Our Absolute Favorite Easter Dinner Recipes
When you're looking for Easter dinner ideas, peruse this collection of recipes to help you plan your holiday feast. We're sure you'll want to make one of these showstopping entrées the centerpiece of your table.
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If you're looking for some Easter dinner ideas, you're in luck—we have delicious recipes for the main course that are sure to satisfy the entire family. One of the most popular dishes to cook for Easter is lamb. From a crown rack of lamb that will feed a large family or individual lamb loins if you're keeping your celebration on the smaller side, our recipes are just right for this joyful holiday. First up? Our recipe for Lamb Ghouzi, which is pictured right here. Lamb shoulder is seasoned with a combination of saffron, ginger, garlic, cardamom, and cloves for warm, spiced flavor. Complete the meal with generous servings of basmati rice, roasted potatoes, and a citrus arugula salad.
If a spectacular roast turkey is more your style, keep it simple by roasting the bird with lemon and herbs, or else pack a punch with a sweet and sharp glaze made from ingredients such as maple syrup, mustard, or fruit marmalade.
Of course, one of the best things about Easter falling during the spring is the abundance of seasonal vegetables—peas and asparagus, in particular, are at their peak, and we can't think of two produce items more befitting of Easter dinner. We love pairing peas with saffron risotto and shrimp, but we have plenty of unique flavors that you'll love, too. We can't forget about the Easter bunny, though, so we made sure to include several carrot recipes guaranteed to please, including risotto made with carrot juice and plenty of other in-season dishes that are simple, but spectacular.
Ready to plan for your own holiday celebration? Go ahead and serve your best and most delicious feast ever with these Easter dinner ideas.
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Honey-Glazed Spiral Ham
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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Beet-and-Dill-Roasted Wild Salmon
In addition to being dramatic and delicious, this salmon recipe is also straightforward to make and simply perfect for Easter dinner. Grated red beet gives the fish a deep purple-red hue while fresh dill and horseradish bring intense flavor.
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Crown Roast of Lamb with Pilaf Stuffing
For all those who think it's not Easter dinner without a stellar lamb entrée, this is our go-to 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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Pomegranate-Glazed Ham with Jammy Cipollinis
Celebrate Easter with this spectacular ham recipe, which is glazed with a sweet combination of pomegranate molasses and brown sugar.
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Roast Beef with Shallots
In this easy recipe that's just right for Easter dinner, bottom round is rubbed with a combination of chopped garlic and Dijon mustard before being roasted on a bed of shallots.
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Egg Noodles with Asparagus and Grated Egg Yolks
Whether you serve it as a side dish or a vegetarian main, this spring pasta recipe is so apt for Easter. The sauce is made with a combination of mascarpone cheese, the zest and juice of a lemon, and Pecorino Romano cheese.
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Lemon-Herb Turkey with Bay Butter and Gravy
If you want to serve turkey for Easter dinner, try this recipe: The turkey is roasted with a herb mixture made from crushed bay leaves, rosemary, lemon zest, and plenty of garlic.
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Spice-Rubbed Fresh Ham with Citrus Glaze
Ham is always a showstopping main course for Easter dinner. Here, we dressed it up with a spice rub made with fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and whole black peppercorns.
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Glazed Ham with Horseradish Cream
A pungent cream sauce made with creme fraîche, freshly grated horseradish, thyme leaves, and chopped shallot just might be the ultimate pairing with baked ham.
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Spiced Beef Stew with Carrots and Chickpeas
While a classic beef stew might seem too hearty for spring, this lightened up version is just right for your Easter diiner. 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
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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Saffron Risotto with Shrimp and Peas
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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Roasted Leg of Lamb with Asparagus and Herbs
Instead of the usual mint jelly, make use of garlicky ramps in a flavorful pesto to serve with roasted lamb along with roasted asparagus and spring onions.
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Cheesy Asparagus Pasta
Perfect for vegetarians, this rich pasta dish celebrates asparagus and will be a welcome addition to your Easter dinner table.
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Virginia Ham with Honey-Mustard Glaze
There's no need for a centerpiece when you place this honey-baked ham on the table. It's brushed with a couldn't-be-simpler four-ingredient glaze made from honey, Dijon mustard, light brown sugar, and ground cloves before baking.
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Roast Turkey with Maple-Mustard Glaze and Pan Gravy
Our classic turkey recipe for Easter is made with a sweet and sharp glaze featuring fresh orange, garlic, thyme, maple syrup, and Dijon.
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Carrot-Lemon Risotto
Need Easter dinner ideas for vegetarians? Try this deeply satisfying risotto recipe. Carrot juice adds a vivid orange hue and slightly sweet flavor.
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Slow-Cooker Persian Lamb Stew
Lamb shoulder, white wine, orange juice, thyme, and garlic come together in this hands-off stew. Let the slow cooker do the work while you focus on setting the Easter table, making appetizers, and mingling with guests.
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Roast Chicken with Vegetables and Potatoes
This classic main course is perfect for Easter. Loaded with fresh carrots, shallots, and potatoes, it's a dish that's sure to please.
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Miso Salmon with Asparagus and Carrots
Pescatarians will love this tasty Easter dinner idea, which features springtime fresh vegetables asparagus and—the Easter bunny's favorite—carrots.