Ham might be the “traditional” Easter main dish… but let’s be honest—not everyone loves it. And even if you do, sometimes you just want something different.
If you’ve ever found yourself googling what to make for Easter besides ham, you’re definitely not alone. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, dealing with picky eaters, or just want to switch things up this year, there are so many good options that don’t involve a giant spiral ham taking over your table.
While my guests are waiting for dinner (or in my case this year, just my immediate family), we serve charcuterie on this board. I take this charcuterie board with me everywhere and everyone always asks where I got it. It’s the thing I get the most compliments on, hands down! My charcuterie boards make me seem so much fancier than I am lol.
This list is full of Easter main dishes that feel just as special, but give you a little more variety. Think easy recipes, family-friendly meals, and a few options that are a little more unique without being complicated.
Related: 15+ Adorable Easter Treats to Please a Crowd!
Related: 15+ Unique Deviled Egg Recipes!
Marry Me Chicken Recipe (Without Sundried Tomatoes)
Want an easy, delectable chicken dish that seals the deal? Marry Me Chicken it is! A flavorful chicken recipe in creamy sauce; very versatile
Herby Baked Lemon Chicken Thighs
Discover how to make tender and flavorful baked lemon chicken thighs with this simple recipe. Perfect for a quick and delicious dinner.
Slow Cooker Mediterranean Whole Chicken
Slow Cooker Mediterranean Whole Chicken is tender, juicy and rich with Mediterranean flavors. This is great for meal-prep!
Chicken is basically a blank slate.
If you taste your seasoning mix and think “that’s a little strong,” it’s probably perfect. Under-seasoned chicken is the #1 reason people think chicken is boring.
The truth is, chicken is the perfect blank canvas for awesome holiday meals. You can dress it up and make chicken into a meal that will make everyone beg for the recipe. Just try that Marry Me Chicken!
At the end of the day, Easter dinner doesn’t have to revolve around ham to feel special. Whether you go with something simple or try something new, the best meal is the one your family actually enjoys. Pick what sounds good, keep it doable, and don’t overthink it—that’s how you end up with a meal everyone remembers.
How to Make Shepherd’s Pie (With Lamb) – In the Kitch
Essentially a meaty gravy topped with mashed potatoes in pie form, the shepherd’s pie with lamb is one of the best kinds of comfort food.
Brisket in the Oven
This Brisket in the Oven is slow cooked at a low temperature until deeply tender, juicy and rich with smoky flavor. With a simple rub and a long cooking process, this oven-cooked brisket develops a dark exterior and buttery-soft interior when cooked to the right internal temperature. This is the kind of beef brisket you make when…
Lamb Kofta in Tahini Sauce Recipe – Foodess.com
Warmly spiced lamb kofta recipe (a kind of meatball-kebab hybrid) baked in a creamy, lemony tahini sauce served with flatbread. Middle Eastern comfort food.
If you want your food to feel effortless but still taste amazing, lean into recipes that are forgiving. Casseroles, roasted dishes, and slow cooker meals give you breathing room and don’t fall apart if timing isn’t perfect. You’ll enjoy the day so much more when you’re not tied to the kitchen trying to manage five things at once.
Another simple trick is getting as much done ahead of time as possible. Chop ingredients, prep sides, and even set the table early so you’re not scrambling later. When guests arrive, you’ll actually be able to be present instead of running back and forth trying to finish everything.
Instant Pot Pulled Lamb Leg
This Instant Pot Pulled Lamb Leg is the perfect easy lamb recipe. Prep is fast and simple and you’ll get flavor packed melt-in-the-mouth meat every single time. Instructions for how to make pulled lamb leg in the slow cooker and oven are also included in the post.
Baked Salmon with Mustard Dill Sauce – The Art of Food and Wine
No-fail Oven Baked Salmon with creamy Mustard Dill Sauce makes the perfect dinner and can be prepared and ready in just 15 short minutes.
Herb Roasted Rack of Lamb Recipe
This elegant herb roasted rack of lamb with homemade pan sauce is made in just over 30 minutes, but is perfect for a romantic date or holiday.
One of the biggest stress savers is working backwards from when you want to serve dinner. Figure out what needs the most time, what needs oven space, and what can be made ahead. Even a loose plan helps everything flow better and keeps you from that last minute rush where everything somehow needs to happen at once.
Grilled Peach BBQ Chicken Skewers
Grill these delicous Peach BBQ Chicken Skewers for an easy meal idea, plus enjoy hassle-free entertaining with these easy cookout tips!
Skewers are one of the easiest ways to make Easter dinner feel a little more fun without making things more complicated. They cook quickly, look beautiful on a platter, and naturally portion everything out so you’re not dealing with a ton of slicing and serving. If you’re feeding a group, they also make it easier for everyone to grab exactly what they want without a big production.
One of the biggest advantages of cooking with skewers is how evenly everything cooks. When you cut your ingredients into similar sized pieces, you avoid that frustrating situation where one part is overcooked while another is still underdone. It also helps flavors soak in better, especially if you marinate ahead of time, which makes every bite more flavorful without extra work.
If you’re using wooden skewers, soaking them in water for at least 20 to 30 minutes beforehand is a small step that makes a big difference. It keeps them from burning in the oven or on the grill and gives you more flexibility while cooking. Metal skewers are even easier if you have them, since they heat up and help cook food from the inside as well.
Baked Manicotti Recipe for Easter – Good Grief Cook
Savor the authentic flavors of 3 cheese and spinach baked manicotti. A classic recipe perfect for your Easter dinner.
Citrus Glazed Chicken Legs
Sweet & sticky, this Citrus Glazed Chicken Legs is full of honey orange flavor and roasts until perfect crisp on the outside, but moist.
At the end of the day, Easter dinner doesn’t have to follow a script to feel special. Whether you go with something classic, something simple, or something completely different this year, what really matters is that it works for your family and your season of life. The best meals are the ones that feel doable, taste amazing, and leave you with enough energy to actually sit down and enjoy it all. So pick what feels right, keep it simple where you can, and trust that it’s going to come together exactly the way it’s supposed to.