Make-Ahead Easter Dinner Menu
Mix and match these make-ahead recipes for an Easter dinner that’s so impressive no one will know it was super easy.
Drink: Pink Rhubarb Lemonade Appetizer: Paleo Rosemary Roasted Nuts Appetizer: Paleo Avocado Deviled Eggs Appetizer: Asiago-Artichoke Dip Main Dish: Stuffed Spiral Ham Main Dish: Spring Lamb & Fava Bean Soup Main Dish: Classic Crab Cakes Main Dish: Prosciutto-Stuffed Chicken Bake Side Dish: Easter Bunny Brioche Side Dish: Citrus-Cucumber Slaw With Pickled Shallots Side Dish: Broccoli and Cheese Air-Fried Baked Potatoes Dessert: Zucchini-Carrot Cake Dessert: White Chocolate Cheesecake with Triple-Raspberry Sauce Dessert: Lemon-Blueberry Pavlovas
Drink: Pink Rhubarb Lemonade
Make the most of your Farmers’ market haul by turning in-season rhubarb into one lip-smacking sipper! Chill a batch of this family-friendly lemonade for up to 24 hours before serving. Get the recipe: Pink Rhubarb Lemonade
Appetizer: Paleo Rosemary Roasted Nuts
A trio of roasted nuts is the perfect light start to Easter dinner. For the most flavor, toss with fresh rosemary, butter, and cayenne pepper up to three days before guests arrive. Get the recipe: Paleo Rosemary Roasted Nuts Appetizer: Paleo Avocado Deviled Eggs No Easter spread is complete without a tray of deviled eggs. You’d never guess these avocado-topped versions were paleo! (It’s our DIY mayonnaise.) Make them up to four hours before party time. Add a sprinkle of fresh chives before setting them out on your Easter buffet. Get the recipe: Paleo Avocado Deviled Eggs
Appetizer: Asiago-Artichoke Dip
This creamy dip is loaded with artichoke hearts, prosciutto, and roasted red peppers. Stash it in the fridge 24 hours before the big dinner. Get the recipe: Asiago-Artichoke Dip
Main Dish: Stuffed Spiral Easter Ham
Make this fruity Easter ham dinner up to four hours ahead and keep in the fridge until it’s time to bake. Wondering what to make for Easter dinner with ham? Try one of these springtime sides and salads. Get the recipe: Stuffed Spiral Ham
Main Dish: Spring Lamb & Fava Bean Soup
One up your same-old chicken noodle with a holiday-worthy lamb soup. Just toss all of the ingredients in your slow cooker the morning of and let it do the work. Finish each bowl with a homemade lemon and herb topper. Get the recipe: Spring Lamb & Fava Bean Soup
Main Dish: Classic Crab Cakes
Prefer seafood? You’ll want to add these tasty crab cakes to your traditional Easter dinner menu. Make the patties a few hours before the party, allowing them to set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Just before dinnertime, coat them in breadcrumbs, and cook for a quick 7 minutes! Get the recipe: Classic Crab Cakes
Main Dish: Prosciutto-Stuffed Chicken Bake
Planning your Easter dinner menu ideas way ahead? Prep this all-in-one bake and pop it in the freezer up to three months before mealtime. Be sure to thaw in the fridge for 48 hours prior to baking. Get the recipe: Prosciutto-Stuffed Chicken Bake
Side Dish: Easter Bunny Brioche
Make-ahead Easter side dishes don’t get any cuter than this! These buttery bunnies are made with a fresh lemon dough and come to life in just four easy steps. Bake up a double batch and send them home with dinner guests as a cute party favor. Get the recipe and tutorial: Easter Bunny Brioche
Side Dish: Citrus-Cucumber Slaw with Pickled Shallots
This Easter salad is a vibrant addition to your dinner. Make the dressing and slice the fruit and vegetables up to 8 hours before party time. This zesty side dish is best served just after dressing so the veggies stay crisp. Get the recipe: Citrus-Cucumber Slaw with Pickled Shallots
Side Dish: Broccoli & Cheese Air-Fried Baked Potatoes
It wouldn’t be a party without cheesy potatoes. Crisping the potatoes in the air fryer takes them to another level, making it one of our favorite easy Easter menu ideas yet! Make the filling ahead and stuff just before cooking. Serve this easy side with a sprinkle of fresh chopped chives. Get the recipe: Broccoli & Cheese Air-Fried Baked Potatoes
Dessert: Zucchini-Carrot Cake
This photo-worthy Easter cake and its adorable carrot toppers can easily be made the day before the party. Pop the finished marzipan carrots in the fridge overnight while the cake can sit tightly wrapped on the counter overnight. Come morning, all you have to do is frost and decorate. Get the recipe: Zucchini-Carrot Cake
Dessert: White Chocolate Cheesecake With Triple-Raspberry Sauce
Cheesecake is always a showstopper dessert. Whip up this white chocolate-raspberry version a day before Easter dinner. To serve, slice and top with our triple-raspberry sauce. Get the recipe: White Chocolate Cheesecake with Triple-Raspberry Sauce
Dessert: Lemon-Blueberry Pavlovas
This simple spring dessert is all about the assembly. Make the meringue shells up to a day before guests arrive. Simply fill with lemon curd and berries before dessert. A sprinkle of fresh mint adds a pop of color and flavor. Get the recipe: Lemon-Blueberry Pavlovas
