The ultimate Easter Sunday lunch
Serve a special Easter Sunday lunch for family and friends. We've gathered the best starters, mains, sides, desserts and drinks for your celebration
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 six 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. 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.
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. Smoked trout & radish remoulade tartines
Another no-cook starter perfect for feeding a crowd is our smoked trout & remoulade tartines. The creaminess of the fish works perfectly with the zesty lemon and capers, with the celeriac and apple providing a fresh kick.
Discover more trout recipes.
4. Minted melon, tomato & prosciutto salad
Quality produce will ensure the melon, heirloom tomatoes and salty prosciutto marry beautifully. It’s the perfect sharing platter to kick off your Easter lunch, as it means everyone can get stuck in. Just make sure everyone’s sharing! As no cooking is involved, it can be on the table in 10 minutes, so you don’t have to miss any of the festivities yourself.
Discover more melon recipes.
5. Spring lamb skewers with lightly pickled allotment salad
If you want to impress guests with flavour at your Easter feast but aren’t looking to spend the entire day cooking, these spring lamb skewers are the starter for you. They can be prepared in 30 minutes or made the night before to give the lamb maximum marinating time. On the day, just whip up the pickled allotment salad and barbecue the skewers for 3-4 minutes.
Discover more barbecue skewer recipes.
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. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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
11. Dauphinoise potatoes
Garlicky potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to lamb, and our slow-cooked dauphinoise is sure to impress. Make this classic potato bake extra-luxurious with double cream, and add gruyère for an extra-cheesy hit, if you like. Serve alongside fresh spring vegetables and sweet, seasonal baby carrots.
For more tips and tricks on making the ultimate dauphinoise potatoes, check out our 10 tips for next-level dauphinoise potatoes.
12. 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.
13. Purple sprouting broccoli, jersey royal, burrata & anchovy salad
Purple sprouting broccoli takes centre stage in this decadent potato salad that includes a whole ball of burrata. The dressing, comprised of shallots, garlic, chilli, anchovies, lemon zest and juice, mustard, honey, olive oil, and tahini, creates a balanced flavour profile of sweet, salty and zesty, working beautifully with the creaminess of the burrata and freshness of the roasted broccoli.
Discover more purple sprouting broccoli recipes.
14. Baked new potatoes with wilted wild garlic
Roasted potatoes are an elite side dish for any Easter roast, but these baked new potatoes take them to the next level. Flavoured with wild garlic, these potatoes can be paired with meat or fish, and are a healthy alternative to other forms of potato. If you’re not a fan of wild garlic, replace it with watercress for an equally vibrant spring side dish.
Discover more wild garlic recipes.
15. 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
16. Vegan chocolate cake
This easy vegan chocolate cake makes the perfect Easter dessert that everyone can enjoy. Replace standard chocolate with dairy-free alternatives, and your guests will be none the wiser! Decorate with seasonal fruits or additional vegan Easter treats. For our favourite Easter eggs, including vegan-friendly ones, check out our Good Food Easter Taste Awards 2023.
17. 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.
18. Vegan simnel cake
Make a vegan-friendly version of a classic simnel cake this Easter so everyone can enjoy a treat. Get kids involved by showing them how cooking with alternatives can be both easy and fun. It can also be an opportunity to explain the story behind simnel cake's traditional decorations. Use a kitchen blowtorch to quickly achieve that signature burnished look on the marzipan – though that’s certainly an adult’s job.
Discover more vegan cake recipes.
19. 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 no-bake cheesecake recipes.
20. Easter nest cake
This Easter nest cake is a spectacular sight, covered in eggs of all shapes and sizes. It’s a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen, as this recipe is simple to follow – there are only four steps, and there's a helpful tutorial video to guide them, too.
Discover more Easter egg cake recipes.
Get more Easter inspiration
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Vegetarian Easter menu ideas
How to use wild garlic
Vegan Easter menu ideas
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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.