Easter is one of our favorite holidays, and is definitely one of the biggest highlights of spring. Is there anything more precious than watching toddlers dressed up in pastel outfits go searching for Easter eggs? And then the look of absolute wonderment when they find one? There isn't. Nothing is cuter than that. It just doesn't exist.
But along with all this cuteness come lots of big family events — and that means lots of family gathered around our table. That's also a wonderful thing worth celebrating, but when we're trying to run a family without the help of a dozen servants (we're peasants, what can we say) it can also be a trial to get a big Easter feast together.
We love the bounty of spring — there's so much amazing produce that comes into season right around Easter, from fresh asparagus stalks to artichokes, sweet peas, and new spring carrots. It's the season where everything is new and tender, the farmers market explodes with deliciousness, and anyone can find baby versions of basically every vegetable under the sun. But who has time to put a ton of dishes together when there's so much else to do? With these easy recipes, anyone does. All of these dishes come together easily, many only require one pot, slow cooker, or sheet pan, and many of the rest use just five ingredients or fewer.
Whether hosting a brunch or dinner at home, or attending a potluck, we found the perfect Easter side dishes that are incredibly easy to put together. So parents, feel free to take a break and just watch the kids enjoy their Easter baskets — which is what it's really all about.
Thyme Roasted Carrots
We can get our sweet little Easter bunnies to nibble their veggies with these flavorful roasted carrots. And since they require only five minutes of prep time and five ingredients — including salt and pepper! — we love the easy way this seasonal side comes together.
Grandma's Baked Artichoke Hearts
We don't know anything that isn't improved by adding some cheese — including these delicious baked artichoke hearts. This version uses frozen artichoke hearts, which are always easy to find and easier to work with than fresh, so this dish takes only minutes to prepare.
Cheddar Bacon Ranch Drop Biscuits
Just say those words all together: Cheddar. Bacon. Ranch. Drop. Biscuits. Yes, please. Biscuits may sound time-consuming, but these are super easy — just smoosh all the ingredients in a bowl together and then drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet. Done and done!
Lemon Roasted Asparagus
Fresh asparagus is one of the best offerings of the spring season, and this lemon roasted asparagus is a ready-in-a-snap, simple dish that highlights all their fresh green flavor. This side really tastes like the season itself.
Creamy Cucumber Radish Salad
This perfectly seasonal side salad is such a classic recipe, every grandma would approve. To lighten it up, substitute the sour cream in this creamy cucumber radish salad for 2% Greek yogurt (although Grandma probably wouldn't approve).
Easy New Potatoes
We love those baby new potatoes — they're so creamy on the inside! And while we normally toss them to roast in the oven, this is a great alternative for when the oven is being used for the main dish.
Easy Egg Salad
What to do with leftover Easter eggs? Egg salad, of course! Keep it simple — but flavorful — with this four-ingredient recipe.
Cauliflower Gratin
This creamy, cheesy, hearty side calls for gluten-free flour, which is perfect if anyone in the family has a gluten sensitivity, but it's easy to substitute regular flour. This cauliflower gratin is also a great low-carb alternative to potatoes.
Maple Syrup Roasted Brussels Sprouts
It can be hard to get kids to eat Brussels sprouts — they're so bitter, after all, a flavor which we don't tend to appreciate until a little later in life. Sweeten things up a bit with this super simple maple syrup recipe.
Easy Green Beans Almondine With Garlic
Ten minutes of prep time, 10 minutes of cook time, and it looks incredibly elegant? This garlicky green beans almondine makes a tasty side to serve warm, but it can also be brought to a potluck and served at room temperature.
Peas with Bacon & Mint
Bacon makes everything better — including a side of English peas. While this recipe calls for fresh, preshelled frozen peas will save a ton of time and are also easier to come by. But definitely don't substitute the bacon, because bacon.
Million-Dollar Deviled Eggs
These aren't the healthiest deviled eggs we've ever tried — there's butter in the filling, after all — but sometimes the best, creamiest, most indulgent version is more the ticket than the healthiest. Plus, this recipe is incredibly easy to follow.
Garlic Smashed Potatoes
The skin is where all the vitamins are in potatoes (and they add texture and flavor). Plus, leaving the peel on means no peeling, which makes these garlic smashed potatoes much faster than a traditional mashed potato recipe.
One-Pot Spring Pasta Salad
This one isn't a classic pasta salad. It takes a new twist to elevate spring flavors by using simple ingredients and fresh herbs — which makes this one-pot spring pasta salad the perfect for bringing to a backyard gathering or potluck.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Creamed Corn
There's nothing better than throwing all those ingredients in a slow cooker and letting the flavors come together while we're off taking care of the million other things that come up. This warming slow cooker cheesy creamed corn is sure to please everyone in the family — and won't take up too much time.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Tasty, easy, colorful, and it freezes well — what else makes the perfect side? Make these mashed sweet potatoes ahead of time and reheat in the microwave, or serve fresh from the oven.
Greek Salad With Baby Potatoes
We love the flavors of a Greek salad, and this one turns into a heartier side with the addition of spring baby potatoes. Delicious and healthy, it's a great addition to any Easter table.
Baked Pineapple Casserole
Sharp cheddar cheese and pineapple?! It might sound strange, but baked pineapple casserole is a true Southern classic, beloved by home cooks below the Mason-Dixon line for generations. And with good reason — only five minutes of prep turns into an absolutely delicious comfort food perfect for the holiday.
Pear, Date & Walnut Salad
This pear, date, and walnut salad really elevates the whole table — it looks incredibly elegant while taking just a couple of minutes to make. Perfect for impressing in-laws!
Cornbread Casserole
We can pretend that there's anything better than a box of Jiffy cornbread mix, but it just wouldn't be true. This cornbread casserole is a classic for a reason. While this recipe suggests using a casserole dish, use a cast iron skillet for some Southern flair (and a crispier crust).
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