what are your favorite Easter dinner recipes?