25+ Easter Menu Ideas: Complete Holiday Dinner Plans Your Family Will Love

Main Course Options for Your Easter Dinner

The centerpiece of your Easter feast sets the tone for the entire meal. Here are some delicious options that make a stunning presentation on your holiday dinner table.

Classic Easter Ham

Nothing says Easter quite like a beautifully glazed ham. This Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Glaze creates the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors that will have everyone coming back for seconds. The sticky, caramelized exterior gives way to tender, juicy meat that pairs perfectly with all your favorite sides.

For a complete main dish, try making a full ham with this glaze. Simply score the surface of your ham in a diamond pattern, brush with the glaze, and bake until caramelized. The brown sugar creates a beautiful crust while the pineapple adds a touch of tangy sweetness.

If you have leftover ham after your Easter celebration, transform it into this hearty Slow Cooker Ham, Potato, Corn & Veggie Chowder for an easy post-holiday meal.

Roast Lamb

Lamb is another traditional Easter main course that makes for an impressive centerpiece. A roast leg of lamb seasoned with garlic, rosemary, and olive oil is classic and delicious. For something equally flavorful but different, consider this Traditional Irish Lamb Stew with tender meat and vegetables.

This hearty stew combines tender lamb with potatoes, carrots, and herbs for a meal that’s comforting and special. The meat becomes incredibly tender as it simmers slowly with the vegetables, creating a rich, flavorful broth.

Alternative Main Dishes

If ham or lamb aren’t your family’s favorites, consider these alternatives:

• Roast Chicken: A whole roasted chicken with lemon, garlic, and herbs makes a beautiful presentation and is often more approachable for picky eaters.
• Pork Tenderloin: Elegant and quick-cooking, pork tenderloin can be dressed up with a maple glaze or herb crust.
• Vegetarian Option: A mushroom Wellington with puff pastry makes a stunning centerpiece for vegetarian guests.

Easter Side Dishes

The right side dishes complement your main course and round out your Easter dinner menu. Here are some options that celebrate spring flavors.

Potato Dishes

Potatoes are a must-have for many Easter tables. For a unique twist on traditional potatoes, try a loaded baked potato like the Air Fryer Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Baked Potato, which combines the comfort of shepherd’s pie with a twice-baked potato preparation.

If you prefer a lighter potato option, the Loaded Instant Pot Potato Salad makes a delicious cold side dish that can be prepared ahead of time. It’s packed with bacon, cheese, and green onions for extra flavor.

Fresh Spring Vegetables

Spring vegetables add color and freshness to your Easter table:

• Asparagus: Simply roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper, asparagus is the quintessential spring vegetable.
• Carrots: Glazed carrots with honey and a hint of cinnamon complement the sweet notes in your ham glaze.
• Green Beans: Fresh green beans sautéed with garlic and topped with sliced almonds add a nice crunch to the meal.

Learn all about different ways to prepare one of spring’s most versatile vegetables with this guide on How to Cook Sweet Potatoes.

Easter Salads

A fresh salad balances out the richness of the main course. The Lemon Blueberry Fruit Salad Recipe with Cool Whip brings bright spring flavors and a pop of color to your Easter table.

For something different, try the Panera Fuji Apple Salad & Dressing Copycat Recipe with its perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The combination of crisp apples, dried cranberries, and blue cheese makes it a sophisticated addition to your holiday spread.

If you’re going for a classic approach, consider the Easy Ambrosia Salad Recipe, which combines fruit, coconut, and marshmallows in a light, sweet dressing. It’s a nostalgic favorite that many guests will remember from childhood Easter celebrations.

Bread and Rolls

No Easter dinner is complete without some bread on the table. Homemade rolls or a braided Easter bread adds a special touch. If you’re looking for a cheesy, garlic-infused option, the Pull Apart Pepperoni & Mozzarella Pizza Monkey Bread makes a fun and delicious addition to your meal.

Easter Brunch Ideas

If you’re hosting Easter brunch instead of dinner, these morning-friendly dishes will start your holiday on the right note.

Egg Dishes

Eggs are symbolic of Easter, making them perfect for your brunch menu. The Farmers Market Ham & Egg Breakfast Casserole combines eggs with ham and fresh vegetables for a complete one-dish meal.

For something more elegant, try Cloud Eggs with Asiago Cheese & Chives. These impressive looking eggs feature fluffy whipped egg whites with the yolk nestled in the center, topped with cheese and herbs.

If you need to feed a crowd, Sheet Pan Scrambled Eggs are the perfect solution. They cook evenly and can be customized with various mix-ins like cheese, herbs, or diced ham.

Make-Ahead Breakfast Options

For a stress-free Easter morning, especially if you’re planning an egg hunt, these make-ahead options are lifesavers:

• French Toast Casserole: Prepare it the night before and bake in the morning for a hands-off breakfast.
• Overnight Cinnamon Rolls: Let them rise in the refrigerator overnight and bake fresh in the morning.
• Breakfast Charcuterie Board: Arrange meats, cheeses, fruits, and pastries for an elegant, no-cook option.

Easter Desserts and Sweet Treats

Easter is a time for indulgence, and these desserts will end your meal on a sweet note.

Easter-Themed Desserts

Themed desserts add a festive touch to your Easter celebration. Easter Chocolate Covered Oreos Chicks and Eggs are adorable treats that double as table decorations.

The Easter Rice Krispie Treats are colorful, easy to make, and always a hit with kids and adults alike. Shape them into eggs or rabbits for an extra festive touch.

For a fun activity and dessert in one, create Cocoa Rice Krispie Easter Egg Nests with the children. These chocolate nests hold colorful candy eggs and make a charming dessert presentation.

Easter Cookies and Bars

Cookies and bars are perfect for serving a crowd. Easter Thumbprint Cookies with pastel-colored fillings are as beautiful as they are delicious.

For something different, try Decadent Easter M&M Bars loaded with pastel-colored candies and white chocolate chips. These chewy, buttery bars are a crowd-pleaser and can be made in advance.

Classic Spring Desserts

Traditional spring desserts showcase seasonal flavors:

• Carrot Cake: With cream cheese frosting, this spiced cake is an Easter classic.
• Lemon Meringue Pie: Bright and tangy, this pie celebrates citrus season.
• Coconut Cake: With its snowy white appearance, a coconut cake makes a stunning Easter dessert.
• Fresh Fruit Tart: Showcase spring berries and fruits in a beautiful pastry shell.

Easter Appetizers and Snacks

Keep guests satisfied before the main meal with these Easter-appropriate appetizers.

Spring-Inspired Starters

Light, fresh appetizers set the stage for your Easter feast. Easy Deviled Egg Pasta Salad combines two Easter classics—deviled eggs and pasta salad—into one delicious dish.

For a simple but elegant option, serve Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups that can be prepared in advance and sliced just before serving. They’re portable, which makes them perfect for enjoying outside during an Easter egg hunt.

Cheese and Charcuterie

A beautiful cheese board with spring elements makes an impressive starter:

• Cheese Selection: Include a variety of textures, from soft goat cheese to aged cheddar.
• Spring Accompaniments: Add fresh strawberries, honeycomb, and edible flowers.
• Easter Touches: Arrange crackers in the shape of a bunny or nest, or include pastel-colored items.

Easter Drinks and Cocktails

Complete your Easter menu with festive beverages for guests of all ages.

Family-Friendly Options

Refreshing non-alcoholic drinks everyone can enjoy:

• Spring Punch: Mix lemonade with Sprite and floating fresh berries for a pretty presentation.
• Pastel Smoothies: Create smoothies in Easter colors with strawberries (pink), mangoes (yellow), or blueberries (purple).
• Bunny Hot Chocolate: For cooler Easter mornings, serve hot chocolate with whipped cream “bunny tails.”

Adult Easter Cocktails

For the grown-ups, consider these festive options:

• Mimosa Bar: Set up a self-serve station with champagne and various juices.
• For something truly special, prepare Boozy Easter Egg Jello Shots served in actual egg shells for a conversation-starting treat.

Planning Your Easter Menu

Creating a balanced Easter menu requires some planning. Here are tips to help:

Menu Planning Tips

1. Balance flavors and textures: Include something sweet (glazed ham), savory (roasted vegetables), fresh (spring salad), and rich (dessert).
2. Consider cooking logistics: Plan dishes that can share oven space or be prepared in advance.
3. Incorporate spring produce: Highlight seasonal ingredients like asparagus, peas, and strawberries.
4. Think about timing: Create a cooking schedule to ensure everything is ready at the same time.

Make-Ahead Components

Reduce Easter Day stress by preparing these items in advance:

• Desserts: Most cakes, cookies, and bars can be made 1-2 days ahead.
• Salads: Prepare components and dress just before serving.
• Side Dishes: Many vegetable sides can be prepped the day before and quickly finished on Easter.
• Ham Glaze: Mix your Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Glaze a day ahead and refrigerate.

Setting the Easter Table

Create a festive atmosphere with these easy touches:

• Spring Flowers: Tulips, daffodils, or lilies make beautiful centerpieces.
• Easter Touches: Incorporate eggs, bunnies, or pastel colors in your table setting.
• Place Cards: Use Free Easter Gift Tags and Toppers as place cards or menu identifiers.

Easter Menu Combinations

If you’re struggling to put together a cohesive menu, here are three complete Easter menu ideas to inspire you:

Traditional Easter Dinner

• Main: Ham with Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Glaze
• Sides: Scalloped potatoes, roasted asparagus, Lemon Blueberry Fruit Salad
• Bread: Dinner rolls
• Dessert: Easter Chocolate Covered Oreos
• Drink: Iced tea with fresh mint

Spring Celebration Brunch

• Main: Farmers Market Ham & Egg Breakfast Casserole
• Sides: Fresh fruit, Cloud Eggs with Asiago Cheese & Chives
• Bread: Hot cross buns
• Dessert: Easter Rice Krispie Treats
• Drink: Coffee bar and mimosas

Elegant Easter Feast

• Main: Traditional Irish Lamb Stew (or roast leg of lamb)
• Sides: Panera Fuji Apple Salad, roasted garlic mashed potatoes
• Bread: Pull Apart Pepperoni & Mozzarella Pizza Monkey Bread (or herb focaccia)
• Dessert: Lemon layer cake
• Drink: White wine or Boozy Easter Egg Jello Shots

Activities to Pair with Your Easter Meal

Make your Easter celebration complete with these activities that complement your meal:

• Easter Egg Hunt: Set up a hunt before dinner while the ham is in the oven.
• Easter Crafts: Keep children busy with Free Printable Easter Games.
• Easter Basket Exchange: Exchange small gifts or baskets before or after the meal.

Final Thoughts on Easter Menu Planning

Easter dinner is about bringing family together to celebrate the arrival of spring and create lasting memories. The best Easter menu is one that makes you feel comfortable as a host while delighting your guests.

Don’t feel pressured to make everything from scratch—focus on one or two special homemade items and supplement with quality store-bought items. Remember, the most important ingredient in any holiday meal is the love and care you put into planning it.

With these Easter menu ideas, you’re well-equipped to create a memorable holiday feast that will have everyone looking forward to next year’s celebration. Happy Easter!