Budget Ideas for Easter Dinner

Looking for budget ideas for Easter dinner? Here are a few Good Cheap Eats favorites that taste great, come together easily, and most importantly, won’t break the bank.

As the Easter holiday approaches, it’s time to start thinking about some fun new recipes. Be sure to include Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls and Slow Cooker Ham.

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Whether you’re planning a big dinner, bringing a dish to a potluck, or contributing to a family supper at someone else’s house, it always fun to have fresh ideas for Easter Dinner, particularly some budget-friendly ones.

There are so many seasonal items from which to draw inspiration and ideas for Easter Dinner: berries, asparagus, peas, HAM! There’s no end to the goods to work into your holiday meal.

Budget Tips

Overspending is never in season, no matter the holiday. Consider these tips to keep grocery spending in check.

1. Shop your pantry. Chances are, you’ve already got a lot of great food on hand in the pantry, fridge, and freezer. Do a look-see to determine what you already have that can serve as ideas for Easter dinner.
2. Shop the sales. In the coming weeks, you’ll find lots of great ingredients on sale at the grocery store, especially in the produce and meat aisles. Look for great deals on berries, asparagus, peas, ham, and lamb. You may also find sales in the baking aisle, so keep your eyes peeled, and built your menu around what’s on sale.
3. Plan simple, frugal meals. It’s a holiday, yes, but that doesn’t require you to go overboard. One idea for Easter dinner: Never spend more than you have, even for a special occasion. Instead, focus on the basics: a hearty protein that stretches well for many people, some simple side dishes, and a stellar dessert. Or two.
4. Invite others to contribute. Likewise, you don’t have to do all the cooking. If your guests offer to contribute, let them! It may be that they have a special holiday tradition that they’d like to include. The more the merrier! And less for you to buy and cook.
5. Have a back-up meal plan. There will always be those times when things do not go according to plan. Hedge your bets and have a backup meal plan on hand.

Recommended Recipes

Need some fresh ideas for easter dinner? These recipes include traditional options as well as some very frugal and fun ones.

Slow Cooker Ham

Make a Slow Cooker Ham for your next holiday feast. It’s easy. It’s delicious. It’s a good cheap eat that will make you the hit of the party.

Check out this recipe

Spicy Grilled Tri-tip

This spicy rub recipe for tri-tip and other cuts of beef is super easy to prepare. Rub the meat and throw it on the grill for a super supper.

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Easy Fish and Shrimp Packets

Take hobo dinners to a new level. Wrap chunks of fish and whole shrimp in foil with vegetables, herbs, and butter for a simple and succulent supper.

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Dijon Pork Tenderloin

Season budget-friendly pork tenderloin with Dijon mustard and spices for a quick and easy grilled supper.

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Easy Roast Potatoes

Want an easy potato side dish? This is it. Easy Roast Potatoes are a great accompaniment to cooked meats and vegetable dishes. Perfect for a holiday dinner.

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Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole

Need a comfy side dish? Make the Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole my kids go nuts for. It's very make-ahead and as easy to freeze.

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Tastiest Scalloped Potatoes

Thinly sliced potatoes nestle in a bath of cream, milk and butter, resulting in the Tastiest Scalloped Potatoes on the planet.

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Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Also known as Church Potatoes, this Cheesy Potatoes Casserole is ultimate comfort food. It’s easy to prep, freezer-friendly, and absolutely addicting.

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Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad with Cheese

Stir up this quick and easy, old fashioned macaroni salad recipe in minutes. Studded with celery, red onion, and cheddar cheese, wrapped in a creamy mayo dressing, this pasta's packed with flavor and perfect for picnicking.

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Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe

Oven Roasted Asparagus comes together quickly and easily. Baked in foil packets, the tender shoots are infused with olive oil and lemon.

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Broccoli Cranberry Salad

This slightly sweet Broccoli Salad is full of texture, thanks to pecans, cranberries, and red onions. It makes a delicious side salad.

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Lemon Broccoli and Peas

Seasoning vegetables doesn’t have to be rocket science, but can be the difference between okay side dishes and fabulous feasts. With a combo of salt, lemon, olive oil, and just the right amount of heat, this Lemon Broccoli and Peas is out of this world.

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Carrot Salad with Cilantro and Pepitas

Shredded carrots get oomph from fresh cilantro, a simple dressing of orange juice and spices with pepitas adding some crunch.

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Spinach Salad with Oranges & Cranberries Recipe

Spinach Salad marinates in balsamic vinegar before being topped with orange slices, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds, resulting in a flavorful and sunshiny fresh salad.

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Easy Caesar Salad Recipe

Caesar Salad can be simple, quick, delicious, and economical if you know how to make the right tweaks. I’ll show you how in this easy Caesar Salad recipe.

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Jumbo Strawberry Cookies Recipe

Brighten someone's day with a batch of these buttery, oat-filled Strawberry Cookies. With their oaty, cake-like texture, they're a perfect sweet treat.

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Easy Fruit Salad

Fruit salad doesn’t need to be complicated. Here’s an easy combination of strawberries, mangoes, and pineapple.

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Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe

Homemade Lemon Meringue Pie is not complicated to make, but it feels like a million dollars. It’s tart and sweet, buttery and creamy, a perfect pie to celebrate a special occasion or enjoy any day.

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Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

This tender cake is studded with poppy seeds and lemon zest and then layered with lemon curd and homemade buttercream frosting.

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Ultimate Carrot Cake

Looking for the Ultimate Carrot Cake? This be it! Soft and tender cake is topped with light and fluffy cream cheese and sprinkled with chopped nuts for a super delicious treat.

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Jesus Cookies

Celebrate Easter with cookies that represent Jesus’ life and resurrection. These Cinnamon Sugar Cookies are super fun to make to celebrate the Easter holiday.

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Easter Oreos

You only need golden Oreos, chocolate candy melts, and blue candy melts to make these Easter Oreos representing the cross of Calvary.

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Make an Empty Tomb Cake for Easter

Decorating an empty tomb cake for Easter is a fun tradition for both kids and adults. Celebrate that He is risen in a very tangible way.

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Easter Pretzels

These cute little Easter Pretzel feature a chocolate egg in a pretzel nest. They are so simple to make with just three ingredients!

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Done-for-you Easter Planning

The Instant Easter Luncheon Kit includes everything you need to host a great lunch or dinner with family and friends.

Included you’ll find a complete menu with allergen and special diet adaptations, all the recipes needed, grocery list, party checklists, preparation timelines, printable buffet cards, family-friendly activities, and even tips for making it all in advance so you can enjoy the day!

Enjoy this Easter holiday with less work and more fun. Grab the printable file here: https://learn.goodcheapeats.com/product/instant-easter-luncheon-meal-plan/

Whether you use our Easter meal plan or devise one of your own, I’d love to hear what you end up making from these budget-friendly Easter recipes!

This post was originally published on April 6, 2019. It has been updated for content and clarity.