Easter dinner lives or dies by the sides at my table, ham gets all the attention, but it’s the creamy potatoes, glazed carrots, and bright spring salads that people actually go back for seconds on. These 32 sides cover everything from classic comfort to something a little different, all genuinely tested to feed a crowd without eating up your whole morning.
Potato Sides
1. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes Halved baby potatoes roasted until crispy with garlic and Parmesan. My full recipe has the exact technique for getting that crust every time.
👇
For the full recipes, go to the bottom. All 32 Easter sides, with their complete ingredients and step-by-step instructions, are listed there, and each one has its own print button.
2. Classic Scalloped Potatoes Thinly sliced potatoes layered with cream and cheese, baked until bubbly and golden, the side that always disappears first.
3. Creamy Mashed Potatoes Butter, cream, and a hand mixer are really all you need for genuinely smooth mashed potatoes, no lumps required.
4. Twice Baked Potato Casserole All the flavor of loaded twice-baked potatoes in a scoopable casserole format, bacon and cheddar included.
5. Herb Roasted Marble Potatoes Small marble potatoes roast in about 15 minutes with garlic and fresh parsley, a fast side when the oven’s already busy with the main.
6. Cacio e Pepe Roasted Potatoes A simple three-ingredient sauce of cream, pecorino, and cracked pepper tossed with crispy roasted potatoes.
7. Four-Cheese Potato Gratin Layers of thinly sliced potatoes with heavy cream and a blend of four cheeses, baked until the top turns deeply golden.
💌
Never Miss a Recipe
Fresh high-protein recipes, meal prep ideas, and kitchen tips, straight to your inbox every week. No spam, just good food.
You’re in! Welcome to the list 🎉
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Vegetable Sides
8. Honey Glazed Carrots with Thyme Tender roasted carrots tossed in honey and fresh thyme, sweet and savory in equal measure.
9. Garlic Roasted Asparagus Asparagus spears roasted with olive oil and garlic until just tender, one of the fastest sides on this entire list.
10. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze Crispy roasted sprouts finished with a sweet, tangy balsamic reduction, converts even the skeptics.
11. Lemon Butter Green Beans Fresh green beans blanched and tossed in a bright lemon butter sauce, simple and consistently good.
12. Roasted Radishes with Herbs Radishes lose their sharp bite when roasted, turning mellow and slightly sweet, a genuinely underrated spring vegetable.
13. Steamed Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Pine Nuts A simple steamed broccoli side elevated with sun-dried tomatoes and toasted pine nuts for real texture.
14. Spring Peas with Prosciutto Sweet peas warmed with salty prosciutto and fresh parsley, a small side with a lot of flavor packed in.
15. Roasted Carrot Soup A blended, warmly spiced carrot soup that works as a starter or a lighter side alongside a heavier main.
Kitchen Proteins Tools
Not Sure How Much Protein You Actually Need?
Free calculators and planners to help you hit your protein goal, every day.
16. Spring Cobb Salad A composed salad with hard-boiled eggs, bacon, avocado, and blue cheese, substantial enough to stand up to a big holiday spread.
17. Strawberry Spinach Salad Baby spinach tossed with fresh strawberries, avocado, and almonds in a balsamic vinaigrette, bright and easy to make ahead.
18. Quinoa Salad with Fresh Herbs Nutty quinoa tossed with crisp vegetables and a zesty lemon vinaigrette, a lighter grain-based option for the table.
19. Bacon Watercress Salad Peppery watercress with crispy bacon, blue cheese, and toasted hazelnuts, a more grown-up salad option.
20. Cannellini Bean Salad with Radicchio and Celery White beans tossed with bitter radicchio and crunchy celery in a simple olive oil dressing.
21. Carrot Salad with Citrus Shredded carrots dressed in a bright citrus vinaigrette, a fresh, crunchy contrast to heavier dishes on the table.
Bread and Grain Sides
22. Soft Dinner Rolls Fluffy, buttery rolls made from scratch, genuinely worth the extra rise time for a holiday table.
23. Garlic Knots Soft, garlicky knots that freeze well, so they can be made weeks ahead and just baked fresh on the day.
24. Herby Grain Salad A mix of cooked grains tossed with fresh herbs and a light vinaigrette, a good make-ahead option that holds up well.
25. Pantry Pasta Salad A simple pasta salad built from pantry staples, useful when you need one more dish without an extra grocery trip.
Casseroles and Baked Sides
26. Creamy Green Bean Casserole A from-scratch version with a homemade mushroom sauce, fresh green beans, and crispy baked onions on top.
27. Cheesy Baked Mac and Cheese Classic, creamy mac and cheese that always disappears fastest at the kids’ end of the table.
28. Cheesy Creamed Spinach Silky greens melted into a rich, cheesy cream sauce, a genuinely good way to get vegetables onto reluctant plates.
29. Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping A savory pecan streusel instead of marshmallows tops this comforting sweet potato bake.
Soups and Lighter Sides
30. Lemon Herb Spring Soup A bright, seven-ingredient soup with lemon and fresh herbs, light enough to serve as a starter before a heavier main.
31. Fava Bean, Herb, and Pomegranate Fattoush A Levantine-style bread salad with fava beans adding protein and pomegranate seeds adding color and crunch.
32. Roasted Carrots with Pesto and Ricotta Roasted carrots finished with a dollop of ricotta and a drizzle of pesto, a slightly more elevated take on a classic side.
32 Easter Sides the Whole Family Will Love
🥕
32
Recipes
🐰
1
Holiday
All 32 Easter side recipes below, each with full ingredients and steps, plus a print button.
1. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
Ingredients: 2 lb baby potatoes halved, 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 cloves garlic minced, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1 tsp rosemary, 1 tsp oregano. Steps: Toss potatoes with oil, garlic, Parmesan, and herbs. Roast cut side down at 400°F for 25-30 min, flipping halfway.
2. Classic Scalloped Potatoes
Ingredients: 4 lb Yukon Gold potatoes thinly sliced, 2 cups heavy cream, 2 cups shredded cheddar, 2 cloves garlic minced, salt and pepper. Steps: Layer sliced potatoes in a buttered baking dish. Pour cream mixed with garlic over top, season, top with cheese. Bake at 375°F for 60-75 min until tender and bubbly.
3. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients: 3 lb Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and quartered, 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup warm milk or cream, salt and pepper. Steps: Boil potatoes in salted water until fork tender, 15-20 min. Drain, mash with butter and warm milk until smooth. Season to taste.
4. Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Ingredients: 6 large russet potatoes baked and cubed, 1 cup sour cream, 2 cups shredded cheddar, 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled, 1/4 cup chives. Steps: Combine baked potato cubes with sour cream and half the cheese in a baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and bacon. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 min until bubbly. Top with chives.
5. Herb Roasted Marble Potatoes
Ingredients: 2 lb marble potatoes, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 cloves garlic grated, 2 tbsp fresh parsley minced. Steps: Toss potatoes with oil and garlic. Roast at 425°F for 15-18 min until browned and tender. Toss with fresh parsley before serving.
6. Cacio e Pepe Roasted Potatoes
Ingredients: 2 lb Yukon Gold potatoes diced, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano, 2 tbsp cracked black pepper, zest of 1 lemon. Steps: Boil potatoes in heavily salted water 5 min, drain and reserve some water. Toss with oil, roast at 400°F for 40-45 min until crispy. Melt Pecorino with a splash of reserved water into a smooth sauce with black pepper. Toss with roasted potatoes, finish with lemon zest.
7. Four-Cheese Potato Gratin
Ingredients: 3 lb potatoes thinly sliced, 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup each mozzarella, Asiago, raclette, and Parmesan. Steps: Layer sliced potatoes with cream and a mix of mozzarella, Asiago, and raclette in a baking dish. Top with Parmesan. Bake at 375°F for 60 min until bubbly and golden.
8. Honey Glazed Carrots with Thyme
Ingredients: 2 lb baby carrots, 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp fresh thyme, pinch of cinnamon. Steps: Roast carrots at 400°F for 20 min until tender. Toss with melted butter, honey, thyme, and a pinch of cinnamon.
9. Garlic Roasted Asparagus
Ingredients: 2 lb asparagus trimmed, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 cloves garlic minced, sea salt. Steps: Toss asparagus with oil and garlic. Roast at 425°F for 10-12 min until just tender. Season with sea salt.
10. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Ingredients: 2 lb Brussels sprouts halved, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar reduced, salt and pepper. Steps: Toss sprouts with oil, roast at 425°F for 25-30 min until crispy and golden. Drizzle with reduced balsamic glaze.
11. Lemon Butter Green Beans
Ingredients: 1.5 lb green beans trimmed, 3 tbsp butter, juice of 1 lemon, salt and pepper. Steps: Blanch green beans in boiling water 3-4 min, shock in ice water. Toss with melted butter and lemon juice before serving.
12. Roasted Radishes with Herbs
Ingredients: 1.5 lb radishes halved, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh herbs (parsley, chives), salt. Steps: Toss radishes with oil. Roast at 425°F for 15-18 min until tender and lightly browned. Toss with fresh herbs and salt.
13. Steamed Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Pine Nuts
Ingredients: 2 lb broccoli florets, 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped, 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts, 2 tbsp olive oil. Steps: Steam broccoli 4-5 min until bright green and tender-crisp. Toss with sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and olive oil.
14. Spring Peas with Prosciutto
Ingredients: 3 cups peas, 3 oz prosciutto chopped, 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp fresh parsley. Steps: Melt butter in a pan, cook prosciutto until lightly crisp, 3-4 min. Add peas, cook 3-4 min until warmed through. Finish with parsley.
15. Roasted Carrot Soup
Ingredients: 2 lb carrots chopped, 1 onion diced, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp ginger grated, 1/2 cup cream. Steps: Roast carrots and onion at 400°F for 25 min until caramelized. Simmer with broth and ginger 15 min. Blend smooth, stir in cream.
16. Spring Cobb Salad
Ingredients: 6 cups mixed greens, 4 hard-boiled eggs sliced, 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled, 1 avocado sliced, 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles. Steps: Arrange greens on a platter. Top with rows of eggs, bacon, avocado, and blue cheese. Dress with vinaigrette of choice.
17. Strawberry Spinach Salad
Ingredients: 6 cups baby spinach, 2 cups strawberries sliced, 1 avocado sliced, 1/3 cup almonds toasted, balsamic vinaigrette. Steps: Toss spinach, strawberries, avocado, and almonds together. Dress with balsamic vinaigrette just before serving.
18. Quinoa Salad with Fresh Herbs
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked quinoa, 1 cucumber diced, 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved, 1/4 cup fresh herbs chopped, lemon vinaigrette. Steps: Combine cooked quinoa with cucumber, tomatoes, and herbs. Dress with a lemon vinaigrette, toss well.
19. Bacon Watercress Salad
Ingredients: 6 cups watercress, 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled, 1/2 cup blue cheese, 1/4 cup dried dates chopped, 1/4 cup toasted hazelnuts. Steps: Toss watercress with bacon, blue cheese, dates, and hazelnuts. Dress lightly with a simple vinaigrette.
20. Cannellini Bean Salad with Radicchio and Celery
Ingredients: 2 cans cannellini beans rinsed, 1 head radicchio sliced, 3 celery stalks sliced, olive oil, lemon juice. Steps: Toss beans, radicchio, and celery together. Dress with olive oil and lemon juice, season to taste.
21. Carrot Salad with Citrus
Ingredients: 6 carrots shredded, zest and juice of 1 orange, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh mint chopped. Steps: Toss shredded carrots with orange zest, juice, olive oil, and mint. Chill 15 min before serving.
22. Soft Dinner Rolls
Ingredients: 4 cups flour, 1 packet active dry yeast, 1 cup warm milk, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter melted, 1 egg. Steps: Combine yeast, warm milk, and sugar, let sit 5 min until foamy. Mix in flour, butter, and egg into a dough, knead 8 min. Rise 1 hour. Shape into rolls, rise 30 min. Bake at 375°F for 15-18 min.
23. Garlic Knots
Ingredients: 1 lb pizza dough, 4 tbsp butter melted, 3 cloves garlic minced, 2 tbsp fresh parsley, 1/4 cup Parmesan. Steps: Divide dough into strips, tie into knots. Bake at 425°F for 12-15 min until golden. Brush with garlic butter, top with parsley and Parmesan.
24. Herby Grain Salad
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked farro or barley, 1/2 cup fresh herbs chopped, 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, salt. Steps: Toss cooked grains with fresh herbs. Dress with olive oil and lemon juice, season to taste.
25. Pantry Pasta Salad
Ingredients: 1 lb pasta cooked, 1 can olives, 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved, 1/2 cup Italian dressing, 1/4 cup Parmesan. Steps: Toss cooked pasta with olives, tomatoes, dressing, and Parmesan. Chill before serving.
26. Creamy Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients: 2 lb fresh green beans trimmed, 8 oz mushrooms sliced, 1.5 cups cream sauce (butter, flour, broth, cream), 1 cup crispy fried onions. Steps: Blanch green beans 4 min. Sauté mushrooms 5 min, stir into a homemade cream sauce. Combine with green beans in a baking dish, top with fried onions. Bake at 375°F for 25 min.
27. Cheesy Baked Mac and Cheese
Ingredients: 1 lb elbow macaroni, 4 tbsp butter, 4 tbsp flour, 3 cups milk, 3 cups shredded cheddar. Steps: Cook macaroni. Melt butter, whisk in flour 1 min, gradually add milk, simmer until thickened. Stir in cheese until melted. Combine with pasta, bake at 375°F for 20 min if a baked top is desired.
28. Cheesy Creamed Spinach
Ingredients: 2 lb fresh spinach, 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp flour, 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup Parmesan, pinch of nutmeg. Steps: Wilt spinach in a pan, drain excess liquid, chop. Melt butter, whisk in flour, add milk, simmer until thickened. Stir in Parmesan and spinach, season with nutmeg.
29. Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping
Ingredients: 4 lb sweet potatoes cooked and mashed, 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 cup chopped pecans, 2 tbsp maple syrup. Steps: Mix mashed sweet potatoes with butter and brown sugar, spread in a baking dish. Combine pecans with maple syrup, sprinkle over top. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 min.
30. Lemon Herb Spring Soup
Ingredients: 6 cups vegetable broth, juice and zest of 1 lemon, 1/4 cup fresh herbs chopped, 1 cup orzo or rice. Steps: Simmer broth with orzo or rice until tender, 10-15 min. Finish with lemon juice, zest, and fresh herbs.
31. Fava Bean, Herb, and Pomegranate Fattoush
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked fava beans, 4 cups torn pita chips, 1 cucumber diced, 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds, 1/4 cup fresh herbs, lemon dressing. Steps: Toss fava beans, pita chips, cucumber, and herbs together. Top with pomegranate seeds, dress with a lemon vinaigrette.
32. Roasted Carrots with Pesto and Ricotta
Ingredients: 2 lb carrots halved lengthwise, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 cup ricotta, 1/4 cup basil pesto. Steps: Toss carrots with oil, roast at 425°F for 20-25 min until tender and caramelized. Dollop with ricotta and drizzle with pesto before serving.
Making the Table More Balanced
Easter sides lean heavily into comfort, and that's genuinely fine, they're not meant to carry the meal's protein on their own. But a few of these do more work than people expect, spring peas with prosciutto and the fattoush with fava beans both bring real protein to the table alongside their flavor.
If you want the main course to carry the protein load while the sides do what they do best, my lemon herb roasted chicken thighs roast at the same 400°F as several of these potato sides, so they can genuinely share oven space on the day.
Follow Kitchen Proteins
New recipes, tips, and behind-the-scenes
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these sides can I make ahead of time?
Dinner rolls, garlic knots, herby grain salad, and the carrot soup all hold up well made a day or two in advance. Anything with fresh greens is best assembled closer to serving.
How many sides should I actually plan for a table of 8-10?
Four to six sides is usually plenty for a group that size, one potato dish, one or two vegetables, a salad, and a bread option covers most preferences without overwhelming the table.
Which of these are good for picky kids?
Mac and cheese, dinner rolls, and the twice-baked potato casserole are consistently the ones that go fastest at the kids' end of the table.
How were these organized?
By category, potatoes, vegetables, salads, breads and grains, casseroles, and lighter options, so you can build a genuinely balanced spread without scrolling through one long undifferentiated list.
Easter dinner is really about the sides more than most people admit, the ham gets carved and everyone moves straight to the potatoes and green beans. If you're planning the whole spread and want the main course handled with the same real-ingredients approach, my 42 flavorful dinner ideas collection has more mains built the same intentional way.
Get Fresh Recipes Every Week
Join readers getting fresh recipes, meal prep systems, and high-protein meal ideas delivered to your inbox every week.
You're subscribed!
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
EC
Written By
Emily Carter
Emily started Kitchen Proteins after getting tired of high-protein recipes that were either bland or took an hour to make on a weeknight. Every recipe she publishes is tested in a real kitchen first, with the protein count calculated from the exact ingredients used, not a rounded guess.
