While a turkey or ham is often the star attraction of an Easter dinner, that doesn’t have to be the case this year! Here are 20 simple side dishes you can make that will get your guests talking.
1. Deviled Eggs
Just about any occasion calls for deviled eggs—and Easter is no exception! Halve your hard-boiled eggs and fill them with a creamy mixture of mayonnaise, mustard, and spices to complete your holiday feast.
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2. Scalloped Potatoes with Ham
Even if ham isn’t the main attraction of your Easter dinner, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t show up at all. Incorporating this classic Easter meat into a hearty dish of scalloped potatoes can bring the best of both worlds together.
3. Caprese Salad Skewers
A simple, flavorful dish that only requires a few ingredients! Thread mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, and a fresh basil leaf onto a skewer before you drizzle with balsamic. A classic finger food perfect for any home chef.
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4. Grilled Veggie Platter
Not only are grilled vegetables a healthy, vibrant addition to your Easter dinner, there’s a lot of room to make the dish your own. Bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, broccoli, or eggplant are all great places to start. You can even sprinkle in some fresh herbs to really bring out the flavor.
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5. Macaroni and Cheese
Who can resist the call of mac and cheese, especially served baked and straight from the oven? Turn to sharp cheddar, goat cheese, Gruyere, or Parmesan if you’re looking for a classic take on a classic dish. A healthier spin calls for cottage cheese or olive oil in lieu of butter.
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6. Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Balsamic Glaze
It’s time to end the childhood hatred of brussels sprouts! Toss these little guys in some olive oil, use a bit of salt and pepper, and roast until golden brown. Drizzle with a bit of balsamic glaze for a tangy complement to the caramelization.
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7. Honey Glazed Carrots
You won’t need much for this colorful addition to Easter dinner. Simply cut up some carrots, toss them in honey, and roast until they’re your preferred tenderness. Sprinkle with some fresh rosemary and they’ll be your preferred taste, too!
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8. Classic Potato Salad
Easter is one of the best times to break out home recipes, and a classic potato salad is a surefire people-pleaser. Packed with potatoes, eggs, bacon, and celery, potato salad is a staple come holiday time.
9. Candied Yams
Candied yams aren’t just for Thanksgiving, you know. Brown sugar, cinnamon, and a dash of vanilla are all great ways to liven up your yams just in time for guests to arrive…and it never hurt anyone to throw some marshmallows in there.
10. Roast Asparagus With Lemon
We know asparagus is in the name, but don’t turn away so fast! Roasting asparagus can easily bring a welcomed caramelized flavor best enhanced with a lemon twist and grated Parmesan. Toss the stalks with one or the other and we guarantee the plate will be empty by dinner’s end.
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11. Lemon Herb Roasted Potatoes
Potatoes are the king of versatility, but there’s nothing quite like the roasted variety coated with lemon zest and a medley of spices. Rosemary, thyme, or parsley work wonders with this side dish that’s sure to turn some heads.
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12. Baked Beans with Bacon
Any Easter spread can do with a healthy dose of smokiness, which is where this dish comes in. Simmer your beans in a sauce of molasses, brown sugar, and spices, then top with crispy bacon and bake until everything bubbles.
13. Creamy Corn Pudding
A dish that’s rich, colorful, and full of flavor, corn pudding is a perfect Southern comfort food. The best part is it often doesn’t take more than a few ingredients to bring this sought after dish to life.
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14. Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans
You can elevate green beans with the savory twist of bacon. Toss your greens in some salt, pepper, and garlic powder before wrapping them in a bacon strip and sticking them in the oven. Take them out once the bacon is crisp and the beans are tender-crisp, and you’ve got yourself a classic side.
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15. Mushroom Risotto
A decadent side dish that’s sure to impress. Cook your Arborio rice with some white wine, broth, and mushrooms until everything’s nice and tender. Top it all off with some butter, Parmesan, and fresh herbs and this little side dish is in the running to steal the show.
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16. Peas and Carrots
Okay, we know this may sound like your run-of-the-mill side dish, but it’s also a perfect opportunity to put your imagination to work. Crack some black pepper, add fresh dill, or even sprinkle in some chili powder to really make this classic pop.
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay
17. Butternut Squash Soup
What’s a holiday spread without soup? Roasted squash in a mouth-watering blend of onions, garlic, ginger, and spices make for a delicious side dish perfect for Easter.
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18. Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Start Easter dinner right with this crowd-pleasing dip made of spinach, artichokes, and cream cheese. Toss in some sour cream, mozzarella, and mayonnaise before baking everything. When it’s bubbly and brown, you know you’ve got a winner.
Image by Rebecca Humann from Pixabay
19. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
A holiday dinner is simply incomplete without mashed potatoes at the table, and there are plenty of ways to jazz up your spuds. Adding cream cheese, buttermilk, broth, or even fresh chives can help liven things up.
Photo by Parnis Azimi on Unsplash
20. Garlic Parmesan Knots
An easy side dish that doesn’t call for much else besides biscuits, butter, cheese and seasoning. You also only need about ten minutes to bring everything together and keep stomachs from rumbling at the table.
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