30 Impressive Easter Dinners That Aren't Ham or Lamb

Nicole’s Best Lasagna Recipe

Test kitchen chef and host of Mom vs. Nicole McLaughlin shares her personal recipe for the absolute best homemade lasagna. And trust us, she doesn’t throw the word “best” around lightly. 

Coriander Chicken Thighs with Spring Vegetables, Gnocchi, and Lemon-Butter Sauce Recipe

Succulent, crispy-skinned thighs, vibrant veggies, and pillowy potato dumplings, all dressed in a luscious lemon-butter pan sauce—really, what more could you ask for? Treat yourself to a chicken dinner that’s 100% as impressive as it sounds.

Crispy Sheet Pan Salmon with Lemony Asparagus and Carrots Recipe

This heart-healthy sheet pan dish features both minimal prep time and simple cleanup thanks to its setup. Flavor wise, tangy Dijon mustard and fresh dill perk up fresh, tender salmon, while panko adds a nice crunch. A fresh squeeze of lemon after the dish bakes adds just the right amount of tanginess.

Spring Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

We use cauliflower for the topping instead of the usual mashed potatoes; cauliflower has twice the fiber and about a fourth of the carbs. For a gluten-free version, use 2 tablespoons cornstarch in place of the all-purpose flour in step 3.

Skillet Chicken Thighs with Spring Vegetables and Shallot Vinaigrette Recipe

This elegant single-skillet meal for two is deceptively easy to make. Ready in under an hour, this skillet chicken dinner includes your protein (perfectly golden-crisp chicken thighs), green veggies (peas and asparagus), a starch (baby Yukon gold potatoes), and a whole lot of vibrant flavor (hello, shallot vinaigrette).

Oven-Fried Chicken with Spring Salad Recipe

Making crispy, golden-brown chicken is ­possible on a weeknight if you use the oven instead of the stove-top. Enjoy the contrast between the hot cooked chicken and the tangy caper-and-lemon vinaigrette.

Spring Vegetable Pasta Alfredo Recipe

Our seasonal pasta toss is made luscious and rich with a lighter take on alfredo sauce. Instead of using heavy cream, we employ flour-thickened 2% milk enriched with cream cheese. We also switch from traditional Parmesan to more robust pecorino Romano, which allows us to use less cheese while still achieving the same flavor impact. We love the flavor of Bionaturae brand whole-wheat pasta, which is milder than most other brands we’ve tried and doesn't overpower the vegetables.

Chicken Fricassee with Spring Vegetables Recipe

A comforting stew of chicken and vegetables in a velvety pan sauce hits the spot on a cool spring evening. Best of all, it comes together in 45 minutes, and you'll only have to use a single skillet.

Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemony Greens and Grains Recipe

This healthy, hearty skillet supper is easy enough for a weeknight meal but special enough for dinner with company. Regular farro can take 30 minutes to cook. To cut down on cook time, look for 10 Minute Farro at Trader Joe’s or Simply Balanced microwavable farro at Target.

Spring Carbonara Recipe

Fresh asparagus and peas lend a bright spring flavor to the classic bacon, egg yolk, and Parmesan carbonara sauce. To get just the right amount of drippings for the base of the sauce, go for center-cut bacon and cook it slowly over low heat.

Sheet Pan Salmon, Green Beans, and Potatoes  Recipe

A complete sheet pan dinner that feeds 4 people in just 40 minutes? It doesn't get much better than this fuss-free dinner prep method. You'll only need a few pantry-staple ingredients in addition to the fish, veggies, and potatoes. The Tzaziki sauce is optional, but we highly suggest serving it with the final dish for over-the-top flavor.

Sheet Pan Baked Tilapia with Roasted Vegetables Recipe

Arrange the fish and the broccoli-carrot mixture on the same pan for quick cleanup. Add lemon wedges and bring to the table for a gorgeous presentation.

Braised Bluefish and Spring Vegetables in Spiced Coconut Broth Recipe

This Braised Bluefish and Spring Vegetables in Spiced Coconut Broth tastes (and looks!) impressive, but the easy dish actually comes together in under half an hour.

Spring Vegetable Soup Recipe

Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock to make this a vegetarian dish.

Citrus Roasted Salmon Recipe

Though easy to make and only requiring five ingredients, this elegant roasted salmon is a supremely impressive main dish—especially for the holidays, when citrus season is in full swing. Topping the salmon with orange and lime rounds not only infuses the oily fish with flavor, but it makes for a beautiful display.

Cod with Herbed Pea Relish Recipe

Here's a quick and easy dish: Top simply seasoned cod fillets with a fresh spring relish of peas, shallots, capers, lime juice, oregano, and red pepper. The result? A healthy dinner you've made in just minutes.

Seared Cod with Bacon, Braised Fennel, and Kale Recipe

Sear the cod fillets in the bacon drippings first to get a good crust; then add back to the pan, and cover so they can steam and impart their juices to the vegetable mixture. You can also use grouper or snapper.

Chicken Asparagus Pasta Recipe

Our Chicken Asparagus Pasta celebrates spring flavors, but it still easy and comes together quickly. The creamy sauce is balanced by the lemon juice and zest, which cuts the fat and makes the dish feel a little lighter. Feel free to add other in-season produce, like chopped Brussels sprouts or garlic scapes.

One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice Recipe

Another winner, winner, chicken dinner! You can’t miss when budget-friendly chicken thighs are cooked to golden brown, nestled into a bed of rice and vegetables, and dressed with a honey-chile sauce. This is truly a one-pan recipe, making clean-up a breeze.

Simple Sheet Pan Chicken And Veggies Recipe

Comforting, savory, and satisfying, this sheet pan chicken dinner is perfect for weeknights. The chicken has a crispy, slightly salty skin with a juicy, tender interior. Meanwhile, the vegetables get lightly bathed in the chicken’s buttery juices.

Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Chicken with Cauliflower and Carrots Recipe

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a sheet pan supper that’s high on flavor and low on cleanup. This tangy sheet pan chicken supper gets a little kick from cayenne pepper that’s balanced in the sauce with caramelized grapes. Roasted cauliflower and carrots offer a savory touch to the dinner, while couscous makes it hearty and healthy.

Sheet Pan Seafood Bake with Buttery Wine Sauce Recipe

We have a saying around here: A good sheet pan dinner is always a winner. And this quick and easy steak and veggie supper is a shining example. It’s a delicious taste of what cookbook author Julie Grimes offers in $10 Dinners: Delicious Meals for a Family of 4 that Don't Break the Bank.

Sheet Pan Steak with Blistered Veggies Recipe

We have a saying around here: A good sheet pan dinner is always a winner. And this quick and easy steak and veggie supper is a shining example. It’s a delicious taste of what cookbook author Julie Grimes offers in $10 Dinners: Delicious Meals for a Family of 4 that Don't Break the Bank; grab a copy today for more family-friendly recipes that are equally friendly on your wallet. 

Sheet-Pan Shrimp Scampi with Broccoli and Tomatoes Recipe

Shrimp Scampi, a no-fail family favorite, has legitimately never been easier—oh, and we upgraded it with veggies, too. All the flavorful magic of this recipe happens on the sheet pan: Roasting shrimp, cooking broccoli and tomatoes, and creating a vibrantly mouthwatering lemon-butter sauce. Once you pull all of the saucy scampi goodness from the oven, simply serve over cooked pasta  or polenta with crusty bread. And there you have it, only 2 pans to wash (your sheet pan and the pot you boil your starch in) and a well-rounded, delicious dinner that only took a matter of minutes to make. This, my friends, is how you win a weeknight. 

Everything Bagel Roasted Salmon Recipe

Everything bagel seasoning is an easy but unexpected way to add punch to salmon; the onion flavor is subtle, and the added crunch provides a nice textural contrast to the tender fish. Brushing on honey and mustard adds the perfect sweet and tangy kick.

Roasted Salmon with Oranges, Beets, and Carrots Recipe

This sheet pan main is as elegant as it is easy. Serve on any weeknight, or for guests with a whole-grain side and seasonal salad. One large (1 1/2-lb.) fillet, also called a side of salmon, will stay moist at the higher oven temperature. If using individually portioned fillets (about 6 oz. each); bake at 400°F for 10 minutes.

Roast Chicken With Dukkah and Citrus Over Roasted Vegetables Recipe

This recipe for savory roast chicken and vegetables comes from NYC-based chef and cookbook author, Seamus Mullen. If you find yourself with leftovers, put them to good use in this satisfying soup. 

Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe

Weeknight dinner doesn't get easier than this—we're talking cheesy, gooey, and ready in a flash. The next time the craving for hearty, comfort food strikes, just remember, Instant Pot Lasagna has your back.

Ultimate Tomahawk Steak Recipe

Whether you're sharing it with a loved one or serving it up to your family, this steak is destined to impress. Be sure to call your butcher ahead of time to reserve a tomahawk. 

Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Elegant dinners don't have to take a long time and a ton of effort—this one only takes 10 minutes.