Celebrate Easter in style with these delicious recipes and creative menu ideas! Each dish in this collection is easy to make and perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner. No matter the size of your family or gathering, these recipes will surely please everyone around the table.
In This Post
Easter is a time of renewal and new beginnings, so it’s a perfect occasion to gather and enjoy good food with fresh produce and seasonal ingredients. It’s always been my favorite spring holiday. Not only do I love attending church with my family, but the beautiful springtime weather also adds to the enjoyment of this special time.
It’s a wonderful time to pull out all the stops and celebrate with a special meal. Whether you’re planning a traditional Easter lunch or having breakfast or bruch with friends, these recipes are the best way to celebrate the holiday. I’ve put everything in one place, so you can plan your menu and have some fun cooking.
Appetizers
Layered Shrimp Dip
Perfectly seasoned, juicy shrimp layered with cream cheese and cocktail sauce is the perfect easy-to-make appetizer for impromptu get-togethers and parties. Layered Shrimp Dip has all the flavors of a classic shrimp cocktail, now made into a dip served with your favorite cracker!
Creamy Southern Deviled Eggs
Extra creamy deviled eggs are a classic, crowd pleasing appetizer and a must for any southern holiday celebration. This deviled egg recipe is simple to make with no-frills or fancy extras. They are the perfect finger food for holidays, parties and gatherings anytime of the year.
Fresh Tomato Relish
Fresh Tomato Relish is full of bright, sweet, and tangy flavors making it irresistible! Serve it as an appetizer with crunchy bread and cheese or as a dip with chips. It's super versatile and makes the best topping for grilled burgers, sausages, chicken, and fish.
Easy Mini Cheese Balls
Delicious, versatile, and easy to make, Mini Cheese Balls are perfect for any occasion! They are a terrific finger food appetizer for parties, casual entertaining, or holiday gatherings with family and friends.
Strawberry And Herb Goat Cheese Bruschetta
Fresh strawberries and herbs combined with creamy goat cheese on perfectly toasted bread with a sweet tangy balsamic reduction make an appetizer that's as delicious as it is beautiful!
Crudité Platter With Deviled Egg Dip
If you're looking to make a beautiful Crudité Platter then this savory, creamy, flavorful Deviled Egg Dip is a must-have! This simple 6 ingredient recipe is ready in just 10 minutes and perfect to serve for any occasion! Whether you're casually entertaining friends, attending a potluck, or hosting a holiday feast, Deviled Egg Dip is sure to be the talk of the party!
Easy Hot Crab Dip
Rich, creamy Hot Crab Dip cooked in a cast-iron skillet is the ultimate appetizer for any party! Loaded with fresh crab meat and seasoned perfectly, your friends and family will be begging for this easy-to-make recipe.
Salads
Best Caprese Pasta Salad (Fresh and Easy)
This fresh and easy salad combines all the classic flavors of a Caprese Salad with pasta! Perfect for a simple family meal or when feeding a crowd this make-ahead recipe for the best Caprese Pasta Salad delivers a burst of flavor everyone will love.
Easy Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia Salad is a classic recipe that's hard to resist. Make with pineapple, cherries, oranges, coconut, pecans and grapes all wrapped up in fresh whipped cream and marshmallows, is a fruit salad that dreams are made of!
Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing
Spinach Salad has a great combination of flavors and textures, making it so delicious and satisfying. Drizzle on warm bacon dressing, which is sweet and savory all at once, for a nutritious salad or main dish.
Broccoli Apple Salad
Fresh broccoli, apples, cheese and a light, bright dressing made into one awesome salad. There’s a reason why this broccoli salad is a favorite at covered dish suppers and holiday celebrations!
Tomato Cucumber Salad
Tomato Cucumber Salad is a refreshing dish that packs a punch of fresh flavor. It's simple to make with a bright dressing full of herbs. This is one delightful salad that's like a burst of summer on your plate!
Grape Salad
Delicious Grape Salad is amazingly fresh, sweet, and creamy with a crunchy topping that’s irresistible! Served as a side dish or a dessert, this easy-to-make recipe is always a favorite at the holidays, potluck suppers, or when you’re entertaining.
Strawberry Caprese Pasta Salad
Ripe, juicy strawberries, tender pasta twirls, and creamy mozzarella, all tossed in a bright dressing, make a fresh, easy-to-make salad that's like a pop of summer in every bite.
Pear And Spinach Salad With Balsamic Vinaigrette
Fresh pears, spinach, toasted pecans, red onion, and Parmesan cheese are all tossed in a homemade dressing to make a fall salad masterpiece! It's the perfect combination of crunchy, creamy, salty, and sweet.
Pesto Pasta Salad With Tomatoes And Mozzarella
Tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil all tossed in a "short-cut" pesto sauce make a salad that is seriously delicious! This easy pasta salad recipe is perfect for parties, cookouts, potlucks, and a must-make when you're feeding a crowd.
Carrot Apple Salad Recipe
Carrots and apples take center stage in this fresh salad that's so easy to make! Carrot Apple Salad is a classic, feel-good recipe perfect for serving in the Fall or whenever you need a pop of bright flavor. It's the ideal side dish for busy weeknight meals and is great for family get-togethers.
Classic Pea Salad
Classic Pea Salad is a cool, delicious side dish perfect for serving any time of year. Made with frozen, sweet peas, bacon, cheese, onion, and a bright, creamy dressing, this salad is ideal for cookouts, potlucks, and holiday buffets. Don’t let this simple dish fool you, it’s loaded with yummy flavors that you’ll fall in love with after just one bite!
Main Dishes
Copycat Honey Baked Ham Recipe
Honey Baked Ham with a sweet, caramelized glaze is the star of the show on any holiday table! There's no need to spend extra time and money ordering this popular main dish when you can make this delicious, impressive copycat baked ham recipe at home.
Slow Cooker Balsamic Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Roast
Sweet, tangy balsamic vinegar, rich brown sugar, a few herbs and spices covering a lean pork roast, all cooked low and slow for a few hours.
Ham and Cheese Croissant Breakfast Casserole
Buttery croissants, smokey ham, and gooey cheese are all baked together for the ultimate breakfast casserole. Inspired by the French classic, Croque Monsieur, this is an easy-to-make recipe that's heavenly served with powdered sugar, jam and perfect for breakfast, brunch, and a must for the holidays.
Brown Sugar Mustard Baked Ham
Baked ham cooked low and slow is loaded with flavor from brown sugar, mustard and cola.
Three Cheese Quiche
Easy to make Three Cheese Quiche with cheddar, mozzarella and Parmesan is a great main dish for breakfast, brunch or a weeknight meal. It’s an excellent make-ahead recipe that freezes beautifully, to help save time and reduce
Best Homemade Sausage Gravy
Homemade Sausage Gravy ladled over warm biscuits is a classic Southern recipe that's the ultimate breakfast comfort food. This simple, delicious dish, made with just 3-ingredients, in 20-minutes is a great way to start the day and is delicious for dinner!
Crock Pot Sweet and Savory Ham
With only three ingredients and your crockpot, you can turn a ham into something truly amazing! It’s sweet from an easy to make glaze and tender from being cooked low and slow. This Easter, give yourself a break and make this ham in the slow cooker for a show-stopping dish everyone is sure to love.
Ham and Cheese Quiche
Ham and Cheese Quiche is an easy to make recipe that full of smokey ham, melted cheese, and tons of flavor. While this recipe is great to serve at brunch or breakfast, it's also hearty enough for a quick weeknight dinner. Ready to serve in just 30 minutes, this family favorite dish is the perfect way to show someone a little love or say thank you!
BEST Roasted Pork Tenderloin
Perfectly seasoned, then roasted with butter and fresh herbs in a cast-iron skillet, this is the BEST Pork Tenderloin ever! Juicy, tender pork tenderloin is super simple to make for a weeknight meal, Sunday supper and is special enough for entertaining.
Egg & Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Breakfast casserole with sausage, egg and cheese is super easy to make and delicious to eat.
Orange and Pepper Jelly Glazed Ham
Baked ham slathered with a sticky, sweet, and savory glaze will be the center of attention on your holiday table! Turn any meal into a celebration with this easy recipe for Orange and Red Pepper Jelly Glazed Ham and watch the rave reviews come in.
Bacon Cheddar Quiche Recipe
Bacon Cheddar Quiché is a classic dish that's a welcome sight on any breakfast, brunch table, or supper table! It's made with three kinds of cheese, smokey bacon all baked in a buttery, flaky pie crust. Whether served for a weeknight meal, lazy weekends, or the holidays, everyone will be smitten with this recipe after just one bite.
Side Dishes
Southern Pineapple Casserole
Pineapple Casserole has become a classic, southern dish, and for good reason. It's sweet, savory, and has a buttery topping that makes it totally addictive!
Asparagus Pea Pasta Salad
Asparagus Pea Pasta Salad, with its tender pasta, crunchy asparagus, and sweet peas all tossed in a zesty lemon dressing, is the perfect easy dish for any day of the week. This delicious make-ahead pasta salad with spring veggies is also great for dining outdoors, picnics, and potlucks!
Skillet Cinnamon Apples
Simple, easy Skillet Cinnamon Apples makes an amazing side dish, or dessert and is perfect for breakfast. Sauteed in butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon your favorite fall apples are turned into a decedent creation that's hard to resist!
Southern Fried Corn Recipe
Buttery, Fried Corn is a classic Southern side dish that's a pure delight. It's simple, made in minutes with fresh corn, and is destined to shoot to the top of the list of your favorite recipes after the first time you make it!
Spinach Strawberry Salad
Beautiful, delicious, and easy to make, Spinach Strawberry Salad is like a burst of spring in every bite! Then with a sprinkle of feta cheese, candied pecans, and a drizzle of homemade dressing, you've got a next-level salad to make any time of the year.
Easy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
Beautiful, perfectly cooked Scalloped Potatoes are a classic that you'll fall in love with after just one bite! Tender, thinly sliced potatoes are baked in a rich, creamy sauce for a side dish that's excellent to serve alongside any main course and is a must-make for the holidays.
Cranberry Pecan Slaw
Take your coleslaw to a whole new level with sweet, tangy cranberries and crunchy pecans. Mix in an apple and some savory, green onions then toss them all in a creamy dressing for a dish that will be a favorite at any gathering!
Southern Style Green Beans
Green beans cooked low and slow in bacon are a Southern tradition.
Cheesy Hashbrown Potato Casserole
Cheesy Hashbrown Potato Casserole is pure comfort food that's easy to make and is always a crowd-pleaser at family gatherings, potlucks, and a must for breakfast or brunch.
Honey Glazed Carrots
Beautiful, glazed carrots with honey and butter are easy to make yet special enough to make a statement on any holiday table! They are so hard to resist, you'll make them all year round.
Easy Pimento Cheese Grits
Two Southern classics are combined to make creamy, luscious Pimento Cheese Grits, and the result is outstanding! This recipe is simple, versatile, and perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a must for any holiday brunch.
Air Fryer Green Beans (Quick And Easy)
Learn the secret to making the best Air Fryer Green Beans. This quick and easy recipe using fresh green beans is easy to master and is the perfect way to add a delicious side dish to any meal.
Southern Candied Yams
Candied yams are a classic holiday side dish that's an outstanding addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, but they are also terrific to serve year-round. Sweet potatoes cooked with brown sugar, butter, and warm spices are the star of the show and downright irresistible!
Desserts And Bread
Best Lemon Pound Cake
This Lemon Pound Cake is made with fresh, squeezed lemon juice and zest for a cake that tastes like summer with every bite. If you love classic pound cake, you’ll be head over heels for this citrus-loaded version!
Million Dollar Pound Cake
Million Dollar Pound Cake is buttery, soft, has rich flavors of vanilla and almond, and is a dessert that's worthy of its name! This classic recipe not only looks impressive but also tastes amazing and, believe it or not, is very simple to make with just 7 ingredients.
Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie
Decadent Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie is pure perfection and so easy to make! This no corn syrup recipe combines rich maple syrup with smokey bourbon and pecans to make a pie that's sure to be the star of any holiday gathering.
Easy Banana Nut Bread
Prepped in just 10-minutes and in one bowl, this quick bread is a family favorite that disappears quickly!
No-Bake Birds Nest Cookies
Get ready for the BEST 10 minute recipe you will ever find! These No Bake Bird Nest Cookies are a delightful sweet and salty treat that's easy to make with only 5 simple ingredients. This fun, adorable dessert is a perfect recipe for a baking day with the kids, and a must-make sweet treat for Easter!
Southern Pound Cake
Southern Pound Cake is beautiful, rich and a classic worth raving about! It's buttery and soft on the inside with a thick crumbly top that makes it totally irresistible. This cake made with simple ingredients is the star of any meal and perfect for the holidays and family celebrations.
Best Southern Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet Potato Pie is a classic southern dessert that’s irresistible! Made with simple ingredients and warm spices in a buttery crust, this pie is perfect for a weeknight meal and is a MUST on your holiday table.
No Bake Coconut Cream Pie In Jars
This post and recipe was created for #SummerDessertWeek! I was sent samples by some of the sponsor companies but as always opinions are 100% mine. Make this luscious, creamy coconut pie with a graham cracker crust in
Lemon Poppy Seed Cake Recipe
This cake has bright, fresh lemony flavors swirled into a sweet batter loaded with poppy seeds. Sure, you can pick up a piece of poppy seed cake at the coffee shop but one bite of this homemade deliciousness and I’ll never make that mistake again.
Spinach Artichoke Pull-Apart Bread
Warm, crusty bread, loaded with creamy, rich spinach artichoke dip is the ULTIMATE stuffed bread! Spinach Artichoke Pull-Apart Bread is a crowd-pleasing appetizer and makes a great all-in-one side dish for weeknight meals.
Blueberry Buttermilk Cake
This yummy cake is perfect for weekend mornings, brunch or holiday gatherings. Juicy blueberries along with buttermilk create a light, fluffy cake and add a tangy sweetness. Blueberry Buttermilk Cake is the perfect, breakfast coffee cake!
Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe
Chocolate Chess Pie is rich and fudgy with a signature crackly top that's seriously delicious! This simple recipe, made in just one bowl, is a classic Southern treat that's every chocolate lover's dream.
Useful Tools For Making These Recipes
A cook is only as good as their tools, so having everything you need to make a delicious meal is important! Here are my go-to kitchen tools and appliances you’ll find in my kitchen:
Donya's Top Ten Summer Recipes!
Steal my favorites for a done-for-you menu that packs in the flavor
I am absolutely starving! It would be a dream to share a meal with you.
Thanks, Pat!
YOur EAster ham picture – where is the salad in the picture net to the ham??
looks like something with apples, etc? like a Waldorf salad?
It’s the second recipe in the SALAD section. It’s for Ambrosia Salad.
Happy Easter!