34 Easter Dinner Ideas for a Delicious Spring Feast

Make the most of seasonal flavors and classic dishes for this special meal.

Honey-Glazed Spiral Ham next to sides of vegetables and potato dish — Credit: Chris Simpson

Our comprehensive collection of Easter dinner ideas has all the recipes you need for the holiday meal. Show-stopping entrée options include ham (spiral-cut, smoked, or fresh), roast lamb, roast turkey, and vegetarian mains, too. Start the meal with deviled eggs, a much-loved choice, or a spring soup. For sides, take advantage of colorful spring vegetables, like asparagus, leeks, and English peas—and don't forget carrots, the Easter bunny's favorite. Read on for all the recipes that should make their way to your table this Easter.

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Wild Salmon with English Peas and Mustard Beurre Blanc with Maple-Mustard Glaze and Pan Gravy

Johnny Miller

Simple to prepare yet spectacular, this Easter entrée features a side of roasted wild salmon served with English peas. The beurre blanc is served on the side. It's like a warm vinaigrette made with butter instead of oil.

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Asparagus-and-Potato Gratin

asparagus potato gratin — Con Poulos

Is this a side dish or a main? We're not sure, but we know it is delicious. Adding asparagus to that old favorite, the potato gratin, is such a genius idea we can't believe we didn't think of it before. There's also prosciutto, goat cheese, and Pecorino Romano.

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Deviled Eggs with Relish

deviled eggs with relish — Emily Laurae

Is there an appetizer better suited to Easter than the deviled egg? We love them so much we've developed many variations from ones with smoked salmon to ones with watercress. This easy, zesty take with relish is a favorite.

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Test Kitchen’s Favorite Buttermilk Biscuits

classic buttermilk biscuits with jam butter — Armando Rafael

Biscuits are a great partner for Easter ham, but they also pair wonderfully with all kinds of holiday dishes. These buttermilk biscuits have long been our test kitchen’s go-to. We always cut them into squares—it’s quicker and easier than using a biscuit cutter and works the dough less (so the biscuits can rise taller!).

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Pomegranate-Glazed Ham with Jammy Cipollinis

pomegranate glazed ham with jammy cipollinis

A spectacular ham, this elegant main dish is glazed with a two-ingredient combination of pomegranate molasses and brown sugar.

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Asparagus with Almonds, Goat Cheese, and Basil

asparagus-with-almonds-goat-cheese-basil-103271924 — Johnny Miller

A dish fit for the holiday table, tender asparagus stalks are tossed with an irresistible mustard-lemon dressing, made with soft-cooked egg yolk, and topped with almonds and goat cheese.

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Crown Roast of Lamb with Pilaf Stuffing

crown-roast-of-lamb-with-pilaf-stuffing-102797939_horiz — Aya Brackett

For all who think it's not Easter dinner without a stellar lamb entrée, this is our go-to recipe when we want a real showstopper. Two racks of lamb are rubbed with an earthy spice mixture made from ground coriander, lemon zest, garlic, and thyme.

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Sweet Peas with Shallots and Gem Lettuce

sweet peas with shallots gem lettuce — Anson Smart

This warm and tender salad is so very springlike. You can cook the peas ahead and let them sit on the stovetop, then toss in the lettuce and butter right before serving.

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Warm Spinach Salad With Shiitake Mushrooms and Red Onion

warm spinach salad with shiitake mushrooms and red onion

Spinach is sautéed with shiitake mushrooms, then paired with quick pickled red onions and some raw spinach for a deliciously fresh take on salad that should be part of your Easter dinner menu.

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Roast Beef with Shallots

Roast Beef with Shallots — Aya Brackett

In this easy roast beef recipe, bottom round is rubbed with a combination of chopped garlic and Dijon mustard before being cooked on a bed of shallots.

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Egg Noodles With Asparagus and Grated Egg Yolks

Egg Noodles with Asparagus and Grated Egg Yolks — Ryan Liebe

Whether you serve it as a side dish or a vegetarian main, this spring pasta recipe is apt for Easter. The simple sauce is made with a combination of mascarpone cheese, the zest and juice of a lemon, and Pecorino Romano cheese.

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White-Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes

White-Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes — Chris Simpson

Our latest and greatest scalloped potatoes recipe uses white cheddar for a cheesy topping. It's a streamlined take on the classic that you'll want to make for Easter and other holidays.

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Creamy Ginger-Asparagus Soup

Creamy Ginger-Asparagus Soup — Chris Simpson

Though we call it creamy, this is a silky vegan soup with no actual cream. The smooth, pleasing texture comes via a combination of russet potatoes and olive oil. While the base is asparagus, we add some baby spinach to get the vibrant green color.

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Lemon-Herb Turkey With Bay Butter and Gravy

lemon-herb turkey with bay butter — Paola + Murray

If you want to serve turkey for Easter dinner, try this springy recipe: The bird is roasted with a herb mixture made from crushed bay leaves, rosemary, lemon zest, and plenty of garlic.

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Leek Gratin

Leek Gratin — Jacob Fox

A cheesy side dish that showcases leeks deliciously. This gratin makes a great supporting player for all kinds of roast ham, lamb, and other Easter main dishes.

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Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

New potatoes are mashed with buttermilk for a pleasingly creamy yet also tangy flavor that’s a fresh addition to your Easter dinner menu.

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Feta-and-Dill-Stuffed Artichokes

carrot-lentil-salad-artichoke-hearts-frontfocus-183-d111830.jpg — Christopher Testani

A special-occasion dish, streamlined just for Easter dinner. Trim and steam the artichokes in advance, then fill them just before baking. The five-ingredient stuffing includes bread, feta cheese, and dill, moistened with chicken broth and olive oil. Another drizzle of oil helps the dish brown in the oven.

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Honey-Glazed Spiral Ham

A honeyglazed spiral ham on a decorative plate placed on a table with glasses and plates

An easy centerpiece for your Easter dinner, spiral ham gets a simple glaze before baking and is pre-sliced, making serving at the table more streamlined.

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Spiced Beef Stew With Carrots and Chickpeas

Spiced Beef Stew with Carrots and Chickpeas — Con Poulos

While a classic beef stew might seem too hearty for spring, this lightened-up version is just right for Easter. It's packed with chickpeas, carrots, red bell pepper, and berbere seasoning (an Ethiopian spice blend made from ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and cardamom).

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Pepper-Crusted Lamb With Roasted Vegetables

Pepper-Crusted Lamb with Roasted Vegetables — Chris Simpson

If you're hosting a smaller Easter dinner, consider making lamb loin chops instead of the usual crown roast. This recipe comes together in just over an hour and serves four.

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Spice-Rubbed Fresh Ham With Citrus Glaze

Bryan Gardner

A fresh ham is coated with a spice rub made with fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and whole black peppercorns a day ahead of roasting. Then, it's cooked low and slow for 4 1/2 hours. Paired with a bright citrus garnish, it's a colorful and flavorful centerpiece for an Easter dinner.

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Saffron Risotto With Shrimp and Peas

saffron risotto shrimp peas — Sidney Bensimon

Cozy up with a super creamy, satisfying bowl of risotto for Easter dinner. This recipe calls for saffron, which makes the dish feel extra special (and smell extra special, too!).

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Cheesy Asparagus Pasta

cheesy asparagus pasta in red pot — Chris Simpson

Perfect for vegetarians, this rich pasta dish celebrates asparagus and will be a welcome addition to your Easter dinner table.

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Roasted Red Potatoes

roasted red potatoes - in bowl — Emily Laurae

Add a little color to your holiday dinner with these easy-to-make roasted potatoes. It’s a crowd-pleasing dish that always goes fast.

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Beet-and-Dill-Roasted Wild Salmon

beet dill wild roasted salmon — Anson Smart

Dramatic and delicious, this salmon recipe is also straightforward to make. Grated red beet gives the fish a deep purple-red hue, while fresh dill and horseradish bring intense flavor.

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Roast Chicken With Vegetables and Potatoes

roast chicken with vegetables and potatoes — Marcus Nilsson

Here's a classic main course that's perfect for Easter. Loaded with fresh carrots, shallots, and potatoes, it's a grand one-dish recipe that's sure to please.

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Miso Salmon With Asparagus and Carrots

Miso Salmon with Asparagus and Carrots recipe — Ren Fuller

If you're hosting Easter dinner for four, try this salmon entrée. It features spring all-stars—asparagus and carrots—over cous cous.

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Virginia Ham With Honey-Mustard Glaze

Anna Williams

There's no need for a centerpiece when you place this honey-baked ham on the table. Before baking, it's brushed with a couldn't-be-simpler four-ingredient glaze made from honey, Dijon mustard, light brown sugar, and ground cloves.

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Pork Schnitzel Medallions

This version of pork schnitzel is coated in Dijon-mustard-infused eggs, then breaded and friend until golden. Our recipe yields up to 20 servings, making it an ideal main dish for an Easter feast.

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Roasted Seas Bass With Sweet Potatoes, Spinach, and Salsa Rustica

fish and vegetables on baking sheet — Justin Walker

The salsa rustica is an Italian-inspired blend of fresh herbs, capers, vinegar, and oil. It's packed with fresh flavor that complement the meaty sea bass fillets, along with the spinach and garlic sweet potatoes.

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Baked Cod With Tomatoes and Potatoes

Bryan Gardner

This fresh fish one-pot casserole is easily customizable with any white fish you prefer—bass, hake, haddock, or cod. The lemon and tomatoes deliver bold flavors as all the ingredients bake together.

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Chicken-Thigh Piccata With Broccoli Rabe

chicken-thigh piccata with broccoli rabe — Nico Schinco

A classic chicken dish with a briny piccata sauce made from lemon juice, capers, and butter. We use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which enhance the dish's juicy flavor.

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Broiled Salmon With Vegetables and Scallion Rice

Broiled Salmon — Rachel Marek

Sheet-pan dinners are perfect for the efficiency and feeding a crowd. For an Easter dinner feast, try broiled salmon with vegetables and scallion rice for a simple, flavorful dish that will end the night on a high note.

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Rolled Rib-Eye Roast

rolled rib eye roast — Ngoc Minh Ngo

A rolled rib-eye roast is a tender, flavorful main dish with a beautiful presentation. If you're not comfortable butterflying the meat yourself, we recommend asking your butcher.

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