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Whether it’s ham or chicken or pork chops that you love for Easter, this collection is a delicious list of all the most popular Easter Dinner Ideas to help you plan your Easter menu.

For more Easter collections, check out: Easter Brunch Ideas, Easter Appetizers, Easter Side Dishes, Easter Desserts

Collage of Easter Dinner Recipes.


Everyone has different ideas of what they want for dinner when gathering for Easter.

As popular Turkey is for Thanksgiving, Ham is the same for Easter, but that doesn’t mean you HAVE to have ham. There is a myriad of options your family can enjoy for the Easter holiday!

Today, we are rounding up all of the most popular Easter dinner recipes.

From ham to Pork Chops to Chicken to Roast – all of these simple recipes would make great additions to your Easter dinner menu.

Slices of ham with a side of salad, corn and funeral potatoes on a white plate.

Tips for hosting easter dinner

Prepping and cooking:

  • Create your menu beforehand. This will be handy if guests ask if they can help bring a dish. You will already know what you need and where they can help out. 
  • Hit the grocery store early. Not only will you skip large crowds, but you will not have to worry about ingredients being out of stock.
  • Clean out the fridge to make room for ingredients and dishes that need to stay cool. 
  • Plan. Make a list of times that can be made ahead of time, and what items need to be cooked/heated in what order.
  • Various cooking methods. Utilize the oven, stovetop, and crockpot. 
Breaded pork chop on a white plate with mashed potatoes.

Presentation: Ask yourself these questions to plan the presentation of dinner.

  • Will you serve a plated or buffet-style dinner? 
  • Will you have tables and chairs for everyone or will there be chairs, couches, and other alternative seating?
  • Will there be a separate area for children? We often set up tables and chairs out on the lawn for adults and have picnic blankets spread around for children. 
  • Use similar themed serving dishes. Pastel colors and floral patterns are particularly fun at Easter. 
Glow in the dark Easter eggs in the grass.

Tips for younger guests

Littles. Keep these tips in mind if you’ll have littles at your Easter dinner.

  • Provide a space for baby care such as where guests can change diapers.
  • Depending on the time of your dinner consider having a space for a nap. It’s worth the extra effort when children get cranky! 

Egg hunt. Also, think about these things for an Egg Hunt.

  • Make a checklist for kids to find certain types of eggs such as 1 bunny egg, 3 purple eggs, 2 glitter eggs, etc.
  • Get big kids excited again: Place golden tickets in a few select eggs for a special prize, money also works well to get big kids involved. 
  • Place coupons such as skip a chore, pick the family movie, and an ice cream date inside select eggs.
  • Do a Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt.
Sliced ham on a white plate.

perfecting your easter dinner menu

Be sure you have enough food for everyone, use these simple tips to help.

Easter appetizers. Plan for each guest to have 4-6 appetizers, just enough to whet their appetite as they mingle, but not enough to fill them up. Also, provide a variety of hot and cold, savory and sweet, light and heavy.

Be sure to check out our collection of Easter Appetizers

Easter sides. Plan to have 3-4 different sides for 6 or fewer guests. Add another side dish for every 8 more guests. Once you have the traditional starch, vegetables, and salad recipes picked out go ahead and add something new that you think your guests will love.

Be sure to check out our collection of Easter Side Dishes.

Main course. Plan to serve 6 oz per person if you are serving one main dish. If you have more than one main course plan for 8 oz total per person.

Desserts Plan to have at least 2 dessert choices for every 10 guests. I always have at least one chocolate dessert and one fruit-based dessert. After that, I just have some fun. Easter-themed desserts are especially cute to have.

Be sure to check out our collection of Easter Desserts.

Roast chicken garnished with lemon slices and rosemary sprigs on a white platter.

Meat as a Main Dish

What types/cuts of meat are most popular for an Easter Dinner main dish?

  • Lamb is very popular to serve on Easter not only because of its symbolism but also because of the various delicious ways it can be prepared.
  • You can find many different ways to season and cook lamb tenderloin, rack of lamb, lamb chops, leg of lamb, and more. 
  • Ham is my family’s favorite Easter dish and a classic. We slow cook a Honey Glazed Ham every year. It is also very good roasted or smoked. It pairs well with many kinds of herbs, spices, and flavors. 
  • Roast beef, particularly prime rib or beef tenderloin, is another family favorite and is often served alongside ham at our large family Easter Celebrations. 
  • Roasted chicken or turkey are both great Easter options. Adding herbs such as fresh thyme, rosemary, sage, parsley, and oregano really gives a flavorful cook. Don’t forget to save the juices to make a delicious Gravy
  • Salmon is an enticing alternative to some of the more traditional cuts of meat. It can be slowly roasted in the oven or easily pan-fried. It’s light, flaky, and will pair well with your favorite sides.

We’ve broken it down for you and hope you enjoy this delicious list of dinner ideas for Easter. Here are some of the most popular recipes:


easter dinner recipes

These are our most popular choices for an Easter main dish. They are all delicious options!

Crock Pot Ribs

Juicy BBQ Crock Pot Ribs is the best and easiest dinner idea! Great for a small family, big family, or cooking for a crowd!

1 Crock Pot Ribs Recipe

Main Course Crock Pot Ribs Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
5 from 19 votes
Get the recipe

Instant Pot Ham

Instant Pot Ham is the easiest entree! An Instant Pot is a great way to free up oven space when you’re cooking up a holiday feast.

2 Instant Pot Ham Recipe

Main Course Instant Pot Ham Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
5 from 10 votes
Get the recipe

Best Steak Marinade

This is our all-time favorite steak marinade! It requires only four ingredients, and makes our steak taste SO amazing! Everyone always asks for this Easy Steak Marinade recipe because it’s just that good!!

3 Steak Marinade Recipe

Main Course Steak Marinade Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
4.96 from 73 votes
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Crock Pot Brown Sugar Ham

This crock pot ham is made entirely in the slow cooker, which makes for quick prep time and minimal effort. With a deliciously sweet brown sugar glaze, it’s our favorite way to make a holiday ham!

4 Crockpot Ham Recipe

Main Course Crockpot Ham Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
5 from 29 votes
Get the recipe

These delicious Fried Pork Chops in a Lemon Butter Sauce are crispy on the outside and so delicious and tender on the inside! Everyone loves these pan fried pork loins that are so flavorful and simple.

Fried Pork Chops

5 Fried Pork Chops Recipe

Main Course Fried Pork Chops Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 15 votes
Get the recipe

Crock Pot Brisket

Juicy and delicious meat, easily made in your slow cooker! This crock pot brisket is so tender it just falls apart.

6 Crock Pot Brisket Recipe

Main Course Crock Pot Brisket Recipe
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
5 from 191 votes
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Pot Roast Recipe

This Crock Pot Roast Recipe is one of our favorite Sunday dinners. It takes only 3 minutes of prep time and then the slow cooker does the rest!

7 Pot Roast Recipe

Main Course Pot Roast Recipe
Total Time: 7 hours 5 minutes
4.98 from 79 votes
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Pulled Pork

This delicious and easy Pulled Pork Recipe is one that is made in the slow cooker and takes just minutes to prep. Use the pork for any recipe, including Pulled Pork sandwiches, and you’ll love just how simple and tasty it is.

8 Pulled Pork Recipe

Main Course Pulled Pork Recipe
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
4.98 from 42 votes
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Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops

These Parmesan Pork Chops are so flavorful and easy to make. With less than 10 minutes of prep work, you can make the most delicious baked pork chops that everyone will love.

9 Best Pork Chop Recipe

Main Course Best Pork Chop Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
4.98 from 399 votes
Get the recipe

Crock Pot Pork Roast

Prepare to be amazed by this ultra tender, fall off the bone crock pot pork roast. It only takes a handful of ingredients to make, including the complimentary gravy.

10 Crock Pot Pork Roast Recipe

Main Course Crock Pot Pork Roast Recipe
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
5 from 17 votes
Get the recipe

EASTER CHICKEN RECIPES

Chicken is one of the most popular meats for holidays and tends to be the first or second choice for most during holiday meals.

With that in mind, we wanted to share our most popular recipes. Some include pasta, some are fried, and some are baked. There are loads to choose from in case you want chicken for your Easter dinner.

Chicken Divan

Easy Chicken Divan is loaded with chunks of tender chicken and broccoli and smothered in a cream sauce. It is perfect to freeze for later!

11 Chicken Divan Recipe

Main Course Chicken Divan Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
4.97 from 27 votes
Get the recipe

Creamy Swiss Chicken Bake

Delicious Creamy Swiss Chicken Bake – a simple and delicious dinner recipe that includes Swiss and Parmesan cheese.

12 Swiss Chicken Bake Recipe

Main Course Swiss Chicken Bake Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 7 minutes
4.94 from 355 votes
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Fried Chicken Breast

Crispy breaded chicken topped with arugula, shaved parmesan cheese, and a delicious lemon vinaigrette!

13 Fried Chicken Breast Recipe

Main Course Fried Chicken Breast Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 12 votes
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Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu

EASY Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe – delicious, breaded chicken filled with ham and cheese. Serve over pasta, rice, or veggies, for a delicious dinner idea. 

14 Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe

Main Course Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
5 from 6 votes
Get the recipe

Best Roast Chicken

Simple and delicious roast chicken tastes like you spent all day cooking it! It is the the perfect go-to dinner recipe.

15 Best Roast Chicken Recipe

Main Course Best Roast Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
5 from 12 votes
Get the recipe

Bruschetta Chicken

Baked Bruschetta Chicken is marinated in Italian dressing and topped with cheese. It is simple and delicious!!

16 Bruschetta Chicken Recipe

Main Course Bruschetta Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
5 from 6 votes
Get the recipe

Lemon Pepper Chicken

Flavorful and tender Lemon Pepper Chicken is simple and requires just a few ingredients. Served on its own or over rice, this buttery chicken dish is perfect any night of the week for a simple, quick dinner idea.

17 Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe

Main Course Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 1 vote
Get the recipe

Chicken Pot Pie

This chicken pot pie is the definition of comfort food! It’s warm, rich with flavor, full of veggies, and has the best flaky crust.

18 Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

Main Course Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
5 from 30 votes
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Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

Easy and delicious Cheesy Chicken Tetrazzini – Chicken and pasta in a creamy sauce with lots of flavor. It’s a family favorite dinner meal!

19 Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

Main Course Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes
4.99 from 812 votes
Get the recipe

Ranch Chicken

Chicken breasts with potatoes and carrots, tossed in ranch seasoning and baked to perfection. This delicious dish is SO simple, quick, tasty, and allows you to cook your meat and sides in one shot! 

20 Ranch Chicken Recipe

Main Course Ranch Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes
5 from 19 votes
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Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken is crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside, with the perfect hint of lemon!

21 Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe

Main Course Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
5 from 15 votes
Get the recipe

Buttery Baked Chicken

Creamy Buttery Baked Chicken is simple and full of flavor. It is another great dinner idea for any occasion!!

22 Buttery Baked Chicken Recipe

Main Course Buttery Baked Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
5 from 23 votes
Get the recipe

Ritz Cracker Chicken

Crispy Cheddar Chicken is coated in sour cream, cheddar cheese, and ritz cracker crumbs and baked to crispy perfection. Top it with a creamy sauce, and it’s to die for!

23 Ritz Cracker Chicken Recipe

Main Course Ritz Cracker Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
4.95 from 58 votes
Get the recipe

Lemon Chicken With Veggies

Roasted Lemon Chicken with Veggies including green beans and red potatoes. One of the easiest and yummiest dinner recipes!

24 Lemon Chicken with Veggies Recipe

Main Course Lemon Chicken with Veggies Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 8 minutes
4.69 from 47 votes
Get the recipe

Chicken Piccata

Chicken piccata is flavorful and beyond easy to make! This tasty dish requires surprisingly few ingredients and is cooked in a lemon butter sauce topped with capers.

25 Chicken Piccata Recipe

Main Course Chicken Piccata Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 15 votes
Get the recipe

EASTER PORK RECIPES

Pork is the most popular meat served at Easter.

Besides ham, pork chops are also an Easter favorite. Here are some of the most popular pork recipes on the site that are perfect for your Easter menu.

Honey Glazed Ham

Simply place a spiral cut ham in the crock pot, cover with a 5-ingredient glaze, and 4 hours later you’ll have a tender and juicy Honey Glazed Ham!

26 Honey Glazed Ham Recipe

Main Course Honey Glazed Ham Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
5 from 20 votes
Get the recipe

Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops

These Parmesan Pork Chops are so flavorful and easy to make. With less than 10 minutes of prep work, you can make the most delicious baked pork chops that everyone will love.

27 Best Pork Chop Recipe

Main Course Best Pork Chop Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
4.98 from 399 votes
Get the recipe

Smothered Pork Chops

This creamy Lemon & Thyme Smothered Pork Chops recipe always gets rave reviews. It’s flavorful and ready in 35 minutes or less.

28 Smothered Pork Chops Recipe

Main Course Smothered Pork Chops Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 12 votes
Get the recipe

Fried Pork Chops

These delicious Fried Pork Chops in a Lemon Butter Sauce are crispy on the outside and so delicious and tender on the inside! Everyone loves these pan fried pork loins that are so flavorful and simple.

29 Fried Pork Chops Recipe

Main Course Fried Pork Chops Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 15 votes
Get the recipe

Crock Pot Brown Sugar Ham

This crock pot ham is made entirely in the slow cooker, which makes for quick prep time and minimal effort. With a deliciously sweet brown sugar glaze, it’s our favorite way to make a holiday ham!

30 Crockpot Ham Recipe

Main Course Crockpot Ham Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
5 from 29 votes
Get the recipe

Crock Pot Pork Roast

Prepare to be amazed by this ultra tender, fall off the bone crock pot pork roast. It only takes a handful of ingredients to make, including the complimentary gravy.

31 Crock Pot Pork Roast Recipe

Main Course Crock Pot Pork Roast Recipe
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
5 from 17 votes
Get the recipe

Slow Cooker Pork Chops

These Simple and delicious Slow Cooker Pork Chops are sure to become a family favorite. They are so tender and juicy and are topped with an amazing gravy that we love to serve over the chops and mashed potatoes!

32 Best Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Main Course Best Slow Cooker Pork Chops
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
5 from 9 votes
Get the recipe

Italian Pork Chops

These Italian Pork Chops require just a few ingredients and are baked in the oven with loads of veggies. Have it ready and on the table in just 30 minutes!

33 Italian Pork Chops Recipe

Main Course Italian Pork Chops Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 20 votes
Get the recipe

BBQ Pork Chops

These baked pork chops are simple, delicious and smothered in a homemade BBQ sauce. They’re the perfect easy meal for the pork loin lover.

34 BBQ Pork Chops Recipe

Main Course BBQ Pork Chops Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes
5 from 11 votes
Get the recipe

Dr. Pepper Ribs

Pork ribs cooked in Dr. Pepper, grilled to perfection, and smothered in BBQ Sauce. These Dr. Pepper ribs are fall off the bone delicious!

35 Dr. Pepper Ribs Recipe

Main Course Dr. Pepper Ribs Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
4.88 from 25 votes
Get the recipe

What’s your Fav?

We always have ham for Easter. It’s tradition, and it’s a meat the whole family loves. We often do a Brown Sugar Ham, and sometimes we do a Honey Ham. Both good!

Here is the rest of the menu we usually have:

Those are the must-haves but we also sprinkle in other favorites too.

Here is one of our favorite Easter Ham Recipes:

5 from 10 votes

35+ Easter Dinner Ideas – Easter Ham + MORE

By: Lil’ Luna
A delicious honey ham that has a 5-ingredient glaze that is juicy and great for Easter
Servings: 8
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 4 hours 5 minutes
Total: 4 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup honey
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 TB Dijon mustard
  • 10 whole cloves
  • 1 4-5 pound Sam’s Choice spiral cut ham (cooked)

Instructions 

  • Cut ham slices and place in your slow cooker.
  • Add the brown sugar, honey, water, mustard and cloves to a small pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Remove cloves from the glaze and pour over ham. Cook on LOW for 4 hours making sure to baste ham with the glaze every hour.
  • Serve warm with the glaze.

Nutrition

Calories: 172kcal, Carbohydrates: 44g, Sodium: 54mg, Potassium: 52mg, Sugar: 44g, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Making this recipe? Tag us!
Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

Have a Delicious Easter feast!

There’s sure to be something here that you can use for your Easter feast. No matter what main dish you choose for dinner, I hope you get to enjoy it with family and loved ones.

Be sure to check out all our other Easter collections to complete your Easter dinner.

More Collections: Easter Side Dishes, Easter Dessert Recipes, Easter Appetizers



About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Recipe Rating




11 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Wow I love all these ideas for regular Sunday dinners too! Can’t wait to make my way through them!

  2. 5 stars
    So many great options here! Everything looks delicious, it’s going to be hard to narrow down the list!

  3. 5 stars
    This is the perfect go-to for all the best Easter recipe ideas! I literally got my whole menu from here. Thank you for sharing this with us!

  4. 5 stars
    This recipe turned out great and I love that it utilizes the crock pot. In my opinion its the best way to cook on a busy holiday.

  5. 5 stars
    This Easter dinner looks so amazing! I love this time of year to get with family and friends!

  6. 5 stars
    I sure love Easter dinner!! We used your ham recipe last year & it was a hit!! Juicy & delicious & wasn’t hard to make, which is a bonus! Excited to add some more of these recipes to our Easter menu!

  7. 5 stars
    The perfect place to suit all your Easter needs. The recipes are delicious and help you in preparing for special food and time with your family!

  8. Thank you so much for the wonderful ideas and recipes for Easter dinner. So much to choose from but am sure dinner will be delicious.