Classic Easter Side Dish Recipes for a Memorable Holiday Feast

Easter dinner just isn’t complete without a perfectly glazed ham and a spread of light, spring desserts. What truly makes the holiday meal memorable, though, are the side dishes—those comforting, fresh, and flavorful additions we return to year after year.

All of the best classic Easter side dish recipes to round out your Easter dinner.

This curated collection of Easter side dishes covers everything you need for a complete menu: roasted and mashed potatoes, creamy mac and cheeses, bright fruit and green salads, and an array of vegetable dishes like honey-glazed carrots and lemon-roasted asparagus. Add deviled eggs, warm rolls, and whipped fruit butters for a table that feels both festive and familiar.

Helpful Guides & Collections:

Classic Southern Easter Appetizers
7 Holiday Main Dishes
7 Dreamy Easter Desserts
The Best Southern Brunch Menu
7 Easter Leftover Recipes
How to Set An Inviting Buffet Table
A Charming Blue & White Easter Table

Side dishes aren’t just extras—they can be the stars of the meal. They fill our plates, become family favorites, and create the traditions we look forward to every spring.

Vegetable Dishes
Potatoes & Pasta
Fruit Salads & Green Salads
Easter Must-Haves

Vegetable Dishes

Roasted Lemon Asparagus on a white plate with a slice of lemon and parmesan cheese.

Skillet Roasted Lemon Asparagus

Skillet Roasted Lemon Asparagus is a quick, elegant side that complements nearly any main course. Salty, lemony roasted asparagus is simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

With the same great taste as the Picadilly recipe, a carrot souffle in a 2 quart casserole dish topped with powdered sugar and orange zest

Easy Carrot Souffle – The Best Carrot Side Dish

Rich and creamy, this Carrot Soufflé is spiced and colorful—an ideal Easter side. It’s surprisingly easy and has a light, melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves.

An easy crock pot black eyed peas recipe with ham and jalapenos

Southern Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas & Ham

This no-soak crock pot recipe delivers hearty Southern Black Eyed Peas & Ham with a subtle jalapeño kick—a perfect dish to set and forget while you enjoy the holiday.

Cheesy Broccoli rice casserole made from scratch with an easy mushroom and cheese sauce.

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole (no canned soup)

Comforting and creamy, this casserole uses cream cheese, evaporated milk, and sharp cheddar to create a homemade sauce that wraps tender broccoli and fluffy rice in rich flavor.

Garlic Honey Glazed Carrots

These oven-roasted carrots are caramelized in a sweet-savory blend of honey, garlic, butter, chicken broth, and thyme—an easy side that adds warmth and color to the table.

country style fresh green beans and new potatoes with crumbled bacon as a vegetable side dish

Southern Green Beans & New Potatoes with Bacon

A hearty, homey dish: tender green beans and baby red potatoes simmered with bacon, garlic, and butter for classic Southern flavor.

an easy from scratch recipe for green bean casserole without canned soup or canned beans

Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Soup

This version of green bean casserole skips canned soup for a fresher result—tender beans in a creamy sauce with bacon and a crispy onion topping.

A spoonful of cornbread pudding, or corn casserole.

Southern Cornbread Pudding

Somewhere between a sweet cornbread muffin and a rich soufflé, this Southern Cornbread Pudding is comforting and easy—an excellent addition to any holiday table.

Louisiana creamed corn maque choux recipe with fresh corn and bell peppers.

Louisiana Cream Corn Maque Choux

Sweet, spicy, and lusciously creamy, Maque Choux blends fresh corn with bell pepper, onion, jalapeño, cream, and a hint of bacon for bold Southern flavor.

A title photo of a serving of au gratin brussel sprouts for Thanksgiving dinner.

Creamy Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin

Tender shredded Brussels sprouts baked in a smoky gouda and Parmesan cream sauce, topped with panko and bacon—a decadent way to serve a classic vegetable.

A spoonful of Hawaiian Baked Beans fresh from the oven.

Hawaiian Baked Beans with Pineapple & Bellpepper

Sweet, salty, and slightly spicy, these baked beans include pineapple, bell pepper, onion, and bacon in a thick, rich sauce—an unexpected crowd-pleaser.

Potatoes & Pasta

Rich cream sauce and a topping of cheese make a delicious scalloped potatoes side dish.

Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes

Thinly sliced potatoes baked in a rich homemade cream sauce with onions and melted cheese—classic scalloped potatoes that are tender, flavorful, and ideal for holidays.

A gratin. or au gratin potatoes, has layers of potatoes, cheese, a drizzle of cheese and a top crust

Sweet Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust

Layers of sweet and gold potatoes in a garlicky cream sauce, topped with Gruyère and Parmesan and baked in a rosemary crust for a show-stopping side.

Southern Macaroni Salad

Loaded with red onion, celery, bell pepper, sweet pickles, and hard-boiled eggs in a creamy mayo dressing, this classic macaroni salad belongs on every holiday table.

Deviled egg potato salad texture, ingredients and garnish of papriks

Southern Deviled Egg Potato Salad

This dreamy potato salad blends the flavors of deviled eggs with red onion, pickles, and tender potatoes for a fluffy, tangy dish perfect for Easter.

Creamy Dill Potato Salad

Made with sour cream, lemon, a touch of mayo, red potatoes, and dried dill, this potato salad is bright, creamy, and easy to prepare.

A casserole dish of baked macaroni and cheese made with pimento cheese and a ritz cracker crust.

Southern Pimento Mac and Cheese

Pimento cheese adds a Southern twist to classic mac and cheese. The result is rich, cheesy, and comfortingly familiar.

Ultimate Pepper Jack Mac & Cheese

This easy homemade mac & cheese is exceptionally creamy—no roux required—and the pepper jack adds a pleasant, savory kick.

A serving of Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole in a spoon

Easy, Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Melted cheese, sour cream, and simple seasonings make this shredded hashbrown casserole irresistibly creamy—without canned soup.

A bowl of potato salad inspired by a loaded baked potato.

Loaded Baked Potato Salad

All your favorite baked potato toppings tossed with tender potatoes—bacon, cheese, sour cream, and chives—make this a comfort-food favorite.

Fluffy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Savory and unbelievably fluffy, these mashed sweet potatoes come together quickly with butter, garlic, and sour cream for a bright and creamy side.

creamy broccoli macaroni and cheese in a bowl with spoon to show cheese sauce, pasta and broccoli

Creamy Broccoli Mac & Cheese

Made in one pot on the stovetop, this mac and cheese combines cheddar and cream cheese with fresh broccoli for a quick, comforting side ready in under 30 minutes.

Baked Gouda Cheese Grits

Savory baked grits made with broth, eggs, cream, Gouda, and sharp cheddar—rich, comforting, and perfect alongside ham or roasted meats.

Baked macaroni and cheese with 2 cheese, shrimp and crab makes a creamy one dish meal or holiday side dish!

Creamy Seafood Mac and Cheese

Loaded with shrimp and crab in a three-cheese sauce with a Creole hint and a crisp panko topping—this elevated mac and cheese is ideal for a special holiday spread.

cheesy hash brown casserole made with pimento cheese

Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole

A Southern makeover for hashbrown casserole—pimento cheese brings tangy creaminess to potatoes for a crowd-pleasing side.

Louisiana Dirty Rice

Rich, hearty, and full of flavor, Dirty Rice with sausage and spices is a versatile Southern side that can easily stand alongside the main dish.

Lyonnaise potatoes in a serving dish for the holidays

Lyonnaise Potatoes – Skillet Potatoes & Sweet Onions

Pan-fried potatoes with caramelized sweet onions and plenty of butter—an easy, elegant side that pairs with nearly anything.

Upclose of a blue Fiestaware serving bowl piled high with horseradish mashed potatoes garnished with chives and drizzled with butter. A white and black tea towel, silverware and green onions are in the background.

Horseradish Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese & Garlic

These mashed potatoes get a delicious upgrade with cream cheese, garlic, and a hint of horseradish—creamy, tangy, and memorable.

Fruit Salads & Green Salads

Strawberry Asparagus Salad

Fresh and vibrant, this salad combines strawberries and asparagus with a simple balsamic vinaigrette—perfect for Easter or spring gatherings.

An overhead look at a classic potluck or cookout salad with crunchy broccoli and a tangy, creamy homemade dressing.

Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Strawberries

Drizzling Hot Bacon Dressing over Spinach Salad with mushrooms, red onion and boiled egg

Hot Bacon Dressing & Spinach Salad

A warm, tangy bacon vinaigrette served over baby spinach, mushrooms, red onion, and boiled eggs—this dressing transforms a simple salad into something special.

Upclose of green pea salad to size and texture of cheese, red onion, bacon, chopped pecans and lemon zest.

Classic Pea Salad with Cheese & Bacon

Classic 7 Layer Pea Salad

Bright and crisp, this layered pea salad features peas, bacon, cubed cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and green onions topped with a creamy dressing.

up close of green salad with creamy mayo dressing to show ingredients and texture

Green Salad with Creamy Mayo Vinaigrette

A simple house salad elevated with a quick, 1-minute creamy mayo vinaigrette—refreshing and easy to prepare.

Southern Black Eyed Pea Salad

Creamy black eyed peas tossed with crisp peppers and onion, marinated in Italian dressing for a zesty, Southern-style salad.

Diced apples, cheddar cheese, celery and walnuts combine to make a simple salad.

Apple, Cheese, Celery Salad

Sweet apples, mild cheddar, crisp celery, and walnuts combine for a simple, nostalgic salad with a lovely crunch and balance.

Classic fruit salad with an old fashioned sauce recipe.

Classic Fruit Salad with Old Fashioned Century Sauce

This classic fruit salad blends green apples, strawberries, bananas, and blueberries with shredded coconut and nuts, finished with an old-fashioned cream sauce.

best ambrosia salad with secret ingredient whipped cream dressing

Ambrosia Fruit Salad with Whipped Cream Dressing

Toasted coconut, pineapple, mandarins, strawberries, grapes, and bananas tossed in a light whipped cream dressing make this ambrosia salad a beloved side or dessert.

Red & Green Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Orange Dressing

Apples, dried cranberries, green grapes, kiwi, and strawberries tossed in a cinnamon-orange honey dressing for a festive, colorful salad.

Brown Sugar Roasted Pineapples

Pineapple roasted with brown sugar and pecans offers a caramelized, tropical side that pairs especially well with ham.

Strawberry Jello Salad: A Southern Tradition

Layered strawberry Jello with a sour cream center, crushed pineapple, bananas, and pecans—this nostalgic dish remains a staple on many family tables.

Easy summer ambrosia with a tropical flair. Filled with coconut, pineapple, blackberries and lime all swathed in clouds of cool whip, lime yogurt and mini marshmallows.

Blackberry Margarita Ambrosia

Fat blackberries, pineapple, lime, and shredded coconut folded into a light whipped topping give this ambrosia a bright, tropical twist.

An individual dessert bowl of orange jello salad

Tropical Orange Jello Salad

Light and refreshing, this salad blends mandarin oranges, pineapple, and bananas with a sweetened coconut sour cream topping.

creamy coleslaw with a tangy homemade mayo based dressing is a southern favorite

Creamy Southern Coleslaw

Easter Must-Haves

Homestyle Deviled Eggs

Topped with sweet pickle slices, chives, and smoky bacon, these deviled eggs are classic picnic fare with a homestyle twist.

A close up of a shortcut pull apart roll with a plate full of buttery rolls behind it.

Shortcut Pull Apart Rolls

These semi-homemade dinner rolls deliver tender, buttery goodness with minimal effort—ideal for a busy holiday kitchen.

Raspberry Lemon Butter

Lemony and lightly sweet, raspberry lemon butter melts over warm rolls like sunshine—an elegant, easy spread for the table.

A jar of orange butter with coconut to spread on pancakes.

Whipped Coconut & Orange Butter

A light, tropical spread with coconut and bright citrus—delicious on rolls or sweet breads and a fun alternative to plain butter.

Table of Contents