The Ultimate Make-Ahead Easter Dinner Menu

Sarah Martens

Thu, October 29, 2015 at 4:14 PM UTC

6 min read

Deciding what to serve for Easter dinner doesn't have to be stressful. Celebrate with ease this spring thanks our make-ahead Easter menu ideas featuring traditional Easter dinner classics like ham and cheesy potatoes to new additions like bunny-shaped brioche. Our Easter dinner menu is here to help, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with the ones you love!

Peter Krumhardt

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: Rosemary-Grapefruit Gin Cocktail
Drink: Pink Rhubarb Lemonade
Appetizer: Rosemary Roasted Nuts
Appetizer: Paleo Avocado Deviled Eggs
Appetizer: Asiago-Artichoke Dip
Main Dish: Cherry-Stuffed 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: Tangy Broccoli Salad
Side Dish: Skillet Scalloped Corn
Side Dish: Cheesy Gouda Mashed Potatoes with Pancetta
Dessert: Zucchini Carrot Cake
Dessert: White Chocolate Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce
Dessert: Lemon-Blueberry Pavlovas
Dessert: Almond Cookie Carrots

Drink: Rosemary-Grapefruit Gin Cocktail

This sweet-tart concoction calls for DIY rosemary syrup, which can be made up to a month in advance. Store covered in the fridge until you're ready to shake things up!

Get the recipe: Rosemary-Grapefruit Gin Cocktail

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: 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: 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

Jacob Fox

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

Related: Easy Freezer Chicken Dishes

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: Tangy Broccoli Salad

Spice up boring broccoli with fish sauce, serrano pepper, and rice vinegar. Balance the tang with sweet dried apricots. Make this salad up to a day before your Easter dinner and finish with crunchy cashews just before serving.

Get the recipe: Tangy Broccoli Salad

Related: Tasty Make-Ahead Salads

Carson Downing

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

Caitlin Bensel

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 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 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 Pavlova

Dessert: Almond Cookie Carrots

Dust off those cookie decorating skills, these cookies are ready for piping! Bake these almond-laced goodies up to a week in advance. They're the perfect kid-friendly treat to serve at dinner or Easter brunch.

Get the recipe: Almond Cookie Carrots

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