Easter is a great time to gather together friends and family to enjoy the very best food and wines. Make Sunday lunch something special by following our classic menu plan – start with a fresh veg soup, then enjoy roast lamb with all the trimmings, followed by a decadent chocolate tart. Whether you’re going for a traditional Easter dinner, spring chicken pie or a meat-free alternative, we’ve got a variety of options.
This crowd-pleasing menu serves a minimum of four people, so it’s perfect if you’re catering for guests or extended family. We’ve also made several alternative suggestions for each course, so you can mix and match according to diet and preferences.
If you and your loved ones don’t eat meat and want vegetarian or vegan inspiration, check out our best vegetarian Easter recipes and vegan Easter ideas. If you don’t want Easter to ruin your healthy eating style, we’ve also put together the best feel-good feast, full of nutritious recipes, in our healthy Easter lunch menu. And, if you’d rather keep lunch light and leave the real foodie festivities for dinner, check out our Easter dinner ideas. And don’t forget to whet your whistle with a delectable Easter cocktail (mini egg martini, anyone?). If you want to create a pretty table for guests, check out our best Easter table decoration ideas with spring plates, candles, ornaments and more.
Tips for a stress-free Easter lunch
- Plan your menu around seasonal veg and lighter starters, such as soups. Opt for make-ahead starters and sides, like our trout rillette, to save time on the day.
- Choose mains that can be prepped in advance, such as spring chicken pot pie, which can be frozen and cooked on the day.
- Prioritise desserts that can be made ahead, such as Easter egg cheesecake or simnel cake, so you can focus on the main meal.
- Rest roasted meats while finishing off sides, making the most of your oven space and ensuring everything is served hot.
- Delegate tasks where possible: assign sides or salads to guests, or ask someone to organise the Easter egg hunt or other games. For ideas, see our guide on how to throw an Easter egg hunt.
- If you prefer not to serve lamb, try slow-roasted mutton shoulder for a sustainable main or spring chicken pot pie for a budget-friendly alternative. For a meat-free option, spanakopita or wild garlic & mushroom lasagne both make excellent centrepieces.
- Create a beautiful Easter table with spring-themed plates, candles and ornaments. Explore our best Easter table decorations for ideas.
- Use shop-bought pastry or pre-prepared ingredients for certain dishes to reduce time spent in the kitchen.
- Prepare as much as possible the day before, including salads, sauces and some sides.
- Get children involved in simple baking or decorating tasks, such as making Easter nest cakes or helping with simnel cake decorations.
For more advice and recipes, visit our Easter hub, browse our best Easter baking recipes, or explore our easy entertaining recipes.
Starter
1. Pea, mint & spring onion soup with parmesan biscuits
Kick off your meal with a stylish springtime starter packed full of feel-good greens. For best results, liquidise the soup while it’s still hot. The parmesan tuiles are packed with cheesy flavour, but are incredibly delicate and brittle, so handle with care when serving. You can make both the soup and biscuits a day ahead and store in an airtight container, keeping the tuiles between sheets of baking parchment.
Discover more pea soup recipes.
2. Salmon & prawns with dill & lime aïoli
This starter is perfect if you’re entertaining a crowd this Easter. It can be prepared in just 15 minutes with no cooking involved. Simply mix mayo with garlic, herbs and a squeeze of lime, and arrange your plate as you wish. Keeping it light prepares your stomach for the feast to come.
Discover more smoked salmon recipes.
3. Trout rillette with rye toast
We’ve replaced salmon with trout here as it’s more sustainable and just as delicious. It’s ideal to make the day before – perfect for prepping for a special Easter lunch. When you’re ready to serve, place lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over.
Discover more trout recipes.
4. Cucumber, dill, smoked trout & sesame salad
Put cucumber centre stage in this smoked trout salad with eggs and sourdough croutons. Served on a platter, it looks impressive yet is deceptively easy to make, with a delicious combination of crispy croutons, jammy eggs and flaky trout.
Check out more spring-style salads.
5. Radish & broad bean bruschetta
Sticky, sweet, peppery radishes are paired with a zesty radish leaf and broad bean spread in this spring-inspired bruschetta. It’s a great way to use up seasonal radishes and makes for a lighter twist on classic tomato bruschetta.
Discover more ways to use up radish.
Main
6. Roast lamb studded with rosemary & garlic
Make traditional spring lamb the centrepiece of your celebratory lunch. This simple and succulent roast leg is studded with rosemary and garlic for a real flavour boost. If you have time, do this a day in advance so the herbs can really permeate the meat. Arm yourself with all the essential roasting gadgets to help achieve the perfect results.
If you want a more adventurous flavour profile, try our slow-cooked lamb marinated in prunes, pomegranate molasses & spices. It pairs perfectly with boulangère potatoes.
Discover more roast lamb recipes.
7. Slow-roasted mutton shoulder with garlic bean mash & gremolata
Mutton has a great depth of flavour, and more home-cooks are looking to incorporate it into their meals as a more sustainable option, which is cheaper than lamb. In this recipe, we’ve paired it with a zesty gremolata and a rich bean mash for a great centrepiece dish for your Easter table.
8. Spanakopita
Try our beautifully flaky spanakopita recipe for a meat-free main that will impress your guests. Using shop-bought filo pastry alleviates pressure and means this showstopper can be prepared in just 10 minutes. If you have leftovers, you can also avoid waste by freezing them – a great midweek meal when reheated.
Discover more Greek recipes.
9. Spring chicken pot pie
Celebrate Easter with this spring chicken pot pie. It’s kinder on your wallet than traditional roast lamb, but equally enjoyable. Plus, you can freeze the pie uncooked, so all the preparation can be done in advance. This means you can enjoy all the festivities on the day, such as the Easter egg hunt. Check out our guide for throwing the best Easter egg hunt.
Discover more chicken pie recipes.
10. Wild garlic & mushroom lasagne
Make the most of the short wild garlic season in early spring in the UK with our vegetarian mushroom lasagne recipe, where it’s used to infuse the silky white sauce. You’ll enjoy the most satisfying cheese pulls from this main. Cut through the richness by pairing it with a refreshing tomato salad, such as our garden tomato salad or rainbow tomato salad.
Discover more lasagne recipes.
11. Italian-style roast cabbage wedges with tomato lentils
This roast cabbage with crisp, caramelised leaves on the outside and a soft, sweet centre makes a beautiful vegan centrepiece. Serve with our Italian-inspired lentils and golden roast new potatoes.
Discover more vegan lentil recipes.
Sides
12. Baked feta & bean salad
Creamy butter beans are tossed with asparagus, green pepper and honey-baked feta to make this vibrant veggie salad. It’s gluten-free and high in fibre, too.
Check out more feta salad recipes.
13. Smashed roast new potatoes with smoked mackerel pâté
Take your love of roasties further with Barney’s recipe for smashed new potatoes. New potatoes are lightly crushed before roasting to create an extra-crispy skin. Paired with a smoked mackerel pâté, watch them disappear in minutes.
Discover more roast potato recipes.
14. Radish salad
Make the most of seasonal radishes in this beautiful springtime salad, layered with creamy burrata, pangrattato and lemon zest. Serve with warm focaccia for scooping, or as part of a charcuterie spread.
Take a browse through our vegetarian salad recipes.
15. Spring green salad with parsley & blue cheese
This vibrant spring green salad with blue cheese, quinoa and walnuts makes a flavourful and high-fibre side dish while remaining low in calories. It’s also incredibly versatile, as you can easily replace the spring greens with kale or chard.
Discover more salad recipe ideas.
16. Next level cauliflower cheese
If you’re a fan of roasted cauliflower, this next level cauliflower cheese is for you. Coat your cauliflower in a decadent cheese sauce that packs a punch, thanks to spices and crispy onions. The breadcrumb and onion topping provides the necessary crunch needed to counter the oozing cheese sauce and fall-apart cauliflower.
Discover more cauliflower cheese recipes.
Dessert
17. Easter egg cheesecake
Prepare this no-bake vanilla cheesecake for a beautiful centrepiece to end your Easter feast. Decorate with all your favourite chocolate eggs. We’ve gone for mini chocolate eggs, but why not go all out and chuck on pieces of leftover chocolate Easter eggs, too?
Discover more Easter dessert recipes as well as our best ever no-bake cheesecakes.
18. Rhubarb, almond & custard sponge pudding
Celebrate tart and tangy rhubarb while it’s still in season with this moreish sponge pudding, featuring comforting custard and almond flavours. Serve with ice cream or double cream for a crowd-pleasing comfort dessert.
Check out more gloriously pink rhubarb recipes.
19. Easy apricot tart
Take a break from all the chocolate and impress guests with our easy apricot and marzipan tart. You’ll make the marzipan, but use ready-rolled puff pasty and canned apricots for ease.
Discover more fruit tart recipes.
20. Simnel cake
Celebrate Easter with a classic simnel cake, packed with dried fruit and spices and topped with marzipan. Getting the kids involved makes a good opportunity to explain the story behind the cake’s traditional decorations. Use a kitchen blowtorch to quickly achieve that signature look on the marzipan – though that’s certainly the adult’s job.
Discover our vegan simnel cake for an impressive dairy-free alternative.
Get more Easter inspiration
Easter recipes
Vegetarian Easter menu ideas
How to use wild garlic
Vegan Easter menu ideas
Easy entertaining recipes
The best Easter baking recipes
Chocolate recipes
Easter cake recipes
Hot cross bun recipes
Will you be entertaining a crowd this Easter? Let us know what you cook.
