Looking for a stress-free Easy Easter dinner that still feels like a feast? You’re in the right place.
We’ve taken the guesswork out of your holiday meal and created a simple, flavorful, and memorable Easter spread—starring a juicy honey-glazed ham, creamy au gratin potatoes, and spicy sautéed cabbage. No complicated steps. No fancy ingredients. Just real food done right.
Why This Easy Easter Dinner Works
- Minimal prep, maximum flavor
- Simple ingredients you already have
- Perfect for a family gathering
- Big results with little stress
So, how do you pull off this Easter meal without spending your whole day in the kitchen?
Let’s break it down.
The Star: Honey Glazed Easter Ham
This spiral-cut ham is juicy, sweet, and perfectly caramelized.
You’ll make a quick glaze using brown sugar, honey, orange juice, and Dijon mustard—then let the oven do the work.
Ingredients:
- 1 spiral-cut ham (8–10 lbs)
- ½ cup brown sugar (Bowl & Basket or your favorite brand)
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1–2 oranges, thinly sliced
Instructions:
1. Preheat & prep:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F.
- Line a large roasting pan with sliced oranges.
- Place the ham on top of the orange slices, flat side down.
2. Make the glaze:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Stir in brown sugar, honey, orange juice, and Dijon mustard.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes until it slightly thickens.
3. Glaze & bake:
- Pour half of the glaze over the ham.
- Cover tightly with foil.
- Bake for 1½ to 2 hours.
- Baste every 20 minutes with juices from the pan.
4. Add seasonings:
- About halfway through baking, sprinkle smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a little extra brown sugar on top.
5. Finish under the broiler:
- Remove foil.
- Pour the remaining glaze over the ham.
- Broil for 3–5 minutes until the top caramelizes.
6. Rest & serve:
- Let the ham rest for 10–15 minutes.
- Slice and serve with the juices.
Easy Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes
You can’t have Easter without a cheesy side dish.
This version skips the fuss but delivers creamy, crispy comfort.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Optional: pinch of paprika for color
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Make the cheese sauce:
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in milk, stirring constantly.
- When it starts to thicken, stir in shredded cheese.
- Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Layer & bake:
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer sliced potatoes evenly.
- Pour the cheese sauce on top.
- Sprinkle with extra cheese and paprika if desired.
- Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for 15–20 more minutes until bubbly and golden.
Spicy Sautéed Cabbage
This bold side adds a kick and balances the sweetness of the ham.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium head green cabbage, shredded
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Sauté onions until soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
4. Add cabbage, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Stir well and cover.
- Cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Finish with vinegar.
- Stir in vinegar.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
Serve hot.
What Else to Serve with This Easy Easter Dinner?
Want to round it out? Here are a few easy ideas:
- Dinner rolls or biscuits
- Deviled eggs
- Steamed green beans with lemon
- A light fruit salad
- Lemon bars or carrot cake for dessert
Tips to Make It Even Easier
- Buy pre-sliced ham to save time
- Use a mandoline slicer for the potatoes
- Make the glaze and cheese sauce the night before
- Prep all your veggies early in the day
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a boneless ham?
Yes. A boneless ham will cook faster, so reduce the bake time by 20–30 minutes and monitor closely.
How many people does this feed?
A 10 lb ham serves about 12–14 people. You can adjust portions based on your guest list.
Can I make this meal ahead of time?
Absolutely. The ham can be cooked and glazed a day ahead, then reheated in the oven. Potatoes can also be pre-baked and warmed before serving.
Easter dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be special.
With this Easy Easter dinner, you’ll get all the flavor, joy, and tradition—without the stress.
Just a simple plan, a handful of ingredients, and a little oven time.
Your guests will be impressed.
You’ll get to enjoy the day.
And best of all?
You made it happen, and it was easy.
Ready to impress without the mess? Make this Easy Easter Dinner your new tradition.
