Easter is filled with fond family traditions. Easter service is followed by a fun Easter Egg Hunt! My favorite thing about Easter, though, is the hearty feast. It’s a treat to see your dining table filled with delicious food such as glazed ham, lamb, and roasted pork. But wait! Main dishes aren’t the only ones that make Easter such a treat. Some argue that side dishes really are the star of a meal, and I think the recipes on this list prove it. From carrots and potatoes to buns and breadsticks, these Easter sides will bring more joy to the special occasion.
Easter Side Dishes
1. Asparagus Soup with Lemon and Parmesan
This asparagus soup is surprisingly creamy and rich, even though it uses no cream at all! The earthiness of the asparagus blends perfectly with the savory chicken broth, lemon juice, and parmesan cheese. The key to getting a thick and creamy broth is to puree the asparagus and chicken stock together with an immersion blender until you get the perfect consistency. Just garnish with asparagus tips and you’re good to go!
2. Butter and Garlic Green Beans
This dish is so easy you can whip it up 15 minutes before your guests arrive. Another great thing about this recipe is you only need 3 ingredients: green beans, garlic, and butter. Simply boil the green beans and toss them with butter and garlic. Best served hot off the stove!
3. Garlic Sauteed Spinach
Another recipe that’s ready in a flash is garlic sauteed spinach. It’s so easy you can practically make it with your eyes closed! (But don’t!) All you need to do is saute the spinach in olive oil and garlic. The taste of the cooked garlic goes great with spinach. It’s easy, healthy, and utterly delicious. What more can you ask for?
4. Scalloped Potatoes
Potato lovers will get a kick out of this one. With layers of thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and a ridiculously creamy sauce, this casserole is a lot like a lasagna minus the meat and the pasta. It’s potatoes all the way, and it is heavenly.
5. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Would a feast really be a feast if it didn’t have mashed potatoes? I don’t think so! This recipe’s been around for literally hundreds of years, so it’s no surprise that it’s a staple at every gathering. This time around, the classic mashed potatoes gets a garlicky twist, and it doesn’t disappoint. Smooth, creamy, mashed potatoes with a touch of garlicky flavor? No complaints here.
6. Glazed Carrots
Baby carrots aren’t just cute, they’re delicious too. This side dish is a true eye candy because it’s glazed with brown sugar and butter. Yum! Who knew regular pantry items could make something so good? Just be careful not to over boil the carrots – you don’t want a mushy carrot to spoil your feast.
7. Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus
Cheese, roasted garlic, and asparagus in one? Yes, please. Put a plate of these green spears on the table and it might get ignored. Smother them with cheese and bits of roasted garlic, and now we’re talkin’. You can use any kind of quick-melting cheese for this, but the best choice is mozzarella. That way, each bite gives you that stringy, ooey-gooey goodness.
8. Garlic Butter Roasted Parsnips
Parsnips aren’t nearly as popular as carrots, but they’re just as superb! They’re even sweeter, in fact. This dish will blow your mind with savory, buttery, garlicky goodness. Roasting parsnips to the right level of doneness really brings out their flavor. When you pair them with butter and garlic, they get even better!
9. Butter Peas with Thyme
Peas don’t really offer much visually, so how do you make these tiny things stand out in a feast? Answer: butter and herbs. Butter makes everything better, so cook those peas in butter with aromatics like yellow onions and minced garlic. Add thyme and pepper for more flavor. With this simple recipe, green peas won’t go unnoticed again.
10. Caprese Asparagus
Salads work well as either starters or sides. Here’s a perfect recipe for Easter: Caprese asparagus. Traditional Caprese only calls for cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and salt. If you want more flavor and depth, throw in asparagus, buffalo mozzarella, and honey. One bite of this side will get you hooked.
11. Roasted Potatoes (with Parmesan and Garlic Herbs)
Bake potatoes once and they’re okay. Bake them twice, now that’s sounds interesting. I love this dish because of its rustic look and amazing flavor. Red potatoes are sweeter than regular ones, and when you roast them with parmesan and herbs like rosemary and parsley, the flavors are just a delight! But it doesn’t stop there; these gorgeous potatoes are baked twice, once with the herbs, and again with garlic. Delish.
12. Garlic Bread
Trivia: did you know that “Italian” garlic bread doesn’t exist in Italy at all? Crazy! Americans created the garlic bread as a “cousin” to the Italian Bruschetta. And thank heavens they did, because life on Earth wouldn’t be the same if this side dish did not exist. It’s pretty easy to create this masterpiece at home. You don’t need a fancy baguette, common hotdog buns will do! Spread the garlic butter on the buns and let the oven do its magic. Seriously, garlic bread is so addictive I can eat it all day!
13. Shallot Tarte Tatin
If you’re looking for something uniquely delicious, this one’s spot on. This pastry has a flaky crust that’s loaded with pine nuts, mushrooms, burrata, parmesan, and arugula. It’s a busy dish that will turn your world upside down.
14. Carrot Risotto with Asparagus and Peas
Risotto is creamy comfort food you can enjoy on a tight budget. This famous rice dish is cooked in broth that seeps into every inch of the grain. Aside from turning it orange, adding carrot juice adds a sweetness that goes so well with parmesan cheese. What this rich dish needs is some crunch, and the asparagus and peas really help in that area.
15. Grilled Asparagus & Red Onions with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar
Grilled asparagus is such a versatile veggie. When paired with certain ingredients, it enhances their flavor and texture. For instance, its subtle flavor complements red onions, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar very well. This recipe is proof! Your guests will surely love every bite of this crisp and tender side.
16. Snap Pea Salad with Lemon Dressing
Snap peas are popular for their awesome crunch and sweetness. They’re addictive on their own, but lemon juice, arugula, and mint leaves take them to a whole new level. You can also add goat cheese or burrata on top for a salty contrast. Snap peas have an annoying string, so be sure to remove it before serving so your guests don’t accidentally have these things stuck to their teeth.
17. Swirled Garlic Herb Bread
This swirled garlic herb bread is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. It’s rustic and delicious! It’s also slathered with butter, sage, thyme, basil, and just the right amount of garlic. Your guests will smell this heavenly bread from a mile away!
18. Baby Potato & Pea Salad with Garlic Bacon Aioli
I absolutely adore how charming this salad is! Since baby potato skin is so thin, there’s no need to peel it off. Add peas, garlic mayo, and bacon to the tots and mix. With such an easy recipe, you get more time to spend with family.
19. Baked Parmesan Cheddar Crisps
Cheese turned into crisps are a big yes for me. These low-carb treats are easy on the eyes and the taste buds! Parmesan and cheddar have very different flavor profiles. The former is naturally salty, and the latter is mild and earthy. When you combine these two, you get the perfect cheesy bite! Trust me when I say these will be the first ones to go once you put them on the table.
20. Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots
I don’t know what it is about garlic and butter, but they’re one of my most favorite combinations, ever. They’re good with seafood, bread, meat, veggies, you name it! Carrots in particular, when mixed with garlic butter, tastes totally sensational. It’s truly a match made in heaven.
21. Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is a classic holiday staple, and for good reason. It’s creamy, crunchy, and downright fantastic. This holiday favorite is loaded with green beans, cream of mushroom, more mushrooms, crunchy fried onions, and of course, cheese. It’s the definition of satisfaction.
22. Asparagus, Ham, and Potato Salad
Another side that needs to grace your Easter feast is this salad. Fresh asparagus, smokey ham, and crunchy potatoes are tied together with sweet honey mustard. It’s quite heavy, which makes it perfect for large gatherings.
23. Corn Bread
Cornbread is a Southern favorite with a tender crumb and a buttery, sweet corn flavor. It also has a crisp exterior that adds a lovely contrast to the soft interior. What’s not to love? Whether you make it sweet or savory, you can’t go wrong.
24. Roasted Spring Vegetables with Garlic and Thyme
Your guests won’t be hitting the road soon if you have this dish on the table. In this dish, fresh garlic and thyme complement the sweet parsnips, carrots, and the creamy potatoes. 40 minutes in the oven and these babies are ready to be devoured.
25. Ham & Cheese Stuffed Bread
Ham and cheese bread has been a favorite for years, and there’s a good reason why. The smokiness of the ham pairs so well with the sharpness of the cheese! Building it into a sandwich won’t make it look like a side dish at all. So a great way to reinvent this classic is to bake everything together inside the bread. Genius!
26. Carrot and Potato Gratin with Parmesan and Thyme
I think we can all agree that anything topped with melted cheese is amazing. The secret to a great-tasting gratin is to slice the carrots and potatoes super thin, and the mandolin is the perfect candidate for this job. Layers of neatly stacked potatoes and carrots are drenched in chicken broth and topped with parmesan cheese and thyme. And of course, you can always add more cheese if you want. The more the merrier!
27. Cheese Herb Drop Biscuits
This next recipe is a fun and quick twist to the traditional buttery biscuit. These cheese herb drop biscuits do not shy away from flavor. You can add any kind of cheese and herbs you desire, and they turn out amazingly delicious every single time. Baked in just 15 minutes, this is a perfect make-ahead recipe you’ll have no problem serving the next day.
28. Hot Cross Buns
If you’re a Mom of a toddler, I’m pretty sure you sang this next recipe in your head. Yes? These buns are light, airy, and fluffy. Cinnamon and raisins add flavor and texture as well. And because of its unique design – a cross across the center – it’s perfect for Easter.
29. Pea, Asparagus, and Fava Bean Salad with Herbs and Pecorino
This salad is bursting with earthy goodness. The crunchy asparagus, fresh peas, sweet fava beans, and tart pecorino cheese complement each other wonderfully. Drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper, this salad is a light and refreshing side that contrasts any heavy entree.
30. Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks
Capping off the list are classic garlic parmesan breadsticks. These breadsticks are warm, buttery, and garlicky. They’re heaven in a bite. The best way to eat breadsticks is to of course dip them in sauce! The garlic parmesan bread goes perfectly with honey mustard, ranch dressing, or marinara dip. Click on a star to rate it!
Average rating 4.8 / 5. Vote count: 8 No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.
Share on social media: Let us improve this post!
