Easter recipes should taste like spring, not like something pulled from the back of the pantry. This list focuses on fresh produce, citrus, herbs, and simple meals that feel right for the season. These dishes are easy to pull together but still look like they belong on a holiday table. They work for brunch, dinner, or anything in between without making you spend all day in the kitchen.
Lemon Blueberry Mini Cheesecakes
These mini cheesecakes are bright, fresh, and exactly the kind of dessert that works on an Easter table. The lemon and thyme give them that springy flavor, and the blueberry compote makes them look like you did more than you did.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Mini Cheesecakes
Roasted Radishes with Rosemary and Honey
Roasting mellows the sharp bite of radishes and brings out their softer side. With a drizzle of honey and fresh rosemary, this makes a simple Easter side that’s still got some personality.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Radishes with Rosemary and Honey
Garlic Balsamic Roasted Asparagus & Potatoes
This sheet pan side delivers with zero stress. The asparagus makes it feel spring-ready, and the balsamic garlic combo adds enough flavor to hold its own at Easter dinner.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Balsamic Roasted Asparagus & Potatoes
Penne with Pesto
Lamb and mint pesto give this pasta a sharp, herb-packed flavor that feels right for Easter. It’s hearty enough to serve as a main dish but still light enough to fit in with everything else on the table.
Get the Recipe: Penne with Pesto
Thai Pea Soup
This blender soup has ginger, lemongrass, coconut milk, and peas—bright, bold, and just the kind of thing you want when you’re over winter. It’s great as a starter or light Easter lunch.
Get the Recipe: Thai Pea Soup
Spring Gyros with Apricot Salsa
These gyros feel fresh, fun, and way more interesting than the usual ham spread. The apricot salsa and pea sprouts give them a light spring flavor that fits right in at Easter.
Get the Recipe: Spring Gyros with Apricot Salsa
Strawberry Almond Galette
This rustic galette skips the pie drama and still brings that Easter dessert energy. The strawberries and almond crust hit all the right spring notes without making you spend hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Almond Galette
Citrus Braised Lamb Shanks
These lamb shanks are braised until they fall apart, then finished with citrus and green harissa for a bold, spring-ready dinner. They hold their own as an Easter centerpiece without trying too hard.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Braised Lamb Shanks
Chocolate Strawberry Bread Pudding
This works as a rich brunch bake or an easy Easter dessert. The combo of chocolate and strawberries hits the sweet spot without needing fancy ingredients or hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Strawberry Bread Pudding
Creamy Carrot Fennel Soup
Carrots and fennel keep this soup light and fresh, while white beans give it some substance. It’s a great way to start your Easter meal or serve alongside lamb without going overboard.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Carrot Fennel Soup
Spring Lamb Nachos
Lamb, peas, radishes, feta, and carrots turn basic nachos into something way more seasonal. These are great for a laid-back Easter brunch or as a fun dinner that still feels on theme.
Get the Recipe: Spring Lamb Nachos
Creamy Mediterranean Carrot Salad
This salad is loaded with chickpeas, raisins, feta, and a creamy yogurt-tahini dressing. It’s a great Easter side—bright, flavorful, and a solid break from the usual suspects.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mediterranean Carrot Salad
Grilled Apricot Lamb Kebabs
Lamb and dried apricots on the grill? That’s a solid Easter move. These kebabs come together quickly, taste like spring, and look great next to a big salad or roasted veggies.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Apricot Lamb Kebabs
Skillet Lamb Chops with Cipollini Onions
These chops sear fast and get topped with a tarragon honey mustard sauce that cuts through the richness. It’s a great Easter dinner option when you want something a little bold but not overcomplicated.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Lamb Chops with Cipollini Onions
Shaved Asparagus Citrus Salad
Blood orange, asparagus, and toasted quinoa come together in a salad that screams spring. It’s crisp, fresh, and adds the kind of color your Easter table needs.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Asparagus Citrus Salad
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
These bundles come out crispy and look like you put in real effort. They’re great as an Easter side or snack when you want something quick that still feels like it belongs on a holiday plate.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Rhubarb Bread
This quick bread uses seasonal rhubarb and chopped walnuts for a hearty but not-too-heavy treat. Great for an Easter brunch table or wrapped up as a host gift if you’re not the one cooking.
Get the Recipe: Rhubarb Bread
Spiced Carrot Bread
Carrot juice, mango, and fresh grated carrots bring this soft quick bread to life. It’s a great bake-ahead option for Easter morning or a casual dessert after the main meal.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Carrot Bread
Lemony Shaved Asparagus Salad
This salad is spring in a bowl—shaved asparagus, tomatoes, parmesan, basil, and lemon. It’s crisp, colorful, and exactly the kind of thing that deserves a spot on the Easter table.
Get the Recipe: Lemony Shaved Asparagus Salad
Grilled Artichokes
These grilled artichokes with lemon tahini sauce are a great spring appetizer or side. They look fancy but don’t ask for much work, which makes them perfect for Easter entertaining.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Artichokes
Asparagus Omelette Soufflé
Light, fluffy, and packed with spring vegetables, this omelette soufflé is great for Easter brunch. Add a little goat cheese if you’re feeling it, and you’ve got something that looks fancy without the effort.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Omelette Soufflé
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.