35 Easy Easter Dinner Ideas That Are Totally Celebration-Worthy

No need to spend half the holiday in the kitchen!

easter-dinner-recipes-steak-supper-0820din
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel

We can't think of Easter without seeing all the most popular Easter candies in America displayed in every grocery or drug store. For some, Easter means brunch and oftentimes platters of deviled eggs—leaving you to wonder whether it's safe to eat the leftovers. Others look forward to enjoying a variety of Easter desserts to finish off their meal. However, if you're searching for some easy Easter dinner ideas, we've got you covered! One of the things we love most about the April holiday is that there's room to be creative. You could go the more traditional route with a hearty ham or leg of lamb (nothing wrong with that!), but there's definitely room to play, if you feel so inclined. Keep the meal cozy and decadent, or lighten things up and experiment with spring produce; it's up to you.

Scroll down for 35 tried-and-true recipes that are sure to delight your Easter Sunday guests and leave them feeling full and happy.

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Fast Italian Fish Stew

Fast Italian Fish Stew
Caitlin Bensel

Low on time and eager to impress? This elegant fish stew was made for you. Tender halibut fillets rest on a bed of burst tomatoes and white beans, infused with flavor from garlic, capers, and lemon. Sprinkled with fresh parsley and basil, this filling stew is full of color and nutrients. Make sure to have plenty of crusty bread on the table to sop up every last bit!

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Spring Minestrone

Spring Minestrone
Caitlin Bensel

If you plan to have vegetarians around your table this Easter, look no further than this vibrant, spring soup, which comes together in 30 minutes and can be scaled up easily to feed a crowd. Minestrone is an Italian soup made with vegetables and often pasta, and you can find endless versions of the recipe. This one plays up the produce with leeks, celery, green beans, and Swiss chard, while maintaining its comforting profile courtesy of ditalini pasta and Parmesan cheese.

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Slow-Roasted Citrus Salmon

Slow-Roasted Citrus Salmon
CAITLIN BENSEL

Trust us: slow roasting is a foolproof method for making melt-in-your-mouth salmon. Our recipe includes thin slices of lemon and orange, which lend beautiful, citrusy flavor and an explosion of color. While your fish is in the oven, throw together an orange dijonnaise and cucumber salad to dress it up. A few sprigs of dill are the final touch of this show-stopping main course.

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Italian Easter Pie

Italian Easter Pie
Antonis Achilleos

Sometimes there's nothing better than spending a day in the kitchen with your loved ones, so if you're looking for a project for Easter, here's a fun idea. Full of cured meat and cheese, this savory pie is not for the faint of heart, but it's an undeniably delicious and celebratory meal. A buttery homemade crust encases a rich filling, balanced with roasted red peppers and spinach. This pie needs to cool for a minimum of three hours before serving, so plan to make it the day before Easter so you don't stress. Don't worry; it heats up well.

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Ham and Leek Quiche

Ham and leek quiche displayed on a white background.
Jennifer Causey

This easy recipe nods to tradition by including ham, but also embraces vegetables with Swiss chard and leeks. Melted Gruyère is a welcome addition, uniting the ingredients with its nutty savoriness. There's no point in making your own pie crust if you're not feeling motivated to do so; you can buy a store-bought pie crust with fantastic, flaky results, and save yourself a lot of time. Then, go ahead and make a green salad to serve on the side; the brightness and acidity will cut through the rich quiche.

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Honey-Ginger Ham

Ginger-Glazed Pork
Jen Causey

Glazed ham is an Easter classic, and this recipe is our take on the Coca-Cola-glazed ham of yore. We swap Coca-Cola with ginger ale and add crystallized ginger to pump up the warm spiciness. Honey keeps things sweet and mellow, while orange zest and rosemary provide a fresh dimension. Last but not least, this ham will make your home smell incredible and is sure to delight your Easter guests!

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Quick Spring Lamb and Vegetable Stew

Easy Supper Ideas: Quick One-Pot Spring Lamb and Vegetable Stew Recipe
Quentin Bacon

If you want to go the lamb route this Easter but you're not ready to roast an entire leg, opt for this one-pot meal, which includes lamb, carrots, onions, green beans, and more. The result is a cozy, nutrient-dense dinner that won't disappoint. Serve the stew with a starchy side, like scalloped potatoes or couscous, to absorb the broth.

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Simple Shepherd's Pie

Simple Shepherd's Pie in Baking Dish on Top of Blue Kitchen Towel and Served in Small White Bowl, with sprigs of fresh thyme on small black dish
Greg DuPree

We'd be hard-pressed to come up with a recipe more comforting and satisfying than shepherd's pie. Hailing from the United Kingdom, shepherd's pie is a casserole filled with minced meat and vegetables, and topped with mashed potatoes. Our interpretation has ground beef, cremini mushrooms, and thyme, and comes out of the oven bubbling and golden.

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Skillet Spanako“pea”ta

Skillet Spanako“pea”ta
Greg DuPree

Take a cue from the Greeks and make a skillet for Easter that's inspired by spanakopita—the beloved savory Greek pie made with phyllo pastry and spinach. We take some creative liberties in our recipe (the inclusion of fresh spring peas, for example), but the overall result is as flaky, buttery, and earthy as ever. This skillet could be the main event for a light Easter dinner, or it can be served alongside a protein, like lamb.

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Slow-Roasted Lamb Shoulder

Slow-roasted lamb shoulder is pulled out of the oven and served inside a blue dutch oven.
Antonis Achilleos

Lamb is an Easter classic, but if you’re hosting a smaller group and don’t want to make an entire leg of lamb, give this dish a try. Here, lamb shoulder meat is seasoned and roasted until tender in a sweet and slightly sour sauce, which provides a welcomed acidic balance to the rich meat. Serve with mashed potatoes and some cruciferous vegetables, and your Easter feast is complete.

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Two Lemon-Coriander Roast Chickens

Double Roasted Chicken Recipe
Caitlin Bensel

On the other hand, if you’re welcoming a larger group into your home on Easter Sunday, consider this recipe that calls for roasting two whole chickens. Each bird is bathed in a bold lemon-coriander oil before roasting, which brings bright, spiced flavor and ensures extra-juicy meat. When you’re doing your Easter shopping, just be sure to pick two, equal-sized birds so they cook evenly and at the same rate.

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Slow-Grilled Leg of Lamb

Slow-Grilled Leg of Lamb
James Baigrie

You can't go wrong with slow-grilled lamb. Our version is flavored with garlic, Dijon mustard, and fresh rosemary leaves. Serve it with creamy one-pot mashed potatoes—a quintessential Easter side dish— and your favorite vegetables, and you're golden.

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Pea-Mint Pesto Fusilli

Fusilli with Minty Pea Pesto
Jennifer Causey

If your goal is to fill your Easter table with color, this pasta dish gets the job done. The pesto in this dish is made with peas, which gives it a slightly sweet taste, silky texture, and a vibrant hue. Meanwhile, the mint in the pesto brings that burst of spring freshness that everyone will love. Opt for a curly pasta, which will soak up all of the delicious sauce.

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Roasted Spiced Salmon

Roasted Spiced Salmon Recipe
Greg DuPree

In this celebration-worthy recipe, roasted spiced salmon relies on a low temperature and a foil-covered water bath to get to a perfectly pink medium in the center. And we can’t forget to mention the compound butter made from turmeric and cumin that coats the fish, thereby infusing it with flavor. You’ll serve the salmon alongside lemony spinach and a spiced rice pilaf, making this a filling, balanced meal.

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Pickle-Brined Pork Tenderloin With Dill Sauce

Pickle Brined Pork Tenderloin

Victor Protasio

If you’ve got a jar of pickles in your refrigerator, resist the urge to throw it away once you’ve consumed the last pickle. Why? The briny pickle juice is a culinary superstar that can add flavor to tons of dishes, including this one. Here, it marinates pork tenderloin for succulent and flavorful results. A simple, stir-together dill sauce spiked with even more pickle juice completes the meal.

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Smoky-Sweet Steak Supper

Smoky-Sweet Steak Supper Recipe
Caitlin Bensel

This recipe, which combines a brown sugar-and-paprika rubbed steak with a fresh green salad, takes just 25 minutes to make. The green beans in the salad provide plenty of satiating fiber, while the anchovy-spiked vinaigrette adds a punch of umami. Serve this meal with a light red wine, like pinot noir, or a medium-bodied white, like Chardonnay.

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Sausage and Fontina Spaghetti Pie

Sausage and Fontina Spaghetti Pie

Victor Protasio

For a hearty Easter main that all your guests are bound to love, consider this spaghetti pie. As its name suggests, this dish is made with sausage, cheese, and noodles, but it’s a tad more sophisticated than that. More specifically, creamy vodka sauce marries flavorful Italian sausage, kale, and fragrant sage, while eggs and creamy fontina cheese with dollops of ricotta bind everything together. Serve with a side of leafy greens and you’re all set.

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Gabriella’s Pot Roast

October 2020 Recipes: Gabriella’s Pot Roast
Caitlin Bensel

Nothing says Sunday night dinner like a pot roast, and this one doesn’t disappoint. In this recipe, chuck roast is seasoned and roasted with carrots, celery, onion, and thyme. Tomato paste adds richness, while dry white wine helps to create a hearty sauce to spoon on top of the meat. Be sure to serve this with bread or rice so you can sop up every last bit of the tasty sauce.

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Lemony Fish With Orzotto

Lemony Fish and Orzotto
Antonis Achilleos

If you’re intimidated by the idea of cooking risotto, give this similar-yet-easy fish dish a try. Here, mahi-mahi filets are seasoned with coriander, and quick-cooking orzo takes the place of rice. However, the grains are still as creamy as can be thanks to the inclusion of Parmesan cheese, a touch of cream, peas, and fresh lemon zest.

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Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
Greg DuPree

Not only is this take on fettuccini alfredo capable of feeding a group of eight, you can also whip it up in under 45 minutes. In this savory dish, spaghetti is joined by nutty, salty Asiago cheese, shredded rotisserie chicken, and plenty of fresh herbs. The squeeze of lemon juice adds a brightness that balances all of that irresistible creaminess.

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Baby Lamb Chops With Mixed Olive Relish and Roasted Carrots

Baby Lamb Chops With Mixed Olive Relish And Roasted Carrots

Jennifer Causey

Lamb chops might not be an Easter staple in the same way that other lamb dishes are, but we think they should be. These chops take just 4 minutes to cook, and develop a perfectly browned crust that’s hard to resist. This recipe pairs ‘em with roasted carrots and a savory olive relish, and we suggest adding rice or couscous so you’ll have something to soak up all that briny goodness.

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Smoky Sheet Pan Salmon and Potatoes

Smoky Sheet-pan Salmon and Potatoes
Caitlin Bensel

Since you’ll likely have plenty of dishes to wash once Easter is over, make things a tad easier on yourself by whipping up this one-pan main that’s filled with flavor. First, you’ll make a dressing out of bright orange zest, olive oil, smoked paprika, and dried oregano to season both the potatoes and salmon before they're roasted on a single baking sheet. Then, you’ll toss orange slices with creamy avocado, cilantro, and lime to make a bright, chunky salsa to serve alongside.

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Crunchy Baked Chicken With Ham and Swiss

Easy chicken recipes - Crunchy Baked Chicken With Ham and Swiss
Jen Causey

While chicken is technically the star here, the addition of ham means this quick dish is Easter-approved. First, you’ll cook the chicken cutlets and place them in a baking dish to be blanketed by a thick thyme-and-Swiss cheese sauce. Then, you’ll top everything with slivers of prosciutto and panko breadcrumbs for even more flavor and crunch. Serve this dish with a vegetable side to balance out the rich flavors.

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Skillet Pork Chops and Beans

Skillet Pork Chops and Beans
Greg DuPree

This one-pot meal, which is inspired by an often laborious French cassoulet, comes together in just 30 minutes and is a great holiday dish. Here, you'll find seared pork chops nestled in two cans of aromatic cannellini beans and a medley of chopped vegetables. Crushed, seasoned croutons add a satisfying crunch.

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Linguine With Cherry Tomato Sauce

Linguine with Cherry Tomato Sauce
Greg DuPree

No matter what the occasion is, you can’t go wrong with pasta and tomato sauce. This version calls for a sauce made with salty pancetta, fresh cherry tomatoes, and garlic. Mash a few of the tomatoes as they cook to make things extra-saucy, and garnish with a sprinkle of Parmesan and basil before serving.

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Grilled Skirt Steak With Squash Ratatouille

Grilled Skirt Steak With Squash Ratatouille
Greg DuPree

Though this meal looks very impressive, it’s surprisingly easy to make and bound to impress. You’ll start by seasoning the steak with salt and pepper and grilling it. Then, while the meat rests, you’ll go ahead and grill some squash, zucchini, eggplant, and onion. Once the veggies are tender, you’ll remove them from the grill, chop them up, and season them with parsley and vinegar.

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Lemon-Coriander Roasted Chicken With Leeks and Squash

Lemon-Coriander Roasted Chicken With Leeks And Squash

This one-skillet meal is a great option when you have something to celebrate. In this recipe, the chicken is flavored with a butter that’s spiked with fresh cilantro, ginger, lemon zest, and ground coriander. The bird rests on a bed of protein-rich acorn squash and leeks, and everything is roasted at the same time.

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Sheet Pan Salmon With Potatoes and Broccolini

Sheet Pan Salmon With Potatoes and Broccolini
Victor Protasio

Keep things simple for Easter with this nourishing meal. A quick vinaigrette with lemon, shallot, and mustard gets drizzled on top of the salmon and vegetables at the end for brightness and flavor. When shopping for salmon filets, look for ones that all have the same thickness, which will help them to cook evenly.

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Lamb Chops With Charred Asparagus

lamb Chops with Charred Asparagus
Caitlin Bensel

This dinner, which is basically spring on a plate, stars juicy, golden lamb chops and crisp-tender asparagus. You’ll tie everything together with a vibrant four-ingredient pan sauce to coat the veggies, and serve the meal over a bed of creamy Greek yogurt with toasted French bread on the side. What’s not to love?

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Fettuccine With Asparagus, Leeks, and Mint

Fettuccine With Asparagus, Leeks, and Mint
Victor Protasio

Ready in just 20 minutes, this spring pasta is perfect for a low-key Easter meal. Here, fettuccine mingles with fresh lemon zest, mint, buttery leeks, and thin slices of asparagus to create a light and vibrant dinner that will undoubtedly impress your guests. Kick things up a notch by adding a sprinkle of high-quality Parmesan cheese and a dash of crushed red pepper, and don’t forget to serve the pasta with a dry, medium-bodied white wine.

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Paprika Pork Tenderloin With Roasted Potatoes and Dill Cream

Paprika Pork Tenderloin With Roasted Potatoes and Dill Cream served on a platter
Jennifer Causey

A quick DIY spice rub of kosher salt, paprika, onion powder, and black pepper flavors this pork tenderloin, while crispy roasted potatoes mingle alongside. A seasonal dollop of dill cream brings the two components together. Serve this dish with simply sautéed tender greens, and you’ve got a tasty, balanced meal.

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Greek Meatball Pitas With Feta

Greek Meatball Pitas With Feta Recipe
Caitlin Bensel

To bring some Greek flair to your Easter table, give this dish a go. Here, lamb meat is seasoned with onion, mint, cumin, and garlic, and formed into bite-sized meatballs. Then, you’ll pile the meatballs, cucumber, and tomato onto a warm pita that’s slathered with a zippy lemony mint and yogurt sauce. Crumbles of briny feta complete the meal.

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Orzo With Shrimp and Olives

Warm Greek Salad With Shrimp And Orzo

Fred Hardy

This pasta dish, inspired by Greek salad, calls for shrimp, sweet peppers, plump sun-dried tomatoes, and toothy orzo. Lemon and olives make the meal bright and briny, while a sprinkle of oregano adds a pop of freshness. Spoon a dollop of store-bought tzatziki on top to make the dish even richer and more impressive.

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Pork Tenderloin With Fresh Corn Polenta

The key to perfectly tender pork tenderloin is to start with an easy marinade, sear the sides until well browned, and then finish in the oven.
Caitlin Bensel

When you bathe pork tenderloin in a chili-and cumin-spiked lime marinade, the result is as delicious as you would expect. Serve the meat alongside a decadent polenta that's studded with corn kernels, and you’ve got an Easter meal that’s bound to become a classic.

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Salmon With Sautéed Cabbage and Bacon

Salmon With Sauteed Cabbage And Bacon

Fred Hardy

The oven does the bulk of the work for this meal, which is ideal if you’re focused on Easter desserts. You’ll start by cooking the bacon, and will then braise the cabbage with a mixture of chicken stock, apple cider vinegar, whole-grain mustard, and light brown sugar. Meanwhile, the heart-healthy salmon gets its own mustard-sugar glaze with a schmear of sour cream on the side.

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