21 Easter Dinners That Don’t Revolve Around A Giant Ham

Not everyone gets excited about a giant glazed ham taking up half the table. Maybe you’ve done it too many times, or maybe you never liked it to begin with. Either way, Easter dinner doesn’t have to revolve around it. There are plenty of great main dishes that feel right for the holiday without bringing back leftover fatigue by Monday. Whether you’re feeding two people or a house full of relatives, these recipes hit the mark without dragging out the carving fork. And no, none of them come with a packet of sticky glaze.

Air Fryer Cornish Hens

If you’re skipping the ham this Easter but still want something that feels like a proper centerpiece, these Cornish hens are a great call. The air fryer gets the skin golden and crispy without babysitting the oven, and the meat stays juicy. It’s a small bird, but it shows up big.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cornish Hens

Baked Wild Sockeye Salmon

This salmon cooks in under 15 minutes and brings way more flavor than anything spiral-sliced. The herbed citrus crust pulls everything together without getting too fancy. It’s great for anyone who wants something fresh and a little unexpected on the Easter table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Wild Sockeye Salmon

Blueberry Balsamic BBQ Turkey Legs

These turkey legs throw the whole ham thing out the window. They’re grilled, coated in a tangy blueberry balsamic sauce, and taste like they belong at a summer BBQ—because Easter deserves some bold choices too.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Balsamic BBQ Turkey Legs

Easiest Braised Leg of Lamb

This slow-braised leg of lamb breaks down into juicy, fall-apart pieces that make ham look like a backup plan. Just toss it in a pot with a few basics, let it go low and slow, and you’ve got a rich main that doesn’t need much else to feel special.
Get the Recipe: Easiest Braised Leg of Lamb

Grilled Pork Chops with Grapes & Fennel

These pork chops come off the grill looking fancy, but they’re actually super easy. The charred grapes and fennel make it feel seasonal and fresh without trying too hard. Way better than pulling out a carving knife for another ham.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chops with Grapes & Fennel

Sheet Pan Mediterranean Roasted Lamb

This one’s fast, flavorful, and only dirties one pan. Lamb gets all the attention here, which is exactly the point. It’s a great way to do Easter without repeating every holiday meal from the past decade.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Mediterranean Roasted Lamb

Sheet Pan Roasted Peri Peri Chicken

Forget dry ham—this peri peri chicken is juicy, bold, and ready in 35 minutes. It cooks flat on a single sheet pan, so it looks impressive but won’t keep you stuck in the kitchen. This one’s all about flavor with zero hassle.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Roasted Peri Peri Chicken

Skillet Lamb Chops with Cipollini Onions

These lamb chops go straight into the skillet and get topped with a punchy tarragon mustard sauce that makes everything pop. They cook fast and look like you actually planned something. A perfect ham-free main for Easter.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Lamb Chops with Cipollini Onions

Grilled Apricot Lamb Kebabs

These kebabs throw lamb and dried apricots on a stick and head straight to the grill. They’re easy to prep and way more fun to eat than cold cuts. This is how you make Easter dinner actually feel like spring.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Apricot Lamb Kebabs

Spring Gyros with Apricot Salsa

These gyros skip the usual meat pile and go for something light and fun. The apricot salsa and fresh yogurt sauce keep things bright, and it all comes together fast. Great for a casual Easter meal that still feels special.
Get the Recipe: Spring Gyros with Apricot Salsa

Lamb Bolognese

Lamb Bolognese beats out any glazed ham when it comes to comfort food with actual flavor. It simmers on the stove, builds big flavor, and turns a pile of pasta into something that feels like you tried.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Bolognese

Balsamic Dijon Beef Tenderloin

If you’re going big but not with ham, beef tenderloin is the move. This version keeps it simple with a sharp dijon and balsamic crust, then gets topped with a lemon gremolata for a finish that cuts through all the richness.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Dijon Beef Tenderloin

Pistachio Crusted Lamb Chops

These lamb chops get a crunchy pistachio crust and a cherry wine sauce that looks fancy without needing a second degree. Served over polenta, this is the kind of meal that makes ham seem like a missed opportunity.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Crusted Lamb Chops

Pan Seared Duck Breast

Duck might not be your usual Easter pick, but it should be. A quick pan sear and you’re left with crispy skin and rich meat that beats anything from the deli tray. This one’s great for small gatherings that still want to feel big.
Get the Recipe: Pan Seared Duck Breast

Kleftiko

Kleftiko brings the drama with lamb wrapped up and slow-cooked until it’s falling apart. It’s packed with garlic, lemon, and herbs and feels like something you’d eat on vacation instead of at your in-laws. That’s the vibe.
Get the Recipe: Kleftiko

Dutch Oven Pot Roast

This pot roast proves you don’t need to go fancy to make something great. Just brown the meat, toss in some veg, and let the oven do its thing. It’s hearty, hands-off, and perfect for feeding a crowd without ham on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Pot Roast

Pork Tenderloin with Creamy White Wine Sauce

Pork tenderloin is easy to keep on hand and just as easy to cook. Add a white wine cream sauce and suddenly it feels like you spent a lot more time than you did. A great dinner move if you’re staying in but still want something real.
Get the Recipe: Pork Tenderloin with Creamy White Wine Sauce

Lemon Rosemary Chicken

Crisp skin, juicy meat, and the kind of lemony-herby flavor that actually makes you want seconds. This is a great spring dinner that doesn’t try too hard and doesn’t involve glazing anything in brown sugar.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Rosemary Chicken

Turkey Spinach Lasagna

This lasagna skips the red sauce and heavy meats and goes lighter with turkey and spinach. It still checks the comfort food box but keeps things balanced. A great make-ahead option if you don’t want to spend Easter cooking.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Spinach Lasagna

Tagliatelle Bolognese

This classic pasta is hearty, slow-cooked, and layered with flavor. The combo of beef, pork, and pancetta beats anything cold and pre-sliced. This one’s a great pick for a dinner that feels like a hug.
Get the Recipe: Tagliatelle Bolognese

Sheet Pan Cornish Game Hens

Everything roasts together on one sheet—hens, rhubarb, blood oranges, fennel, and potatoes. It’s low-effort, high-payoff, and looks like you did way more than throw ham on a platter. Great for spring, even better for Easter.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Cornish Game Hens