What to Bring to Easter: 18 Crowd-Pleasing Recipes That Travel Well
Whether you’re visiting family or joining a friend’s celebration, showing up with a dish that’s both delicious and transport-friendly is key. These Easter-ready recipes are designed to travel well and wow a crowd, with minimal fuss. From colorful salads and savory sides to sweet treats and make-ahead favorites, these recipes are sure to impress!
Cheesy Potato Casserole
You can’t have a holiday meal without a potato side dish and you are going to love these easy cheesy potatoes! This simple side dish is like a classic potato casserole, but with a little extra flavor added in. They are delicious and super easy if you are looking for something other than mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Potato Casserole.
Mediterranean Charcuterie Board
This Mediterranean board features meat, cheese, olives, pita, veggies and so much more. It’s a great spread to put out and will be a welcome reprise from the sweets and candy. Make your own hummus or lean on store-bought, no one will even know! Prep your items then assemble the board once you’re at your destination.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Charcuterie Board.
Easy Haricots Verts
If you are looking for a simple but elegant Easter side dish then these haricots verts (French green beans) are for you! These thin and tender green beans have a mild flavor and are a welcome side dish among heavier and richer options.
Get the Recipe: Easy Haricots Verts.
Best Shrimp Ceviche
This delicious shrimp ceviche recipe was made for a party! It’s simple, refreshing, and quite impressive. Made with fresh, simple ingredients, just mix them together and allow them to “cook” in the refrigerator for several hours before serving.
Get the Recipe: Best Shrimp Ceviche.
Ham and Potatoes Au Gratin
This ham and potatoes au gratin works as a side for Thanksgiving or a good use of your leftovers if ham is on the menu. Either way, it’s a dish you want to make! Thinly sliced potatoes are layered with smoky ham and creamy gruyere cheese, and everything is soaked in a cream and fresh thyme mixture. It’s as delicious as it sounds!
Get the Recipe: Ham and Potatoes Au Gratin.
Whipped Feta Dip
This whipped feta dip is perfect for parties and gatherings! It’s SO delicious and always a huge hit! Made with flavor boosters like salty feta, savory garlic, and bright lemon, this creamy dip is incredibly flavorful. and can be enjoyed in so many ways. Serve it with plenty of pita chips, veggies, and kalamata olives on the side.
Get the Recipe: Whipped Feta Dip.
Hot Honey Glazed Brussels Sprouts
These oven-roasted Brussels sprouts are tender, sweet, savory, and have a bit of a slow burn from the hot honey – they are absolutely delicious and quickly became our favorite way to enjoy Brussels sprouts. They are easy and made with simple ingredients, but worthy of your holiday tables, too.
Get the Recipe: Hot Honey Glazed Brussels Sprouts.
Lemon Kale Salad
Kale doesn’t always have the best reputation, but when done right, it has the ability to be absolutely delicious! Tender lacinato kale is dressed with a bright lemon dressing, and topped with more flavor from crunchy panko and grated Parmesan cheese. As the kale sits with the dressing it softens and takes on the dressing – no bitter or tough greens here! It’s vibrant, fresh, nutritious, and goes with just about any main dish.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Kale Salad.
Marinated Olives with Feta
This Mediterranean-style appetizer is perfect for any occasion and it pairs nicely with any other appetizers that you may be serving. You will need kalamata and green olives, feta cheese, caperberries, and high-quality olive oil to make this dish. Mix together and serve!
Get the Recipe: Marinated Feta with Olives.
Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
This crockpot cheesy potatoes recipe is loaded with layers of flavors and makes the perfect side for holiday mains. And it’s all made simple in the slow cooker! Made with the same ingredients as my potato casserole, but everything cooks in the slow cooker which can be helpful if you have a full oven on Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes.
Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots
Not only is this honey-glazed carrot recipe incredibly simple to make, but it has delicious natural sweet flavors that work with so many main dishes. The carrots are tossed in a honey, butter, and thyme mixture and roasted until tender-crisp. Yum!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots.
Smoked Salmon Dip
Smoked salmon, fresh dill, red onion, cream cheese, and of course plenty of cold smoked salmon are combined for a delicious and savory salmon dip that everyone is sure to love. Serve it with an assortment of crackers. It’s light, bright, and always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Salmon Dip.
Easy Napa Cabbage Slaw
This crunchy napa cabbage slaw is the coleslaw you’ll make ALL summer long! But, if I’m being honest while it is a star of summer, I make it year-round. It is the perfect side for picnics, grilled dinners, and potlucks. The shredded cabbage is tossed with a apple cider vinaigrette dressing and blue cheese crumbles – each bite has major fresh flavor!
Get the Recipe: Napa Cabbage Slaw.
Trader Joe’s Cheese Platter
When it comes to appetizers you can’t get much easier than a Trader Joe’s cheese platter, and there is something for everyone. This post breaks down two different budget options and exactly what to buy for each option. You will also be able to find most of these items at your local grocery store if you don’t live near a Trader Joe’s!
Get the Recipe: Trader Joe’s Charcuterie Board.
Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a perfect side to make in a pressure cooker. Everything cooks in your Instant Pot and you don’t even need to drain the potatoes! They have incredible flavor from being cooked with garlic, cream cheese, butter, and milk.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
Old Bay Steamed Shrimp
This Old Bay steamed shrimp recipe is a great way to give a classic shrimp cocktail a little upgrade and extra flavor. It’s mild in flavor, but everyone will wonder how you made it because it tastes so good! Serve this shrimp as a peel-and-eat appetizer along with a snack-y spread.
Get the Recipe: Old Bay Steamed Shrimp.
Italian Chopped Salad
Quite possibly my all-time favorite salad and maybe yours, too, this is our go-to house salad and the side to so many dinners. This is the perfect chopped salad – crunchy, well-balanced, and tossed in a flavorful homemade red wine vinaigrette. Each bite is packed with bold Italian flavors.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chopped Salad.
Greek Yogurt Veggie Dip
If you love a classic dill dip, you’ll love this Greek yogurt veggie dip. It has all of the flavor of traditional veggie dip and even has a little protein boost added in since we’re swapping out the sour cream for Greek yogurt. Great for parties as it takes just 5 minutes to prep and it’s a delicious way to enjoy some veggies.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Dill Dip.
