Easter Dinner Menu

Get a Jumpstart on a Great Holiday Meal

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 dinner.

With a full day, however, of attending church, hunting for eggs, and opening Easter baskets, I don’t have a lot of time to be in the kitchen cooking. That is why I love to have my Easter dinner menu planned in advance and all of the recipes made or prepped ahead of time. That way, we all get to gather together for a delicious meal that is filled with love.

It may seem intimidating to create an Easter dinner menu, but it is so easy to make the menu your very own. You can have fun with the appetizers or try new side dishes while still including a few must-haves, like my Grandma’s easy ambrosia salad. Don’t even get me started on desserts! Carrot cake is clearly a favorite, but it doesn’t stop there. Think anything spring and you will have a winner.

Not to mention that making a menu in advance will save you from so much stress on the holiday. I start with the menu, then make my grocery list, and finally create a plan-of-attack for cooking, i.e. what can be made in advance versus day-of prep. This makes it so easy to enjoy the holiday and still create a memorable meal for my loved ones.

Planning an Easter Dinner Menu

Let’s talk about what goes into an Easter dinner menu and how to plan one. I like to start by asking myself these questions, because it helps to narrow down how many dishes I will need, what kind of flavors or foods, and if I will have the oven space for everything.

• How many people will be attending? 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.
• Who is coming to dinner? Are there any allergies or intolerances you need to be aware of? Always plan on having a few options for those who might not be able to eat everything.
• What is the entree? This is the first thing I like to decide when making an Easter dinner menu as the entree will end up dictating a lot of what I serve. For instance, if I make honey baked ham, I will skip adding ham to any other dishes and I know my oven will be occupied for most of the day.
• What can be made ahead of time? 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.
• How to Make the Best Charcuterie Board. I love a charcuterie board, overflowing with a variety of delightful nibbles.
• Easy Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs. A slight twist on the beloved recipe.
• Italian Antipasto Platter. If you love pickled and cured, this is the platter for you.
• Knorr Spinach Dip. There is something about a spinach dip that screams spring to me.
• French Onion Dip. The perfect dip when serving something a bit heartier for dinner, like the beef tenderloin.
• Veggie Cups. These individual cups make walking and snacking a dream.
• Bruschetta Caprese. The brightness of this recipe works so well with almost any entree.
• Easy Cheese Ball Recipe. I love a cheese ball, and so does everyone else.
• Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip. This does require use of the oven, but is worth making a little extra room.
• Skinny Dill Dip. Load up the plate with all the veggies because this dip tastes great with everything.
• Bacon Wrapped Dates. These sweetness meets savory of this recipe is the perfect start to an Easter dinner menu.
• Cheese Ball Bites. A cheese ball without any slicing and in just one bite. Perfection.
• Caprese Kabobs. These look so pretty and taste even better.

Traditional Easter Dinner Menu Entrees

As I mentioned above, I typically choose the entree first before deciding on all of the other dishes, because I want to be sure all of the flavors work together and that I have enough room in my oven to accommodate everything. Whatever you choose as the star of the dinner, you really can’t go wrong.

• Honey Baked Ham. The name says it all. This sweet and savory ham is always a hit with the whole family.
• Beef Tenderloin. This beautiful cut of beef makes a wonderful main dish.
• Crockpot Spiral Ham. I love to make this ham when I am in need of my oven. It turns out beautifully every time.
• Easy Baked Ham Recipe. Just 5 simple ingredients and about 5 minutes to prep for a show stopping entree.
• One-Hour Oven Roasted Chicken. This chicken deserves a spot on a holiday menu as it is flavorful and juicy.
• Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin. I love to serve this with creamy mashed potatoes, green beans and fresh homemade dinner rolls.
• Roasted Pork Tenderloin. This flavorful entree comes together in less than 30 minutes.

Side Dishes for Easter Dinner

Oftentimes, side dishes get overlooked for the more exciting appetizers and desserts, but I am here to tell you that 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.
• Parmesan Roasted Broccoli. Cheese and broccoli? What’s not to love?
• Roasted Asparagus. This simple recipe highlights the beauty of fresh asparagus.
• Roasted Zucchini and Squash. I love how simple and flavorful this dish is, and how it works so well with almost any entree.
• Crockpot Creamed Corn. The sweetness of this corn plays perfectly with ham.
• Oven Roasted Vegetables. Choose your favorite veggies and enjoy!
• Rosemary Roasted Potatoes. These spuds are ideal with beef or pork.

Salads

• 7 Layer Salad. This overnight salad is a tradition in our family, and should be in yours, as well.
• Grandma’s Ambrosia Salad. This sweet and tangy salad works beautifully with ham.
• Pear Salad. I love the sweetness of the pears mixed with pomegranate seeds, candied pecans, feta cheese and topped with a balsamic dressing. 
• Macaroni Salad. This may feel more casual, but tastes great with ham.
• Mandarin Orange Salad. The homemade citrus dressing is made for holidays.
• Apple Cranberry Spinach Salad. The colors of this salad add such a pretty element to the table, and the flavors are just a bonus.
• Rainbow Honey Lime Fruit Salad. Don’t be afraid to serve fruit as a side, as it adds a lovely sweetness to any menu.

Casseroles

• Potatoes au Gratin. This creamy and rich dish pairs perfectly with almost any Easter dinner menu entree.
• Corn Casserole. My family adores this sweet and creamy casserole, especially with ham.
• Creamy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese. This can definitely be a meal in itself, but works great as a side dish to an Easter dinner.
• Crockpot Green Bean Casserole. The classic casserole is traditionally served at Thanksgiving, but it deserves a spot on any holiday table.
• Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham. This hearty side dish can be made the night before either fully cooked or uncooked.
• Cheesy Funeral Potatoes. Don’t let the name scare you off, these potatoes are all about celebrating life.
• Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes. This creamy, cheesy and absolutely delicious recipe is a fan favorite.

Rolls

• The BEST Lion House Rolls. I love all of my rolls, but these are hands-down one of my very favorite homemade rolls.
• Parker House Rolls. These are so sweet and fluffy, and are spread with honey butter inside before baking and after while still warm.
• The BEST Dinner Rolls. All you need is 7 ingredients to make these fluffy rolls.
• Perfect Potato Rolls. These denser rolls are perfect with ham and go so well with an Easter dinner menu.

Easter Dessert Recipes

The real star of the show is always dessert, in my opinion, and an Easter dinner menu is the perfect time to make something truly special. 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.
• Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. You will never go wrong with this classic cake on an Easter dinner menu.
• Chocolate Egg Nest Treats. This fun and tasty spin on an Easter treat never lasts.
• Carrot Cake Cookies. All of my favorite flavors in cookie form.
• Cadbury Easter Cupcakes. Chocolate cupcakes filled with Cadbury eggs and topped with a creamy and delicious caramel frosting? Yes, please!
• Carrot Cake Cupcakes. The individual desserts make it a snap to clean up.
• Easy Coconut Macaroons. Always a hit at any party, these cookies come together in a blink.
• Caramel Carrot Cake. A spin on the classic flavors that makes it even more decadent and delicious.
• Cream Cheese Mints. I love to have these mints handy after any meal, really.
• Pistachio Dessert. This no-bake treat is a hit with nut lovers everywhere.
• Lemon Poke Cake. The brightness and tang of this cake makes the perfect ending to an Easter dinner.
• Lemon Cake Mix Cookies. I like to make a batch ahead of time for easy serving after we eat.
• Fresh Fruit Tart. It doesn’t get much prettier than this dessert, especially when fresh fruit is in season.
• 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.