25 Easter Dinner Ideas That Aren't Ham

By Kimberly Holland
France C

Ham may be synonymous with Easter dinner, but it's not the only main dish that's worthy of your time and cooking skills on this special holiday. In fact, for many families, ham is a dish of a bygone era, left behind to make way for new family classics like sides of salmon, lamb chops, and even pasta. This year, whether you can't find ham at the store or just want to change things up, consider one of these Easter dinner ideas that aren't ham.

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1 of 25

Cedar Planked Salmon

KGora
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Salmon filets are by a presentation-worthy main dish. This version uses a tangy marinade of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and fresh ginger to infuse the fish with flavor.

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2 of 25

Chef John's Grilled Lamb with Mint Orange Sauce

Chef John
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Lamb is almost as common at Easter as ham. This version boasts loads more flavor than you might expect. "Using a blend of Mediterranean herbs and spices and a touch of cinnamon, these tender grilled lamb chops are served with orange and fresh mint sauce," writes recipe creator Chef John.

3 of 25

White Cheese Chicken Lasagna

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For a springtime take on this classic baked pasta dish, opt for a lasagna with a creamy white sauce and tender spinach.

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4 of 25

Juicy Roasted Chicken

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"I never have had a chicken this juicy before; this little trick works and makes the people eating it go silent," writes recipe creator ROBINROCKINGBIRD.

5 of 25

Puff Pastry Chicken Pot Pie

Yoly
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"What's better than a chicken pot pie? A chicken pot pie topped with a flaky puff pastry!" says recipe creator Yoly.

6 of 25

Spring Vegetable Tart

Chef John
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"This spring vegetable tart only looks hard to make and would be a perfect centerpiece for any special occasion," writes Chef John. "Just put it out on the table a little bit early so everyone can get their Instagramming in."

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7 of 25

Asparagus Carbonara

lutzflcat
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If your Easter table is just a handful of people, you may want to keep the menu more simple and special. Replace a meaty main with this light, fresh spring pasta.

8 of 25

Pork Tenderloin Diablo

France C
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Mustard may be classic with pork, but this sauce is on another level: Mustard, horseradish, and cayenne pepper combine for one unique and stand-out sauce for a classic Easter main dish.

9 of 25

Mint Crusted Rack of Lamb

Chef John
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Lamb has a subtle gamey flavor, more so than beef. The crust on this rack of lamb is made with bright, herbaceous ingredients like mint, garlic, and Dijon mustard. That helps form a nice contrast to the meat's flavor. 

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10 of 25

Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie)

recordaras
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There's no meat here — and absolutely no one will care. This rich pastry is stuffed with spinach, creamy ricotta, tangy feta, and tender onions for a meatless Easter dinner that's truly special.

11 of 25

Chele's Halibut

naples34102
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Green onions and dill add loads of flavor to this delicate fish dish. But a coating of sour cream infused with these herbs keeps the fish moist and tender while cooking.

12 of 25

Beef Stroganoff III

abapplez
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Elevate a weeknight dinner to a holiday feature with a deeply indulgent sauce. "This is some of the best beef stroganoff ever! I used sirloin instead of chuck roast," writes reviewer Jillian.

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13 of 25

Garlic Herb Grilled Pork Tenderloin

PAMELA D. aPROpos of nothing
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Grilling elevates a simple pork tenderloin to a special dinner choice. Bonus points: the ingredient list is short and simple.

14 of 25

Salmon with Lemon and Dill

sorelg
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"This is a wonderful (and easy) recipe I got from my Aunt," writes recipe creator Michelle Ramey. "The flavors of lemon and dill really complement the fish. I like to use wild Alaskan salmon for this recipe, but any salmon will work."

15 of 25

Garlic Prime Rib

Jeudi
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Be prepared for a standing ovation — and requests for this Easter dinner year after year. "I've never been so sure that a recipe deserved five stars," writes reviewer dani. "This is the absolute perfect prime rib."

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16 of 25

Roast Chicken with Rosemary

TTV78
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Simplicity reigns. Though cooking a whole chicken may seem intimidating, it's one of the easiest proteins you can make. With well-reviewed recipes like this one, you can trust the process.

17 of 25

Chef John's Asparagus Tart

Elizabeth
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The most complicated part of this recipe is deciding what to serve with it. Frozen puff pastry bakes him crisp and delicately flaky. The toppings are open to interpretation.

18 of 25

Rosemary Braised Lamb Shanks

patrick
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Lamb shanks are slowly simmered until perfectly tender and juicy with warm and invigorating ingredients like tomatoes, rosemary, garlic, and red wine. You can serve this with any starchy side, but you'll be a true hero if you serve it with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes.

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19 of 25

Flank Steak Pinwheels

Teresa Changa
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"The combination of the marinade, spinach, onion and feta make this a delicious and impressive flank steak recipe that is always a huge hit for guests!" writes recipe creator Linda.

20 of 25

Chef John's Pasta Primavera

Deb Berger
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The dish itself may be simple, but there's nothing light about its status as an Easter dinner centerpiece. Pull from your local farmers' market for the freshest peas and asparagus. Bonus: it's a meatless main if not everyone at your Easter table eats meat.

21 of 25

Hearty Vegetable Lasagna

*Sherri*
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Mushrooms, green peppers, and onions fill the layers of lasagna with vegetables. Creamy ricotta cheese and mozzarella make it ultra rich. Everyone will walk away from their Easter dinner happy as can be.

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22 of 25

Duck Breasts with Raspberry Sauce

Allrecipes
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This duck recipe for an Easter dinner is easier than a confit or roasted duck, and it takes less than an hour, so it can come together quickly after church.

23 of 25

Capers and Halibut

pelicangal
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"This is a very easy seared halibut with a buttery wine and caper sauce! It takes hardly any time at all to make, but it is sure to leave a lasting impression," writes recipe creator Barbara Tantrum.

24 of 25

Asparagus and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Dakota Mills
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Take advantage of crisp asparagus that's in season during the Easter season, and tuck it into chicken breasts with creamy mozzarella. It might be so simple you'll think it's just too basic for a special occasion like an Easter dinner, but it's visually very impressive.

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25 of 25

Roasted Pork Loin

Jim Sereney
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Pork loin is succulent and tender. This roasted pork loin recipe keeps things basic — so you can make the sides a bit more fancy, if you wish.

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