The Easter holiday is a great time to bring friends and family together for a meal—but for vegetarians, it can be hard to find a suitable side dish. Because the main course of ham or lamb is typically the star of the show at most Easter dinners, vegetarian side dishes are often an afterthought. Fear not! I’ve come up with some ideas that will help you craft a delicious, original menu that will appeal to everyone’s tastes.
We have a few vegetarian side dishes for Easter in the article below
Best Easter Vegetarian Side Dishes
1. Asparagus with Parmesan
Asparagus is a delicious and nutritious vegetable that you can buy all year round, but it’s a wonderful springtime treat. This recipe of asparagus with parmesan and lemon is easy to make and takes only 20 minutes. Pair it with your main course of lamb or ham for an easy side dish.
2. Lemon Garlic Green Beans
If you want to try something different than the usual mashed potatoes for your next Sunday dinner, try this recipe for lemon garlic green beans. This dish can be made in 15 minutes, so it’s great for when you want to whip up something quick and simple. The garlic gives it that extra flavor that makes this dish really stand out from other green bean recipes.
3. Roasted Spring Vegetables
Vegetarian side dishes for Easter should highlight the fresh flavors of spring, and this Roasted Spring vegetable recipe does just that. The recipe is versatile too—you can switch up the vegetables depending on what you have on hand. Asparagus and green beans can be swapped in for broccoli, or red onion, and shallot can be used in place of yellow onion. Another bonus? This recipe is also gluten-free!
4. Creamy Potatoes au Gratin
Potatoes are a classic side dish at both Thanksgiving and Easter tables, but they don’t have to be boring. This Creamy Potatoes au Gratin recipe brings out all the best of a traditional potato gratin but with a twist: It’s made with sour cream and mascarpone, making it delightfully creamy. You’ll want to make sure to use a cast-iron skillet to get those delectable crispy edges too!
5. Air Fryer Asparagus
Asparagus is one of the most popular vegetables for Easter dinner, and air frying it is one of the easiest ways to prep it. Just toss your cleaned asparagus in a bowl with some vegetable oil, salt, and pepper, then spread them out in the bottom of your air fryer basket without overlapping. Set your air fryer to 400 degrees, and let it cook for around 8 minutes. If you like crispier asparagus, you can cook it a few minutes longer. Serve hot alongside slices of bread or other Easter dinner menu items!
6. Chopped Asparagus Salad
This dish is an easy way to take your asparagus salad to the next level. First, prep a large bowl with baby spinach and chopped red onion. Next, prepare your asparagus by cutting off about 1 inch from the bottom of each stalk; then chop them into bite-sized pieces and add them to the bowl. Toss everything together with your favorite salad dressing (we recommend a creamy balsamic vinaigrette), garnish with parmesan cheese if you like, and serve chilled!
7. Honey Roasted Carrots
For those who prefer their carrots on the sweeter side, these honey-roasted carrots are an easy side dish that will be gobbled up quickly. The honey adds just a touch of sweetness and the garlic adds a subtle flavor that makes these carrots stand out from regular steamed or boiled carrots. The honey also helps the carrots caramelize in the oven for an extra burst of flavor. You can easily make these in a toaster oven if you don’t want to heat up your kitchen in warm weather.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Toss carrots with honey, olive oil, and sea salt. Arrange the carrots in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until tender and golden brown. Remove from oven and sprinkle with minced thyme.
8. Roasted Garlic Parmesan Baby Potatoes
Made with baby potatoes, garlic cloves and grated Parmesan cheese, these roasted garlic parmesan baby potatoes are sure to please everyone at your Easter meal.
9. Pesto Asparagus
Asparagus is one of the best vegetables to pair with pesto. The dynamic combination of flavors and textures make this dish an instant crowd-pleaser. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Meanwhile, combine 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1/2 cup basil leaves, and 1/2 cup walnuts in a food processor or blender until smooth. Trim about an inch off the bottom of a pound of asparagus spears and toss them in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper. Lay them out on a baking sheet and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender. Once they’re done cooking, drizzle them with the pesto. Serve warm or at room temperature.
10. Arugula and Roasted Carrot Salad with Goat Cheese
This simple, 5-ingredient side dish is bursting with flavor. The sweet roasted carrots are the perfect balance for the peppery arugula and tangy goat cheese. You can also make this salad ahead of time, so you have one less thing to worry about on Easter Day.
11. Asparagus Tart
This delicious tart is inspired by a traditional French dish called Flammekueche, or Tarte Flambée, which is basically a pizza with a thin crispy crust and a white cream sauce base instead of tomato sauce. The dish originated in Alsace and is typically made with onions and bacon. I’ve substituted thinly sliced asparagus for the onions and taken out the bacon for a vegetarian-friendly version that still boasts all the rich flavor of its meaty original.
12. Lemon Parmesan Asparagus
Lemon Parmesan Asparagus is a simple recipe that takes advantage of the asparagus’s natural flavor and pairs it with fresh lemon and Parmesan cheese.
Roasted Asparagus and Mushrooms is another simple asparagus recipe that calls on the oven to do most of the work. This dish pairs the asparagus with mushrooms, which are also a good addition to your Easter feast. The roasted vegetables are then topped with balsamic vinegar and olive oil for extra flavor.
13. Roasted Asparagus and Mushrooms
We love this recipe because it can serve as the main course on its own (if you’re having a small crowd) or as a side dish for larger gatherings. It’s also prepped and ready in about 30 minutes flat. Roasted mushrooms and asparagus are seasoned with salt and pepper and drizzled with olive oil before roasting for about 15 minutes at 400 degrees. If you want to add a little zest, try tossing the veggies with lemon juice before serving!
14. Creamed Spinach
If you’re looking for a way to make your guests forget this dish is vegetarian, look no further. It has a rich, cream sauce and a lot of butter, so it’s sure to taste decadent. This recipe is especially great because it can be made in advance and then warmed up right before serving, which means less stress on the big day.
15. Spring Pesto Pasta Salad with Asparagus
This pasta salad is as gorgeous as it is tasty. The bright colors from the vegetables are sure to add some color to your dinner table, and the crunchy pine nuts will add some nice texture. It also happens to be both gluten-free and vegan, making this an ideal dish for a dinner party where there are many dietary restrictions among your guests.
16. Easy Roasted Cauliflower
Cauliflower has been on trend lately, and we have no problem with that—it’s got a great flavor and is super easy to cook. For this recipe, all you need is one head of cauliflower, about a tablespoon of olive oil for coating the veggies, some salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. For best results, spread your florets evenly on a baking sheet so they’ll roast evenly; this should take about 15-30 minutes at 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
17. Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
If there are kids in your family, they might prefer this variation on mashed potatoes that tastes like dessert—but don’t worry! These potatoes have only half the fat of regular mashed potatoes, so they’re a healthier option. The only ingredients you need are mascarpone cheese, butter and milk (any kind will do) to mix with russet or yukon gold potatoes. The mascarpone cheese will leave them creamy without the need for whipping cream or extra butter.
Vegans can still enjoy mashed potatoes! Try this recipe using coconut milk instead of regular milk—it’ll give you that same creaminess while being dairy-free.
18. Lemon Asparagus Soup with Parmesan
There’s really no better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than with a bowl of asparagus soup. This creamy delight is brightened by the addition of fresh lemon juice, which balances out the richness of the parmesan cheese. Try it as an appetizer or a side dish; either way, your guests will be begging for more.
19. Mediterranean Chickpea Wedge Salad
This healthy salad is sure to be a hit with all your guests. Toasted chickpeas provide protein and fiber, while artichokes, red onion, and olives add a touch of Mediterranean flare. The tangy vinaigrette is made with olive oil and apple cider vinegar. It’s guaranteed to become part of your repertoire year-round!
20. Roasted Garlic Green Beans (Air Fryer or Oven)
These roasted garlic green beans are ready in under 20 minutes and can be made in the air fryer or oven. They are crispy, garlicky, and absolutely delicious!
21. Creamy Brussels Sprouts Bake
Creamy Brussels Sprouts Bake is made with fresh brussels sprouts, bacon, and cream cheese. It’s a great side dish for any holiday meal (and it’s really easy to make)!
22. Easy Ham and Potatoes Au Gratin
Ham and potatoes au gratin is a rich and flavorful dish that’s perfect for the holiday table. The name comes from the French verb gratter, which means to scrape or scratch. Au gratin dishes are roasted with bread crumbs or cheese on top so they develop a thick crust that can be scraped up with a fork! You can use butter in place of bacon grease if you’re making this recipe vegan-friendly. The potatoes are cooked until tender and then sprinkled with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before being baked golden brown. This dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any Easter dinner!
23. Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad
Orzo pasta salad is a great side dish for any occasion but especially on Easter Sunday because it doesn’t have any meat in it (so it’s vegetarian-friendly). This recipe calls for cherry tomatoes, red onion slices and feta cheese cubes tossed together with cooked orzo pasta noodles and dressed in olive oil vinegar dressing. The salad is then garnished with dried oregano and black pepper. This is a great pasta salad to take to potluck dinners, too!
24. Air Fryer Spring Vegetable “Stir Fry”
This colorful, crunchy vegetable mix combines sugar snap peas, carrots, zucchini and cherry tomatoes in a quick homemade marinade of soy sauce, sesame oil, and Sriracha. It’s a fresh and flavorful way to load up on veggies that won’t weigh you down.
25. Light Cream of Broccoli Soup
This creamy soup is rich with the taste of broccoli—and it comes together in just half an hour. Using lower-fat milk, plain yogurt and light butter keep it from being too heavy, making it an ideal starter for your meal. The recipe makes 8 servings, so if you aren’t feeding a crowd, you’ll have plenty left over for a last-minute lunch or dinner later in the week.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve got a few more recipes to add to your repertoire, you can have truly delicious vegetarian side dishes for easter. While these dishes are tasty enough on their own, they also pair well with many traditional Easter dinner courses.
I hope you try some of these recipes for your next Easter celebration—even if that’s just in your own kitchen! I think it’s the perfect time to share a special meal, and any of these dishes will do just that. If you’re looking for more ideas, or want to add to what you’ve got here, check out my other recipe posts.