Easter Dinner Mains: Elegant Roast and Ham Recipes

Featuring comforting pasta dishes, slow-cooked roasts and fresh seafood, this is our curated collection of The Best Easter Main Courses. These recipes are straightforward to prepare, perfect for entertaining, and best enjoyed with family and friends.

Photo Collage of Four Easter Main Courses: lamb shoulder, tuna pasta bake, side of salmon and spinach pasta shells.

Easy and Delicious Easter Main Course Recipes

Every Easter I enjoy hosting a relaxed family lunch or dinner — cooking for loved ones is a joy. This collection brings together some favourite main courses that are reliable, flavourful and suited to sharing. You’ll find hearty slow-cooked roasts, quick seafood dishes and comforting pasta bakes, each paired with suggested sides to complete the meal.

Whether you prefer a classic roast such as Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb or a lighter seafood option like Herb and Panko Crusted Salmon, this selection offers inspiration for every taste and occasion.

In this collection you’ll find:

Hearty mains and crowd-pleasing pasta dishes.
Slow-roasted, hands-off recipes alongside quick seafood and weeknight options.
Plenty of dishes designed to share with family and friends.

1. Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder

For meat that melts in the mouth, try this Mediterranean Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder. Garlic and fresh oregano season the lamb, while onion, fennel, lemon and chicken stock create a flavorful braising liquid. The result is succulent, falling-off-the-bone meat that requires no tricky carving.

Serving suggestions: Marinated Tomato Salad and Crispy Smashed Roasted Potatoes.

Large white platter with the Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder, garnished with the roasted lemon, fennel and fresh oregano.

2. Marmalade Glazed Ham

This easy Marmalade Glazed Ham makes a festive centrepiece. A glaze of orange juice, marmalade, brown sugar, Dijon mustard and ground ginger balances sweet, savoury and slightly spicy notes. The glaze caramelises the skin while keeping the flesh tender and juicy.

Serving suggestions: Cauliflower Gratin and Charred Corn Salad.

Marmalade Glazed Ham, sitting on a round white plate, with some slices of ham cut, and orange slices around the edge.

3. Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

This creamy tuna pasta bake is a quick, comforting casserole for busy nights. Canned tuna and sun-dried tomatoes are mixed into a cheesy sauce, topped with breadcrumbs and baked until golden and bubbly — a make-ahead dish that reheats well.

Serving suggestions: Radicchio Salad or Spinach Salad.

Large white rectangular dish of Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake, sitting on a wooden board, with a gold serving spoon on the edge.

4. Braised Chicken Thighs

This one-pot Braised Chicken with Lemon, Olives and Fennel brings bright Mediterranean flavours to the table. The combination of herbs, lemon and olives yields tender chicken with golden, crisp skin — an easy recipe that belongs in your regular rotation.

Serving suggestions: Baked Mashed Potatoes or Garlic Butter Rice.

Round dish with the Braised Chicken, Lemon and Olives, with a spoon resting in the dish.

5. Mediterranean Side of Salmon

This tender Mediterranean Side of Salmon is quick enough for a weeknight yet elegant enough for guests. A whole side of salmon is roasted with colorful vegetables and bright flavours, then served with an easy yoghurt sauce for a light, impressive main.

Serving suggestions: Roasted Broccolini and Kale and Apple Slaw.

Sheet pan with side of Mediterranean Salmon and vegetables around the edge, with serving utensils.

6. Roasted Pork Tenderloin

Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apple and Fennel is an easy, repeatable favourite. The pork is rubbed with herbs and spices, seared, then roasted with apple, fennel and onion until caramelised and tender — a dish that works for weeknights and special occasions alike.

Serving suggestions: Baked Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Asparagus Gratin.

Platter of sliced Roasted Pork Tenderloin, surrounded by pieces of apple, fennel, onion and sage, with a black towel on edge.

7. Tuna and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells

These baked pasta shells are stuffed with a tuna and ricotta filling, baked in a creamy tomato sauce and make a comforting, make-ahead main that reheats beautifully — ideal for entertaining.

Serving suggestions: Garlic Bread and Rocket and Pear Salad.

8. Grilled Lamb Cutlets

Grilled Lamb Cutlets with Mint Pesto are quick, tender and full of flavour. Light seasoning and a bright mint pesto let the lamb shine, delivering an elegant yet simple main in minutes.

Serving suggestions: Roasted Red Pepper Salad and Sautéed Zucchini and Onions.

Oval white plate with Grilled Lamb Chops, some fresh mint leaves, two forks and a small dish of Mint Pesto.

9. Creamy Garlic Prawns

These creamy lemon garlic prawns are a speedy, one-pan seafood dinner ready in about 30 minutes. Prawns simmer in a rich garlic butter sauce brightened with lemon — serve with plenty of crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Serving suggestions: Crusty Bread or Garlic Butter Pasta.

Frying pan with Creamy Lemon Prawns, and a wooden spoon resting in the pan.

10. Mediterranean Pulled Beef

Slow-cooked Mediterranean Pulled Beef becomes meltingly tender as it absorbs garlic, onion, rosemary, oregano and tomatoes. A budget-friendly cut turns into a flavourful main that works with polenta, pasta or crusty bread and requires mostly hands-off cooking time.

Serving suggestions: Creamy Polenta and Sautéed Peppers and Onions.

Round dish of Mediterranean Pulled Beef garnished with fresh basil, sitting on a white cloth.

11. Roasted Chicken Leg Quarters

Roasted Chicken Marylands deliver crispy skin and tender, juicy meat with minimal prep. Seasoned and baked with lemon, sage and thyme, this meal takes about five minutes of hands-on work before the oven does the rest.

Serving suggestions: Garlic Butter Peas and Sautéed Asparagus.

Roasted Chicken Marylands on a baking tray, surrounded by some cubes of potatoes, peas and green beans.

12. Herb and Panko Crusted Salmon

This herb-and-panko crusted salmon is quick enough for weeknights and elegant enough for special occasions. A herbed breadcrumb topping crisps golden in the oven, paired with a simple spicy mayonnaise for a delicious finish.

Serving suggestions: Butter Bean Mash or Roasted Baby Potatoes.

Baking tray with cooked Herb Panko Salmon, garnished with some parsley leaves and lemon wedges.

13. Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder

Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder yields fork-tender pork infused with garlic, rosemary, oregano, onion and fennel seeds. Serve with a fresh apple salsa and homemade gravy for a comforting family roast that’s perfect for special occasions.

Serving suggestions: Peach Salsa, Apple Chutney and Roast Pumpkin and Feta Salad.

Platter with Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder being drizzled with gravy, with some rocket leaves and potatoes around the edge.

14. Maple Syrup Glazed Ham

Maple Syrup Glazed Ham is a sweet-and-savory showstopper. A glaze of maple syrup, orange juice, Dijon mustard, brown sugar and ground ginger caramelises the skin and keeps the meat juicy, making it a winning choice for holiday tables.

Serving suggestions: Potato Salad with Peas and Mint, Pear Chutney and Sweet and Sour Roasted Carrot Salad.

Maple Glazed Ham, sitting on some orange slices on a round white plate.

15. Dry Brine Roast Chicken

This Perfect Dry Brine Roast Chicken uses a simple dry brine to create tender, juicy meat and crisp, flavoursome skin. It’s a comforting classic that’s straightforward to prepare.

Serving suggestions: Homemade Chicken Gravy, Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips, and Mediterranean Baked Eggplant Slices.

White oval plate with Roast Chicken in the centre, and some vegetables around the edge.

16. Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb

Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb is roasted low and slow with garlic, onions, lemon and fresh herbs for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. A splash of chicken stock keeps the meat succulent and full of Mediterranean flavour.

Serving suggestions: Brussels Sprouts Gratin and Kale and Chickpea Salad.

Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb, surrounded by fresh herbs and pomegranate, on a grey oval platter, with two forks on the edge.

17. Spinach and Ricotta Pasta Shells

Spinach and Ricotta Pasta Shells are a popular make-ahead dish for entertaining. Filled with a creamy ricotta and spinach mix and baked in sauce, they’re a reliable crowd-pleaser and perfect for a family meal.

Serving suggestions: Spelt Focaccia and Grilled Zucchini Salad.

Dish of Spinach and Ricotta Pasta Shells, with a spoon.

18. Marinated Lamb Loin Chops

Marinated Lamb Loin Chops are tender, quick to cook and full of Mediterranean-inspired flavour. A simple herb and spice marinade elevates the lamb into an easy, special meal the whole family will enjoy.

Serving suggestions: Pumpkin and Quinoa Salad, Spinach and Cheese Portobello Mushrooms and Mediterranean Lentil Salad.

Round white plate with cooked Marinated Lamb Loin Chops, with a small bowl of yoghurt sauce on the side, and white cloth.

19. Creamy Herb Chicken Tenderloins

Creamy Herb Chicken is a quick comfort dish ready in 30 minutes. Fresh herbs lift a simple cream sauce into an aromatic accompaniment for tender chicken — easy, satisfying weeknight fare.

Serving suggestions: Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables and Garlic Mashed Potato.

Large frying pan with Creamy Herb Chicken, ready to serve.

20. Marinated Lamb Backstrap

Marinated Lamb Backstrap is a lean, tender cut that sears quickly and makes an impressive main. Infused with Mediterranean flavours and served with tzatziki, it’s a simple, elegant option for entertaining.

Serving suggestions: Roasted Cauliflower Salad and Baked Parmesan Tomatoes.

Round grey plate with a serving of sliced Lamb Backstrap, sitting on yoghurt sauce, with a chickpea cucumber side salad.

For more ideas, see our recipe collections of The Best Easter Brunch Recipes and The Best Easter Dessert Recipes.

I hope this selection gives you plenty of inspiration and new recipes to try for your Easter gatherings. Share your favourites in the comments — I’d love to hear which dishes you choose.

Alex xx

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