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25 Easter Lunch Ideas for a Fresh and Colorful Spring Table

It’s time to refuel for the afternoon egg hunt.

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Fresh salad with strawberries, goat cheese, and nuts.
David Malosh

Easter Sunday is packed with fun, but for Ree Drummond and her family, it's all about the delicious food. "Easter lunch is one of our family's favorite meals," Ree says. And it's easy to see why! Whether they're feasting on a mouthwatering glazed ham or diving into some hearty biscuits and gravy, the day is all about good eats and even better company. Oh, and don't forget the epic egg hunt that wraps it all up!

If you’re hosting lunch on Easter Sunday, whether it’s a sit-down meal or something more casual, these Easter lunch ideas will make your menu look and taste as bright as the spring season. Each of the mains, sides, and desserts is perfectly on theme, easy to make, and undeniably crowd-pleasing. Opt for a spread of spring salads, cozy Easter casseroles, and carrot cake. Or switch things up with upscale seasonal dishes like gnocchi primavera, spring pea tarts, and strawberry arugula salad. Whatever you do, don't forget deviled eggs, no matter how they’re prepared—they're a staple at Ree's Easter lunch. Just make sure you save room for all the Easter desserts!

1

Roasted Asparagus

roasted asparagus
Will Dickey

Since spring is asparagus season, it only makes sense to feature the crisp green veggie on your Easter lunch menu. When roasted, it’s ready in 15 minutes with just a few ingredients!

Get Ree’s Roasted Asparagus recipe.

2

Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad

spring pea pesto pasta salad
Antonis Achilleos

If it’s still too early for summery pasta salads, opt for this one! There are so many spring ingredients: peas, arugula, and an herby pesto.

Get Ree’s Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad recipe.

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3

Roast Chicken

roast chicken
Antonis Achilleos

If ham is the main event at dinner, opt for a crispy, golden roast chicken at lunchtime. Although it looks fancy, it’s easy to prepare: You’ll just need 10 minutes of prep before handing it off to your oven!

Get Ree’s Roast Chicken recipe.

4

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

carrot cake cupcakes
Stacy Allen

No Easter lunch is complete without a sweet treat! These carrot cake cupcakes taste are a fun bite-sized version of the classic dessert, and make it easier to serve a crowd. Who could resist that decadent cream cheese icing?

Get Ree’s Carrot Cake Cupcakes recipe.

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5

Deviled Eggs with Candied Bacon

deviled eggs with candied bacon
Ryan Liebe

Deviled eggs are a must on Easter. If you’re looking for fun new variations, try candied bacon! After all, everything tastes better with bacon, especially if it’s paired with a creamy filling.

Get Ree’s Deviled Eggs with Candied Bacon recipe.

6

Strawberry Arugula Salad

strawberry arugula salad
David Malosh

This Easter lunch idea will give your table a pretty pop of color. It’s filled with seasonal flavors like fresh strawberries, tangy feta, and crunchy pecans, and it’ll satisfy your guests without weighing them down—which means more room for dessert!

Get Ree’s Strawberry Arugula Salad recipe.

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7

Lemon Bars

lemon bars
Kate Sears

Is there any better way to finish off lunch than with a lemon bar? These citrusy treats have a buttery crust, bright zesty filling, and magical dusting of powdered sugar that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds.

Get Ree’s Lemon Bars recipe.

8

Cheddar Biscuits

cheddar biscuits
David Malosh

There’s something so homey about passing around a bread basket before diving into the family feast. To make your biscuits feel a little more elevated for Easter lunch, try mixing in cheddar—they’ll turn extra rich and gooey!

Get Ree’s Cheddar Biscuits recipe.

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9

Roasted Carrots with Vinaigrette

roasted carrots with vinaigrette for easter lunch
Kate Sears

It takes just 30 minutes to churn out these beautifully roasted carrots. This vegetable becomes soft, sweet, and caramelized in the oven, so an herby vinaigrette is the perfect complement.

Get Ree’s Roasted Carrots with Vinaigrette recipe.

10

Coconut Cream Pie

mother's day coconut cream pie
Will Dickey

Coconut-flavored treats are so light and airy, and this pie might just be the dreamiest option out there. With a buttery crust, silky coconut filling, and airy whipped cream topping, it’s pure bliss!

Get the Coconut Cream Pie recipe.

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11

Ham Tetrazzini

ham tetrazzini for easter lunch
Will Dickey

Green peas and diced ham make this casserole dish perfect for Easter. It's filled with breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese plus even more crispy-crunchy breadcrumbs on top, so kids will love it, too!

Get the Ham Tetrazzini recipe.

12

Green Goddess Deviled Eggs

green goddess deviled eggs for easter lunch
David Malosh

For the Drummond family, it wouldn't be Easter without deviled eggs. Whether you serve this herby version or stick to the classics, they're the perfect bite for snacking on before or after the family egg hunt.

Get Ree's Green Goddess Deviled Eggs recipe.

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13

Gnocchi Primavera

gnocchi primavera for easter lunch
Antonis Achilleos

Give store-bought gnocchi a fresh spring makeover by tossing it with vibrant asparagus, broccoli, and green beans. A big sprinkle of parmesan ties everything together perfectly.

Get Ree's Gnocchi Primavera recipe.

14

Spring Pea Tart

spring pea tart for easter lunch
David Malosh

This flaky puff pastry tart practically screams "springtime!" That's because it's topped with plenty of color and seasonal flavor from an herby goat cheese mixture, crisp snow peas, and sweet peas, too.

Get Ree's Spring Pea Tart recipe.

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15

Ham and Cheese Quiche

ham and cheese quiche for easter lunch
Caitlin Bensel

If you don't want to serve a big ham roast, try making a ham and cheese quiche instead. You'll still get that salty ham flavor you know and love, plus a buttery crust.

Get the Ham and Cheese Quiche recipe.

16

Lamb Meatballs

lamb meatballs for easter lunch
Will Dickey

Give lamb a laid-back twist by turning it into tasty meatballs! They're ready in under 30 minutes, leaving you with plenty of time to join in on the egg hunt.

Get the Lamb Meatballs recipe.

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17

Ranch Potatoes

ranch potatoes for easter lunch
Caitlin Bensel

These crispy potatoes have an herby spring twist thanks to ranch seasoning mix. You'll want to top them off with extra chopped chives, dill, or both for extra fresh flavor.

Get the Ranch Potatoes recipe.

18

Buttermilk Ranch Angel Biscuits

buttermilk ranch angel biscuits for easter lunch
Will Dickey

You've never had biscuits like this before. They're light and fluffy with loads of flavor from tangy buttermilk and ranch seasoning. Don't forget the ranch butter for serving, too!

Get the Buttermilk Ranch Angel Biscuits recipe.

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19

Chicken Fried Chicken

chicken fried chicken for easter lunch
Caitlin Bensel

This extra crispy chicken is hearty enough to be served on its own with a generous helping of gravy, but it can also be served on sandwiches if you prefer to take your lunch to the park.

Get the Chicken Fried Chicken recipe.

20

Baked Salmon

baked salmon for easter lunch
Will Dickey

The key to this perfect baked salmon is in the flavorful marinade. It's made with zippy lemon juice, mustard, and honey. Perfect for serving alongside a simple salad for lunch.

Get the Baked Salmon recipe.

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