44 Fresh and Easy Easter Side Dishes

Seasonal salads, veggie casseroles, and so much more

By
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/30/20
Honey Glazed Moroccan Carrots

The Spruce / Anita Schecter

Are you hosting family for Easter dinner this year, or contributing to a holiday potluck? There are endless Easter side dishes that each add something special to the celebration and are sure to please hungry guests. From scalloped potatoes and roasted asparagus to light spring soups, casseroles, salads, and more, these winning recipes will taste great beside your favorite Easter main.

Featured Video
  • 01 of 44

    Roasted Asparagus

    Easy Roasted Asparagus

    The Spruce / Tara Omidvar

    There are few better ways to prepare asparagus than tossing it simply with olive oil and sea salt, then roasting the spears quickly in the oven, like in this easy recipe.

  • 02 of 44

    Cauliflower Gratin

    Cauliflower gratin

    Laurence Mouton / Getty Images

    Serve up a creamy French-style gratin that's a little different this Easter. This elegant casserole swaps out potato in favor of steamed cauliflower and layers the vegetable between a rich, thyme-seasoned bechamel sauce, and plenty of cheese. It's baked with a crunchy breadcrumb topping.

  • 03 of 44

    Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes With Cheese

    Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes With Cheese

    The Spruce

    Crock pot scalloped potatoes are a real time-saver when you're putting together a holiday dinner. They also free up your stovetop and oven for other dishes. Assemble the ingredients easily in the morning for a side dish that's ready when you are: all it needs is a last-minute sprinkling of extra cheese and optional fresh herbs.

  • 04 of 44

    Buttered Leeks

    Buttered leeks recipe

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    Palate-pleasing buttered leeks are simple to prepare and make a versatile side dish that tastes great with ham or lamb. The vegetables simmer for about 30 minutes on your stovetop in butter and sea salt until tender and ready to enjoy.

    Continue to 5 of 44 below.
  • 05 of 44

    Roasted Carrots With Parsnips and Herbs

    Roasted Carrots With Parsnips and Herbs

    James Ross / Getty Images

    Roast carrots and parsnips simply in the oven with olive oil and chopped fresh herbs in this budget-friendly recipe. The root vegetables are a wonderful accompaniment to roasted meat dishes.

  • 06 of 44

    Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

    Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

    Diana Miller / Getty Images

    Scalloped potatoes are always an Easter favorite. This rich and creamy potato bake with Parmesan cheese delivers all the flavor and texture you expect, with a visually appealing golden-brown crust on top.

  • 07 of 44

    Pasta With Spinach Pesto Sauce

    Pasta With Spinach Pesto Sauce

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Spaghetti or linguine tossed with a fresh, garlicky spinach pesto makes a fabulous spring side dish. Serve it alongside your holiday turkey, chicken, or roast pork.

  • 08 of 44

    Spring Peas With Sumac and Feta

    Spring Peas With Sumac and Feta

    The Spruce / Anita Schecter

    Dress up green peas with tangy feta cheese, citrusy sumac, and a little olive oil, for a fresh side dish that takes only 10 minutes to prepare.

    Continue to 9 of 44 below.
  • 09 of 44

    Perfect Cloverleaf Rolls

    Perfect Cloverleaf Rolls

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Homemade bread truly takes a holiday celebration to the next level. These soft yeast rolls are finished with a light egg wash and topped with sesame seeds or poppy seeds. Serve warm with butter, and watch them disappear.

  • 10 of 44

    Quick Sauteed Wild Mushrooms

    Quick Sauteed Wild Mushrooms-

    kimeveruss / Getty Images

    Wild mushrooms are plentiful at spring farmer's markets, and this quick and easy recipe makes the most of their fresh, earthy flavor. Just brown them in a pan with olive oil, shallots, garlic, fresh herbs, and a splash of white wine.

  • 11 of 44

    Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

    Instant pot mashed potatoes recipe

    The Spruce / Emily Baker

    Fluffy mashed potatoes are a snap to prepare in about 15 minutes, using an Instant Pot. The spuds cook in the appliance while you prepare the other ingredients for a side dish that comes together quickly.

  • 12 of 44

    Tuscan Focaccia Bread

    Tuscan Focaccia Bread

    The Spruce / Christine Ma

    Focaccia is a soft, airy Italian yeast bread made with olive oil. It's best eaten on the day it's baked, which you can do, including assembly, in about an hour. Be sure to include a couple of hours in your prep time for the dough to rise, too.

    Continue to 13 of 44 below.
  • 13 of 44

    Peas and Carrots

    Peas and Carrots

    The Spruce

    Whip up a quick and easy side dish for holiday entrées with this easy, colorful, 3-ingredient recipe that's ready in 10 minutes. Baby carrots, frozen peas, butter, salt, and pepper are all you need.

  • 14 of 44

    Easy Strawberry Spinach Salad

    Easy Strawberry Spinach Salad

    Lesyy / Getty Images 

    In-season strawberries add something special to this beautiful spinach salad. Along with olive oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard, the lively dressing includes honey and cinnamon for a hint of sweetness and spice.

  • 15 of 44

    Creamy Rice Pilaf with Peas

    Creamy Rice Pilaf with Peas

    Martin Poole / Digital Vision / Getty Images

    This rice pilaf is a tasty baked dish made with onions, garlic, and frozen green peas. Add cheese and sour cream at the end of cooking for a tangy flavor and great creamy texture.

  • 16 of 44

    Corn Casserole With Sour Cream and Green Beans

    Corn Casserole With Sour Cream and Green Beans

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Corn casserole is a traditional holiday side dish, and this colorful recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Make a rich, creamy sauce from condensed soup and sour cream, and top the entire dish with buttery Ritz cracker crumbs.

    Continue to 17 of 44 below.
  • 17 of 44

    Roasted Carrots With Za'atar

    Roasted Carrots with Za'atar

     Anita Schecter

    For a simple but elegant way to serve the orange veg, roasted carrots with za'atar is just the thing. Simply peel carrots before roasting them whole and tossing with the Middle Eastern spice blend. A mixture of thyme, oregano, sesame seeds, and other spices, za'atar is also easy to blend at home.

  • 18 of 44

    Vegan Oven-Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

    Roasted rosemary thyme potatoes

    ​The Spruce Eats / Teena Agnel

    Simple can still be impressive, as this elegant roasted potato dish demonstrates. Toss potato cubes with olive oil, chopped fresh rosemary, salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder, then baked in a hot oven until soft and sizzling.

  • 19 of 44

    Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

    Basic Baked Macaroni and Cheese With Variations

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Macaroni and cheese makes a great side dish for Easter entrees. This super-creamy version combines American and cheddar cheeses with Dijon mustard and light cream for a dish sure to disappear quickly.

  • 20 of 44

    Broccoli Casserole With Stuffing Crumb Topping

    Broccoli Casserole With Stuffing Crumb Topping

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray 

    Broccoli and cheese are always a popular combination, and this recipe serves the perfect pair up casserole-style for the holidays. Use buttery crumbs for the topping to add plenty of flavor and texture.

    Continue to 21 of 44 below.
  • 21 of 44

    Easy and Airy Cheese Souffle

    Basic cheese souffle recipe

    The Spruce / Christine Ma

    Serve this impressive cheese souffle to wow your guests at Easter—it's simpler to make than you might expect! This recipe walks you how to create a simple, light-tasting cheese souffle.

  • 22 of 44

    Make-Ahead Duchess Potatoes

    Make-Ahead Duchess Mashed Potatoes

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    Offer a unique and flavorful side dish holiday recipe with these French-style duchess potatoes. Pipe mashed spuds onto baking sheets and brush with egg wash to brown in the oven. Make them ahead if you like, and freeze for simple reheating.

  • 23 of 44

    Horseradish Mashed Potatoes

    Horseradish Mashed Potatoes

    The Spruce / Jennifer Perillo 

    If lamb is on the Easter menu, these horseradish mashed potatoes are the perfect side dish. A typical recipe for mashed potatoes is turned up with the addition of grated horseradish and Greek yogurt, offering a bit of earthy heat and pleasant tang.

  • 24 of 44

    Roasted Whole Artichokes

    Roasted Whole Artichokes

    The Spruce

    Dress whole artichokes lightly in olive oil, salt, and pepper, stuff with garlic cloves, and wrap in foil packets to roast in your oven for a pretty, seasonal vegetable side dish.

    Continue to 25 of 44 below.
  • 25 of 44

    Classic Deviled Eggs

    Classic Deviled Eggs

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Deviled eggs are an Easter favorite, and this is the classic recipe everyone enjoys. Kids can help you prepare the easy side dish or appetizer, since it only calls for a handful of basic ingredients.

  • 26 of 44

    Honey Glazed Moroccan Carrots

    Honey Glazed Moroccan Carrots

    The Spruce / Anita Schecter

    Honey-glazed carrots flavored with herbs and spices inspired by Moroccan cuisine are absolutely holiday-worthy. Cumin, ginger, coriander, and cinnamon mingle with salty crumbled feta and fresh mint for a perfectly balanced bite.

  • 27 of 44

    Spring Vegetable Risotto With Asparagus and Peas

    Spring Vegetable Risotto With Asparagus and Peas

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Italian risotto makes for a nice upgrade from basic grains, and this seasonal recipe with creamy arborio rice, Parmesan cheese, asparagus, and green peas makes a lovely spring side.

  • 28 of 44

    Easy Pea and Mint Soup

    Super Easy Pea and Mint Soup recipe

    The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner

    Serve this pureed vegetable and herb soup as a refreshing starter for your Easter meal. You can whip it up in about 30 minutes and it tastes delicious warm or chilled. Top with a dollop of sour cream, drizzle of olive oil, or garlicky croutons.

    Continue to 29 of 44 below.
  • 29 of 44

    Vegan Couscous Salad with Chickpeas

    Vegan Couscous Salad With Chickpeas

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    Vegan chickpea and couscous salad packs in plenty of protein. Make it up to two days ahead and store in the fridge, tossing it gently to wake up the flavors before serving chilled.

  • 30 of 44

    Creamy Macaroni Salad With Eggs

    Creamy Macaroni Salad With Eggs

    The Spruce

    Macaroni salad with chopped fresh vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, and a tangy mustard-and-mayonnaise dressing is a popular side for baked ham. You can prepare this chilled salad a day ahead, storing in the fridge until ready to serve.

  • 31 of 44

    Green Bean Amandine

    Green bean amandine recipe

    The Spruce / Teena Agnel

    Bring French sophistication to your Easter table with this classic bistro recipe for green beans with almonds. It comes together in 10 minutes on your stovetop, and the simple butter, lemon, and garlic sauce adds great flavor to the snappy beans.

  • 32 of 44

    Classic Leek and Potato Soup

    Leek and Potato Soup Recipe - traditional soup recipes - vichyssoise recipe

    British Leeks

    Leek and potato soup is a classic British recipe that's special enough for the holidays. It's also easy on your budget, and has a pleasing mild flavor and luxurious silky texture from pureed potatoes and heavy cream.

    Continue to 33 of 44 below.
  • 33 of 44

    Garlic Roasted Asparagus and Mushrooms

    Garlic Roasted Asparagus and Mushrooms

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Celebrate seasonal spring flavors with this tasty side that calls for fresh in-season asparagus and mushrooms. Cook them simply on a grill pan in your oven with olive oil, salt, and pepper, for a savory side.

  • 34 of 44

    Fennel Avocado Salad

    Fennel Avocado Salad

     The Spruce

    Crunchy raw fennel combines beautifully with ripe, creamy avocado in this snappy salad. Serve it as a fresh component alongside roasted meats like ham, pork, or beef.

  • 35 of 44

    Garlic Mashed Potatoes With Parmesan

    Garlic Mashed Potatoes With Parmesan

    Cultura-Brett Stevens / Riser / Getty Images

    In this easy recipe, garlic and Parmesan cheese impart extra savory flavor to buttery mashed potatoes. The garlic cooks right along with potatoes, so there's no extra step needed to infuse its flavor.

  • 36 of 44

    Spinach Au Gratin

    spinach gratin

    Diana Miller / Getty Images

    Spinach baked in a homemade white sauce with onions, Parmesan cheese, and a buttery breadcrumb topping makes an elegant side dish, perfect for pairing with your holiday ham.

    Continue to 37 of 44 below.
  • 37 of 44

    Asparagus Ricotta Spring Pasta

    Asparagus Ricotta Spring Pasta

    The Spruce / Molly Watson

    Fresh lemon juice adds lovely brightness to this light and creamy asparagus pasta. Use a long noodle shape, such as spaghetti or fettuccine, for an elegant presentation.

  • 38 of 44

    Tangy Red Cabbage Slaw

    Red cabbage slaw

    The Spruce 

    A colorful, tangy red cabbage slaw with red onions, raisins, and pecans makes an attractive addition to your holiday dinner table. Serve it as a side for baked ham and other roasted pork entrees.

  • 39 of 44

    Vegetarian Barley and Mushroom Pilaf

    Vegetarian Barley and Mushroom Pilaf

    The Spruce / Jolinda Hackett

    Looking for a protein-rich, savory side dish for vegetarian guests? This recipe includes meaty mushrooms to amp up the flavor of naturally nutty pearl barley seasoned with scallions and fresh herbs. Omit the optional parmesan to make it vegan.

  • 40 of 44

    Vegan Gluten-Free Ginger Carrot Soup

    Vegan Gluten-Free Ginger Carrot Soup

    Westend61 / Getty Images

    This vegetarian- and vegan-friendly carrot soup makes a warming, nutritious starter for your holiday meal. Ginger and orange juice add fresh flavors to the bowl.

    Continue to 41 of 44 below.
  • 41 of 44

    Creamed Peas With Mushrooms and Onions

    Creamed Peas With Mushrooms and Onions

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Creamed peas with thinly sliced mushrooms and onions make a great complement to Easter lamb or pork. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can replace some of the vegetable broth with milk or heavy cream.

  • 42 of 44

    Pea and Pancetta Risotto

    Pea and Pancetta Risotto

    Philippe Desnerck / Getty Images

    Saute Arborio rice in pancetta drippings and cook in the traditional manner for this seasonal spring risotto with bright green peas added at the end of cooking.

  • 43 of 44

    Stuffed Baked Potatoes

    Stuffed Baked Potatoes

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

    Kids can help you prepare this twice-baked potato that's fun to make and delicious to enjoy. Bake potatoes, then scoop out, mash with butter and sour cream, and stuff back into shells. Bake again to brown the tops, and serve to your favorite potato-lovers.

  • 44 of 44

    Chilled Watercress Yogurt Soup

    Chilled Watercress Yogurt Soup

    The Spruce / Molly Watson

    Celebrate the fresh, peppery flavor of spring watercress with this simple, delicious chilled soup that's creamy and bright-tasting. It's sure to be a palate-awakening first course for your holiday meal.