As the 40 days of Lent come to an end, Easter is fast approaching with its feasting and unmatched joy.

What better way to celebrate than with a lovely Easter Sunday spread? I’ve curated three Easter menu ideas, complete with an appetizer, a main dinner entree, side dishes, and, of course, dessert. I’ve also added a menu for brunch as a sweet little bonus. 

The menus include one featuring traditional Easter dishes, one with prime rib, and one that is Italian-inspired.  I hope these ideas inspire you to make your Easter extra special this year.

Brunch:

Whenever I’m hosting a brunch, I make sure to include a savory protein option and a sweet dish. For special occasion brunches, I like to make a big egg bake of some sort; here, I recommend a breakfast strata. For a sweet option, I think you can’t go wrong with orange rolls or resurrection rolls.

• Savory Dish: Breakfast strata. This is the perfect savory egg bake for any brunch. This recipe is studded with crispy bacon and parmesan cheese.
• Sweet Dish 1: Orange rolls. These orange rolls are similar to cinnamon rolls but with orange zest and white sugar instead of cinnamon and brown sugar. Better yet, these come together in an hour.
• Sweet Dish 2: Resurrection rolls. These are such a fun tradition to make each Easter and a great recipe to make with your kiddos.
• Side: Fruit platter. Fresh fruit is an excellent addition to any brunch. Here is some fruit platter inspiration.

Dinner menu 1: Timeless traditional

This is what I imagine a classic Easter spread to be. A beautifully cooked honey-glazed ham, glazed carrots, roasted asparagus, and carrot cake for dessert. What more could you ask for?

• Appetizer: Spinach and artichoke dip with crostini. This creamy, cheesy dip is always a crowd-pleaser, and along with toasted baguette slices, it’s the perfect appetizer. Optionally, go for store-bought spinach artichoke dip, top it with cheese, and bake it in the oven till golden and bubbly. 
• Main Course: Honey glazed ham. This iconic Easter main is a classic for a reason.
• Side 1: Honey glazed carrots. Sticky, sweet, and a classic side dish for Easter. Plus, these honey glazed carrots are sure to even be a kid-friendly favorite. 
• Side 2: Roasted asparagus with parmesan and lemon. Roasted asparagus with parmesan and lemon is a simple side dish with just a couple of enhancements to elevate the vegetables special.
• Side 3: Potatoes au gratin. Cheesy and creamy, it is the perfect complement to the honey-glazed ham.
• Dessert: Carrot cake. It wouldn’t be Easter without the classic carrot cake.

Dinner menu 2: Prime rib roast

This Easter dinner menu features a heavenly prime rib roast, one of my family’s go-to mains for special occasions and holidays. It also includes prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, Hasselback potatoes, and a vintage lamb cake to finish.

• Appetizer: Tomato crostini with whipped feta. This creamy whipped feta with bright tomatoes is a fantastic fresh and vibrant starter.
• Main Course: Prime rib roast. Prime rib is my personal favorite roast for any special occasion. It is sure to be the star of your dinner table.
• Side Dish 1: Prosciutto asparagus bundles with garlic herb cheese and balsamic glaze. These asparagus bundles are salty and crispy from the prosciutto, creamy from the Boursin cheese, and tangy from the balsamic glaze. This asparagus side dish has it all and is a dish that I may be including on my Easter menu.
• Side Dish 2: Hasselback potatoes. These are another household favorite as they’re wonderfully crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
• Dessert: Easter lamb cake. This is a retro Easter recipe that I believe needs to be brought back. Such a sweet tradition to start with your kids, too. 

Dinner menu 3: Italian-inspired Easter

This menu features one of my own recipes on Refine: Mushroom marsala chicken meatballs served over pasta with green beans. This rich and luscious dish feels extra special and is perfect for celebrating Easter. To complete this Italian-inspired feast, serve tiramisu in chocolate eggs for a cute and creative presentation.

• Appetizer: Marinated cherry tomatoes and burrata. This is a riff on a burrata caprese but features cherry tomatoes marinated in a tangy and herby dressing. The contrast with the creamy burrata is wonderful on grilled bread. This appetizer is great for a crowd, too.
• Main Course: Mushroom marsala chicken meatballs. These tender meatballs are a fun twist for an Easter dinner and are best served over pasta. 
• Side Dish: Garlic butter green beans. Green beans are the perfect veggie to accompany the rich marsala meatballs with pasta.
• Dessert: Chocolate egg tiramisu. This dessert is a great way to present and portion an Italian classic, tiramisu. Plus, kids will absolutely love getting their own Easter egg-shaped dessert. Another wonderful thing about tiramisu is that it can be made ahead of time.

All of the menus are sure to make your Easter dinner memorable this year. 

What are some of your favorite Easter dishes?

I wish you and your families a blessed Easter and hope that your Easter entertaining endeavors are a success.