How to Cook Easter Dinner From Start to Finish

Easter is a time for celebration, family gatherings, and delicious food. If you’re hosting this year, you might be wondering: How do I pull off a complete Easter dinner without losing my mind?
Good news: with a bit of planning and some trusty recipes, you can create a delicious, memorable meal that’s easier to pull together than you think.

Here’s a complete guide to cooking Easter dinner from start to finish, inspired by the step-by-step methods you’ll find in Allrecipes’ trusted kitchen videos.

Video Credits To: https://www.youtube.com/@allrecipes

Step 1: Plan Your Menu

Before you even preheat your oven, you need a solid plan. Easter dinner usually centres around a main course like ham or lamb, paired with classic sides and a festive dessert.

Here’s a sample traditional menu:

• Main: Glazed Baked Ham
• Sides: Scalloped Potatoes, Roasted Asparagus, Honey-Glazed Carrots, Deviled Eggs
• Bread: Soft Dinner Rolls
• Dessert: Carrot Cake or Lemon Bars

Of course, you can mix and match depending on your crowd and personal taste. Just make sure you balance rich dishes (like cheesy potatoes) with lighter options (like fresh green beans or a simple salad).

Step 2: Grocery Shopping and Prep Work

Once you have your menu, make your grocery list, double-checking ingredients to avoid those frantic last-minute store runs.

Pro Tip: Shop two to three days before Easter.
The day before, do as much prep as possible:

• Chop vegetables
• Hard-boil eggs for deviled eggs
• Pre-make pie crusts or cake layers if baking
• Thaw the ham if it’s frozen

Getting ahead is key. Easter morning should be about assembling and baking, not frantically peeling potatoes.

Step 3: Start With the Main Dish

The ham is the star of the show — and it’s actually one of the easiest holiday mains to prepare.

Here’s the basic process:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Place the ham in a roasting pan with a bit of water at the bottom.
3. Cover it with foil and bake according to package instructions (usually about 15-18 minutes per pound).
4. About 30 minutes before it’s done, brush on a glaze — classic options include brown sugar, honey, mustard, and cloves.
5. Remove the foil to let the glaze caramelise.

Tip: A spiral-cut ham makes serving effortless, but a bone-in ham will be extra juicy and flavorful. Either way, aim for an internal temperature of 140°F.

While the ham is roasting, it’s time to tackle your sides.

Step 4: Prepare the Sides

Scalloped Potatoes

This rich, cheesy dish is a classic for a reason. Layer thinly sliced potatoes with a creamy sauce (often made from butter, flour, milk, and cheese) in a baking dish.

Bake uncovered for about 1 to 1.5 hours, until the top is golden and bubbly.
Tip: You can assemble this dish the night before and bake it fresh on Easter Day.

Roasted Vegetables

Roasted asparagus or carrots are simple yet stunning. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a little lemon zest or honey for extra flavour.

Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes — perfect for a quick side while the ham is resting.

Deviled Eggs

Nothing says “Easter” quite like a plate of deviled eggs.
After hard-boiling and peeling the eggs:

1. Slice them in half.
2. Scoop out the yolks and mash with mayo, mustard, and seasoning.
3. Pipe or spoon the mixture back into the whites.

Garnish with paprika or chives for a festive finish. You can make these completely the day before and chill them until ready to serve.

Dinner Rolls

Whether you bake them from scratch or warm up store-bought rolls, bread is a must-have at the Easter table.
Brush rolls with a little melted butter and sprinkle with sea salt or herbs for extra flavour.

Step 5: The Sweet Ending — Dessert

Carrot cake is practically the unofficial cake of Easter. A moist, lightly spiced cake packed with shredded carrots and topped with luscious cream cheese frosting — it’s a crowd-pleaser.

Tip: Bake the cake layers a day ahead. Assemble and frost on Easter morning so the frosting stays fresh and fluffy.

Other easy Easter dessert ideas:

• Lemon bars (bright, zesty, and easy to slice)
• Coconut cake
• Mini cheesecakes topped with berries

Step 6: Timing and Serving

One of the biggest challenges is getting everything ready at the same time. Here’s a simple timeline to keep you on track:

• Morning: Take the ham out of the fridge so it can come to room temp (about 1 hour).
• 3-4 hours before dinner: Start roasting the ham.
• 2 hours before dinner: Assemble and bake the scalloped potatoes.
• 1 hour before dinner: Roast veggies, bake or reheat rolls.
• 30 minutes before dinner: Glaze the ham and prepare deviled eggs.
• Dinner time: Carve the ham, warm sides as needed, and serve!

Set the table ahead of time so you’re not rushing around at the last minute. Put out a pretty centrepiece — maybe a few tulips or pastel-colored eggs — to set a festive mood.

Step 7: Tips for Success

• Don’t Overcomplicate: Stick to a handful of well-loved dishes. Easter is about tradition and comfort, not a culinary marathon.
• Accept Help: If guests offer to bring something, say yes! Even a simple salad or extra dessert lightens your load.
• Enjoy the Day: Easter is about spending time with loved ones. A slightly imperfect dinner is still a success if you’re laughing and enjoying each other’s company.

Final Thoughts

Cooking Easter dinner from start to finish might seem like a big task, but with the right plan, it becomes totally manageable — even fun. A beautiful glazed ham, comforting sides like scalloped potatoes and roasted veggies, and a sweet carrot cake at the end will leave your guests smiling and satisfied.

More importantly, you’ll create a meal that brings people together — and that’s really what Easter is all about.