So you’re in charge of deciding the Easter Dinner dishes, but you’re not impressed with the usual glazed ham, so you’re here. If you’re looking to step outside the box a bit, but still want to provide a fulfilling meal, you have plenty of interesting options to plan a creative meal around.
The recipes have been sorted by proteins because most people start there and build out. We even have vegetarian options if you want to skip the meat or just want more options.
People like tradition on holidays like Easter, so if you’re changing it up, you have to make it good. Take a look at these Easter dishes and find some fun inspiration to swap out that ham for something your family and friends will love just as much.
25 Easter Dinner Dishes
Beef & Lamb
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
If you’re looking to switch Easter dinner up a bit, but still want to maintain that comfort food feel, these red wine braised short ribs are perfect. These rich short ribs are a low-effort, high-reward option for feeding a crowd.
Garlic Rosemary Beef Tenderloin
This garlic rosemary tenderloin is herbaceous with a bit of tang, but also subtle enough to compliment plenty of side options. Your family won’t be complaining about the missing ham, that’s for sure.
Cajun Steak with Apricot Orange Glaze
If you really want to step out a bit, this flavorful steak is seasoned deeply with Cajun flavors. The Cajun flavors make a statement all on their own, but the citrusy and sweet apricot and orange glaze pushes it firmly into ‘Gotta Have’ territory.
Lamb Lollipops
Want to choose something a bit more out of the box? Consider lamb. These lamp lollipops are flavored with garlic, mint, and parsley. The bright flavors give a lighter more refreshing feel to the meal.
Slow Roasted Greek Lamb
A slow roast option is always good for holiday dinners because it allows you to accomplish other things while your main dish cooks. Something like this slow roasted lamb is the perfect option. The bright but fulfilling, Greek-inspired flavors also make it ideal for a spring dinner option.
Pork
Brown Sugar Dijon Glazed Pork Loin
This is a crowd-favorite, low effort option! This pork loin’s brown sugar glaze is sweet with a hint of tang from the Dijon mustard. This juicy and flavorful entree will make your guests forget Easter ham was ever a thing.
Wine-Braised Pork Shoulder
If you want to go for a deeper flavor profile for dinner, consider this wine-braised pork shoulder. The wine flavors pair well with the herbs to create a familiar feeling of comfort. This one pot option is also low maintenance to save you some effort.
Honey-Soy Braised Pork
This braised pork is perfect for an Easter brunch. With sweet caramel flavors that are balanced out with some bright lime and cilantro add-in, this is the choice if you want something light, but fulfilling.
Pear and Ginger Cast Iron Pork Chops
Pear and ginger is a unique pairing but with this nicely-seared pork chops, it works so well. The pear and herbs balance out the kick from the ginger. This option is perfect if you’re serving a smaller-crowd.
Garlic Butter Pork Bites
This is the pork take on the steak bites that have been growing in popularity. These tender and buttery bites are crispy on the outside and soft and juicy on the inside. The recipe even comes with a bonus recipe for lemon green beans.
Poultry
Roasted Duck
If you’re looking to replace the ham, but not skip that feeling of ceremony and celebration, consider this roasted duck. Replacing your traditional Easter dishes with options that aren’t completely unfamiliar is an easy way to change it up or transition without causing too much fuss. This succulent duck is full of flavor to help ease the change if you’re feeding a fussier crowd.
Prosciutto-Stuffed Chicken
This prosciutto-stuffed chicken is just what you need if you want to stick to a family favorite but elevate it a bit. The earthy mushroom sauce is also the perfect companion and makes this a welcomed dinner delight.
Avgolemono: Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
We all know soups are the perfect way to feed a crowd, but we always go for them in the colder months. This Greek lemon chicken soup provides all the comfort of a fall-time soup, with the bright fresh flavors of spring.
Fig and Rosemary Glazed Skillet Chicken
Sweet, savory, and herbaceous. If that sounds like a delight to you, opt-in for this fig and rosemary chicken. Its hearty flavor conveys the comfort needed at your dinner table while keeping the overall vibe easy and fun.
Smothered Chicken with Roasted Baby Bok Choy
Smothered chicken is a southern family dinner favorite. This recipe steps up a notch balancing the creamy gravy out with roasted bok choy with brings a lightness to the meal. If you’re looking to swap your ham with something that provides that same comfort without being too heavy, this is a perfect option. Bonus, it’s an easy make!
Seafood
Garlic Shrimp Rolls
When you’re think of Easter dishes, seafood is not usually the first stop, especially shrimp rolls. But these garlic shrimp rolls are easy to prep a batch of and make an absolutely perfect swap for an Easter Day brunch!
Maine Lobster Risotto
Put a spin on the traditional and cozy risotto with the addition of some buttery lobster! This recipe is just what you need with the lobster being accompanied by gouda and some spring favorites such as fresh leek, chive, and tarragon.
Cioppino
Easy to scale up or down, this amazing seafood stew should be at the top of your Easter dinner dishes list. It’s incredibly low maintenance, hearty but not too heavy, and makes an amazing centerpiece to a family meal.
Oven-Baked Greek-Inspired Halibut
This Easter, go Mediterranean with this beautiful, Greek style Halibut dish. It’s bright and flavorful making it the perfect easter dish to be your main act. Round off your meal with some perfectly paired sides and be proud of yourself.
Lemon Garlic Mahi Mahi
If you need something that’s in the quick and easy category, this Mahi Mahi is what you’re looking for. The lemon and garlic flavors are perfectly complimented by the creaminess of the sauce, you definitely won’t regret this one.
Vegetarian
Mushroom Bourguignon
Vegetarians are often left out of the Easter dinner dishes conversation or it feels hard to plan for them. This mushroom spin on beef bourguignon is a family comfort meal to the max. You can also make your accompanying starch whatever you’d like. Go with a traditional mashed potato or switch it up a bit with polenta!
Spring Vegetable Brown Butter Gnocchi
This spring vegetable gnocchi fully capitalizes on seasonal produce. The ricotta gnocchi is topped in a lovely caramel-y brown butter sauce that is balanced out with the fresh peas, asparagus, chives, and lemon. It also works well with pre-made gnocchi if you’re looking to simplify!
Spring Minestrone Soup
We’ve listed some lovely stew and soup options above. However, if you’re looking for a vegetarian-friendly option, consider this fresh spring soup for your Easter meal this year, it’s light and refreshing but hearty and easy to make a lot at a time.
Baked Feta and Greens With Lemony Yogurt
Don’t let the looks of this fool you, this is definitely a main dish! The feta and chickpeas are surprisingly filling. Rounded out with some fresh greens and a yogurt topping, this quick and easy option will surprise in the best way possible.
Stuffed Shells
There’s never not a time for a cheesy pasta dish. If you swap out your ham with these stuffed shells, you absolutely won’t regret it. This is also a one-pot recipe for added ease!
These Easter dinner dishes are sure to impress whoever you’re feeding this holiday. If you’re looking to save yourself some time and make hosting a bit easier, consider these make-ahead Easter appetizers!
