18 Crowd-Pleasing Side Dishes for Easter

Guests will love these side dish recipes that complement ham, prime rib, or lamb.

By
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves is a food and beverage writer.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated February 15, 2025
Robin Shreeves
air fryer asparagus on a platter with lemon slices at a table with a bowl of cracked pepper and a bowl of salt flakes

Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

I firmly believe that the side dishes served with holiday meals are often more important than the main dish, particularly at Easter. It's probably because I didn't enjoy ham when I was a kid. Every year, there would be a large ham that my mom would lovingly prepare, and I'd ignore it and fill up on mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls.

I've since learned to enjoy ham, but I still put a lot of thought into the side dishes that I serve when I host Easter. These 18 sides will help round out your Easter menu, whether you're serving ham, lamb, or prime rib.

  • Perfect Mashed Potatoes

    A bowl of mashed potatoes with butter melting in the center

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne

    I can't imagine a holiday meal without mashed potatoes. Make these perfect mashed potatoes with Yukon gold potatoes and lots of butter and cream, and they'll go with anything you serve on Easter.

  • Quick and Easy Asparagus

    The best asparagus in a serving bowl.
    Alison Bickel

    No vegetable says "spring is here," like asparagus. It's a must-have for many at Easter.

  • Parker House Rolls

    Best Parker House Roll Recipe baked rolls on a silver plate
    Sheryl Julian

    This is the ultimate dinner roll recipe for any holiday table. The rolls are tender and buttery with a hint of sweetness. They may also be one of the few things a picky kid at the table will eat!

  • Deviled Eggs

    Overhead view of a platter of Classic Deviled Eggs.
    Kelly Hamilton

    Why not give deviled eggs side dish status? Guests will gobble up these simple eggs that have a bit of kick from Tabasco. They look pretty with the filling piped in and a sprinkling of paprika on top.

    Continue to 5 of 18 below

  • Scalloped Potatoes With Caramelized Onions and Gruyere

    Close up of a casserole dish of scalloped potatoes
    Elise Bauer

    Pro tip: Use a shallow casserole dish so the casserole bakes quicker.

  • Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

    asparagus wrapped with proscuitto

    Simply Recipes / Lisa Lin

    Whenever I’m in the mood to give oven-roasted asparagus a little pizzazz, like for Easter, I wrap thin slices of prosciutto around the asparagus spears.

  • Classic Glazed Carrots

    Overhead view of a serving bowl of glazed carrots.
    Michelle Becker

    It must have something to do with the bunny, but I've always associated carrots with Easter even though they're a fall vegetable. Glazed carrots are a simple side for Easter dinner. Make them on the stovetop, cooked in butter, stock, and a little sugar.

  • Rice Pilaf

    Rice Pilaf in a blue bowl
    Elise Bauer

    Rice pilaf is a tasty alternative for those who don't enjoy potatoes, and this side will work especially well if you're serving prime rib.

    Continue to 9 of 18 below

  • Green Bean Casserole from Scratch

    green bean casserole made from scratch
    Megan Keno

    Green bean casserole is a classic, and this recipe is an elevated version with everything made from scratch, including the fried onion topping.

  • Yorkshire Pudding

    Overhead view of yorkshire puddings in a muffin tin.
    Annika Panikker

    Yorkshire pudding—a bread-ish side dish that resembles a cross between a soufflé and a cheese puff (without the cheese)—is frequently served with prime rib. Traditionally, it's made in the pan with the beef's drippings, but you can also make it as I do in this recipe.

  • Air Fryer Asparagus

    air fryer asparagus on a platter with lemon slices at a table with a bowl of cracked pepper and a bowl of salt flakes

    Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

    The air fryer has a way of crisping up asparagus like nobody’s business and it’s all done with just 10 minutes of cooking time.

  • Collard Greens

    Best ever collard greens cooked on the stovetop and served in a bowl
    Elise Bauer

    Cook this simple side dish in bacon fat and sesame oil for a super flavorful vegetable side. Great for ham, sauté fresh collard greens with onion and garlic.

    Continue to 13 of 18 below

  • Simple Peas and Onions

    peas and onion in a blue and white bowl
    Elise Bauer

    Peas (fresh or frozen), chopped onion, butter, and chicken stock—it doesn't get much simpler than those few ingredients to make a side dish that goes with any Easter dinner.

  • Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

    baked macaroni and cheese with bread crumb topping
    Alison Bickle

    Kids love mac and cheese. Adults love it, too. Serve these noodles in a creamy cheese sauce topped with a breadcrumb topping, and everyone will be happy.

  • Cheesy Baked Cauliflower

    Scooping Easy Cauliflower Bake out of a glass casserole dish.
    Coco Morante

    For a lower-carb cheesy, baked side, try giving cauliflower the mac and cheese treatment.

  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts

    A wooden spoon scooping up roasted brussel sprouts in a cast iron pan.
    Kelly Hamilton

    This recipe will make anyone a Brussels sprouts fan. Simply roast the "little balls of goodness" (as one of my friends likes to call them) with olive oil, garlic, lemon, and Parmesan cheese. Then watch them disappear from everyone's plates.

    Continue to 17 of 18 below

  • French Green Beans with Butter and Herbs

    French Green Beans Haricot Verts
    Elise Bauer

    Fancy up your green bean side dish by using French green beans—a long, slender version that may be sold under the name haricots verts—and sauté them with butter, herbs, and onions. It's not much more work than plain ol' green beans.

  • Sweet Potato Casserole

    sweet potato casserole
    Lisa Lin

    Sweet potato casserole isn't just for Thanksgiving. It's a welcome side at any holiday meal. My favorite thing about sweet potato casserole? Heating up leftovers for breakfast the next morning.

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