Are you planning a feast for your family this Easter weekend? Choosing a main dish can be a difficult undertaking. Do you prefer a traditional dish like turkey or ham or a modern option like salmon? Irrespective of what you decide, make sure you follow a proper recipe. To make Easter meal preparation easier, we’ve prepared a selection of our favorite easy Easter dinner recipes.
If you’re looking for the best Easter dinner ideas, we’ve got you covered! One of our favorite aspects of the April vacation is the opportunity to be creative. You could go the more traditional approach with a substantial ham or leg of lamb (which is fine), but there’s plenty of opportunity for creativity if you want. Keep the dinner warm and decadent, or lighten it up and experiment with spring veggies; the choice is yours.
Try these entertaining, healthful, and unique twists this year on traditional Easter dinner recipes. Scroll down for ten rue easy Easter dinner recipes that will delight your Easter Sunday visitors and leave them feeling satisfied.
1. Ham and Leek Quiche
Taking into account the best Easter dinner ideas, this simple recipe honors tradition by using ham, but it also incorporates veggies like Swiss chard and leeks. Melted Gruyere is a welcome addition, bringing the components together with its nutty savory flavor.
If you’re not motivated to make your pie crust, there’s no sense; you can buy a store-bought pie crust and get great, flaky results while saving a lot of time. Then, prepare a green salad to serve on the side; the brightness and acidity will cut through the heavy pie.
Recipe Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 F.
- Place the pie crust in a baking pot. Melt butter over medium heat.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, salt, and pepper.
- Fold in the cooled leek mixture, cheese, and ham until evenly mixed. Pour into pie crust.
- Bake until the middle of the quiche is barely set, about 40 to 45 minutes.
- Allow it to cool for approximately 15 minutes before slicing.
2. Fast Italian Fish Stew
Short on time yet keen to impress? This pretty fish stew was specially created for you. Tender halibut filets are served atop a bed of burst tomatoes and white beans seasoned with garlic, capers, and lemon. This colorful and nutritious stew is garnished with fresh parsley and basil. Make sure there’s enough crusty bread on the table to soak up every last piece!
Recipe Instructions:
- Pour the oil into a Dutch oven or big pot over medium heat.
- When hot, add onion and cook for a few minutes, until it softens.
- Add garlic and heat for about 30 seconds.
- Mix in the tomato paste with the remaining ingredients until thoroughly combined.
- Cook the potatoes, covered, for about 10 minutes, or until softened.
- Cook the fish in the Dutch oven, covered, for about 5 minutes, until well cooked.
- Serve sprinkled with thyme, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
3. Roast Leg of Lamb (Rosemary, Lemon, and Garlic)
Roasting a leg of lamb may appear scary, but the method is straightforward, and the result is fit for a feast! Our version uses only a few ingredients and bakes for less than two hours, so it requires little planning.
The powerful flavor of lamb is wonderfully balanced by the flavor-packed combination of rosemary, lemon, and garlic. To make meal preparation even easier, keep in mind that this dish may be served at room temperature and tastes just as good.
Recipe Instructions:
- Make deep, thin incisions in meat. Insert garlic slivers into cuts.
- Combine the oil, lemon zest and juice, pepper, rosemary, and melted jelly.
- Pour over lamb and chill for 4 to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Roast the lamb for 1 hr, then reduce the temperature to 180 degrees after the first 20 minutes.
- Make the sauce by heating the roasting pan juices, adding the stock and vinegar, and stirring thoroughly.
- Carve the meat and serve with sauce and optional stuffing.
4. Spring Minestrone
If you want to serve a crowd of vegetarians this Easter, look no further than this vivid, spring soup, which takes 30 minutes to prepare and can be easily scaled up. Minestrone is an Italian soup cooked with vegetables and, in many cases, pasta, and there are numerous recipes for it.
This one highlights the produce with leeks, celery, green beans, and Swiss chard while maintaining a soothing profile with ditalini pasta and Parmesan.
Recipe Instructions:
- Pour olive oil into a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- When hot, add onion and carrots, cooking for about 5 minutes until soft. Add garlic and heat for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
- Combine the zucchini, broth, tomatoes, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft.
- Add elbow pasta, chickpeas, asparagus, and peas, and cook for another 7 to 9 minutes. Adjust the heat as required.
- Stir in the lemon juice and additional salt and pepper as needed.
5. Slow-roasted Citrus Salmon
Slow roasting is a reliable method for preparing salmon that melts in your mouth. Our recipe calls for small slices of lemon and orange, which add a gorgeous, zesty flavor and an explosion of color. While the fish is baking, make an orange dijonaise and cucumber salad to serve with it. A few sprigs of dill complete this exquisite main course.
Recipe Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 275° F. Slice half of the orange into rounds.
- Squeeze 2 tablespoons of juice from the other half into a bowl and put aside.
- Arrange half of the citrus rounds in a 13-by-9-inch baking dish.
- Place salmon, skin side down, on the citrus and season with 1 teaspoon salt. Top with the remaining citrus rounds and dill sprigs.
- Drizzle with ¼ cup oil and bake for 50 minutes or until the salmon is opaque.
- Combine mayonnaise, mustard, pepper, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a bowl with orange juice.
- Combine cucumbers, sugar, and remaining 1¼ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Stir in the vinegar, shallot, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil.
6. Italian Easter Pie
There’s nothing better than spending a day in the kitchen with your loved ones, so here’s a great Easter project idea. This savory pie, which contains cured beef and cheese, is not for the faint of heart, but it is tasty and joyful.
A buttery handmade crust encases a delicious filling seasoned with roasted red peppers and spinach. To avoid stress, cook this pie the day before Easter and allow it to cool for at least three hours before serving. Don’t worry; it heats up quickly.
Recipe Instructions:
- Preheat the oven (325° F).
- Place ricotta in a large mixing basin. Add eggs one at a time, using an electric mixer at low speed.
- Stir in the ham, salami, mozzarella, and prosciutto until thoroughly blended.
- Line two 9-inch pans with pastry. Divide the ricotta mixture among the pans.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over each pie, then cover with the top pastry.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about an hour, or until the crust is golden brown.
7. Honey Ginger Ham
Glazed ham is an Easter staple, and we’ve adapted this recipe from the iconic Coca-Cola glazed ham. We replace Coca-Cola with ginger ale and add crystalized ginger to enhance the warm spiciness. Honey preserves things sweet and mild, while orange zest and rosemary add a fresh twist.
Last of all, this ham will make your home smell amazing and will impress your Easter guests!
Recipe Instructions:
- Preheat the oven (325° F).
- Remove the ham from the refrigerator an hour before cooking.
- Place the ham in a roasting pan.
- Use a knife to score fat on top in a diamond pattern.
- Combine the leftover ingredients in a bowl.
- Using a pastry brush, spread roughly 3/4 of the honey mixture over the ham.
- Bake for two hours, basting with the leftover sauce and pan drippings every 45 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and serve warm.
Read More: Easy And Delicious Crab Brulee Recipe
8. Quick Spring Lamb and Vegetable Stew
If you want to go the lamb route this Easter but aren’t all set to roast an entire leg, try this dish with lamb, carrots, onions, green beans, and more. The finished product provides a soothing, nutrient-dense dinner that will not dissatisfy. Serve the stew with a starchy side dish, such as scalloped potatoes or couscous, to absorb the broth.
Recipe Instructions:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat.
- Season lamb with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper.
- Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring periodically, until medium-rare. Transfer to a platter.
- Add the carrots, onion, and remaining oil to the pot. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Combine the broth, tomatoes, and beans. Simmer the vegetables for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Combine the lamb, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
- Serve immediately.
9. Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie is one of the warmest and most enjoyable recipes we can imagine. Shepherd’s pie is a casserole made with minced beef and vegetables and topped with mashed potatoes. It originated in the United Kingdom. Our variety features ground beef, cremini mushrooms, and thyme and comes from the oven fizzy and golden.
Recipe Instructions:
- Preheat the oven (325° F). Heat olive oil over low to medium heat.
- Cook onion and carrots for 8 to 10 minutes, until tender but not browned.
- Increase the heat to high, then add the lamb and cook until fully browned.
- Mix in the tomato paste and mustard, then add the stock.
- Reduce the heat to low, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Place the beef mixture into a 1½-quart casserole dish. Cover with mashed potatoes.
- Melt the butter and brush it over the top of the mashed potatoes.
- Bake for 50 minutes, or until the top is evenly browned.
10. Skillet Spanko"pea"ta
Make an Easter skillet inspired by spanakopita, a popular savory Greek pie made with phyllo pastry and spinach. We make certain changes to our recipe (for example, using fresh spring peas), but the result is still crumbly, buttery, and simple. This skillet can be the key course for a light Easter dinner or served along with a protein, such as lamb.
Recipe Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375° F. Heat oil in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the leek and garlic for about 3 minutes, or until softened.
- In a large bowl, combine spinach, lemon juice, oregano, eggs, peas, feta, and dill.
- Brush with 1 tablespoon butter and place, greased side up, in a skillet, pressing into the bottom.
- Brush another phyllo sheet with 1 tbsp butter.
- Spread the spinach mixture in the skillet.
- Fold the overflow to the center and brush with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
Tips for Cooking Easy Easter Dinner Recipes
Plan: Prepare easy Easter dinner recipes ahead of time to avoid last-minute rushing on dinner day.
Choose a few make-ahead recipes: When managing your day, consider meals that can be prepared a day or two ahead of time. As a result, you will never feel like you’re spending all of your time cooking.
Consider dietary limitations: If you have guests with dietary limitations, ensure you have the best Easter dinner ideas options available. Consider creating a gluten-free side dish or a vegetarian main entrée.
Invite guests to bring a dish: Do not be reluctant to invite guests to bring a dish or assist with the cooking. This relieves some of your anxiety and brings one and all closer together.
Use seasonal produce: If possible, buy your seasonal vegetables, such as carrots and asparagus, from your local market. Seasonal vegetables are also less costly since they are easily available.
Variety is essential: If you’re planning food for the whole day, mix sweet and savory recipes with a variety of components; not all need to include carrots.
What Is The Most Commonly Consumed Food During Easter?
Lamb is the one delicacy that many countries share throughout their Easter rituals. The roasted lamb dinner that many people consume on Easter predates Easter, having been invented with the Jewish people’s first Passover Seder.
Are There Unique Foods Consumed During Easter?
Several meals are served at Easter celebrations, including ham, lamb, roasted vegetables such as asparagus and carrots, scalloped potatoes, and hot cross buns, as well as deviled eggs, quiches, carrot cake, and fruit tarts.
Why Do People Eat Ham During Easter Dinner?
Ham was a more economical option than lamb. Not only it’s less expensive to rear than sheep, but farmers could butcher them in the fall and cure the meat during the cold winter months.
Why Do We Celebrate Easter With Food?
The lamb, which represents Jesus as God’s sacrificial lamb, is traditionally eaten on Easter to commemorate His resurrection. The humble egg, a sign of life and fertility, is said to depict Jesus’ tomb after his crucifixion.
Do You Have Dinner On Easter?
Whether you’re hosting family or friends this Easter, you’ll need a few special dinner ideas: an exquisite main course like ham or lamb, plenty of crowd-pleasing sides, and, of course, some fun and festive desserts.
Conclusion
With Easter approaching, now is the time to start looking for the best Easter dinner ideas that will satisfy and nourish your visitors. Our delicious collection of Easter dinner recipes includes everything from appetizers to main courses. Utilize our Easter dinner ideas to cap off the evening!
NICE TO MEET YOU!
Welcome! I’m Sumi, and I have a love for FOOD. Here, we’re all almost the pleasure of homemade delicious recipes.
Have you tried out one of my recipes? Share your culinary creations with us by tagging @eatfreshs on Instagram – I’d love to see your delicious dishes and connect with enthusiasts like you!