Image Credit: Victor ProtasioEaster offers the perfect opportunity to gather with family and friends to share a delightful meal. While Easter brunch or dinner are common, there’s something uniquely enjoyable about hosting an Easter lunch.
You can incorporate classic egg-based dishes such as shakshuka, alongside heartier options like lamb and potato bakes. What’s more, the rest of the afternoon is yours to relax and reconnect with loved ones. While planning the meal can be a challenge, we’ve compiled a list of Easter lunch ideas that will both impress and satisfy your guests.
1. Easy Green Shakshuka
Greg DuPreeThis version of shakshuka bursts with the vibrant hues of spring, featuring spinach, artichokes, and salsa verde. It’s a quick and easy dish to whip up in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for those looking to kickstart their Easter festivities early. Serve it with plenty of crispy toasted bread to soak up every bit of that flavorful, eggy sauce.
2. Layered Potatoes with Garlic Herb Butter
Victor ProtasioThinly sliced, buttery potatoes layered with garlic and herbs will quickly steal the spotlight, even when served as a side dish. As they bake, the top layers crisp up beautifully, offering a delightful contrast to the tender interior. For a more uniform presentation, choose potatoes of similar size and shape before baking.
3. Bitter Greens and Beet Salad
Victor ProtasioThis beautiful greens and beet salad is sure to impress, making it the perfect addition to your Easter lunch spread. Roasted red and golden beets sit atop a bed of vibrant, slightly bitter radicchio leaves, while a handful of toasted pecans adds crunch and a touch of umami. The shallot honey-mustard vinaigrette pulls everything together, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.
4. Rotisserie Chicken Pot Pie
Greg DuPreeYou’ll never want to return to your classic chicken pot pie recipe once you try this simplified version with puff pastry and ready-to-eat rotisserie chicken. The pre-cooked chicken cuts down on prep time, leaving you with only 30 minutes of hands-on work before popping it in the oven. A quick egg wash on the puff pastry gives it a golden-brown finish that will have your guests excited to dig in.
5. Green Bean and Celery Salad
Greg DupreeLoaded with fresh green veggies, this salad is a springtime favorite but delicious year-round. It combines tender haricots verts with crunchy apple and cool celery, all coated in a zesty dressing featuring plenty of fresh ginger. This salad is the perfect side to pair with more substantial Easter dishes like lamb or salmon.
6. Apple Brandy Pork Loin
Victor ProtasioCelebrate Easter with a beautiful pork loin infused with a blend of spices and glazed with a rich apple brandy and maple syrup sauce. While it’s perfect for dinner, we recommend it as an elegant lunch option as well. The parsnips and apples roasted alongside the pork become wonderfully caramelized, enhancing the dish’s flavor.
7. Herbed Ham and Cheese Baked Eggs
Victor ProtasioThis dish is a perfect choice for Easter lunch because it’s satisfying without being too heavy for midday. The baked eggs are filled with savory flavors from onions, Gouda cheese, and chives, with a layer of ham on top. To keep it warm for your Easter celebration, simply cover it with aluminum foil and heat it in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, until thoroughly warmed.
8. Parsley-Garlic Salmon
Victor ProtasioThis stunning and flavorful salmon, which serves eight, is an excellent choice for Easter lunch. The fish is covered in a creamy sauce made from mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, lemon, and of course, the key ingredients – parsley and garlic. Pair it with a fresh side salad or roasted spring vegetables, and you’re all set to enjoy this delightful dish.
9. Lamb Burgers with Mint-Yogurt Sauce
Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors HallFor a modern twist on serving lamb for Easter, try these delicious lamb burgers paired with a refreshing mint-yogurt sauce. The lamb is seasoned with cumin and garlic, giving each bite a burst of flavor. Ready in just 30 minutes, these burgers can be served with a variety of sides, from roasted vegetables to a cheesy potato bake.
10. Egg & Smoked Salmon Tart
Greg DuPreeAn Easter lunch dish that requires only five ingredients? Absolutely. This beautiful tart features a store-bought puff pastry base topped with soft eggs, ribbons of smoked salmon, and a dollop of scallion crème fraîche. This recipe serves four as a meal, but it can also be cut into smaller pieces for a perfect appetizer.
11. Green Goddess Pasta Salad
Greg DuPreeThis pasta salad is always a hit, and it’s the ideal dish for any spring celebration. The pasta is coated in a tangy green goddess dressing, made from parsley, dill, basil, and tender-crisp broccoli. The salad also features tarragon, mayonnaise, sour cream, and flavorful anchovies, along with salty feta, aromatic chives, and a topping of crushed pita chips for added crunch.
12. Farro Salad with Brown Butter Vinaigrette
Victor ProtasioBrown butter takes center stage in this vibrant salad, which features hearty farro, chopped asparagus, and petite peas. Crunchy pistachios, sweet orange segments, and briny feta provide an array of textures and flavors. The rich vinaigrette is so delicious, you'll want to drizzle it over everything. Perfect for a light Easter lunch, it also pairs wonderfully with lamb or grilled chicken.
13. Rosemary Lamb Chops
Greg DuPreeStick to the classic Easter lamb with this dish that's perfect for both dinner or a more refined lunch. The herby mayo and olive topping ensures the meat stays tender and juicy, while the olive and rosemary bulgur with smashed cucumber adds a refreshing touch. The best part? It only takes 15 minutes to prepare.
14. Sweet Chili Salmon Salad
Victor ProtasioThis 35-minute dish is a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and satisfying, making it ideal for company. The magic ingredient is a bottle of store-bought sweet chili sauce, which serves as both the glaze for the salmon and the base for the tangy dressing made with lime juice and salt. The rich fish is paired with peppery arugula, crisp radishes, sweet sugar snap peas, crunchy sunflower seeds, and creamy avocado, creating a well-rounded, delicious meal.
15. Smoked Salmon Flatbread
VICTOR PROTASIOThis dish is great for dinner but works just as well for lunch, making it a perfect Easter meal. Begin by spreading a store-bought naan with a creamy, flavorful mixture of lemon zest, chives, and garlic-infused cream cheese. Add layers of smoked salmon, thinly sliced red onion, a scattering of briny capers, and finish with some peppery arugula for extra crunch.
16. Lemony Chopped Salad With Pita
Victor ProtasioThis bright, tangy chopped salad features a variety of crunchy vegetables like fresh cucumbers, zesty radishes, and sweet cherry tomatoes, making it an ideal choice for a light Easter lunch or a refreshing side. Roasted chickpeas bring a boost of plant-based protein, but for those craving meat, feel free to add chicken or steak to suit everyone at your holiday gathering.
17. Tuna, Chickpea and Cherry Tomato Salad
Greg DuPreeThis 15-minute salad combines oil-packed tuna and tender chickpeas with rich olives, salty feta, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crispy pita chips. The best part? There's no need to cook, making it a perfect option when you're busy preparing a variety of dishes for your Easter celebration.
18. Ham and Leek Quiche
Jennifer CauseyThis quiche is made for Easter Sunday. A delicious combination of savory ham, melted Gruyère cheese, caramelized leeks, and tender Swiss chard comes together to create a beautiful and tasty dish. The twist? Buttermilk replaces regular milk, giving the quiche a delightful tangy flavor.
19. Quick Spring Lamb and Vegetable Stew
Quentin BaconThis hearty stew is a lifesaver on Easter. It’s incredibly quick to make, taking just 30 minutes, but tastes like it’s been simmering all day. Serve it with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful, meaty broth.
20. Garlic-and-Herb Potato Salad
Greg DuPreeNot a fan of mayonnaise in your potato salad? This recipe swaps it out for a tangy mustard-vinegar dressing that adds extra flavor. Fresh herbs like scallions, parsley, and basil, along with thinly sliced garlic cooked in a skillet, give this dish a bold punch.
