22 Fun and Novel Menu Ideas for Easter

Discover a New Recipe for Your Easter Menu

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 03/6/20
Fig Appetizer
Mkovalevskaya/iStck/Getty Images Plus

Are you looking for something new and exciting for your Easter dinner? Adding a delicious new entrée, side dish, or dessert can invigorate your holiday table and one may even become a new family favorite.

There is nothing too unusual or particularly tricky in these recipes, they're simply great dishes that put a novel twist on the traditional Easter menu. Some are traditional in certain cultures, while others simply celebrate the best foods that the spring season has to offer. You might also like to try these vegetarian and vegan recipes.

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  • 01 of 22

    Orange-Glazed Ham

    Orange-Glazed Ham
    LauriPatterson / Getty Images

    Ham is a popular feature of many Easter dinner tables. Honey and mustard glazes are not your only option, though. If you're looking for something a little different, give your ham a delicious orange glaze. The recipe is easy, using both orange juice and marmalade along with mustard, cloves, ginger, and raisins to maximize the flavor.

  • 02 of 22

    Kosher Lamb Stew With Apricot, Pear, and Mint

    Kosher Lamb Stew With Apricots, Pears, and Mint for Easter Dinner
    Sterling Epicure

    To spice up your lamb offering, turn to a tasty combination of fresh fruits and herbs. This lamb stew is packed with flavor and the recipe is pretty simple. Your family is sure to enjoy the combination of citrus, apricots, pears, and mint with toasted almonds.

  • 03 of 22

    Coca-Cola Brisket

    Beef brisket served on plate
    Vico Collective/Michael Shay / Getty Images

    Maybe you're leaning towards making beef the centerpiece of your holiday. In that case, you will want to try the Coca-Cola brisket recipe. It is both sweet and savory, requiring just a few common ingredients along with the soda. This is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

  • 04 of 22

    Easter Meatloaf

    Easy Easter Meatloaf Made With Veal
    Dejan Kolar / iStock / Getty Images Plus

    A popular recipe in Eastern Europe, many of us don't think of serving meatloaf at Easter, but it works very well. This recipe combines veal and pork shoulder with everything that makes meatloaf a family favorite.

    Continue to 5 of 22 below.
  • 05 of 22

    Easter Lamb and Asparagus Frittata

    Simple Lamb and Asparagus Frittata for Easter Dinner or Brunch
    Lilechka75/iStok/Getty Images Plus

    From Italy, the Easter lamb and asparagus frittata is a fantastic dish. Serve it as the main course for brunch or as a side with dinner. Either way, it's a fabulous way to enjoy two great ingredients that we associate most with spring.

  • 06 of 22

    Asparagus Risotto

    Fresh Asparagus Risotto for a Spring Dinner
    svariophoto/iStock/Getty Images Plus

    Asparagus is best in spring, which is why it's often found on the Easter dinner table. For a simple side dish that showcases the vegetable, asparagus risotto is a perfect choice. It is creamy and risotto is easier to make than you may think, especially with a few useful tips.

  • 07 of 22

    Pea and Mint Soup

    Fresh Pea and Mint Soup
    Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images

    Peas and mint are a perfect flavor pairing and this luscious green soup proves it. The pea and mint soup recipe doesn't take long to make. The taste is sure to make everyone at the table take notice of your skills in the kitchen as well.

  • 08 of 22

    Buttermilk Sweet Potato Salad

    Buttermilk Sweet Potato Salad
    Cultura RM Exculsive/Brett Stevens/Getty Images

    Make this fresh buttermilk sweet potato salad ahead of time and cross one of your Easter sides off the list. It's simple but very satisfying, combining sweet potatoes, onions, and celery drenched in a homemade dressing that anyone can pull off.

    Continue to 9 of 22 below.
  • 09 of 22

    Lentil Shepherd's Pie

    Vegan Lentil Pie
    Joy Skipper / Getty Images

    Shepherd's pie is a casserole that often serves as a main dish, but this vegan version can easily become a side. The lentil shepherd's pie uses the legumes in place of meat. The sage, garlic, oregano, and cayenne ensure the flavor is anything but bland.

  • 10 of 22

    Fig Crostini

    Fig Crostini Is an Impressive Appetizer
    Mkovalevskaya/iStck/Getty Images Plus

    A tasty appetizer awaits with this simple and delightful fig crostini recipe. The figs are tossed in seasoned balsamic vinegar, placed on toasted baguettes, and topped with goat or blue cheese. These little bites are as tempting as they sound.

  • 11 of 22

    Polish Egg-Twist Bread

    Polish Egg-Twist Bread - Chalka
    ishai01 / Getty Images

    Bread bakers are definitely going to want to try this chalka recipe from Poland. It is a simple egg bread that is braided to create a spectacular loaf that looks great on the dinner table. Better yet, the leftovers make great French toast or bread pudding, so you might want to make extra.

  • 12 of 22

    Roasted Rabbit With Fava Pesto

    Roasted Rabbit With Fava Pesto

    The Spruce / Pete Scherer

    For an alternative to lamb, chicken, and ham, serve succulent roasted rabbit. Sitting atop a bed of bright green fava bean pesto, it's the ultimate springtime main dish. Try serving braised carrots on the side.

    Continue to 13 of 22 below.
  • 13 of 22

    Ukrainian Easter Bread

    Paska Slovak Easter Bread
    Lchunt / Flickr / CC By 2.0

    Another special bread recipe, Ukranian Easter bread encourages you to play with the dough. You'll form a basic loaf from most of the dough and use the excess to create decorative shapes that fit the occasion. Make a cross, rosettes, or braids, but most of all have fun with it.

  • 14 of 22

    Chocolate Bread Pudding

    Chocolate Bread Pudding

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

    Bread pudding is a favorite for many families, and chocolate bread pudding is even better. Made with chocolate chips, it's an easy recipe that's designed to satisfy a crowd. Pass chocolate sauce around the table with it so everyone can make it as gooey as they like.

  • 15 of 22

    Pistachio Lemon Bread

    Whole Wheat Pistachio Lemon Quick bread
    Lora Wiley-Lennartz

    Looking for an extra special quick bread? You can't go wrong with a whole wheat pistachio lemon bread. This one can be ready within one hour and everyone will enjoy the sweet taste of pistachios topped with a lemon glaze.

  • 16 of 22

    Carrot Ring

    Delicious Carrot Ring Cake for Easter and Spring
    Anshu / Getty Images

    This is no ordinary carrot cake. It is far more savory than you would think and includes no sugar. The carrot ring is a healthy alternative to dessert and it makes a fantastic side dish, especially with brisket.

    Continue to 17 of 22 below.
  • 17 of 22

    Bananas Foster French Toast

    Delicious Bananas Foster French Toast
    Leah Maroney

    Your Easter brunch just got a lot more interesting (and delicious!). Bananas foster French toast includes everything we love about both dishes in one simple pan. This breakfast casserole can be prepared the night before and popped into the oven whenever you like.

  • 18 of 22

    Passover Cheese Blintzes

    Cheese Blintzes Are Fantastic for Easter Brunch
    The Picture Pantry / Getty Images

    ​A tasty treat for brunch, cheese blintzes may not be the easiest thing to whip up in the kitchen, but they are worth the effort. These homemade crepes are filled farmer and cottage cheese and can be frozen until you need them. With potato starch, the recipe is gluten-free and perfect for Passover and Easter alike, though you can use flour as well.

  • 19 of 22

    Spring Chick Cookies

    Adorable Spring Chick Cookies
    Elizabeth LaBau

    Absolutely adorable and such fun to make, these spring chick cookies will add whimsy to your Easter dessert table. You only need four ingredients, two of which come from the candy aisle. They're cute, sweet, and a great project for kids.

  • 20 of 22

    Rum-Soaked Babka

    Babka (Easter cake, Poland) on an Easter table
    StockFood / Getty Images

    Babka is a popular Easter dessert and there are so many recipes to choose from. This rum-soaked babka is definitely a fun one that you'll want to try. After the leavened sponge cake is baked, it is dowsed in a sweet lemon and rum syrup, then decorated with all sorts of Easter candy.

    Continue to 21 of 22 below.
  • 21 of 22

    Strawberry and Cream Sponge Cake

    Strawberry Sponge Cake With Cream Is a Perfect Easter Dessert
    William Shaw / Getty Images

    Oh, sweet strawberries! For the ultimate dessert that is sure to win the praise of all your dinner guests, go with this strawberry and cream sponge cake. It's surprisingly easy and the fresh strawberries and whipped cream are perfect for the spring holiday season.

  • 22 of 22

    Lavender Lemon Drop Martini

    Lavender Lemon Drop Cocktail
    Sheridan Stancliff / Stockbyte / Getty Images

    Maybe you're looking for a springy adult beverage to serve guests. Few cocktails capture the sweet taste of the season like a lavender lemon drop martini. The floral flavor of lavender is perfect against the sour citrus, creating a drink that pairs perfectly with any food you choose to serve.