Easter lunch invites tend to come with a familiar phrase: "Just bring a plate." And while that might sound casual, anyone who’s ever hovered over a groaning table of home-cooked brilliance knows – this is your moment to impress. Whether you're headed to a sun-drenched backyard gathering, a long table in Nonna’s dining room, or a spontaneous picnic with friends, your contribution should hit that sweet spot between effortless and unforgettable. Think shareable, seasonal, and just a little indulgent. From smoky harissa flatbreads to charred brussels sprouts with a honeyed glaze, we’ve gathered a collection of Easter-ready recipes that’ll earn you the kind of praise usually reserved for the host. With thoughtful salads, comforting pastas and sweet finishes that celebrate the best of autumn produce, there’s something here for every kind of plate-bringer. Scroll on for dishes that will have people asking, “Who made this?”—and maybe texting for the recipe after.
Side dishes
1. Sheet-Pan Halloumi With Avocado and Citrus by Bon Appetit
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These caramelised sprouts strike the perfect balance between bitter and sweet, thanks to a silky honey glaze with just the right amount of heat. They’re a textural dream and make for an elegant, unexpected side to offset richer mains.
2. Fig and Halloumi Salad by Julia Ostro
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Fresh, bright and beautifully composed, this salad is a study in seasonal simplicity. The sweetness of figs, acidity of tomato, and creaminess of goat’s curd make it feel like a still life in salad form—light enough to refresh the palate, bold enough to hold its own.
3. Spicy Tuna Tostadas by Lucky Dragon Supper Club
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Crunchy, spicy, and full of zing, these tostadas are a crowd-pleaser with just the right amount of attitude. They’re a modern take on appetisers—snackable, sharable, and perfect for grazing between conversations.
Mains
4. Spicy Red Bell Pepper Vodka Rigatoni by Chloe Cooks
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A nostalgic nod to pasta alla vodka, but with a peppery twist that feels made for early autumn. It’s creamy, comforting and unapologetically bold—a centrepiece that asks for second helpings.
5. Harissa Grilled Chicken Flatbreads with Pistachio-Lime Yogurt by Molly Baz
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Layered with smoky harissa heat and cooled down with tangy, nutty yogurt, these flatbreads are all about contrast. Ideal for outdoor tables and pass-the-plate dining, they bring theatre to the Easter lunch.
6. Tomato and Halloumi Galette by Clare Scrine
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This ratatouille leans into the season’s best produce, softened with melted mozzarella and brightened with a punchy gremolata. It’s comforting yet elevated—a vegetarian main that won’t be an afterthought.
Desserts
7. Hazelnut Chocolate Lizner Cookies by Club Sup
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These jam-centred, nutty chocolate cookies are both nostalgic and refined. They’re just the right size for post-lunch nibbling with coffee—Easter treats that double as edible gift.
8. Tahini Panna Cotta by Tobi Fox of Arlo Communal
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Silky, creamy and unexpectedly complex, this panna cotta turns the humble sesame seed into star power. It’s an Easter dessert with edge—more restrained than a hot cross bun, more memorable than a pavlova.
9. Decidedly Lazy Lime Cheesecake by Clementine Day
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Zesty, lush and made to be spooned straight from the tin, this cheesecake is a no-fuss finale. It’s the kind of dessert that says, “You made it through the cooking—now sit, relax, enjoy.”
