Easter Sunday is one of the biggest family dining occasions of the year, and getting the menu right can make your celebration truly special. Whether you are hosting a formal Easter dinner, a relaxed family lunch, or a festive brunch, having a selection of delicious recipes planned in advance takes the stress out of cooking and lets you enjoy the day.
Easter 2026 falls on Sunday, 5 April, giving you the perfect opportunity to bring loved ones together around the table. From traditional roast lamb to show-stopping desserts, here are the best Easter dinner recipes and menu ideas for 2026.
Traditional Easter Main Courses
Roast Leg of Lamb With Rosemary and Garlic
Roast lamb is the quintessential Easter centrepiece, and for good reason. A leg of lamb studded with fresh rosemary and garlic cloves, roasted until golden on the outside and pink and tender inside, is hard to beat.
Key tips: Remove the lamb from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature. This ensures even cooking throughout. Roast at 200C for 20 minutes per 500g for medium, plus an extra 20 minutes. Rest the lamb for at least 15 minutes before carving to keep the juices locked in.
Serve with roast potatoes, seasonal spring vegetables, and a rich mint sauce or red wine gravy.
Honey Glazed Ham
A glazed ham is a stunning alternative or addition to lamb, especially if you are feeding a large gathering. The combination of honey, brown sugar, and mustard creates a beautiful caramelised crust that looks as impressive as it tastes.
Key tips: Score the fat in a diamond pattern before applying the glaze. This allows the flavour to penetrate and creates those gorgeous crispy edges. Baste every 15 minutes during the final hour of cooking for maximum flavour.
A whole glazed ham also provides excellent leftovers for sandwiches and salads throughout the Easter bank holiday weekend.
Roast Chicken With Lemon and Thyme
For a lighter and more budget-friendly option, a roast chicken infused with lemon and thyme makes a beautiful Easter centrepiece. Stuff the cavity with lemon halves and fresh thyme, rub the skin with butter, and roast until golden and crispy.
This is a crowd-pleaser that works for both intimate family dinners and larger gatherings.
Easter Side Dishes
The right side dishes can elevate your Easter meal from good to unforgettable.
Roast Potatoes
Par-boil potatoes until the edges are fluffy, then roast in hot goose fat or olive oil until golden and crispy. Season generously with salt and a sprinkle of rosemary.
Buttered Spring Vegetables
Lightly steam a mix of asparagus, peas, baby carrots, and green beans. Toss in melted butter with a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of sea salt. Fresh spring vegetables at their best.
Cauliflower Cheese
A rich, creamy cauliflower cheese with a crispy golden top is the ultimate comfort side dish. Use a mix of mature cheddar and a little Parmesan for depth of flavour.
Devilled Eggs
No Easter table is complete without devilled eggs. Halve hard-boiled eggs, mix the yolks with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and a dash of paprika, then pipe the filling back into the whites. Simple, classic, and always the first thing to disappear.
Easter Brunch Ideas
If you prefer a late morning celebration, Easter brunch is a wonderful alternative to a formal dinner.
Hot Cross Buns With Butter
Warm, spiced hot cross buns, lightly toasted and spread with salted butter, are an Easter essential. Making them from scratch is surprisingly straightforward and fills your kitchen with the most wonderful aroma.
Eggs Benedict
Perfectly poached eggs on toasted English muffins with smoked ham and rich hollandaise sauce. It takes a little practice to get the poached eggs right, but the result is worth every effort.
Spring Frittata
A frittata loaded with asparagus tips, peas, goat cheese, and fresh herbs is a simple one-pan dish that feeds a crowd. Serve it warm or at room temperature alongside a green salad.
Smoked Salmon Platter
Arrange smoked salmon on a board with cream cheese, capers, red onion, lemon wedges, and bagels or brown bread. It requires no cooking and looks incredibly elegant.
Easter Desserts
No Easter celebration is complete without something sweet to finish.
Simnel Cake
Simnel cake is a traditional British Easter cake that has been enjoyed for centuries. It is a rich fruit cake with a layer of marzipan baked in the middle and topped with another layer of marzipan decorated with 11 marzipan balls representing the apostles (minus Judas).
Key tips: Make the cake a few days ahead so the flavours can develop and deepen. Brush the top with apricot jam before adding the marzipan to help it stick. Toast the top briefly under the grill for a beautiful golden finish.
Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
A moist, spiced carrot cake topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting is a crowd favourite that works perfectly for Easter. The spring connection with carrots and the Easter bunny makes it thematically fitting too.
Lemon Tart
A bright, citrusy lemon tart with a crisp shortcrust pastry base is refreshing and elegant. Top with fresh raspberries or a dusting of icing sugar for a simple but stunning presentation.
Chocolate Easter Nest Cakes
These are quick to make and perfect for involving children in Easter baking. Melt chocolate, stir through shredded wheat or cornflakes, spoon into cupcake cases, and top with mini chocolate eggs. Set in the fridge and they are ready in an hour.
Vegetarian Easter Menu
If you have vegetarian guests or prefer a meat-free Easter, these options are just as impressive.
Mushroom and Gruyere Tart
A savoury tart filled with sauteed mushrooms, Gruyere cheese, and fresh thyme in a buttery pastry case. Elegant enough for a centrepiece and delicious served warm or cold.
Aubergine Parmigiana
Layers of roasted aubergine, rich tomato sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan baked until bubbling and golden. This hearty Italian classic is satisfying and completely meat-free.
Asparagus Risotto
A creamy risotto made with fresh asparagus, white wine, and Parmesan is a beautiful spring dish that makes a sophisticated Easter main course.
Easter Meal Planning Tips
Plan Ahead
Write your full menu and shopping list at least a week in advance. This avoids last-minute supermarket stress and ensures you have everything you need.
Prep the Day Before
Peel and chop vegetables, make sauces, prepare desserts, and set the table the day before. On Easter Sunday, you want to enjoy time with your family, not spend the entire day in the kitchen.
Do Not Overcomplicate
Choose one impressive main course, two or three simple sides, and one dessert. Trying to do too much leads to stress and a crowded oven. Quality over quantity always wins.
Cater for Dietary Needs
Check with your guests in advance about any allergies or dietary requirements. Having at least one vegetarian option and one dairy-free dessert option ensures everyone feels included.
Conclusion
Easter dinner is about bringing people together over a delicious meal, and it does not have to be complicated to be memorable. Whether you go traditional with roast lamb and all the trimmings or keep things relaxed with a spring brunch spread, the key is good food shared with the people you love.
Start planning your Easter 2026 menu now, shop early, and prep ahead so you can enjoy every moment of this special day on Sunday, 5 April.
For more Easter inspiration, browse our collection of Happy Easter wishes, messages, and quotes and discover fun Easter egg hunt ideas the whole family will love.