73 Easter Dinner Ideas for a Fresh and Lively Holiday Menu
It’s not too early to think about Easter dinner ideas if you’re hosting this year. Whether you’re hoping to serve beloved holiday classics or looking to add a little variation to your usual Easter dinner menu, these springtime recipes should fit the bill. Want to stick to ham but try out a new glaze? We’ve got that—plus all the ham-worthy side dishes you need to fill out your table. Hoping for a lamb recipe to make for just a few guests? Scroll on down. And if you want to switch things up with seafood, or you’re just looking for fresh spring salad ideas, we’ve got you covered there too.
Once you have your mains chosen (and you’ve filled out the bread basket), head over to our collection of Easter cakes, or choose another Easter dessert good enough to lure the kids away from their Easter baskets. And if it’s post-Easter inspiration you’re looking for, might we suggest these recipes for leftover ham?
Head this way for a roundup of all our favorite Easter recipes →
Photo by Peden & Munk1/73Baked Ham
Nothing commands a holiday table like this beautifully bronzed ham, which is why this reader-favorite recipe is one of our go-to Easter dinner ideas. This main dish serves a crowd and leaves plenty for ham sandwiches throughout the week (or as a midnight snack). Just don’t forget the Parker House rolls.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne2/73Roasted Asparagus With Garlic
We love to round out the menu with a simple Easter side dish that puts spring vegetables in the spotlight. Drizzle a quick homemade garlic oil over asparagus before roasting it in this easy sheet pan preparation.
Photo by Benito Martin and Jess Johnson3/73Iceberg With Dried Oregano Dressing and Creamy Sheep’s Milk Cheese
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Simon Andrews4/73Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert5/73Potatoes au Gratin
Nothing screams “holiday” like potatoes blanketed in butter and cream. These have a bit of crème fraîche and Parmesan for added flavor, but if you want even more cheese, go for these scalloped potatoes with cheddar and breadcrumbs.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne6/73Porchetta-Style Roast Pork
Add Italian flair to your Easter dinner menu with a porchetta-inspired pork roast served alongside green beans or creamy polenta. This lower-effort, budget-friendly version of the classic dish opts for boneless pork shoulder rubbed in spices—no rolling required.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell9/73Lemon-Roasted Salmon With Escarole, Asparagus, and Potatoes
This Greek-inspired salad feels refreshingly light and like comfort food all at once—and only takes 40 minutes from start to finish.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Laura Rege10/73Crispy Skin Chicken With Dill and Garlic Sauce
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich11/73Mashed Potatoes and Leeks With Thyme
This creamy mash is loaded with spring leeks for a seasonal spin on classic mashed potatoes. You can prep the potatoes a day ahead, so all you have to do before the meal is slide them into the oven.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by John Bjostad12/73Lemony Risotto With Asparagus and Shrimp
Wondering what to make for Easter dinner when there’s still a chill in the air? Try this warming risotto. With bright flavor from lemon zest and sweet asparagus, this is an ideal meal for early spring.
Photo by Andrew Purcell, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell13/73Cider-Brined, Mustard-Glazed Pork Loin
Swap out Easter ham for an easier-to-manage pork loin. It’s soaked in an earthy-sweet apple cider brine to mimic those ham flavors and brushed with a maple-Dijon sauce. Serve it with a quick-pickled cucumber relish.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton14/73Shrimp Scampi
Garlicky, lemony shrimp scampi is easy enough for a weeknight dinner but fancy enough to be your Easter main course. Even better, it takes little more than 15 minutes and a single skillet to make, so you can focus on spending time with the family.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson15/73Spring Lamb in Herbs
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Christopher Barsch16/73Seared Scallops With Basil Risotto
If you only ever eat them at restaurants, you may be surprised to see how easy scallops are to cook at home. They add buttery richness to this dish of risotto, which is cooked with pineapple juice and gets a burst of fresh flavor from basil.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Mira Evnine17/73Lyonnaise Potatoes
Choosing a favorite potato recipe is difficult, but this French dish of caramelized onions and potatoes is a serious contender. A splash of distilled white vinegar balances the buttery richness of the potatoes.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Pearl Jones18/73Deviled Egg Spread
Reengineer this year’s deviled egg filling into a speedy dip. You could spread it on toast and garnish with your favorite toppings for a low-key Easter brunch, but we like to set it out with a platter of crackers and accoutrements for a pre-dinner appetizer.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton19/73Crispy Chicken Over Turmeric-Lemon Cabbage and Peas
For an easy Easter dinner, arrange crispy seared chicken thighs over a pile of silky cabbage and slide the pan into the oven. Top this one-skillet dish with sweet peas, fresh herbs, and lemon to serve.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell20/73Orange-Ginger Pickled Baby Carrots
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell21/73Sumac Baked Fish With Saffron Quinoa
You’ll flavor quinoa and baked fish with tangy sumac, tart lime, and garlic for this Persian main dish from cookbook author Najmieh Batmanglij.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Pearl Jones22/73Cacio e Pepe Pie
Pasta’s always tasty, but a baked spaghetti pie is especially fun to cut into. This version has all the best parts of cacio e pepe (Pecorino! black pepper!) in a hearty extra-cheesy, baked form.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton23/73Dill-Crusted Pork Tenderloin With Farro, Pea, and Blistered Tomato Salad
This quick-cooking pork tenderloin with sweet blistered tomatoes and tangy feta is a well-rounded but streamlined Easter feast. With a prep time of just 35 minutes, it’s a good one to have in your spring rotation.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova24/73Greek-Style Lemon Potatoes With Garlic and Oregano (Patates Riganates)
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Simon Andrews26/73Cream of Asparagus Soup
Photography by Gentl & Hyers27/73Lomito de Cerdo al Tamarindo y Menta (Tamarind Braised Pork Loin With Mint)
.jpg)
Photo by Elizabeth Van Lierde and Abagail Halstead30/73Rosemary-Bourbon Glazed Ham
This epic glazed ham needs only minutes of hands-on prep time to turn into a showstopping main course. Tangy Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and fresh orange juice and zest bring brightness to the bourbon and brown sugar glaze.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton31/73Chicken and Potato Gratin With Brown Butter Cream
Brown butter and cream—plus crispy, craggy breadcrumbs—make this chicken dish a super-comforting and luxurious Easter dinner idea. Serve with a bright, tart salad.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell32/73Roasted Niçoise Salad With Halibut
The elements you love from classic Niçoise salad get a kiss of heat in this easy recipe that covers both the main and side dishes. The star is the jarred artichoke hearts, which turn delightfully crispy when roasted.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Frances Boswell33/73Braised Leeks, Peas, and Lettuce
Transform wilting lettuce into velvety, tender tendrils by braising it in butter and white wine. This warm, spoonable salad pairs well with roast pork or ham, or you can drape it over slices of an Easter quiche.
Photo by Andrew Purcell, Prop Styling by Paige Hicks, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell34/73Leg of Lamb With Garlic and Rosemary
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell35/73Creamy Potato and Leek Gratin
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich36/73Swordfish Steaks With Peppercorn Butter
This recipe is a ticket to a restaurant-style meal at home, but we promise that every step along the way is stress-free. Serve with dinner rolls flavored with garlic and dill.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Simon Andrews37/73Spring Greens and Leek Gratin
Peppery arugula and spinach—plus ramps if you can get them—are even better when decked out with cream, cheese, butter, and crispy torn bread. Feel free to sub in whatever greens you have on hand.
Photo by Kristin Teig38/73Seared Scallop Piccata
Fresh lemon and tangy preserved lemons help this simple scallop preparation pop. Serve with bread to soak up the sauce.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell39/73Citrusy Haricots Verts
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Liza Jernow41/73Tonnato Eggs
Easter eggs are great and all, but we’re more excited about these eggs, topped with crispy fried capers and pearls of salmon roe. Adding anchovies to the tonnato-inspired filling cuts through the yolky richness.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton42/73Spiced Yogurt-Marinated Cornish Hens With Sweet Onion-Roasted Potatoes
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog43/73Brown Sugar–Mustard Glazed Ham
A long-time favorite of Epicurious reviewers, this festive showstopper is much easier to make than it looks. As the ham cooks, the simple brown sugar–Dijon mustard glaze transforms into a caramelized crust, keeping the meat tender and juicy.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Jerri Joy, Food Styling by Anna Hampton44/73Carrot Tart With Ricotta and Almond Filling
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi45/73Rosemary Rack of Lamb With Roasted Potatoes and Carrots
Need Easter dinner recipes for a quieter evening? This dish serves two, so you don’t have to contend with leftover ham for a week. Roasting the potatoes and carrots alongside the main means there’s a built-in side dish.
Photo by Andrew Purcell, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell46/73Green Bean Niçoise Salad
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks48/733-Ingredient Roasted Carrots With Pistachio Pesto
Carrot tops aren’t just for looks, you know. Not only do fluffy greens indicate the freshness of the vegetable, but they also shine in a nutty pesto, drizzled over their sweet roasted roots.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell49/73Crispy Chicken Thighs With Spring Vegetables
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert50/73Flaky, Buttery Biscuits
We wouldn’t leave you without a basket of freshly baked biscuits, ready to fill with slices of ham or pats of salted butter.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele51/73Roast Bone-In Pork Loin With Potatoes
The reviews are in: this roast is “absolutely effortless and so delicious.” Just add some blanched green beans to this impressive centerpiece and your holiday dinner is served.
Photo by Quentin Bacon53/73Roasted Salmon With Green Herbs
Ina Garten’s salmon recipe piles on the fresh dill, parsley, and scallions for a springy meal that serves a crowd. Add an herby potato salad or just some lightly dressed greens.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton55/73Frisée and Carrot Ribbon Salad With Za'atar-Lemon Vinaigrette
Looking for an Easter dinner idea that will balance meaty mains and cozy potato side dishes? Go for this substantial salad of bitter frisée with a rainbow of carrot ribbons, juicy grapes, and crumbled pistachios. Or pair it with heartier vegetarian Easter recipes for a plant-based holiday.
Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich56/73Cold Roast Salmon With Smashed Green Bean Salad
Served chilled, this make-ahead Easter recipe will be ready to put on the table the minute you get home from mass, an egg hunt, or however else you plan to spend your Easter morning.
Photo by Johnny Miller57/73Spiral Ham in the Slow Cooker
Your slow cooker deserves more than weekday use. With this ham recipe, you can set it and forget it, freeing up oven space for freshly baked Easter buns. The results are super-tender and flavorful, not to mention hands-off.
Photo by Andrew Bui58/73Baked Pasta Primavera
Maybe you were thinking about a big meaty lasagna with sausage for Easter supper, but on second thought, you want something a bit more springy. This easy dish takes cues from the viral feta pasta and gets a pop of freshness from mint and lemon.
Photo by Suech and Beck59/73Seared Scallops With Remoulade
The sauce makes the dish here, and all you have to do is mix together store-bought mayonnaise, olive oil, grainy mustard, capers, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce with some parsley and lemon.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Pearl Jones60/73Young Carrots With Spring Onions, Sumac, and Anchovies
Spring vegetables turn melt-in-your-mouth tender when roasted low and slow in a covered pot. Here, young carrots get punchy flavor from citrusy sumac and umami-rich anchovies.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton61/73Horsey Goat
If you're cooking a whole Easter feast, you need quick appetizers and snacks to put out first. This spreadable mix of goat cheese and horseradish could not be easier to prepare.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson62/73The Simplest Roast Turkey
Photo by Yuki Sugiura63/73Celebration Salmon
Cooking salmon slowly in oil keeps it from getting at all dry inside. Serve this with sticky rice, or fresh corn tortillas.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson65/73Swordfish Steaks With Asparagus and Frisée Salad
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell67/73Roasted Garlic and Parmesan Baked Halibut
Forget what you’ve heard about not serving seafood with cheese—this creamy halibut dish is an absolute reader favorite.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop and Food Styling by Ali Nardi68/73Braised Chicken With Asparagus, Peas, and Melted Leeks
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich69/73Paella With Seafood
While this recipe from Claudia Roden calls for shrimp, squid, and mussels, paella is flexible, and you could swap in clams or scallops if desired.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano72/73Simple Roast Chicken
When you make it right, a roast chicken can absolutely be worthy of a special occasion. Just be sure to have your instant-read thermometer ready.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne73/73Baked Rigatoni With Red Peppers and Green Olives
The best Easter dinner ideas can feed a crowd with minimal effort and maximum flavor. When you see the bubbling mozzarella on this baked pasta, you’ll know you’ve got a hit.
