Feeling homesick? Make these grandma-approved recipes for Easter
Easter is a time of nostalgia for many, with rose-colored—often literally—memories of getting the whole family together in their Sunday best (I know I’ve got plenty of pastel-tinted family photos lying around), and what better way to celebrate all the great memories of Easter's past than by making a few of Grandma's favorite recipes? From starchy starters to a throwback Easter ham and plenty of retro spring desserts, we’ve got you covered with 12 grandma-approved Easter recipes. Pro tip: Skip the store-bought candy this year; Nana knows best, and her favorite Easter desserts are sure to delight.
Hot Cross Buns
If you’re looking to celebrate Easter the traditional way, then you can’t get much more classic than these hot cross buns. This recipe is filled with plump currants, warming spices, and a bit of lemon zest to brighten it all up.
Scalloped Potatoes & Ham
When it comes to holiday sides, cheesy scalloped potatoes are a near-perfect side dish all on their own. Trust us—when you add salty baked ham into the mix, a match made in heaven is born.
Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
This zingy retro classic glazed ham is a stunner set in the center of a table, and just a few easy sides short of a fantastic feast. Beyond the eye-popping pineapple rings and bright maraschino cherries, the glaze lends a shine and texture to the ham’s caramelized crust.
Carrot Cake
Our tried-and-true recipe checks all the boxes: it's tender, perfectly spiced, filled with all the textures and flavors you’re looking for, and covered with plenty of tangy cream cheese frosting. Whether you're searching for a timeless spring dessert, the centerpiece to your Easter dinner, or the solution to that persistent carrot cake craving, this recipe is bound to be your new go-to.
Corn Casserole
This recipe is our go-to; it's packed with sweet corn, balanced by a pinch of paprika and herby chives, and has an insanely tender and custardy texture that will have you on your third helping before you even know what hit you.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
It may be retro, but this classic cake is a staple dessert for a reason. If you're looking for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, you can't go wrong with this pineapple upside-down cake—it never goes out of style. A sweet pineapple and cherry topping is paired with a light and airy cake for the perfect balanced bite.
Potatoes Au Gratin
If there's one dish we'll never skip at a holiday dinner, it's potatoes au gratin. Infused with garlic and thyme and layered with Gruyère and Parmesan, a bubbling dish of these rich and creamy potatoes always takes center stage.
Rhubarb Pie
In our opinion, no dessert quite screams spring like a classic rhubarb pie. Tart with the perfect amount of sweetness, this pie showcases a jammy filling with a flaky, buttery pie crust. Make it for any spring gathering to take advantage of that beloved seasonal fruit.
Pastitsio
Derived from the Italian word pasticcio, which means “mix” or “hodgepodge,” pastitsio is a classic Greek casserole best described as a cross between lasagna and moussaka. It’s composed of three separate elements—pasta, meat sauce, and a creamy white sauce called a béchamel—which are all made separately before being assembled in three distinct layers in a casserole dish and baked.
Shepherd's Pie
In our book, it doesn't get more classic and comforting than shepherd's pie. The original might use ground lamb, but in our recipe, budget-friendly ground beef is cooked with aromatics and red wine before being combined with corn and peas, all covered with a blanket of velvety, rich mashed potatoes and topped with Parmesan before being broiled until golden brown.
Lemon Meringue Pie
Like most lovers of this classic pie, our favorite part is decorating it with meringue. There’s something extremely satisfying about dolloping it on top of the pie and shaping it into swoops and peaks with the back of a metal spoon. If you're looking for a show-stopping Easter dessert, you can't get much more impressive than this.
Green Bean Casserole
Our tried-and-tested recipe is the most classic version of the iconic side. We ditched the cream of mushroom soup for a homemade cream sauce and fresh sautéed mushrooms, but don’t worry—this dish is still super-simple to make. You only need 8 ingredients and a little over an hour to make it.
