This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
This collection of 33 Easter main dishes includes everything you need for your holiday menu: from classic family favorites like ham and lamb to modern, non-traditional mains. Whether you're planning a traditional Easter dinner or looking for something different, you'll find plenty of festive entrées here that pair perfectly with your favorite Easter sides.
Easter is one of the few times a year when it really makes sense to cook something special for your family - but special doesn't have to mean the same holiday main dish every year.
A honey brown sugar-glazed ham is a classic for a reason. Sticky and caramelized, it feeds a crowd, and the leftovers are always a bonus. Pair it with traditional Easter side dishes like scalloped potatoes, fresh lemony green beans, and roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and you have an impressive Easter dinner with minimal effort.
But if you're ready to switch things up, this collection of 33 Easter main dishes offers the best of both worlds: classic options like ham and leg of lamb, lighter spring-inspired recipes, and alternatives (like stuffed pork tenderloin or puff pastry chicken pot pie) for when you want something non-traditional.
Pick one that fits your style, build your favorite Easter sides around it, and you'll have a meal that feels thoughtful, balanced, and worth gathering for.
Not Just Ham: 33 Easter Main Dishes
1
I bake this fully cooked smoked spiral ham low and slow, and brush it with a savory-sweet honey-brown sugar glaze made with orange marmalade, Dijon mustard, and fresh orange zest. It's my go-to glazed ham recipe for Easter, Christmas, or any Sunday roast for a crowd.
VIEW THE RECIPE
2
This bone-in leg of lamb is rubbed with a Dijon, garlic, and fresh herb paste, then roasted over vegetables so the drippings baste everything. I also include a simple pan gravy made from the roasting juices. It's a perfect roast main course for Easter, Christmas, Sunday roasts, and holiday dinners.
VIEW THE RECIPE
3
This stuffed pork tenderloin is a savory-sweet main dish made by butterflying the tenderloin and filling it with crispy bacon, sautéed spinach, fresh herbs, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans, then searing and roasting it until juicy and perfectly cooked. I slice it into pretty rounds, and it instantly looks fancy. Serve with my popular side dishes: roasted garlic mashed potatoes, fresh lemon-parmesan green beans, and an apple-spinach salad. It works just as well for a weeknight dinner as it does for entertaining.
VIEW THE RECIPE
4
Detailed recipe with step-by-step photos on how to roast a whole duck in the oven. This Roast Duck has juicy meat, crispy skin, and it's glazed with the honey-balsamic glaze to give the duck a beautiful roasted look. Perfect main dish for any special occasion, especially holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve!
VIEW THE RECIPE
5
If you want juicy, tender steaks at home, this versatile steak marinade is your ticket to a full steakhouse experience using budget-friendly cuts (like flank steak or skirt steak) or more expensive prime cuts (like rib-eye or tenderloin). With simple pantry ingredients like olive oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, garlic, and fresh herbs, you can transform affordable steaks into restaurant-worthy mains.
VIEW THE RECIPE
6
I braise fall-apart beef in Pinot Noir with mushrooms and pearl onions low and slow for cozy, restaurant-quality comfort food. This easy Beef Bourguignon can be made a day ahead and is perfect for entertaining and cold-weather nights. It's one of the most famous French red-wine beef stews and a staple of French cuisine. I cook it in the oven and provide alternative cooking instructions for Instant Pot & Slow Cooker.
VIEW THE RECIPE
7
A cozy, one-pan chicken pot pie made in a cast-iron skillet with rotisserie chicken, classic veggies, a quick creamy gravy, and a mosaic of golden puff pastry squares on top-perfect for a hearty Fall meal, easy weeknight dinner, or family favorite for entertaining.
VIEW THE RECIPE
8
My braised beef short ribs are fork-tender, restaurant-quality comfort food with a glossy red-wine sauce, sweet carrots, and meaty cremini mushrooms-perfect for entertaining, special holidays, or a cozy weeknight dinner. Make it in the oven, in an Instant Pot, or in a Slow Cooker.
VIEW THE RECIPE
9
This pan-seared filet mignon is topped with a rich, creamy mushroom sauce made with cremini mushrooms, shallots, garlic, white wine, beef broth, Dijon mustard, heavy cream, and Parmesan. I cook the steaks on the stovetop first to get a golden crust, then finish them in the oven while I make the mushroom sauce in the same pan.
VIEW THE RECIPE
10
Looking for the ultimate braised pork shoulder recipe? This apple cider braised pork shoulder is fall-apart tender, packed with savory-sweet flavor, and cooked low and slow in the oven for that authentic, rustic, restaurant-quality taste - perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or holiday entertaining.
VIEW THE RECIPE
11
Greek Shrimp with Orzo, Feta, Olives, and Tomatoes is a delicious one-pan 30-minute restaurant-quality dinner that is sure to become one of the family favorites! This Mediterranean-style recipe can be easily adjusted to get dairy-free and gluten-free. It's high in protein, has lots of veggies, and is Pescatarian (appropriate for vegetarians who include seafood in their diet).
VIEW THE RECIPE
12
This chicken pasta recipe has lots of fresh ingredients: garlic, tomatoes, and spinach. This easy and quick dinner will become a family favorite!
VIEW THE RECIPE
13
Ever wondered how to cook cornish hens? It's so simple and a great alternative to roasting bigger birds. This delicious one-pan meal is easy enough to make for a family weeknight dinner and fancy enough to make for the holidays, especially as a simple Christmas main course. The cornish hens are brushed with herb butter and then cooked in the oven. Roasted cornish hens have tender and juicy meat, and the herb butter gives the poultry a beautiful roasted look.
VIEW THE RECIPE
14
Pork Chops with Apples is a simple dinner recipe perfect for any time of year! The apples are caramelized in butter with brown sugar, cinnamon, and honey. The pork chops are pan-seared to a beautiful golden-brown crust and are tender, juicy, and moist.
VIEW THE RECIPE
15
This easy one-pan Fall weeknight dinner features juicy seared pork chops simmered in a tangy-sweet apple cider and Dijon pan sauce with sautéed apples, crispy bacon, and fried sage. It's a hearty, comforting dish that delivers restaurant-quality flavor in about 30 minutes with minimal cleanup-perfect for one pan meals lovers! Serve pork chops and apples with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and lemon-parmesan green beans.
VIEW THE RECIPE
16
This easy one-pan Mediterranean salmon dinner comes together in just 30 minutes. The recipe features staples of Mediterranean cuisine: rice, chickpeas, tomatoes, olives, lemon, oregano, and feta cheese. It's healthy and gluten-free. Easy enough to make on a busy weeknight and fancy enough to entertain guests.
VIEW THE RECIPE
17
Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata Cheese, Cherry Tomatoes, and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce is a comfort food dinner that a whole family will love! This colorful and vibrant pasta looks sophisticated enough for a weekend dinner and is simple enough to make on a regular weeknight.
VIEW THE RECIPE
18
Bone-in pork chops marinated in a bold blend of Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, fresh herbs, and lemon, then grilled or seared and basted until glossy and flavorful.
VIEW THE RECIPE
19
Creamy Salmon & Spinach Orzo is my go-to one-pan dinner when I need something quick, easy, and delicious. It's ready in 30 minutes and packed with tender & flaky salmon, creamy orzo, spinach, roasted red bell peppers, Parmesan, and a splash of lemon juice.
VIEW THE RECIPE
20
Greek Chicken Orzo is a one-pot wonder made with tender chicken thighs, juicy cherry tomatoes, briny olives, and tangy, creamy feta cheese. This quick and easy Mediterranean-style recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal that's sure to become a family favorite.
VIEW THE RECIPE
21
Shrimp orzo is almost like risotto but so much easier and quicker to make! This Italian-style dinner takes only 30 minutes and is made in one pan. Seared garlic shrimp and orzo are a perfect combo for a simple weeknight meal.
VIEW THE RECIPE
22
Chicken Risotto is an easy weeknight dinner that features flavorful skinless boneless chicken thighs (seasoned with smoked paprika, Cayenne pepper, and Italian seasoning). You can also use leftover chicken, grilled chicken, or cooked rotisserie chicken. This risotto is pure comfort food made with Arborio rice and is elevated with the addition of sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach. Impress your family and friends by making this restaurant-quality dish!
VIEW THE RECIPE
23
Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi is the ultimate comfort food made in just 20 minutes entirely in one pan! Store-bought gnocchi is dressed up with lots of veggies and creamy garlic sauce. It's a perfect meatless meal on its own or a nice side dish to go along with your favorite protein.
VIEW THE RECIPE
24
Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice is a 30-minute one-pot dinner packed with so much flavor! This Mediterranean recipe features spinach, grape tomatoes, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), feta cheese, paprika, and oregano. It's healthy, gluten-free, protein-rich, fiber-rich, and can be easily made dairy-free.
VIEW THE RECIPE
25
Jumbo pasta shells are stuffed with a creamy ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and sautéed spinach filling, then baked in a rich marinara sauce until bubbling with melty cheese. Pair with homemade garlic dinner rolls!
VIEW THE RECIPE
26
These oven-baked chicken meatballs are juicy, herby, and finished with a quick broil for color, then served over creamy Parmesan spinach orzo cooked in a garlic white wine butter sauce. If you're looking for an easy, family-friendly dinner recipe that is restaurant-quality comfort food without being heavy, this one checks all the boxes.
VIEW THE RECIPE
27
Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Orzo is a quick and easy pasta dish made in just 30 minutes entirely in one pan! It's just like risotto but so much simpler! Serve it as a meatless main dish or a side dish with chicken or shrimp.
VIEW THE RECIPE
28
Creamy Shrimp Pasta with Mushrooms in a homemade alfredo sauce. The creamy pasta sauce is made with Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese, garlic, basil, crushed red pepper flakes, paprika.
VIEW THE RECIPE
29
This delicious Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is a great choice for a simple weeknight dinner. The recipe uses basic everyday ingredients and is perfect for family meals. You can use store-bought basil pesto or make your own.
VIEW THE RECIPE
30
One of the best trout recipes I've tried is simply cooking the trout in the skillet in olive oil, and then adding garlic, lemon juice, white wine, fresh parsley and butter. Gluten free, healthy, easy-to-make and delicious! Low-carb dinner rich in lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids. A family favorite! Perfect way to cook an amazing fish: trout.
VIEW THE RECIPE
31
This lemon dill salmon is one of my fastest, most reliable stovetop dinners. I pan-sear the salmon first, then combine it with a creamy dill sauce made with fresh dill, lemon, garlic, and a splash of broth. This 15-minute recipe is simple enough for a weeknight meal and fancy enough for entertaining! Serve over my garlic mashed potatoes or scalloped potatoes.
VIEW THE RECIPE
32
Make the best and the easiest sauce for lamb chops! This creamy mustard-thyme sauce is made with garlic, red or white wine, Dijon mustard, fresh herbs, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. This savory Mediterranean dish will become a family favorite dinner!
VIEW THE RECIPE
33
Chicken Feta Pasta is an easy, 30-minute Mediterranean recipe that uses basic everyday ingredients and is perfect for family meals. Pan-seared chicken (generously seasoned with amazing spices) is tossed together with the bow tie pasta, cherry tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and creamy feta cheese! This recipe makes great leftovers and is freezer-friendly (perfect for meal prep).
VIEW THE RECIPE
Share Your Feedback
I'd love to hear what you think of these dishes in the comments section below - whether you've made any of them, are planning to, or have any other feedback. Wishing you all a wonderful Easter! ❤️Julia.
All these recipes look wonderful - can’t wait to try them!!
But then all your recipes always look great! Haven’t tried a bad one yet!!
Karen, you are so sweet! I really appreciate your support and your kind comment! ❤️❤️
I love your recipes and they've helped me eat better, so a BIG THANK YOU for that! I usually pick 4-5 recipes of yours and plan my menu around those for the week. It's so much easier also to shop that way! Thank you Julia and keep em coming!
Wanda
Wanda, thank you so much — this truly means a lot to me! I love that you’re planning your week around a few of my recipes — that’s the best kind of feedback I could ask for. 🙂 Thank you again for your support! ❤️