Easter is this weekend! If you haven’t started planning your gathering yet, don’t worry – I’ve got you covered. Whether you’re celebrating with breakfast, lunch, or dinner (or not at all – you can still enjoy the food, right?!), there’s something here for everyone.
Below, I’m sharing my favorite Ina Easter recipes: cocktails, appetizers, mains, sides, and desserts. Turn up the volume with Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs or Asparagus & Prosciutto Bundles, or go classic with Carrot & Pineapple Cake or Coconut Cupcakes. There are showstoppers like Greek Lamb with Yogurt Mint Sauce and Salted Pistachio Meringues, and simple-yet-delicious favorites like English Roasted Potatoes and Shakshuka with Feta.
Or maybe you just want to make my Carrot Cake Trifle! 😉
JUMP TO: COCKTAILS – APPETIZERS – SALADS – MAIN DISHES – SIDES – DESSERTS – BREAKFAST
FEATURE COCKTAIL
Juice of Few Flowers | Back to Basics, page 37 (Recipe)
You could go with bellinis or mimosas for Easter brunch, but if you need something with a little more booze to get you through family time, try Ina’s Juice of Few Flowers!
APPETIZERS
Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs | How Easy Is That, page 40 (Recipe)
You have to have deviled eggs on your Easter table – sorry, I don’t make the rules! And I love Ina’s version with smoked salmon mixed in. She also tops hers with salmon roe if you want to go extra fancy. You could also try my Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs!
Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta | Foolproof, page 55 (Recipe)
OK, so it may not be peak tomato season, but you can’t go wrong with these tomato crostinis. Make them for the whipped feta alone!
Green Herb Dip | Barefoot Contessa at Home, page 21 (Recipe)
Crudité platters always make for an easy app. Skip the store-bought veggie dip and go with this fresher, more delicious version. Just make sure you make it in advance to allow the flavors to meld.
Easy Tzatziki with Feta | Foolproof, page 76 (Recipe)
I adore tzatziki sauce and Ina’s simplified version using Greek yogurt is so tasty. I love it served on the platter with a handful of other treats to snack on.
SALADS
Maple-Roasted Carrot Salad | Cooking for Jeffrey, page 46 (Recipe)
Arugula used to be my favorite leafy base, and this is an early go-to. The arugula is dressed with sherry wine and garlic vinaigrette and tossed with roasted carrots, dried cranberries, goat cheese, and Marcona almonds. As you can see, early on I balked at the price of Marcona almonds and used regular ones, but I’ve since learned Marconas are worth the price!
Fresh Pea Salad with Mint & Manchego | Modern Comfort Food, page 73 (Recipe not online)
Take advantage of the bounty of fresh spring greens for this bright side. This lemon vinaigrette-dressed salad helps balance what can otherwise be a heavy meal.
MAIN DISHES
Baked Virginia Ham | Cook Like A Pro, page 52 (Recipe)
Growing up there was always ham on our Easter dinner table. Ina’s version is glazed with mango chutney for some sweet heat. I love making sandwiches with the leftovers!
Pastitsio | Make It Ahead, page 124 (Recipe)
If leg of lamb intimates you and you want to feed a crowd, you can’t go wrong with Pastitsio! To make this baked dish, a lamb and beef ragu is mixed with pasta and topped with a thick yogurt-y bechamel. Yum!
Spiced Lamb-Stuffed Eggplants | Cook Like A Pro, page 133 (Recipe)
Another ground lamb option that’s worth the effort!
Greek Lamb with Yogurt Mint Sauce | How Easy Is That, page 131 (Recipe)
This dish screams Easter. Ina has a ton of lamb chop recipes and this one is my favorite! I love the technique of making them under the broiler. Never a fan of mint jelly, the sauce was a perfect, creamy alternative.
Easy Provençal Lamb | Cook Like A Pro, page 52 (Recipe)
Looking to go traditional for Easter dinner? This was my first time making a leg of lamb and is still my favorite!
SIDES
Asparagus & Prosciutto Bundles | Make It Ahead, page 148 (Recipe)
It’s asparagus season and I could not think of a better way to serve them and these cute little bundles! If the gruyere and prosciutto weren’t enough Ina rounds these out with some truffle butter.
Orzo with Roasted Vegetables | Parties, page 174 (Recipe)
One of my favorite sides and a dish Ina includes in her Easter dinner menu.
Emily’s English Roasted Potatoes | Modern Comfort Food, page 171 (Recipe)
These crispy little guys are so divine and would be even better tossed in the lamb drippings!
Roasted Asparagus with Hollandaise | Barefoot in Paris, page 144 (Recipe)
More asparagus! This one with a heavenly hollandaise sauce – which is easier to pull together than you’d think!
Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta | Food Network (Recipe)
If you’re not an asparagus fan and looking for more greens, this is such a simple and universal side!
DESSERTS
Carrot & Pineapple Cake | Food Network (Recipe)
One of my all-time favorite cakes! The pineapple adds moisture and you don’t even know it’s there.
Salted Pistachio Meringues | Modern Comfort Food, page 201 (Recipe)
These pillow puffs aren’t traditional for Easter but they sure are beautiful! The crispy exterior encasing the pillowy interior is the perfect textural contrast!
Coconut Cupcakes | The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, page 175 (Recipe)
Another Easter (and Ina) classic! Turns out when I made this I wasn’t a huge cream cheese frosting fan?! WHAT? For a little extra flavor, go ahead and toast that coconut.
Toasted Coconut Marshmallows | Family Style, page 213 (Recipe)
See, toasted coconut makes everything better!
Banana Rum Trifle | Modern Comfort Food, page 208 (Recipe)
This will be on practically every list for entertaining. It’s so phenomenal!
BREAKFAST
Country French Omelet | Back to Basics, page 227 (Recipe)
Ok so this may be better for a smaller Easter breakfast, but I recently multiplied it by three and baked it on a sheet pan for a much larger crowd. It was a hit!
Shakshuka with Feta | Cook Like A Pro, page 238 (Recipe)
Spicy tomato sauce with eggs? Give me more.
Potato Basil Frittata | Family Style, page 182 (Recipe)
Another simple and delicious option if you are hosting an Easter brunch!
Maple-Roasted Bacon | Barefoot Contessa at Home, page 225 (Recipe)
Another that I just say make for any get-together.
But don’t forget about my Carrot Cake Trifle!
More Best of Ina lists here.
