25 Best Non-Traditional Easter Dinner Ideas

Super Easy Pea and Mint Soup — The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner

Ham and lamb are classic mains for Easter dinner, but they're not a requirement. From entrées and side dishes to indulgent desserts and drinks, these recipes will liven up your holiday menu. There is nothing too unusual or particularly tricky in these recipes; they're simply great dishes that put a novel twist on the customary Easter menu. Filled with the bright flavors of spring and the best produce the season has to offer, your family is sure to enjoy this break from tradition.

01 of 25

Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Chicken Breast

The Spruce Eats / Elaine Lemm

Topped with a creamy lemon sauce, this spinach and artichoke stuffed chicken recipe is a great entrée. It makes four chicken breasts, and the leftovers keep well, so it's an excellent option for small families or an Easter dinner for two.
02 of 25

Salmon With Lemon Couscous

Craig van der Lende / Photographer’s Choice / Getty Images

There's something about lemon-kissed food that makes early spring days a little better. For a fish main, salmon with lemon couscous is an excellent choice. Perfect with asparagus, a salad, and dinner rolls, you can have the holiday dinner on the table within an hour.
03 of 25

Fresh Spinach Ravioli Lasagna

Fresh Spinach Ravioli Lasagna.
The Spruce Eats / Laura Agra / Katie Workman

When you really want a break from routine, go with this spinach ravioli lasagna recipe. You'll make a creamy spinach sauce and lemon-garlic ricotta and layer those—just like lasagna—with spinach-artichoke ravioli for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
04 of 25

Turkey Pot Pie

The Spruce Eats / Ulyana Verbytska

For a one-dish option that simply needs a salad and bread on the side, make a turkey pot pie from scratch. The recipe works well with chicken as well, and you can use store-bought or homemade pastry dough to encase the savory filling.

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05 of 25

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

Meatloaf is a family-friendly entrée that's sure to shake up your holiday dinner. Designed to imitate the restaurant's recipe, this Cracker Barrel meatloaf adds butter crackers and sharp cheddar to the mix. It's topped with a sweet-savory mustard glaze and simply needs a few simple veggie sides to complete the meal.
06 of 25

Roasted Rabbit With Fava Pesto

The Spruce Eats / Pete Scherer

For an elegant alternative to lamb 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.
07 of 25

Easy Frittata

The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

Ideal for Easter brunch, an egg bake is a light and inviting main course option. This easy frittata recipe creates a fantastic dish with ham, Gruyére cheese, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and shallots. It's also very versatile and includes several ideas for alternative ingredients.
08 of 25

Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie

OksanaKiian / Getty Images

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

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09 of 25

Pea and Mint Soup

The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner

Peas and mint are a perfect flavor pairing. This luscious pea and mint soup recipe proves that, and it doesn't take long to make. The fresh spring taste is sure to get everyone at the table to notice your skills in the kitchen.
10 of 25

Fig Crostini

The Spruce Eats / Molly Watson

A tasty appetizer awaits with this delightful and straightforward 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 25

Asparagus Risotto

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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, cook up some creamy asparagus risotto. Risotto is easier to make than you may think, especially when you have a few valuable tips.
12 of 25

Lemony Greek Potatoes

The Spruce Eats

Potatoes are a mainstay for Easter, and the lemony Greek roasted potato recipe is a lovely side dish for the holiday. Fresh lemon juice, garlic, and oregano season the gold potatoes, and the recipe includes a simple secret to ensure the spuds come out of the oven with a perfect texture.

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13 of 25

Strawberry Chicken Salad With Champagne Vinaigrette

The Spruce Eats / Samantha Merritt

Make this strawberry chicken salad ahead of time and cross one of your Easter sides off the list. It's simple and satisfying, combining cooked chicken, baby spinach, strawberries, walnuts, and feta. The homemade Champagne vinaigrette is one that anyone can pull off.
14 of 25

Polish Egg-Twist Bread

The Spruce Eats / Ulyana Verbytska

Bread bakers will definitely want to try this chalka recipe from Poland. It's a simple egg bread that is braided to create a spectacular-looking loaf. The leftovers make great French toast or bread pudding, so you might want to make extra.
15 of 25

Cloverleaf Rolls

The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

A fun alternative to regular bread rolls, you'll be delighted to discover how easy it is to make cloverleaf rolls. The shape is made with a basic yeasted dough that's pulled apart in a certain way then packed into muffin cups to bake.
16 of 25

Onion Scones

Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images

For a savory quick bread option, go with onion scones. Flavored with yellow and green onions, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, even beginning bakers can make this tasty and flavorful bread.

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17 of 25

Carrot Ring

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

This is no ordinary carrot cake. It is far more savory than you might expect and includes just a touch of brown sugar. The carrot ring is a good dessert option, and it makes a fantastic side dish, especially when served with brisket.
18 of 25

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 designed to satisfy a crowd. Pass the homemade chocolate sauce around the table so everyone can make it as gooey as they like.
19 of 25

Bananas Foster French Toast

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Your Easter brunch just got a lot more interesting (and delicious!). Bananas Foster French toast includes everything there is to 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.
20 of 25

Passover Cheese Blintzes

The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

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 with farmer and cottage cheeses, and you can freeze them until needed. With potato starch, the recipe is gluten-free and perfect for Passover and Easter alike.

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21 of 25

Spring Chick Cookies

The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth LaBau

Absolutely adorable, sweet, and an excellent project for kids, spring chick cookies will add whimsy to your Easter dessert table. You only need four ingredients, two of which come from the candy aisle, to create the cute treats.

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22 of 25

Strawberry and Cream Sponge Cake

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Oh, sweet strawberries! For the ultimate dessert that is sure to win praise from all your dinner guests, make this strawberry and cream sponge cake. It's not difficult, and the fresh strawberries and whipped cream are perfect for the spring holiday.
23 of 25

No-Bake Lemon and Ricotta Cheesecake Bars

The Spruce Eats / Elaine Lemm

You can make these lemon and ricotta cheesecake bars well in advance. It's a no-bake recipe, and you simply have to skip the lemon curd decoration, freeze them, and then thaw and decorate them on Easter.
24 of 25

Lavender Lemon Drop Martini

The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

When 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.

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25 of 25

Nonalcoholic Mojito

The Spruce Eats / Rachel Riesgraf

For a refreshment that everyone can enjoy, serve up a round of nonalcoholic mojitos. Made with fresh lime and mint, along with the light sweetness of honey syrup, this mocktail is just waiting for your favorite club soda.

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