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All The Best Classic Easter Side Dish Recipes

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Published: Mar 16, 2024

This post may contain affiliate links.

When it comes to our Easter dinner, we all love a good Easter ham and a buffet line up of light, spring desserts. But nothing makes the Easter meal special like all those delicious side dishes we’ve come to know and love!

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

This Easter side dish collection pulls out all the stops! There’s all kinds of potatoes, creamy macaroni & cheeses, fruit salads, green salads and, of course, plenty of veggies, like honey glazed carrots and lemon roasted asparagus to round out your menu. Not to mention deviled eggs, rolls and whipped fruit butters just to take it over the top.

Be Easter Ready With More Helpful Guides & Collections:

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

BUT! We all know side dishes aren’t just for the sidelines. They are actually the true stars that carry a meal, fill our bellies and plates, and become the favorite traditions we look forward to every year!

Table of Contents

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

Vegetable Dishes

Skillet Roasted Lemon Asparagus

Skillet Roasted Lemon Asparagus is a quick and easy side dish that can elevate almost any meal. There’s just something about salty, lemony roasted asparagus that's hard to resist!

Easy Carrot Souffle- The Best Carrot Side Dish

Rich and creamy Carrot Soufflé is full of warm spices, stunning color and is the perfect side dish for Easter. You won’t believe how easy it is to make this simple recipe, and everyone is guaranteed to love it’s light, melt-in-your mouth texture!

Southern Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas & Ham

No time to tend a pot during the Easter festivities? No problem! This easy, no-soak, crock pot recipe delivers THE BEST Southern Black Eyed Peas & Ham with a deliciously subtle jalapeno kick!

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole (no canned soup)

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole is the best comfort food side dish! Fluffy rice and fresh broccoli are wrapped in an easy homemade sauce that gets it creaminess from cream cheese, evaporated milk and sharp cheddar instead of the usual canned soup.

Garlic Honey Glazed Carrots

Caramelized in a rich sweet savory blend of honey, garlic, butter, chicken broth & thyme, Garlic Honey Glazed Carrots are an easy oven-raosted dish that has what it takes to make your meal special! 

Southern Green Beans & New Potatoes with Bacon

Southern Green Beans and New Potatoes is a simple, hearty side dish recipe that delivers savory, fork tender vegetables with loads of homey, southern flavor! Fresh green beans, baby red potatoes, chicken broth, bacon and a little butter and garlic are all you need for this classic recipe that goes with any meal!

Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Soup

Rich and creamy Green Bean Casserole is even better without canned soup! Fresh vegetables, cream, bacon and a crispy onion topping make this classic side dish a star!

Southern Cornbread Pudding

A classic southern side dish that falls somewhere between a sweet, buttery cornbread muffin and a creamy, rich soufflé, Southern Cornbread Pudding is the ultimate easy comfort recipe. 

Louisiana Cream Corn Maque Choux

You’ve never tasted creamed corn like Louisiana Cream Corn Maque Choux! Sweet, spicy and lusciously creamy, it’s loaded with the rich flavors of red bell pepper, sweet onion, jalapenos, cream, a sprinkle of salty bacon and the pop of fresh sweet corn.

Creamy Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin

This Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin recipe is made with tender, shredded Brussels sprouts smothered in a rich, creamy cheese sauce made with smoked gouda, shaved Parmesan, garlic and heavy cream, topped with crisp panko and salty bacon.

Hawaiian Baked Beans with Pineapple & Bellpepper

A little sweet, a little salty and just a little spicy, these crazy delicious baked beans are loaded with pineapple, bell peppers, sweet onion and bacon.  Bathed in a thick, rich sauce, this special side dish is a welcome addition to your Easter table!

Potatoes & Pasta

Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes

Ultimate Scalloped Potatoes are a classic comfort side dish! These thinly sliced, layered potatoes bake up tender and full of flavor in a rich homemade cream sauce with a sprinkle of onion and oodles melted cheese!

Sweet Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust

In this gorgeous, cheesy sweet potato side dish, layers of sweet potatoes and gold potatoes are bathed in rich, garlicky cream, topped sharp Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses and baked until fork tender in a Rosemary pie crust. It's an easy recipe with stunning results.

Southern Macaroni Salad

Loaded with red onion, celery, red bell pepper, sweet pickles, hard boiled eggs and a creamy mayo dressing, this classic Southern Macaroni Salad is one of those staples that should be on every table at every gathering.

Southern Deviled Egg Potato Salad

Southern Deviled Egg Potato Salad is one of the dreamiest, tastiest side dishes around!  It combines all the flavors of deviled eggs with red onion, pickles and tender potatoes to create a fluffy, tangy salad that’s perfect for Easter!

Creamy Dill Potato Salad

Made with sour cream, lemon juice, a little mayo, red potatoes and tangy dried dill, this easy recipe makes the most delicious Creamy Dill Potato Salad!

Southern Pimento Mac and Cheese

Pimento cheese and crackers meets hot and melty macaroni and cheese for a comfort food side dish you’ll swoon over! 

Ultimate Pepper Jack Mac & Cheese

This easy homemade mac & cheese recipe is one of the creamiest, cheesiest recipes around! And you’re going to love how easy it is to make- no flour, no roux, just simple cheesy goodness. One taste of it’s rich, velvety sauce with a little pepper jack kick, and you’ll never want to make any other mac & cheese again.

Easy, Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Loaded with melted cheese, sour cream and simple seasonings, this deliciously creamy, cheesy shredded hashbrown casserole is the perfect potato side dish! And it’s a hit you’ll never feel bad about serving since you’ve made it’s yummy goodness without using any canned soup.

Loaded Baked Potato Salad

What’s not to love when everything you love about loaded baked potatoes meets the South’s favorite side dish, easy potato salad? Tender potatoes and all the best baked potato toppings are tossed together to make a Loaded Baked Potato Salad everyone will crave!

Fluffy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Your favorite mashed potatoes are never going to be the same! Deliciously savory and unbelievably fluffy, these easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes whip up just right in 30 minutes with a little butter, garlic and sour cream.

Creamy Broccoli Mac & Cheese

Creamy Broccoli Mac & Cheese is made on the stovetop in just one pot and is the ultimate in comfort food side dishes. With lusciously melted cheddar, cream cheese, fresh chopped broccoli and elbow pasta, this is one homemade macaroni and cheese recipe that gets to the table in less than 30 minutes!

Baked Gouda Cheese Grits

These smooth and creamy Baked Gouda Cheese Grits are loaded with savory, melt-in-your-mouth flavor. Cooked in broth then baked up light with eggs, cream, rich, melted Gouda, and sharp, salty cheddar, this easy cheese grits casserole is way more than just a comfort food staple!

Creamy Seafood Mac and Cheese

Rich and creamy Seafood Mac and Cheese is loaded with shrimp and crab and bathed in a smooth 3 cheese sauce with a little Creole kick! Topped with a crisp panko crust, you’re going to love serving this amped up macaroni and cheese.

Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole

Give your regular hash brown casserole a mouthwatering southern makeover with this gloriously dreamy Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole! This cheesy side dish is the perfect marriage of cheese and potatoes.

Louisiana Dirty Rice

Rich, hearty and full of flavor, Louisiana Dirty Rice is one of those delectably versatile side dishes that you just might let steal the show. A true Southern recipe filled with sausage, ground beef, bell pepper, onion, celery & spices, dirty rice is richly savory and completely comforting! 

Lyonnaise Potatoes- Skillet Potatoes & Sweet Onions

French Lyonnaise Potatoes are simply pan-fried potatoes with crisp edges, laced with tender, caramelized sweet onions, bathed in plenty of butter and topped with a sprinkle of parsley.  Melt-in-your mouth delicious, this easy “steakhouse” side dish is pure comfort food that goes with anything, is gorgeous enough for the holidays and a superstar at brunch!

Horseradish Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese & Garlic

 Everything deserves a touch of special, even regular ol’ everyday mashed potatoes.  Yes, mashed potatoes.  If you’ve got 30 minutes, you’ve got just what it takes to take your Easter meal from “well…” to “whoa!” with these Horseradish Mashed Potatoes loaded with cream cheese and garlic!

Fruit Salads & Green Salads

Strawberry Asparagus Salad

Capture everything delicious about spring with this fresh and vibrant Strawberry Asparagus Salad recipe with an easy balsamic vinaigrette! Ideal for Easter, Mother’s Day, cookouts or as a light meal, this gorgeous seasonal salad is as pretty as it is tasty!

Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Strawberries

Hot Bacon Dressing & Spinach Salad

Hot Bacon Dressing is a warm, tangy delight served warm over bright baby spinach, chopped bacon, sliced mushrooms, red onion, and boiled eggs.  Not quite like another other salad dressing, this bacon-ey vinaigrette transforms a  simple spinach salad into something more! 

Classic Pea Salad with Cheese & Bacon

Classic 7 Layer Pea Salad

Bright & crisp, Classic 7 Layer Pea Salad wows with pops of green peas, salty bacon, cubed cheddar, lettuce, tomato and green onions all topped with a creamy dressing!

Green Salad with Creamy Mayo Vinaigrette

Sometimes a simple green salad is the only partner you need for your favorite dinner recipe. When that’s the case, top your salad with this simple, 1-minute Creamy Mayo Vinaigrette to create a classic house salad that is sure to become your signature dish!

Southern Black Eyed Pea Salad

This classic Southern Black Eyed Pea Salad combines the savory goodness of creamy black eyed peas with the zesty crunch of crisp red and green bell peppers and purple onion, marinated in Italian salad dressing.

Apple, Cheese, Celery Salad

The classic pairing of sweet apples and mildly salty cheese with the crisp crunch of celery and a sprinkling of walnuts makes this Apple, Cheese, Celery Salad an absolute delicacy. 

Classic Fruit Salad with Old Fashioned Century Sauce

This classic fruit salad uses green apples, strawberries, bananas and blueberries.  Shredded, sweetened coconut and chopped walnuts and pecans add texture and flavor! While an old fashioned cream sauce tops it all off.

Ambrosia Fruit Salad with Whipped Cream Dressing

This heavenly fruit salad is wrapped in a light and fluffy whipped cream dressing with a secret ingredient that makes it absolutely the best! Toasted coconut, pineapples, mandarin oranges, strawberries, grapes and bananas become a “to die for” side dish or dessert!

Red & Green Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Orange Dressing

This easy fruit salad is filled with apples, dried cranberries, green grapes, kiwi and strawberries for a cheerful festive look! Tossed in a simple cinnamon orange honey dressing, this crisp and sweetly tart salad appeals to the senses and celebrates all the right flavors of the season.

Brown Sugar Roasted Pineapples

Warm pineapple tossed in just the right amount of caramelized brown sugar and pecans is hard to resist! The perfect partner for ham and other cuts of pork, these pineapples will have you rethinking what a side dish is all about!

Strawberry Jello Salad: A Southern Tradition

Layered Strawberry Jello Salad with its dreamy sour cream layer surrounded by crushed pineapple, bananas, pecans and, of course,  loads of strawberries has made its required appearance in a 9×13 glass baking dish on our family tables for as long as I can remember. 

Blackberry Margarita Ambrosia

 A blackberry margarita ambrosia is just what this season calls for with fat blackberries, pineapple, bright lime and shredded coconut bathed in a dreamy whipped topping cloud!

Tropical Orange Jello Salad

Light & refreshing, this Tropical Orange Jello Salad is loaded with mandarin oranges, pineapple, bananas and topped with a cloud of coconut flavored, sweetened sour cream.

Creamy Southern Coleslaw

Easter Must-Haves

Homestyle Deviled Eggs

Topped with a sliced sweet pickle, chives, and chopped smoky bacon, it’s these picnic toppings that earn these tasty deviled eggs their homestyle name.

Shortcut Pull Apart Rolls

These easy dinner rolls offer up homemade yeast roll goodness with a simple semi-homemade approach!  These tender, buttery rolls are the perfect complement to your Easter feast!

Raspberry Lemon Butter

Not too sweet and not too tart, this light pink lemony raspberry butter is like pure sunshine melting over Easter dinner rolls!

Whipped Coconut & Orange Butter

Easy whipped coconut orange butter is just the thing for adding a little something special to your table. A light blend of tropical coconut & bright citrus, this sweetly flavored cloud of butter will have you thinking of spreads in a whole new way.

Louisiana Shrimp & Crab Deviled Eggs

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

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Filed Under: Holidays, Recipe Collections

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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