32 Small-Batch Southern Easter Recipes

Sauteed Radishes with Bacon
Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox

If you, like many of us, are hosting a smaller celebration than normal this year, we have you covered with small-batch Easter recipes that run the gamut, from perfectly baked ham to classic potato salad to signature spring desserts like strawberry-pretzel pie and pineapple upside-down cake. Each one isn't made to feed a huge crowd, which ensures you won't be left with mountains of Tupperware-encased leftovers. But who doesn't love a little bit of leftovers anyhow?

No matter how small this year's Easter gathering ends up being, here are 40 easy Easter recipes that are sure to spread joy.

01 of 32

Buttermilk Biscuits with Ham

Buttermilk Biscuits with Ham
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits with Ham

Enter the most perfect Easter main dish for a low-key celebration ever. Pair with one of our fun biscuit spreads, like Creole Mayonnaise.

02 of 32

Mini Cheese Grits Casseroles

Mini Cheese Grits Casseroles
Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Mini Cheese Grits Casseroles

Fewer people than usual? This is the ideal time to make a personalized grits casserole for each! Also try out our fan-fave Cheddar Cheese Grits Casserole.

03 of 32

Pineapple Casserole

Pineapple Casserole
Southern Living

Recipe: Pineapple Casserole

No Easter is complete without a dish full of Southern pineapple casserole.

04 of 32

Asparagus Quiche

Asparagus Quiche
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Asparagus Quiche

We call this our "company quiche," because it's just that good. You can thank Gouda cheese and fresh tarragon for that.

05 of 32

Ham and Noodle Casserole

Ham and Noodle Casserole
Jen Causey

Recipe: Ham and Noodle Casserole

One and done. That is the name of the game with this hearty pasta bake with ham, broccoli, asparagus, carrots, and lots of cheese. Serve with a side salad and a batch of angel biscuits.

06 of 32

Potato Salad with Dijon and Scallions

Potato Salad with Dijon and Scallions
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Potato Salad with Dijon and Scallions

Take your classic potato salad and give it a tangy touch, thanks to both whole-grain mustard and Dijon mustard.

07 of 32

Sugar Snap Peas with Orange Zest and Buttery Almonds

Sugar Snap Peas with Orange Zest and Buttery Almonds
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Sugar Snap Peas with Orange Zest and Buttery Almonds

Say hello to the freshest side dish on the block. Orange zest gives a springy touch, while almonds offer a nice crunch.

08 of 32

Glazed Ham with Pineapple Chutney

Glazed Ham with Pineapple Chutney
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Glazed Ham with Pineapple Chutney

Nobody has ever complained about having leftover ham, mark our words. And this recipe with pineapple chutney? To die for.

09 of 32

Slow-Cooker Green Beans

Thanksgiving Sides: Root Vegetable Gratin
Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Green Beans

After cooking in a slow cooker for a few hours, this green bean dish will have you salivating over bacony flavor.

10 of 32

Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie

Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie
Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie

Nothing signals spring is in the air like an cool icebox pie, and this strawberry-pretzel number is a classic.

11 of 32

Buttery Pineapple Crumble Bars

Buttery Pineapple Crumble Bars
Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Buttery Pineapple Crumble Bars

They had us at crumble bars, but the pineapple-studded flair of this recipe really seals the deal.

12 of 32

Coconut-Carrot Cake with Coconut Buttercream

Coconut-Carrot Cake with Coconut Buttercream
Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Coconut-Carrot Cake with Coconut Buttercream

As far as we're concerned, a sheet cake recipe (that features the best of both coconut and carrot cake) makes Easter feel a little easier. No?

13 of 32

Easy Egg Salad

Easy Egg Salad
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Easy Egg Salad

This is company-worthy egg salad if we've ever seen it. Not that you need to be having a crowd over to enjoy it.

14 of 32

Fried Chicken Sliders with Pimiento Cheese

Fried Chicken Sliders with Pimiento Cheese
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Fried Chicken Sliders with Pimiento Cheese

If you're looking to do something different, may we suggest the crunchy handheld dreamboats that are these fried chicken sliders, topped with homemade pimiento cheese and pickled okra? You're welcome.

15 of 32

Smashed Baby Red Potatoes

Smashed Baby Red Potatoes
Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Smashed Baby Red Potatoes

Get your starchy fix with these mouthwatering smashed potatoes. We guarantee there won't be any leftovers.

16 of 32

Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad with Orange-Poppy Seed Dressing

Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad with Orange-Poppy Seed Dressing
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad with Orange-Poppy Seed Dressing

Say hello the prettiest little thing to grace your table yet. So fresh and so delicious.

17 of 32

Slow-Cooker Pork Roast with Carrots, Turnips, and Potatoes

Slow-Cooker Pork Roast with Carrots, Turnips, and Potatoes
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Pork Roast with Carrots, Turnips, and Potatoes

Now this is what we like to call a one-pot wonder. Cook the juicy pork roast right over the veggies for the easiest Easter dinner.

18 of 32

Banana Bread French Toast Casserole

Banana Bread French Toast Casserole
Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Banana Bread French Toast Casserole

If this isn't the most heavenly mash-up for brunch, we don't know what is.

19 of 32

Pineapple-Ginger Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple-Ginger Upside-Down Cake
Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Pineapple-Ginger Upside-Down Cake

We've heard such rave reviews from readers who have made this freshened-up take on classic pineapple upside-down cake that we just had to make it this Easter.

20 of 32

Sauteed Radishes with Bacon

Sauteed Radishes with Bacon
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Sauteed Radishes with Bacon

We love to use radishes for an unexpected pop of color. This recipe is packed with bacon-studded flavor.

21 of 32

Pork Tenderloin with Shaved Vegetable Salad

Pork Tenderloin with Shaved Vegetable SaladPork Tenderloin with Shaved Vegetable Salad
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Pork Tenderloin with Shaved Vegetable Salad

And just like that, you have a full meal. Super tender pork tenderloin meets freshly shaved vegetables.

22 of 32

Quick Pickled Radishes with Lemon, Ginger, and Maple

Quick Pickled Radishes with Lemon, Ginger, and Maple
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Quick Pickled Radishes with Lemon, Ginger, and Maple

This will be the favorite snack, condiment, or topper of the day.

23 of 32

Raspberry-Rhubarb Bars

Raspberry-Rhubarb Bars
Cedric Angeles; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Raspberry-Rhubarb Bars

Making these bright, fruity bars will ensure a successful Easter lunch, guaranteed.

24 of 32

Resurrection Rolls

Resurrection Rolls
Southern Living

Recipe: Resurrection Rolls

This vintage Easter treat will add extra cheer to any gathering.

25 of 32

Lemon-Lime Meringue Pie

Lemon-Lime Meringue Pie
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling; Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Lemon-Lime Meringue Pie

Like a cross between lemon meringue and Key lime pie, this recipe definitely strikes a happy note.

26 of 32

Homemade Strawberry Shortcake

Homemade Strawberry Shortcake
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Homemade Strawberry Shortcake

Odds are you'll wind up with some extra biscuits and cream from this recipe, which is never a bad thing. (Hello, late-night snack!)

27 of 32

Southern-Style Collard Greens

Southern-Style Collard Greens
Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Southern-Style Collard Greens

We'll never say no to a potful of collards. That's just a fact.

28 of 32

Jalapeno Cornbread Sticks

Jalapeno Cornbread Sticks
Greg DuPree

Recipe: Jalapeno Cornbread Sticks

Give your classic cornbread a fun makeover for the occasion with these cheesy, spicy cornbread sticks.

29 of 32

Cheesy Ham, Corn, and Grits Bake

Cheesy Ham, Corn, and Grits Bake
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Cheesy Ham, Corn, and Grits Bake

This is like Easter brunch in a casserole dish. Trust us, it'll cover all the stops. Just pair with homemade buttermilk biscuits.

30 of 32

Strawberry Salad with Warm Goat Cheese Croutons

Strawberry Salad with Warm Goat Cheese Croutons
Photo: Greg Dupree Styling: Ginny Branch

Recipe: Strawberry Salad with Warm Goat Cheese Croutons

Go ahead and forget that side salad recipe. This main dish-worthy creation will pop on the table and in your mouth.

31 of 32

Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing

Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing
Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing

Why not switch things up with these crowd-pleasing salmon cakes? Buttermilk dressing makes it extra Southern.

32 of 32

Wacky Cake

Wacky Cake
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Wacky Cake

This is hands-down the most beloved cake we've seen our readers enjoy over the past few months—and the perfect way to end your Easter celebration, any way it turns out.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles