Updated 3/22/26: Plan an Easter meal without breaking the bank! This list of 50+ cheap Easter recipes has everything you need, from Easter brunch and breakfast ideas to main dishes, sides, breads, and desserts. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or keeping it simple this year, you’ll find budget-friendly options for every part of your Easter menu.

50 Cheap Easter Recipes, from Cheap Recipe Blog

Every Easter, I get excited to celebrate the holiday with my family and friends and cook a traditional meal. As a Christian, this holiday has deep meaning and signals not only the start of spring – but also the new life we have in Christ.

If you are planning on cooking an Easter breakfast or Easter dinner, I have 50+ cheap recipe ideas to help you get started. I’ve organized this list into categories: Easter breakfasts and brunch, main courses, vegetarian options, side dishes, breads, and desserts.

This list will help you cook a fabulous Easter meal without spending a lot of money.

Breakfast and Brunch

If you’re planning on making a pre- or post-church breakfast or brunch for Easter, look for recipes that can be made ahead of time or prepped ahead of time so you can avoid a lot of cooking and rushing around in the morning:

The best basic scrambled eggs: How to make perfect scrambled eggs every time. Click through for recipe!

You can also consider making an Easter brunch board which is customizable and easy to assemble:

Easter brunch board: Create a board full of foods perfect for an Easter brunch celebration.

Easter Main Dishes

Are you hosting Easter dinner? While there are certain foods synonymous with Easter – ham and eggs, for example – there are so many different dishes that will be appropriate for this holiday meal. Here are a few Easter main dish recipe ideas to get you started:

Scalloped potatoes and ham: The extra creamy, curdle-free recipe. Click through for instructions!

Vegetarian Easter Recipes

Here are a few meatless options for your Easter dinner:

Make an Easter veggie tray with a variety of colorful vegetables and a buttermilk ranch dipping sauce.

Easter Side Dishes

If you’re serving Easter dinner, consider making one or two main dishes as well as several side dishes for your guests:

How to make raisin sauce for ham. Pantry staples make up this simple sauce that's perfect for your Easter ham.

Salads

A salad will freshen and lighten your dinner up. These Easter salad suggestions are quite varied, from green salads to sweet, dessert-like salads that add something welcome and sweet to your guests’ dinner plates.

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Lentil, grape, feta, walnut salad recipe: SUCH a wonderful blend of flavors and textures. You have to try this recipe!

Bread

Every Easter dinner needs at least one good bread options. Hot cross buns are a traditional option, but there are lots of options to explore:

Perfect dinner rolls recipe. My great aunt's family-famous recipe. Click through for instructions!

Desserts and Easter Treats

We can’t forget the Easter desserts! Consider making one of two of these recipes, or ask a guest to bring one if you’re open to a potluck-style Easter meal.

Cheap recipes for Easter from Cheap Recipe Blog

Leftover Ham Recipes

If you have leftover Easter ham (lucky you!), make one of these recipes:

Or reheat ham and eat as-is: You can eat the leftover ham cold, or reheat it in the oven in a baking dish, with a bit of broth or water. Heat at 325F for 15 to 20 minutes, until heated through.

And don’t forget the lent & Easter activities for kids! Check out these free lent coloring pages and fun Easter activities, and Easter board books. It’s fun to involve the whole family when you’re planning an Easter meal and celebrating the true meaning behind Easter – the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Happy Easter!

Frequently Asked Questions About Easter Recipes

What is a traditional Easter meal?

A traditional Easter dinner typically centers around ham or lamb as the main dish, accompanied by sides like scalloped potatoes, roasted vegetables, deviled eggs, and dinner rolls. Desserts often include carrot cake, strawberry pie, or a fruit-based treat that celebrates spring flavors.

What is a good cheap Easter dinner?

A budget-friendly Easter dinner can be built around a bone-in ham, which is one of the most affordable proteins per serving you can buy — especially around Easter when they go on sale. Round it out with inexpensive sides like mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, a simple green salad, and dinner rolls. You can feed a family of 6-8 for as little as $30-40.

Q: How do I feed a crowd on Easter without spending a lot?

A: The key is to choose one affordable main dish – like a slow cooker ham or a simple roasted chicken – and fill the rest of the table with budget-friendly sides and salads. Asking guests to bring a dish potluck-style is another great way to spread the cost while adding variety to the meal.

What can I make for Easter brunch ahead of time?

Overnight baked French toast, breakfast casseroles, and granola are all great make-ahead Easter brunch options. Preparing dishes the night before means less stress on Easter morning, especially if you’re attending a church service before eating.

What do you do with leftover Easter ham?

Leftover ham is incredibly versatile. Use it in ham and corn chowder, ham and cheese sliders, fried rice, or a simple ham salad for sandwiches. You can also freeze leftover ham in portions to use in recipes throughout the weeks ahead.

What are easy Easter desserts to make?

Some of the easiest Easter desserts include no-bake options like carrot cake balls and Easter muddy buddies, as well as simple baked treats like brownies and sheet cakes. If you’re short on time, a store-bought cake dressed up with Easter candy and decorations is always a crowd-pleaser.

How much does an Easter dinner cost?

A simple Easter dinner for 6-8 people can cost as little as $30-50 depending on where you shop and what’s on sale. Building your menu around a bone-in ham, simple vegetable sides, and homemade bread or rolls is one of the most budget-friendly ways to host a holiday meal.