Our 79 Best Easter Dinner Ideas
Updated: Nov. 16, 2023
From delicious main dishes to comforting sides and showstopping desserts, these Easter dinner ideas will help you plan the best-ever holiday meal.
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Searching for Easter dinner ideas to plan your Easter menu? Whether you’re having the whole family over for a potluck or plan to keep things small, there are so many great recipes to choose from. Start with easy Easter appetizers like deviled eggs or asparagus with a bright sauce. Prep a beautifully glazed ham and pair it with an Easter side dish like comforting scalloped potatoes. Or, switch things up with a beef roast or a platter of stuffed salmon. Finish off the holiday meal with a festive Easter dessert!
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Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Serve the ultimate side for your Easter dinner with ease. These make-ahead mashed potatoes can be prepped up to one day before you plan to serve them. They’re rich, creamy and packed with flavor, thanks to the addition of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onions and bacon.
Craving even more? Discover all of our Easter recipes—plus tips, tricks and other holiday ideas.
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Easter Ham
An Easter ham is a tradition for many. This recipe starts with a fully cooked ham and is topped with a mixture of brown sugar, orange marmalade and Dijon mustard to create a tangy glaze. It’s super tender and begs to be paired with scalloped potatoes and a medley of veggies.
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Hippity Hop Bunny Cake
Don’t skip on dessert! Dress up a cake for the occasion with this adorable idea. It’s made with a vanilla cake and orange curd filling, plus a cute jelly bean nose.
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Creamy Deviled Eggs
Dish up a platter of deviled eggs as an appetizer or with dinner. The filling combines cream cheese, mayo and Dijon mustard, so it’s extra creamy. Sprinkle each egg with chopped fresh parsley for a lovely garnish.It’s not Easter without deviled eggs! Try these other best-loved Easter recipes, too.
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Roast Leg of Lamb
Nod to a classic Easter dinner with this impressive recipe. A simple mixture of garlic and herbs is all your need to create a flavorful rub for this leg of lamb. Love the classics? Check out these traditional Easter recipes.
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Easter Meringue Cups
Finish off a great holiday meal with an impressive dessert. Prep crunchy meringue shells and lemon curd ahead of time. Then, assemble these little cups right before serving and top them with fresh fruit for a vibrant pop of color.
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Spring Asparagus
Fresh asparagus is a star vegetable of spring. Showcase its great flavor and texture with this easy recipe combining asparagus and tomatoes tossed with a tangy homemade dressing and served with blue cheese and sliced almonds.Aid your Easter planning with Easter dinner delivery online—there are tons of options!
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Sour Cream & Cheddar Biscuits
Pair a delicious, comforting biscuit with your holiday meal. The dough for these fluffy biscuits is made with cheddar cheese and garlic powder. Then, they’re brushed with garlic butter just before heading into the oven.
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Cupcake Easter Baskets
These Easter cupcakes are topped with cream cheese frosting and dressed up with shredded coconut and mini eggs to resemble Easter baskets. Add this recipe to your list of Easter activities and the kids can help decorate dessert!
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Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes
Scalloped potatoes are a holiday classic, especially when it comes to Easter. This recipe uses heavy whipping cream, butter and milk for incredibly tender potatoes. The addition of garlic, Swiss cheese and Parmesan cheese enhances the flavor tenfold!Find more of grandma’s best Easter recipes.
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Easter Egg Cookies
Move over, Easter eggs! These adorable Easter egg cookies use a simple vanilla cookie as the base, with a quick and easy glaze on top. Shape your cookie dough into eggs, bake and have a blast decorating with sprinkles and different designs.
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Mixed Fruit with Lemon-Basil Dressing
A light, fresh fruit salad is a great addition to Easter dinner. Combine fresh berries, pineapple, kiwi and more to create a colorful base. The basil dressing is the ideal balance of savory and sweet.
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Roasted Asparagus Risotto
This hearty spring-inspired risotto is the ultimate comfort food to bring to the table for Easter dinner. To save time, roast the asparagus and prosciutto in the oven while rice cooks on the stovetop.
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Fontina Asparagus Tart
Kick off your holiday meal by slicing up this beautiful asparagus tart. It looks absolutely gorgeous but takes only minutes to make, and the fresh asparagus pairs perfectly with fontina cheese and a touch of lemon.
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Carrot Layer Cake
Don’t forget the classics! The whole family will be thrilled to dig into this dessert. Featuring moist, tender layers of carrot cake paired with a pecan filling and luscious cream cheese frosting, it’s the ultimate after-dinner treat.Pair with a delightful Easter cocktail.
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Strawberry Arugula Salad with Feta
Prepare a fresh, flavorful salad to go with your meal. This recipe features a bed of peppery arugula as the base. Paired with sliced strawberries, slivered almonds, feta cheese and an herbed vinaigrette, it’ll be a crowd-pleaser.For a smaller get-together, check out these Easter recipes for four.
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Slow-Cooker Citrus Carrots
Let your slow cooker do some of the work to help prepare your Easter dinner. Sliced carrots are mixed with orange juice for a sweet touch of citrus. And even better? They can be prepped ahead of time and simply reheated just before dinner is on the table.
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Peeps Sunflower Cake
Prep an adorable sweet to end the meal on a high note. Use your favorite yellow cake mix to bake a cake, and top it with chocolate frosting. Use yellow Peeps and chocolate chips to dress it up and put a smile on everyone’s face.
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Buttery Crescent Rolls
Whether you’re serving ham or a beautiful roast, pillowy rolls are the ideal side. Make these buttery crescent rolls from scratch using a handful of easy-to-find ingredients. Serve them with Garlic-Chive Whipped Butter as the perfect complement.
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Layered Sherbet Dessert
Serve a showstopper to finish out a great meal! This dessert is made with whipping cream, coconut macaroons and chopped pecans to form the base in a springform pan. Then, raspberry, orange and lime sherbet are layered to create a stunning surprise once you cut the first slice.
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Rhubarb Rosemary Flatbread
Celebrate this springtime holiday with a seasonally inspired meal. Rhubarb shines in spring, and this homemade flatbread makes it the star of the show. Serve this beautiful bread as an appetizer or a side with the rest of your meal.
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Baby Swiss Appetizer Cheesecake
Need Easter dinner ideas for a crowd? Start with a delicious appetizer. This savory cheesecake features a cracker crust with a filling made of Swiss cheese, tomatoes and green onions. Bake it ahead for plenty of chilling time and present it on a platter with your favorite crackers.
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Roasted Chicken
Skip ham this year and opt for chicken instead. This stunning roasted chicken is made with a rub featuring thyme and fresh lemon juice to produce an incredibly juicy, flavorful bird.
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Berry Trifle
Nothing beats the combination of fresh berries with angel food cake and plenty of whipped cream. Create a beautiful dessert to present to your dinner guests with this layered berry trifle.
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Sauteed Tarragon Radishes
This veggie dish is sure to shine on your Easter table! Radishes are paired with fresh tarragon to produce a beautifully vibrant and tender side with a delicate spiciness.
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Easter Nest Torte
Dress up an impressive sweet for dessert. This torte starts with a chocolate cake as the base, with a wrapper around the cake crafted from melted chocolate. It’s then paired with a luscious chocolate filling and decorated with candy eggs for the ultimate chocolate treat.
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Swiss Potato Puffs
For a soft, pillowy dish, combine mashed potato flakes, butter, flour and eggs to create the perfect base. Add some shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese for incredible flavor in this delicious appetizer or side dish.
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Easy Pistachio Tube Cake
Bring the sweet, nutty flavor of pistachios to the dessert table. This recipe use a cake mix and pistachio pudding mix to produce an easy, impressive Easter dessert.
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Slow-Cooked Ham with Pineapple Sauce
There’s no need to turn on the oven for this dish. Let your slow-cooker handle the ham! A can of crushed pineapple is the secret star of this recipe, resulting in a flavorful ham with a hint of sweetness.
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Herbed Feta Dip
Dish up a fresh, easy dip as an appetizer. With a base of crumbled feta cheese, olive oil and garlic, this dip is the perfect pairing for sliced peppers, carrot sticks and radishes.
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Berry-Beet Salad
Let the earthy taste of beets shine with this vibrant salad. Red and golden beets pair with sliced strawberries, walnuts and goat cheese, all served on a bed of mixed greens. Dressed up with a simple vinaigrette, it’s an easy, tasty side with stunning impact.
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Lemon Dream Cheesecake
Serve this light, luscious dessert after a heavy Easter dinner. It’s made with a graham cracker crust and vibrant citrus filling thanks to the addition of fresh lemon zest and lemon juice. Prep your cheesecake ahead of time so it’s chilled and ready to slice after the meal.
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Orange-Pistachio Quinoa Salad
Mix up a hearty, vibrant salad to pair with your main dish. Quinoa and romaine lettuce serve as the base for this salad. It’s dressed up with beans, mandarin oranges, cucumbers and red onions and tossed with a citrus vinaigrette to finish it off.For more inspiration, check out these Easter side dish ideas.
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Herb-Buttered Baby Carrots
Using baby rainbow carrots is the simplest way to make an impressive veggie dish. This recipe uses butter, garlic and a mixture of spices to bring great flavor to colorful, tender carrots.
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Crispy Smashed Herbed Potatoes
Not a mashed potato fan? Choose crispy smashed potatoes instead! Smash cooked red potatoes, brush them with butter and pop them in the oven for golden, crispy results.
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Easy Batter Rolls
Move over, store-bought rolls. These rolls can be made at home and will be on the table in less than two hours. Instead of prepping a dough, this recipe uses a yeasted batter to produce perfectly light, fluffy rolls.
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Easy Coconut Cream Pie
For a quick, delicious dessert, this pie recipe made with coconut filling and store-bought pie crust will do the trick. Make this creamy dessert ahead of time so it has plenty of time to chill before cutting a slice.
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Mashed Cauliflower au Gratin
For a low-carb side, skip mashed potatoes and use cauliflower instead. This creamy, dreamy dish is jam-packed with flavor thanks to the addition of Parmesan and Colby Jack cheese. Sprinkle bread crumbs on top and pop this casserole in the oven to heat ahead of dinnertime.
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Paska Easter Bread
This traditional Easter bread is nothing short of stunning with a braided top. It’s sweet and rich, made with six eggs and melted butter. This beautiful loaf can be served sliced or cut into wedges on its own or with an herbed butter.
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Sauteed Radishes with Green Beans
Combine green beans and sliced radishes to prep a colorful dish to serve with your feast. Saute the veggies with butter for a tender side, with toasted pine nuts on top for a tasty, crunchy garnish.
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Frog Eye Salad
We love the idea of dishing up fruit salad in individual cups for a beautiful presentation. With a mixture of pineapple, mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows and tiny acini di pepe pasta, this salad makes for a unique, creamy and sweet side dish.
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Grandma’s Rosemary Dinner Rolls
Prep a batch of homemade dinner rolls ahead of your holiday. Grandma knows best, so this recipe is dotted with rosemary and will be a delicious upgrade from classic rolls.
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Oven-Roasted Carrots
Add a classic to your menu with these oven-roasted carrots. Fresh carrots, onions and garlic are seasoned and roasted with dried thyme to produce a delicious dish.
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Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes with Pancetta
Put an Italian spin on classic mashed potatoes with the addition of olive oil, garlic and pancetta. Pancetta adds a delicious salty touch to this easy side dish, but it can be replaced with another type of bacon as well.
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Buttery Radish Baguette
Plate this recipe up as a springtime dinner side dish or appetizer. Sliced baguette serves as the base to showcase thinly sliced radishes for a vibrant hors d’oeuvre.
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Lemon Tiramisu
Finish off a great Easter dinner with a beautiful springtime dessert. Layers of soft ladyfinger cookies paired with mascarpone and cream cheese, along with lemon pudding, make up this showstopping dessert.
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Fresh Broccoli Salad with Lemon
Serve a cold veggie salad instead of a warm side with this broccoli salad. Raw broccoli is tossed with mushrooms, bacon and red onion and dished up with a creamy dressing for a slightly sweet, crunchy salad.
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Fruit and Cheese Kabobs
Need a quick and easy appetizer? Dish up colorful fruit kabobs made up of a variety of fruits and chunks of cheese. Serve the eye-catching skewers with a creamy cinnamon-honey yogurt dip.
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Party Potatoes
This creamy potato dish starts with a base of mashed potatoes, but it’s dressed up for a party with plenty of other tasty ingredients. The addition of cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder and chives add a touch of tanginess, paired with melty shredded cheese.
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Marshmallow Easter Eggs
Looking to take on a project that will impress your Easter dinner guests? Make your own marshmallows at home! These egg-shaped marshmallows are dipped in a chocolate coating and dressed up for the occasion with colorful stripes.
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Rhubarb Crumble Ice Cream
Rhubarb is a beautiful springtime ingredient, and its fresh, tart flavor shines through in this homemade ice cream. With brown sugar and oats mixed in, this creamy treat tastes just like you’re taking a bite out of a rhubarb crumble.
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Sweet Onion Creamed Corn
Creamed corn is an easy, tasty side dish for any meal. This classic gets a makeover with a recipe featuring sweet onions, red pepper, ham and bacon. It’s the perfect addition to an Easter dinner spread.
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Elegant Fresh Berry Tart
Feature the flavor and color of plenty of fresh fruit. This berry tart is sure to impress with a buttery cookie crust and cream cheese filling, along with fresh berries and kiwi.
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Orange-Glazed Ham
Present this dish as the star of your holiday meal. This recipe uses a fully cooked ham paired with orange marmalade to add incredible flavor. There’s not much prep, so you’ll have time for an Easter egg hunt with the kids.
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Caesar Salad in Peppered Parmesan Bowls
Love a Caesar salad for any meal? Dress it up for the special occasion with this clever recipe. Make impressive little bowls out of cheese and use them as the perfect vessel for your favorite Caesar salad.
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Sweet Pineapple Casserole
Serve this sweet casserole as the perfect pairing for a glazed ham. It’s made with just six ingredients, including canned crushed pineapple as the star of the show. Simply mix, bake and serve!
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Pork Loin with Strawberry-Rhubarb Chutney
For a different Easter main dish, this pork loin is an impressive option. The tender pork is served with a chutney made of rhubarb, strawberries and rosemary for a tasty twist.
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Asparagus with Fresh Basil Sauce
Keep the veggies simple with fresh asparagus, but dish it up for the occasion with a special sauce. With a mixture of pesto, Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, this creamy sauce is the perfect pairing.
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Stuffed Salmon
Choose an unexpected main dish for a beautiful spread. These salmon fillets are stuffed with a tasty mixture of rice, crab, cream cheese and spices to produce incredibly tender results. Pair them with a side of asparagus and your favorite Easter bread.
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Classic Lemon Meringue Pie
Finish out your Easter dinner with this recipe, which combines punchy lemon filling and toasty homemade meringue. The buttery pie crust is a perfect base.
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Slow-Cooked Split Pea Soup
Bring the flavors of an Easter ham into this creamy soup. Split peas, potatoes, onions and carrots help to make this recipe hearty and delicious. Don’t forget to check out our collection of the best Easter soups.
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Easter Egg Bread
Prep a sweet bread ahead of time to present with Easter dinner. This soft, rich braided bread is made with colored hard-boiled eggs baked right in to create a festive showstopper.
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Beef Roast Dinner
Prefer beef to ham? Dish up a mouthwatering, tender roast. This easy roast dinner is prepped with plenty of veggies and cooked in a slow cooker. That way, you’ll have more time to spend with family!
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Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes
Serve something simple and sweet for dessert. These strawberry lemon cupcakes start with a white cake mix, which is doctored up with fresh lemon zest and lemon juice. Then the light, fluffy cupcakes are topped with a fresh strawberry frosting. Yum!
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Oven-Roasted Carrots
Love your air fryer? Roasting carrots brings out the vegetable’s sweetness, but this flavor can also be achieved in your favorite countertop appliance. Mix in onions, garlic and herbs and you’ll have a fresh, flavorful side dish on the table in no time.
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Sliced Ham with Roasted Vegetables
Need an alternative to a large ham? This recipe is perfect for a smaller crowd. Slices of ham or ham steaks pair with potatoes, carrots and onion in this sheet pan dinner.
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Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
Dress up Brussels sprouts with this salad recipe. Shaved sprouts are tossed with red onion, pecans and a quick vinaigrette for a tangy, tender side dish. For extra flavor, toast the nuts.
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Traditional Hot Cross Buns
Traditional hot cross buns will certainly shine on an Easter brunch menu, but they can also make a debut at dinner. The soft, yeast rolls are made with sugar and a touch of spice, plus raisins, currants and a quick icing.
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Makeover Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Dish up a classic for dessert. This pineapple upside-down cake recipe produces a moist, tender cake with a delicious buttery sweet topping.
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Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Brussels sprouts aren’t just a winter vegetable. This beautiful side dish combines the sprouts with onion and bacon for a delicious mixture. They’re topped with balsamic vinegar for a perfect tangy twist.
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Baked Ham with Pineapple
To dress up your holiday ham, bake and garnish it with sliced pineapple and maraschino cherries. Don’t forget to check out our guide on how to carve a ham before it’s time to eat!
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Lamb Sliders
Hoping to serve lamb? Dish up these lamb sliders as an appetizer, or make larger burgers for a unique main course. The ground lamb burgers are topped with a cool, creamy yogurt sauce.
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Pina Colada Carrot Salad
Transform simple shredded carrots into an Easter-worthy dish with this clever recipe. You need only five ingredients, including yogurt, macadamia nuts and green grapes, to put a tropical spin on an easy side dish.
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Spinach Deviled Eggs
Here’s another spin on a classic recipe for deviled egg lovers! Add chopped spinach and crumbled bacon to a creamy filling for a memorable snack.
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Incredible Coconut Cake
End your holiday meal with something extra special. This beautiful dessert features three layers of fluffy coconut cake. It’s then topped with cream cheese frosting and toasted coconut for the ultimate Easter treat.
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Root Beer Glazed Ham
For a holiday ham with a different flavor, use root beer to create a sweet, tangy glaze. You’ll want a bone-in fully cooked spiral-sliced ham for this recipe.
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Citrus Fruit Salad
Upgrade a classic ambrosia salad with this combination of fruit and yogurt. With big chunks of pineapple, clementines and grapefruit, it’s sure to shine on the dinner table.
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Garden Risotto
Save a seat at the table for this beautiful dish. Creamy and comforting, this homemade risotto features asparagus, spinach and peas for a vibrant spring-inspired side.
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Vertical Carrot Cake
Slice up this stunning spin on a classic carrot cake. It requires a few more steps for assembly than your typical layer cake, but the impressive results are worth the extra effort.
Originally Published: April 05, 2022
