Looking for budget ideas for your Easter dinner menu? We’ve got you covered with easy and delicious Easter dinner menu options 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 fresh new Easter dinner ideas. Be sure to include Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls and Slow Cooker Ham in your Easter dinner menu.
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 a new-to-you Easter Dinner recipe, particularly some budget-friendly ones.
There are so many seasonal spring ingredients from which to draw inspiration for a traditional Easter dinner or something new and out of the box dinner menu ideas. Whether you love a Honey Baked Ham from the shop or your gramma’s deviled eggs, we’ve got you covered for easy Easter recipes you can make at home for less.
Budget Tips
Overspending is never in season, no matter the holiday. Consider these tips to keep grocery spending in check as you plan your Easter dinner menu.
- 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 your Easter dinner menu. Perhaps you already have what you need for your glazed ham recipe, save the ham.
- 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 that Easter ham as well as berries, asparagus, peas, and lamb. You may also find sales in the baking aisle, so keep your eyes peeled, and build your menu around what’s on sale. Don’t forget the Easter egg supplies!
- 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 of your Easter dinner menu: a hearty protein that stretches well for many people, some simple side dishes, and a stellar Easter dessert. Or two.
- 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.
- Have a back-up meal plan. There will always be those times when your Easter dinner menu does not go according to plan. Hedge your bets and have a backup meal plan in view.
FAQs
A traditional Easter dinner menu typically includes a ham or roast leg of lamb, with some potato side dish, a spring vegetable like peas or asparagus, dinner rolls, and carrot cake for dessert.
You don’t have to go traditional, especially if you’re on a budget. Family favorites are always a hit, so why not take them up a notch for your Easter menu? Love pizza? Add some special toppings, some yummy beverages, and a few fun appetizers. Mexican food more your style? Why not? Do a little research into your favorite cuisine, Mexican or otherwise, and see what folks in that culture serve for Easter dinner. It doesn’t have to be exact; have fun with it. If burgers are what you have available, then live it up. Bake homemade hamburger buns or make some special sauces and side salads to elevate the meal just a tad.
Cooking for a crowd doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on an easy main dish protein that can feed many, like turkey or ham. Then select two to three sides that can easily be made in advance. End the meal with one to two delicious desserts. Again, anything you can make ahead is to your advantage.
Recommended Recipes
Need some fresh ideas for easter dinner? Here are some of our tried and true budget Easter dinner menu ideas:
Easter Appetizers
Start your Easter dinner menu with some easy apps to stave off hunger while folks wait for the main course.
Easter Main Dish Recipes
These easy main dish proteins shouldn’t cost a fortune to make and leftovers are delicious! Any one will be a show-stopping hit in your Easter dinner menu.
Easter Sides
Round out your Easter dinner menu with some easy side dishes!
Easter Desserts
No Easter Dinner menu is complete without dessert and there are so many great Easter Desserts to choose from. Here are just a few of our faves!
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 Easter dinner 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.
Melissa
What are your thoughts on day before preparation of the scalloped potatoes? Could I assemble the night before and PPP it in the oven after church on Sunday?
Jessica Fisher
I have done that and covered with foil and the top layer turned blackish. I’m not exactly sure why. You could peel and slice and put in cold water in the fridge. Assembly is really quick.
Courtney
Jessica, I’ve been thinking of you this week and hoping all is well. Take care!
Jessica Fisher
Thank you! Yes, the radiologist checked it all himself and all is well.
Courtney
That’s great – I’m glad you got good news!
Beth Werner Lee
I love making Greek Easter bread, which is similar to a challah but has flavoring. My mom used to dump a half bottle of anise into the dough. My Greek class ladies in Boston told me that wasn’t the real thing (they used something called mastich). My family likes it when I use almond flavoring instead (not a half bottle). It’s a sweet egg bread, braided. The recipe makes 6 loaves, so it’s good to give away too.
Jessica Fisher
Sounds yummy! Isn’t that the one that you place eggs atop?
Sandi
This sounds like Jessica, but is posted by “Janel Piersma” and I’m wondering who that is. Guest poster? Alter ego? 🙂
Jessica Fisher
Ha! Almost my alter ego. Janel is my sister and also my assistant. I wrote the post, but she set it up with the pictures and links to save me time.