These Easter dinner menu ideas will help you plan the best Easter meal from appetizers, to main entrees, spring side dishes, bread and sweet desserts to round out the feast.
I love Easter, and all the wonderful ways it celebrates spring and new beginnings. So many of my favorite foods are in season, making it the perfect time to cook a big family Easter brunch or dinner.
I make my Easter dinner menu in advance and then I can prep or make ahead recipes! From fun appetizers to new sides dishes and stunning mains, planning an Easter feast doesn’t need to be intimidating or hard.
Use these recipes to create your own memorable Easter dinner menu or download my hosting guide for my tried and true dishes!
Planning an Easter Dinner Menu
Let’s talk about what goes into an Easter dinner menu and how to plan one.
Number of guests. This simple question actually decides quite a bit. If there are only 4 of you, you won’t need quite as many side dishes or as big of an entree.
Dietary preferences. Always plan on having a few options for those who might have any allergies or intolerances.
Main entree. This is the first thing I like to plan when making an Easter dinner menu as the entree will end up dictating a lot of what I serve. Traditional honey baked ham is a great option or try something that isn’t ham!
Make ahead. I like to make sure I have a good balance of recipes I can make prior to the holiday and ones that can be prepped in advance. The holiday can be so busy with everything else, I want to make sure I am not in the kitchen all day.
Appetizers for Easter Dinner
The best way to kick off a fantastic Easter dinner menu is with a small bite, or two, of something delicious to snack on while dinner is being prepped.
Easy Deviled Eggs. These are the classic Easter appetizer, and for very good reason. They are must on the menu for Easter dinner!
Fruit and Cheese Platter. This beautiful board is endlessly adaptable and sets the stage for a lovely meal.
A well-planned side dish really can make or break a meal. I typically choose how many I will need based on the number of dinner guests, but I usually start with a fruit or vegetable, a casserole, a salad and a roll.
Fruits and Vegetable Side Dishes
Easter Fruit Tray. This playful take on a traditional fruit tray deserves center stage on the dinner table.
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus. Ready in less than 20 minutes and pairs perfectly with a variety of recipes.
Balsamic Roasted Carrots. Just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep, these caramelized carrots are always a hit.
Green Beans. You can never go wrong with this versatile vegetable.
Glazed Carrots. Another family favorite that can be made on the stove, in the oven, or in a crockpot.
Perfect Potato Rolls. These denser rolls are perfect with ham and go so well with an Easter dinner menu.
Easter Dessert Recipes
Am Easter dinner menu is the perfect time to make something truly special for a sweet treat. Classic carrot cake is always a favorite, as well as anything lemon, colorful, or fruity.
Layered Easter Cake. Decorated with mini Cadbury eggs and coconut, this cake will steal the show.
Easter Cake Pops. Kids love the fun colors and sprinkles, while parents love how easy these are to eat.
Fresh Fruit Tart. It doesn’t get much prettier than this dessert, especially when fresh fruit is in season.
Key Lime Bars. Sweet and tangy with refreshing lime taste! Easier than pie and can feed a crowd.
Mini Fruit Tarts. Make a tart bite-sized and easy to eat with this easy recipe.
Cake Pop Bouquet. Amaze your guests with these beautiful, and edible, bouquets. They scream spring.
Rainbow Jello. This colorful dessert is a staple in my household for its fruity flavor and fun texture.
Free Printable Easter Hosting Guide and Menu
The Full List of Easter Dinner Recipes
Click on the links below to find the recipes for all of the delicious Easter dinner menu items mentioned above.
Easy Deviled Eggs Recipe
Easy deviled eggs are a classic recipe made with simple ingredients including hard boiled eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, sweet pickle relish and a sprinkle of paprika on top! Perfect for potlucks and parties.
Learn how to assemble an amazing fruit and cheese platter for your next party. Pick your favorite fruits, cheeses and fillers to make your platter the star of the show!
A charcuterie board is a simple way to make the BEST spread for a large crowd! Add your favorite meats, cheeses, crackers and more. This cheese board makes the perfect appetizer and will definitely be a hit at your next party!
This Knorr spinach dip is a classic party dip that is thick, creamy and flavorful. It's a crowd-pleasing appetizer that is easy to make then best served cold in a bread bowl!
Homemade French onion dip is a rich, cool, and creamy dip brimming with fresh flavors from the aromatics and herbs! It comes together in minutes and is great for serving guests or preparing snacks for a night in!
Individual veggie cups are a great way to serve a crowd for a change from the usual veggie platter. An assortment of crisp colorful veggies divided into cups that hold your favorite dip is so much fun to eat!
Bruschetta Caprese is a simple appetizer with lightly toasted bread, fresh ripe tomatoes, basil, and good quality mozzarella tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette.
A classiccheese ball recipe is always a must-have appetizer at every holiday party! So easy to make with cream cheese, green onions, spices and pecans.
This baked spinach artichoke dip is a rich and creamy savory appetizer loaded with spinach, artichokes and cheeses then baked until golden and bubbly. It's an irresistible crowd-pleasing dip perfect for any party!
This easy bruschetta recipe is made with toasted baguette slices topped with a fresh tomato and basil mixture. It's my go-to summer appetizer and simple to make at home!
The best vegetable dip that's light, healthy,and packed with flavor. Perfect with fresh veggies or pita chips. You'll love this Greek yogurt dill dip recipe!
Caprese kabobs are an easy, no-cook, make-ahead and delicious appetizer for any party! Your guests will love these bite-sized caprese skewers filled with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and balsamic glaze.
This easy beef tenderloin is the ultimate main that will impress guests at the holiday dinner table. Follow my simple method for a lean and tender tenderloin bursting with flavor!
Making your own copycat honey baked ham recipe is easier than you think! Spiral-cut ham is baked with a honey butter glaze, coated in a sweet smoky rub then caramelized!
Learn how to cook crockpot spiral ham with only 5 minutes prep! With the best juicy and tender results, cooking a spiral ham has never been easier for the holidays.
This oven baked ham recipe is so easy to make and is great for beginners. You only need 5 simple ingredients and about 5 minutes to prep. It's the perfect dish for the holidays!
Delicious herbs are rubbed into the meat to make this herb crusted pork tenderloin so delicious and flavorful. It's easy to make and roasted to perfection in the oven with tender and juicy results.
This easy baked pork tenderloin is tender and juicy with a flavorful sear on the outside. It's the best with simple ingredients and ready in 30 minutes!
Impress everyone at your family gathering with this bright, beautiful, and delicious Easter fruit tray! A bunny rabbit made with fresh fruit and berries is just about the cutest thing you'll ever eat. Serve with a tasty fruit dip on the side!
This bacon wrapped asparagus is one of my favorite side dish recipes with oven roasted asparagus wrapped in smoky, crispy bacon slices. It's simple yet elegant and ready in 20 minutes!
These balsamic roasted carrots are so easy to make. Caramelized carrots are tossed with sweet balsamic vinegar for a carrot side dish that is simple and flavorful!
Buttery, fresh sautéed green beans are an easy classic side dish recipe any night of the week. All you need are four simple ingredients and it's ready in 15 minutes!
These glazed carrots are made with 3 ingredients including brown sugar and butter then roasted until caramelized until tender. An easy side dish for dinners and holidays.
This parmesan roasted broccoli is healthy, delicious and the best broccoli ever. Broccoli florets are tossed with seasoning, baked and then coated in Parmesan for a crispy side dish full of flavor!
Crisp-tender oven roasted asparagus is fresh, healthy and ready in 15 minutes. This simple vegetable side dish is easy to make and a great addition to any meal.
Rich and creamy mashed potatoes are whipped smooth and fluffy with cream cheese, butter and heavy cream! A favorite side dish at any meal or holiday table.
This roasted zucchini and squash transforms fresh summer veggies into an easy, flavorful side dish! Tossed with Italian seasoning, garlic, and olive oil, then oven-roasted until tender and caramelized.
This crockpot creamed cornis easy to make in the slow cooker with canned sweet corn in a rich and creamy sauce. It's the best creamed corn side dish for the holidays!
These oven roasted vegetables are tender and packed with flavor from olive oil, balsamic vinegar and seasonings. Use this method and adapt it to any veggies!
This traditional 7 layer salad with layers of lettuce, hard-boiled eggs, peas, bacon, cheese plus a sweet creamy dressing is the perfect make-ahead salad!
Fresh pear salad filled with mixed greens, juicy sliced pears, pomegranate seeds, candied pecans, feta cheese and topped with a balsamic dressing. This is the perfect salad to serve at your holiday dinner this year!
This easy macaroni salad recipe is a classic potluck side dish made with noodles, red pepper, celery, onions and a creamy mayo dressing. It will be a staple at BBQs all summer!
Fresh, crisp, and full of flavor, this mandarin orange salad is topped with crunchy almonds and a homemade orange dressing. It's an easy way to add fresh color to any table!
Apple cranberry spinach salad filled with greens, crisp apples, dried cranberries, walnuts, feta cheese and a delicious honey dijon dressing. An easy salad recipe that's full of flavor!
Rainbow honey lime fruit salad filled with fresh strawberries, oranges, bananas, grapes and blueberries. Then topped with a delicious honey lime glaze.
With only 5 minutes prep and 7 ingredients, this classic corn casserole recipe with Jiffy mix and creamed corn is the best creamy side dish for any holiday meal.
Creamy slow cooker mac and cheese with cream cheese is a family favorite that is easy to make in the crockpot with elbow macaroni noodles cooked in a cheesy sauce!
This fresh green bean casserole is a classic holiday favorite! This version is just as creamy as the original with fresh green beans, cream of mushroom soup and fried onions.
Comforting cheesy scalloped potatoes and ham is made with layers of tender sliced potatoes and leftover ham covered in a homemade creamy, cheesy sauce.
These funeral potatoes are a crowd-pleasing hash brown casserole that are creamy with a crispy and buttery topping. The best cheesy potatoes side dish for holidays!
These Lion House Rolls may have originated in Utah, but you can now make them at home with the same soft, fluffy and buttery taste. The perfect dinner roll!
Soft, buttery and fluffy is what makes Parker House rolls irresistible. These dinner rolls are spread with honey butter inside before baking and brushed with more while still warm!
Soft and fluffy with golden brown tops, these are the best dinner rolls! This recipe makes one dozen homemade rolls making it the perfect holiday side dish.
This layered Easter cake is made with three layers of vanilla cake topped with whipped buttercream and decorated with toasted coconut and mini Cadbury eggs.
This easy, no-bake Easter dirt cake is made with an Oreo crust, cream cheese whipped topping layer, chocolate pudding and then topped with edible Easter candy!
These Cadbury egg cookies are made with soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies loaded with mini chocolate chips and Cadbury mini eggs for a festive Easter treat!
These Easter cake pops are simply adorable, super tasty, and easy to whip up in time for this year's Easter celebrations! A bouquet of cake pops would make an adorable centerpiece and an easy way for guests to grab one to go!
This carrot cake is easy to make in an 8×8 pan for a smaller batch single layer cake. It's loaded with grated carrots and topped with a fluffy homemade cream cheese frosting.
These chocolate egg nest treats are made with chocolate, butterscotch and chow mein noodles then topped with mini Cadbury eggs. An adorable Easter dessert for spring!
Soft, chewy carrot cake cookies have a cake-like texture, warm cinnamon and are topped with a sweet cream cheese frosting. If you love carrot cake, you'll love these!
Cadbury Egg Easter cupcakes with a rich chocolate cupcake base filled with Cadbury eggs, creamy caramel frosting and a chocolate Easter egg candy on top.
These carrot cake cupcakesare made from scratch with grated carrots and a soft, fluffy and moist texture. Top with the best cream cheese frosting for a simple Easter treat!
Key lime pie bars are made with a buttery graham cracker crust and creamy key lime filling. They're an easy, vibrant dessert with a delightful sweet and tangy flavor!
Easy coconut macaroon Easter nests are easy to make for a festive spring dessert! The nests are dipped in chocolate then decorated with chocolate eggs for an adorable treat.
This caramel carrot cake is sweet and delicious with moist carrot cake topped with decadent caramel cream cheese frosting. It's easy to make and perfect for carrot cake fans!
This layered pistachio dessert is an easy no-bake treat with a shortbread crust, creamy cheesecake filling, pistachio pudding and fluffy whipped topping. A classic pistachio lush!
This lemon poke cake is easy to make with lemon cake mix and lemon jello then topped with whipped cream. It's moist, refreshing and flavorful for spring or summer!
Each bite of this fresh fruit tart is a mix of crumbly sweet crust, smooth and decadent custard and juicy fresh berries! This is the perfect refreshing treat for warmer weather!
Delicious mini fruit tarts made with a buttery shortbread crust, creamy vanilla custard and topped with fresh fruit. The perfect bite-sized sweet treat for spring and summer!
A cake pop bouquet is a simple and fun way to make an edible arrangement everyone will love! Cake pops are an easy no-bake dessert to make and the whole family can get involved in the kitchen!
Total Time:1 hourhour
Rainbow Layered Jello
This rainbow jello is a bright and colorful layered jello dessert! Everyone loves this fun finger jello that tastes like the rainbow and is a crowd-pleasing treat at parties!
Shari H
I have already made the Chocolate Egg Nests and Roasted Broccoli and will definitely be making the ham and scalloped potatoes for Easter!
Jamielyn Nye
Sounds delicious! So glad you enjoyed the Easter menu!
April
Such a great list and so many options! This is a great way to streamline my holiday menu plan – thanks!
wilhelmina
I love being able to fill my Easter table from one list! You’ve done all the hard work for me, great list!