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Simple and Festive Easter Dinner ideas: The gathering of friends and family around a spring table, heavy with delicious, seasonal offerings will linger in memories for years.We’ve gathered delicious and simple ideas to celebrate Easter, whether that be following church on Sunday morning, or later in the day.
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Easter Dinner Menu
There are more than 35 recipe ideas below, but here is an idea of what to serve on Easter.
- Smoked Salmon Crostini with Fennel
- Caesar Salad Wonton Cups
- Asparagus Gruyere Tart
- A Spring Pea Salad with Radishes and Goat Cheese
- Spring Pea Salad
- Hot Cross Buns
- Ham with Lemon Honey Glaze
- Honey Brown Sugar Roasted Carrots
- Fruited Rice Pilaf
- Scalloped Potatoes with Leeks
- Spring Pound Cake Cupcakes
- Lemon Pudding Cakes
Recipes for these Easter Dinner ideas are linked at the bottom of this post.
But before we get to the recipes, be sure and read easy pro tips for a great Easter dinner as well as how much ham to plan per person for Easter.
Tips for Planning Easter Dinner
Easter signals spring. And we’ve all been anticipating this warmer, longer, most wonderful season all winter.
Easter dinner is a perfect way to celebrate that transition.
Yet hosting any dinner can bring a little stress. Here are some pro tips that help.
4 Pro Tips for Hosting Easter Dinner
Here are a few simple hostess tips you can employ before Easter, or anytime you’re entertaining!
Address the Stress:
Any entertaining can be stressful. Holiday entertaining is more so. Think back to previous dinners and make note of what went right and what went awry. I mean, literally, makes notes for this year, and years to come. Rethink any pitfalls so you can address them prior to Easter. For instance, did you run out of side dishes, did children attend that you weren’t planning on, did you have a gluten-free guest?
Potlucks are Perfect:
Guests are usually happy and excited to bring dishes to Easter Dinner. Write your menu ahead of time, and be specific when guests offer to bring dishes. That way you won’t end up with 3 green beans casseroles.
Set the Table Ahead:
A beautiful tablecloth goes a long way toward a stunning Easter dinner table. Then begin to layer dishes for individual settings. And don’t forget the serving pieces. Professional caterers will often use sticky notes on serving pieces to assign specific dishes to specific serving pieces. That’s a brilliant tip. Leave as little to the last minute as possible.
Plan for the Kids:
Children make Easter so much fun. Plan extra kid-friendly goodies and snacks. And if possible, set up their own table with whimsical and fun Easter elements like Easter eggs, chicks, etc.
How Much Ham Per Person for Easter Dinner
I like to plan about 1/2 pound per person for a bone-in ham. For a boneless ham, which weighs less, I plan on 1/3 pound per person.
It’s hard to estimate how much ham guests will eat, but having leftover ham is always a good thing! So many delicious leftover ideas ranging from ham sandwiches to quiches, pasta, soup, and more.
Erring on the ample side of ham always serves me well!
Easter Dinner Tablescape Ideas
Some beautiful inspirations for the Easter table.
Easter Centerpiece: victoriamag.com
Outdoor Easter Table: victoriamag.com
Simple Brunch Easter Table: my100yearoldhome.com
Simple and Festive Easter Dinner Recipes and Ideas
Simple and Festive Easter Dinner ideas: Following church on Sunday morning, there isn't a better or more festive way to celebrate Easter than with a feast.
1
SMOKED SALMON CROSTINI WITH FENNEL
“Simple yet sophisticated, crostini are a perfect appetizer to pass around before sitting down to dinner. Reserve a few fronds from the fennel bulbs to use as a garnish on top of the smoked salmon.”
2
Caesar Salad Wonton Cups
“Everything tastes better in miniature form! These are made using wonton wrappers as the cups.They bake crispy and golden with just a light spray of oil. A great shortcut for appetizers!”
3
Roasted Asparagus with Dill Yogurt Sauce
Roasted Asparagus with Dill Yogurt Sauce is a 5 minute side dish that's crisp, tender, and amazingly delicious with an equally quick and easy sauce that makes this side dish pretty enough to serve for holidays and guests.
4
Asparagus Gruyere Tart - Featured on The TODAY Show
“Gorgeous and impressive, this Asparagus Gruyere Tart makes for a delicious appetizer or main dish. It’s also super EASY to make! You’ve got to try this!”
5
SPRING PEA SALAD WITH RADISHES AND GOAT CHEESE
“When winter is finally over and the farmers’ markets are bursting with spring produce, celebrate by making this seasonal salad, which features two different types of peas as well as pea shoots, the delicate leaves and tendril that grow from the vines of a pea plant. Tender pea shoots won’t last long in the fridge, so serve them within a few days of purchase.”
6
Asparagus with Cheese Sauce and Herb Breadcrumbs
Photo Credit:www.southernliving.com
"Spring’s bright, fresh vegetables don’t need heavy sauces to dress them up—they are best served with a light adornment so that their natural tastes can shine through."
7
Ribbon Vegetable Salad
Photo Credit:www.southernladymagazine.com
"Fresh veggies and a zesty buttermilk mayonnaise dressing create a delicious Ribbon Vegetable Salad."
8
Spring Pea Salad
"The key to a really great salad is variety – a little bit of farmers market lettuce, some salty cheese, a few crunchy veggies and ALWAYS AVOCADO!"
9
Asparagus Tart: Easy Brunch Recipe
An Asparagus Tart so easy, it's hard to believe. Incredibly delicious for brunch season with tender asparagus, grated cheese on puff pastry.
10
Easter Hot Cross Buns
"While exact origins of hot cross buns are unclear, it is generally agreed they go back to a12th-centuryAnglican monk. Who baked sweet buns for the poor on Good Friday, and etched a crossin each bun to celebrate the Easter holiday."
11
Ukrainian Kulich Easter Bread Recipe
Kulich is a traditional Ukrainian Easter bread, served between Easter and Pentecost. A delicious sweet bread with fruit and nuts and decorated for the holiday.
12
Paska: Ukrainian Easter Bread Recipe
This Paska Ukrainian Easter Bread recipe is a traditional Eastern European bread made especially for the holiday. A delicious, lightly sweetened yeast bread, much like sweet dough, with beautiful Easter symbols and a sweet, tender crumb.
13
Italian Easter Bread
Italian Easter Bread, also known asPane di Pasqua, is a rich and festive yeasted bread braided and decorated with colorful dyed Easter eggs. It’s utterly delicious and bursting with spring flavors of citrus and vanilla.
14
HAM WITH LEMON-HONEY GLAZE
“Studded with cloves, this whole ham makes a beautiful centerpiece for a large Easter gathering. Since ham is quite rich, an accompanying glaze that offers bracing acidity—such as this one containing lemon juice, honey and shallots—makes a great counterpoint.”
15
Roasted Leg of Lamb with Lemon-Herb Salt Recipe
Photo Credit:www.southernliving.com
"A meat thermometer will ensure that the center of the lamb is just the right shade of pink. We recommend serving withRoasted Beets, Carrots, and Sweet Onions."
16
Orange Marmalade Ham
A showstopping Easter Ham that "we glaze it with a sweet and tangy mixture that includes orange marmalade, honey, balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard."
17
Spinach- and Mushroom-Stuffed Pork Loin
Photo Credit:www.southernladymagazine.com
"This Spinach-and Mushroom-Stuffed Pork Loin with Lemon Herb Sauce will dazzle your family" at Easter.
18
Easy Herb Roasted Leg of Lamb
ThisHerb Roasted Leg of Lambis an easy, fool proof recipe with few ingredients and easy preparation. Tender and fall-off-the-bone delicious, it’s perfect for holidays and dinner parties!
19
Pizza Rustica: Italian Easter Pie
Pizza Rustica,also known asItalian Easter Pie, is a traditional savory dish enjoyed during the Easter season. This double-crusted pie is packed with a rich, cheesy filling including cured meats, and spring greens. Impressive, utterly delicious, and quite simple to make!
20
Crème Fraiche Pasta with Peas and Bacon
Crème Fraiche Pasta with Peas and Bacon is an easy weeknight pasta dinner that's ready in 30 minutes or less. Packed with flavor, requiring few ingredients, it's a pasta standby recipe you'll love.
21
Honey Brown Sugar Roasted Carrots
“Tender honey brown sugar roasted carrots seasoned and baked to perfection make the perfect Easter holiday or everyday easy side dish.”
22
Phyllo Quiche with Leeks and Parmesan
Photo Credit:williams-sonoma.com
Filled with caramelized leeks and onion and lots of Parmesan, this savory quiche makes an impressive centerpiece for Easter dinner.
23
Braised Spring Peas with Lettuce and Mint: A Beautiful Side
This Braised Spring Peas with Lettuce and Mint is the essence of the season. Its fresh flavors complement just about any other dish you serve with it. Beautiful and vibrant.
24
A Favorite Tradition: Instant Pot Fruited Rice Pilaf
I don't remember the last Easter when this rice wasn't on the table -- in this bowl. It's just that good! And tastes like Easter in every bite.
25
SCALLOPED POTATOES WITH LEEKS
“Thinly sliced potatoes and leeks soak up a mixture of milk, cream and broth in this recipe, an easy-to-assemble but luxurious accompaniment to a ham or other roast meats. If you have a mandoline, it’s useful for quickly slicing the potatoes into uniform slices.”
26
Easy Classic Spinach Quiche
This easy Classic Spinach Quiche, in the tradition of Quiche Florentine, is a soft and custardy quiche that's simple to make, utterly delicious, and perfect for brunch or tea.
27
12 BEST Mashed Potatoes Recipes
A hallmark side dish for any holiday table is a creamy delicious mash. The question then is how to make the “best” mashed potatoes recipe ever.
28
15 Colorful Easter Salads for Your Spring Table
Easter Salad recipes add a colorful, festive array to your spring table. They’re light, bright, and beautiful. We’ve gathered some gorgeous salad recipes for your Easter table.
29
Cream of Parsnip Soup: Irresistibly Easy, Velvety, and Comforting
Cream of Parsnip Soup is a rich and velvety soup, perfect for Easter. This root vegetable soup is quick and easy, slightly sweet, with a nutty flavor that pairs well with the rich cream.
30
French Pea Soup
This French Pea Soup recipe, otherwise known as Potage Saint Germain, is an easy, classic dish, filled with the flavors of fresh peas and mint.
31
Creamy Carrot Soup with Leeks and Ginger
Creamy Carrot Soup with leeks and ginger is a velvety soup that is incredibly healthy and perfect for Easter dinner. This soup cooks in 10 minutes in an Instant Pot or in 15 minutes on the stovetop.
32
Almond Cinnamon Babka Star Bread
Almond Cinnamon Babka Star Bread is an elegant, pull-apart sweet bread, intensely flavored with cinnamon, almonds, and raisins. Soft and tender, and addictive. A perfect holiday bread, like Christmas or Easter, or delicious with morning coffee!
33
Ridiculously Easy Focaccia Bread
Photo Credit:thecafesucrefarine.com
"With less than 10-minutes of hands-on time and no-kneading, the name Ridiculously Easy Focaccia Bread says it all! Almost. It's also ridiculously delicious!"
34
Easy Easter Cake Recipes
It’s not Easter without an Easter cake. Celebrate the holiday with one of these easy Easter cakes we know will dazzle your family and friends.
35
Coconut Nest Cake
Photo Credit:www.victoriamag.com
"Positioned alongside this timely arrangement, a whimsical Coconut Nest Cake adds sweet allure to the festive tableau. Buttercream frosting—tinted a familiar robin’s egg blue and decorated with flecks of artfully applied chocolate—emulates the crisp shell of candy eggs, and the tiny speckled treats top a mound of toasted coconut."
36
Lemon Drizzle Cake Recipe
This easy Lemon Drizzle Cake is a beautiful recipe, perfect for days when you're craving a decadently tender dessert with abundant lemon flavoring. Or when you're looking for a traditional tea cake you know everyone will love.
37
Pound Cake Cupcakes
“A Thumbelina version of the tube-pan classic, these Pound Cake Cupcakes are pretty enough for a fairy-tale princess—and only a muffin tin away.”
38
Mini Lemon Pudding Cakes
Mini Lemon Pudding Cakes are a refreshing, melt-in-your-mouth, lemony dream. Simple and quick to make, this dessert magically forms two layers when baked. A light and airy cake on top with a lemon pudding custard on the bottom.
39
Easy Carrot Cake Loaf
This Carrot Cake Loaf is packed with flavor and grated carrots. Warm spices make it incredibly delicious, topped generously with cream cheese frosting!
40
Egg Nest Easter Cupcakes
For a quick and easy Easter treat that's fun and whimsical and spring-like, try these Easter Egg Nest Cupcakes with our Simple Vanilla Cupcakes recipe posted here.
41
Lemon Cut Out Sugar Cookies
It’s spring, and Easter is around the corner. Which means it’s the perfect time to celebrate withLemon Cut Out Sugar Cookies! They are delicious, buttery, sunny and bright with lemon flavor, and super easy to make in any shape you want.
42
Simple Almond Cake
This simple Almond Cake is an Almond Anytime Cake. Simple, incredibly moist, and delicious. A buttery, slightly sweet snacking cake perfect for teatime, breakfast, or midnight cravings.
43
Easter Kugelhopf (Central Europe Sunday Cake)
This Easter Kugelhopf is a German Austrian yeast cake that's much like a golden coffee cake with a rich buttery flavor. Baked in a Kugelhopf pan, or a Bundt pan, it's a special holiday or anytime cake you'll love.
44
18 Easy Easter Desserts to Make this Year
Perfectly complement Easter dinner with these easy Easter desserts.
45
A Classic Strawberry Shortcake Made Easy
An easy but incredibly delicious Strawberry Shortcake always makes a beautiful dessert.
46
Butter Lemon Tea Cookies
Butter Lemon Tea Cookies are a delightfully simple, sweet and soft wafer-like cookie with a beautiful lemon flavor. All you need is a cup of tea and your afternoon just became a bit brighter. An easy, traditional recipe that keeps or freezes well.
More Easter Recipes and Ideas
- Easy Easter Breakfast Recipes
- Brunch Recipes for Easter
- Easter Bread Recipes from Around the World
- Easy Easter Cake Recipes
See all of our Easter recipes and ideas here >>
