Easter Dinner Dishes That Aren’t Ham or Lamb

When it comes time to plan Easter dinner, a glazed ham or a big roast leg of lamb always feel like the defaults. They’re classics for sure, but they’re far from the only options for your spring celebration. I enjoy changing up our Easter dinner menu every year, in part because ham is usually too much food for our small gathering, and not everyone enjoys lamb. Plus it’s fun to have a rotating seasonal menu that feels new.

Any time you want to dress up an everyday chicken breast into a dinner that feels fancy, all you need to do is stuff it with some greens and cheese. It turns a weeknight family favorite into a meal impressive enough for guests.

Get the recipe: Stuffed Chicken Breast with Spinach & Cheese

If you’re looking for an Easter dinner that’s as wildly delicious as it is ridiculously easy to get on the table, you’ve come to the right spot. This 3-ingredient dinner (yes, really) starts with some of our favorite smart shortcuts from Trader Joe’s. A juicy pork loin roast is rubbed with a roasted garlic and herb compound butter, which adds a warm blanket of rich flavor. It’s cooked on a sheet pan with a bag of country potatoes, which happen to be mixed with haricots verts (green beans) and wild mushrooms.

Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Loin with Herb Potatoes and Vegetables

On the years we don’t have ham, this is my favorite thing to cook for Easter dinner. The tenderloin, which comfortably feeds about four, is simply cooked, but finished with a sweet and tangy mustard-flecked glaze that makes it feel fancy.

Get the recipe: Honey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Lots of briny feta and roasted garlic transform mild-mannered chicken breasts into a full-flavored, holiday-worthy meal.

Get the recipe: Feta-Brined Chicken Breast with Rosemary

If you prefer to skip the ham and lamb, a juicy pork loin is a nice alternative when you need a main to feed a crowd.

Get the recipe: How To Make Juicy & Tender Roasted Pork Loin: The Simplest, Easiest Method