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Easter Dinner Meal Plan!

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Great tips and tricks for planning, organizing and hosting Easter Dinner without the stress. Easy recipes for all of your side dishes, main dishes and desserts that anyone can make. Plus, get your free Easter Menu Plan download to help you plan everything!

Collage of photos of easy Easter Recipes

Tips for Planning your Easter Dinner!

Here are a few of my favorite ways to make Easter a little less stressful or hosting any holiday! Breaking it down by action item and having a plan makes all the difference.

1. MAKE A GUEST LIST

As you are making your list of guests, be sure to ask if there are any food allergies or sensitivities. Knowing special dietary restrictions before your plan your menu is essential. It allows you to plan an inclusive menu from the start.

Besides, guests who have dietary restrictions will be so grateful you were thoughtful and kind enough to ask! If you’re overwhelmed at accommodating their food allergies or sensitivities, be honest and up front so they can plan accordingly.

2. DECIDE ON A MENU

The more work you do ahead of time, the less stress and hassle you’ll have as Easter approaches. If you’re hosting at your home, you’ll want to start by picking out your recipes, keeping in mind you’ll want a variety of cooking methods so you don’t run out of cooking space and time. Think instant pot, crock pot, oven and stove top and pick a few recipes that can be made a day or two ahead of time.

Again, you’ll want to keep in mind if any of your guests specified food allergies or sensitivities. Don’t forget your littlest guests who will be attending and add a few child-friendly foods to the menu. If you’re traveling, find recipes that will work with your travel plans and ask the host what you can bring.

3. MAKE YOUR SHOPPING LIST

From your recipes, make a grocery list of what things you need to shop for. Don’t forget to include supplies you’ll need like table settings, napkins and other items you’ll use more of while having guests (paper products like paper towels and toilet paper).

If you’re not hosting, this is a great time to think about something to bring your host as a gift, such as a bottle of wine, new dish towels, candles, etc.

4. PREPARE EASY ACTIVITIES

Aside from rounding up some of our favorite card and board games, I always try to put together a simple trivia game. We love to play Easter Bingo, everyone brings a few prizes from the dollar section and then we play Bingo. The kids, teenagers and adults all love Bingo!

Another fun thing to do is play a trivia game based on Easter, if you lose the game, well, they get dish duty after the meal!

5. CLEAN THE FRIDGE

You’re going to need all the fridge space for your Thanksgiving feast! Now is a perfect time to clean out your fridge (it needed to be done anyway, right?)!

6. COOKING COUNTDOWN

One of my favorite secrets to enjoying the time I spend with family on Easter, is to make a cooking countdown.

Sit down with your menu and calculate out how long the different menu items will take to cook so you don’t end up with half of your meal getting cold while the rest finishes cooking.

7. MAKE NOTES

This tip is actually for after the Easter dinner! Put together your menu, shopping lists and other various notes from planning and preparations and place them somewhere for future reference. Add notes of things that went well, things that could be done differently, etc.

This allows planning for the next Easter (or other holiday) much easier! I slip my notes into a clear sleeve and put it in the back of my recipe binder.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR HOSTING EASTER

We all want our holidays to be stress-free and appear to have managed hosting without any stress, right? Here are some of our best tips and tricks for making that happen.

1. PLAN IT OUT

Find an Easter Menu that allows you to make some recipes a day (or two) before Easter. Whether it be the potatoes, salads, desserts or vegetables, the more you can make ahead of time, the less you have to do on that day, which means less stress!

Don’t forget that your slow cooker or crock pot is your best friend for making lots of food. Anywhere there is an outlet, you can set your food and forget it allowing you to enjoy time with your guests! This is also perfect for when you go to church that morning. You can start the food before church and it will be done when you get home.

2. DOUBLE YOUR RECIPE

If time and space allows, make extra food that can be used for leftovers and appetizers later. This is one of my favorite ways to maximize the time I spend with family and minimize the total time I spend cooking and cleaning.

3. GET EVERYONE IN THE KITCHEN

Get all of your guests involved! If you have someone who loves to make dessert, ask them to do the baking. For those who love to eat but don’t love to cook, ask them to stay in the kitchen after the meal and help with dishes, bring the wine or pick up fresh bread from the local bakery. Delegating tasks will make everyone feel connected and important and less stress for you, see my theme here?

4. ASK THE KIDS TO HELP

Giving our kids a part in having guests for Thanksgiving is one of my favorite tips and tricks. Our kids get involved by making personalized name cards for the table, picking the napkins and setting the table.

They help make centerpieces with Popsicle crosses, arranging flower in mason jars and more!

5. PLAN FOR LEFTOVERS!

With all the amazing food that you will be preparing and your friends and family will bring make sure you plan for leftovers. I love to get to-go boxes so we can make up a few meals to send home with them or bring to shut-ins. It’s a great way to remember those you love who can’t be there!

Click any of the headings below to jump straight to that section!

Salads and Sides

Sour Cream, Chive, and Bacon Deviled Eggs
Creamy Deviled Eggs Loaded with Sour Cream, Chive and Bacon! Perfect Side Dish for the Holiday!
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Row of sour cream chive and bacon deviled eggs on a long white tray
Crescent Rolls Recipe
These rolls are easy to make, flaky, tender, and take much less time to make than croissants! They are the perfect side dish recipe to your holiday dinners.
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Basket full of homemade crescent rolls
Grilled Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread {Crack Bread}
Love cheesy bread? This delicious Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread is just what you are craving! It’s crunchy on the outside and loaded with melted cheese, butter and garlic. It’s so versatile that it can be made on the grill or in the oven so you can enjoy it no matter where you are or how you are preparing your meal.
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Hand pulling off a piece of garlic cheese pull apart bread
Skillet Asparagus
Skillet Asparagus ~ a perfect way to cook this tasty green vegetable!
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A white bowl of skillet asparagus with a fork in it sitting on a white plate
Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
The Perfect Side Dish for Your Dinner or Holiday Meal! Fresh Hand Cut Potatoes Smothered in a Homemade Cheese Sauce and Baked Until Golden Brown!
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Wooden spoon scooping easy cheesy scalloped potatoes out of a white baking dish
Smoked Deviled Eggs
These Smoked Deviled Eggs are the classic recipe that is made on your Traeger pellet grill. The delicious smoked flavor that comes from smoking your hard boiled eggs and then making them into deviled eggs is AMAZING! These won’t last long on your table at the holidays this year!
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Smoked deviled eggs on a cutting board
The BEST Green Bean Casserole Recipe!
If you are like us Green Bean Casserole is a staple on your holiday table! It's such a quick and easy recipe, plus the adults and children both love it. With the addition of sharp cheddar cheese this casserole is so delicious. You'll be making it every holiday just like we do!
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String Bean Casserole in white baking dish
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Quick, easy oven roasted sweet potatoes are a healthy side dish with tons of flavor from a few simple seasonings.
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Roasted Sweet Potatoes on Sheet Pan
Broccoli Salad Recipe
Broccoli Salad recipe is a quick and easy side dish for summer potlucks, holidays, parties and more!
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Broccoli Salad prepared in bowl
Mashed Potatoes
Easy homemade mashed potatoes that are light and fluffy every single time!
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Mashed Potatoes in bowl with melted butter
Crock Pot Creamed Corn Recipe
Classic creamed corn recipe this is made in your Slow Cooker! This Crock Pot Creamed Corn is such an easy side dish for the holidays!
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Creamed Corn in blue bowl
Grilled Green Beans
These Grilled Green Beans Foil Packets are the perfect quick and easy side dish on your grill! Grab your fresh green beans, season them, wrap them in foil and you will have a delicious, healthy grilling recipe everyone will love!
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Green beans in aluminum foil
Strawberry Romaine Salad
Romaine Lettuce, Strawberries, Green Onions and Walnuts! Topped with a to die for Italian Dressing with a Secret Ingredient!
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Strawberry romaine salad in a white bowl with dressing being poured over the top
Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes are the secret recipe for a stress free holiday dinner. Prep them the day before and then just bake them the day of your holiday dinner. This recipe is full of flavor and so easy to make! I love the addition of cream cheese and sour cream to these potatoes!
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White baking dish of mashed potatoes on a table with red potatoes, a wooden spoon, and fresh parsley
Crockpot Green Bean Casserole Recipe
This is the BEST Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole recipe to make as a quick side dish or a holiday recipe! Make this easy and delicious Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole and everyone will asking for the recipe! When the oven space is tight make sure you throw this green bean casserole in the crockpot!
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slow cooker green bean casserole in crock pot
Grilled Asparagus
Fresh asparagus that is grilled to crisp tender! This easy grilled side dish recipe only requires a few ingredients and is the perfect easy, healthy side dish when you are grilling. It can also be made on the stove top in a grill pan if you’d like!
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Grilled asparagus on a blue plate
Easy Creamed Peas
This Creamed Peas Recipe comes together quickly and so easily -- the perfect holiday side dish!
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Snicker Salad
This is a favorite dessert salad that is light and fluffy from the Cool Whip mixture and loaded with apples and Snickers candy bars!
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Bowl of Snicker Apple Salad topped with caramel sauce
Smashed Potatoes Recipe
Crisp Smashed Potatoes are the best side dish ever! Perfectly seasoned with herbs and salt then topped with Parmesan cheese. 
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Garlic Smashed Potatoes on pan
Dinner Rolls On Smoker
Soft, pillowy dinner rolls made on your electric smoker! These are the perfect side for your holiday meal all made on your Traeger! Bake these pull apart rolls on your wood fired grill and then drizzle them with butter. They will be the first thing gone!
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Traeger dinner rolls in a skillet
Traditional Seven Layer Salad
Traditional Seven Layer Salad ~ Perfect Make Ahead Salad or Side Dish for Holidays and Potlucks! This Seven Layer Salad Recipe has Chopped Lettuce, Peas, Celery, Onions, Bacon, and Cheese!
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Traditional Seven Layer Salad in a clear glass baking dish with a wood spoon in it sitting on a white and green striped kitchen towel
Corn Pudding Casserole Recipe
This amazing Corn Pudding is a highlight on our holiday tables! It's one of those recipes that everyone looks forward to and expects to get every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. This casserole is sweet, savory and comes together with a hearty egg base which makes it the perfect side dish for your holiday!
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A white bowl of corn pudding casserole with a wooden spoon
Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Easy, Grilled Side Dish That is Paleo! Crispy Bacon Wrapped Around Tender Asparagus Spears!
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Grilled bacon wrapped asparagus on the grill
Broccoli Casserole
Creamy and easy casserole with broccoli and a buttery cracker topping!
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Wooden spoon scooping broccoli casserole out of a white baking dish
Gravy Recipe
Delicious Homemade Turkey Gravy that Anyone Can Make!
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A white gravy boat of easy homemade gravy in front of a cooked turkey

Main Dishes

Honey Baked Ham
An easy ham recipe with a delicious honey glaze. It's moist, tender and delicious for the holidays.
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Sliced Honey Baked Ham on a plate
Smoke Prime Rib
Are you ready to impress your guests? If you are, then you need to make this delicious Smoked Prime Rib recipe! It’s perfectly seasoned and smoked piece of beef. I prefer using a boneless prime rib, then seasoning the outside and smoking it so it has a delicious flavor by the end of the smoking process! It’s the perfect addition to any holiday dinner.
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Smoked prime rib slice on a plate with corn, a bun, and rosemary
Crock Pot Turkey Breast
Crock Pot Turkey Breast is a quick and easy turkey recipe perfect for dinners, holidays or for meal prepping!
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Slices of turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, and gravy on a plate
Smoked Ham with Honey Glaze
This Smoked Ham with a sweet honey glaze is so juicy and full of flavor. It will be come the new favorite holiday recipe for Easter. Pair it with mashed potatoes, vegetables, dinner rolls and you have an entire meal everyone will love.
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Fork pulling apart slices of smoked spiral cut ham
Crock Pot Pineapple Ham
Savory Ham with a Brown Sugar Glaze and Pineapple Slow Cooked and Waiting for You When You Get Home!
Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham ~ Savory Ham with a Brown Sugar Glaze and Pineapple Slow Cooked and Waiting for You When You Get Home!
Honey Glazed Ham
Easy Ham, Slow Cooked and Smothered in a Honey Glaze!
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Honey glazed ham in a crock pot
Crock Pot BBQ Brisket
Delicious, Slow Cooked Brisket with Onions, Carrots and Potatoes Smothered in a BBQ Sauce!
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Crock pot BBQ brisket and potatoes on a white plate
Balsamic Crock Pot Roast Recipe
Easy Crock Pot Roast recipe with potatoes and carrots! Throw it in your slow cooker for the day with a balsamic mixture for a tender, fall apart beef roast!
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Slow Cooker Beef Roast with vegetables in bowl
Crock Pot Make Ahead Turkey Recipe
Crock Pot Make Ahead Turkey Recipe ~ The Most Amazing Turkey EVER! Easy, Delicious, Flavorful and Moist Turkey that is Baked in the Oven then Slow Cooked the Day You Serve it! This is the ONLY Turkey Recipe You Need!
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Overhead image of make ahead crock pot turkey in a black crock pot
Grilled Prime Rib
A perfectly seasoned and grilled Prime Rib is what your holiday meal needs! This recipe uses a simple seasoning mix on this delicious cut of beef. After seasoning it place it on the grill at a low temperature to start. At the end we turn up the heat to get a perfect crust on your Prime Rib. So much flavor!
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Grilled prime rib sliced on a plate
Cranberry Crock Pot Pork Loin Recipe
Slow Cooker Pork Loin - Tender, juicy pork loin that is cooked in a slow cooker all day and then topped with a delicious sweet and tangy cranberry sauce.
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Slow Cooker Pork Loin on plate with cranberry sauce
Maple Pork Loin with Apples and Onions
 Maple Pork Loin with Apples and Onions is a delicious, easy meal That Tastes Like A Holiday Meal! It's Tender, Juicy and Full of Flavor!
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Slices of maple pork roast with apples and onions on the side on a white plate
Instant Pot Pork Loin
Tender, juicy pork loin that is seasoned, seared and prepared in your pressure cooker! A delicious dinner recipe that's quick enough for busy weeknights!
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Pork loin being sliced on a wood cutting board
Smoked Turkey Breast
Smoked Turkey Breast is a delicious turkey recipe that’s perfect for the holidays, yet small enough for dinner or a small cook out. Tender, juicy turkey that has a delicious rub on it. This turkey breast is smoked on your electric smoker for the ultimate smoked flavor.
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Turkey in a foil pan on the smoker
Grilled Turkey Tenderloin
Turkey Tenderloin Marinated in BBQ Sauce and Grilled to Perfection! Light, Healthy, Low Carb Meal!
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Two grilled bbq turkey loins on a wood cutting board

Desserts

Easter Egg Hunt Sugar Cookie Bars
Soft, Chewy Sugar Cookie Bars topped with Green Coconut "Grass" and Candy Easter Eggs!
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Three Easter egg hunt sugar cookie bars on a wood board with a glass of milk
Lemon Coconut Cake
Tender, Fluffy Lemon Loaf Cake Topped with Cream Cheese Frosting, Coconut and Lemon Zest!
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A partially sliced lemon and coconut loaf cake on a white tray
Lemon Bundt Cake with Lemon Frosting
Tender, Homemade Lemon Pound Cake with a Delicious Lemon Frosting! 
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Lemon bundt cake with icing on a white cake stand over lemons on a white kitchen towel
No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Icebox Cake Recipe
An easy and delicious No-Bake Strawberry Lemonade Pie is sweet, a little tangy and the perfect no-bake icebox pie for your summer parties! Such an easy summer dessert recipe with tons of flavor!
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A piece of no bake strawberry cheesecake icebox cake on a white plate with a fork and two strawberries in front of a white baking dish containing the rest of the cake
Strawberry Lemon Fluff Angel Food Cake
Strawberry Lemon Fluff Angel Food Cake ~ Light, Fluffy Angel Food Cake Pilled with Light & Creamy Lemon Filling and Fresh Strawberries!
A strawberry lemon fluff angel food cake on a white cake stand in front of a yellow bowl of strawberries
Smoked Strawberry Crisp
Crisps and cobblers are easy to make and even easier when made in the smoker! This recipe for Strawberry Crisp takes only fifteen minutes preparation. Then tucked into the smoker to cook while you’re eating your meal. When it’s done the topping is perfectly golden brown and the strawberries sweet and bubbly! It’s an easy dessert that will WOW your family and friends!
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Cast iron skillet of strawberry crisp topped with ice cream
Upside Down Strawberry Cake
Delicious strawberry cake that starts with a box caked mixed and is infused with fresh strawberries! It's so easy anyone can make it!
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A piece of Upside Down Strawberry Cake topped with whipped cream and a strawberry sitting on a white plate in front of a blue carton of strawberries
Gooey Cinnamon Carrot Poke Cake
Gooey Cinnamon Carrot Poke Cake ~ Amazingly Moist Carrot Cake Stuffed with Carrots, Coconut, Pineapple, Topped with a Buttermilk Glaze and Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting! The BEST Carrot Cake Ever. Soon to be Your Favorite Carrot Cake!
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A spatula lifting a piece of carrot cake out of a pan

I'm here to help you win in the kitchen again! Life is Busy, Life is Crazy, but that doesn't mean you can't make your family dinner! Julie's goal is to provide you with easy, family, friendly recipes that use pantry staples. Dinnertime will be stress free again!

Comments

  1. Chris says

    Don’t allow the keyboard warriors to dampen your spirits! Most are self centered, self important critics who haven’t contributed anything to society. Their purpose and drive is to bemoan everything/everyone for self satisfaction! So, keep creating recipes, enjoy the journey and ignore the basement trolls!

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