30 Small-Batch Southern Easter Recipes

Southern Living Glazed Ham Steaks on a plate to serve with spring vegetables


Photo:

Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley


Once the kids have hunted the eggs and the

Easter gifts

have been opened, it’s time for the feast. These small-batch

Easter recipes

run the gamut, from perfectly

baked ham

to classic potato salad to signature

spring desserts


.

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 the best small-batch Southern Easter recipes that are sure to spread joy.


01


of 30



Ham And Noodle Casserole

Ham and Noodle Casserole


Jen Causey

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

.


02


of 30



Rhubarb Custard Pie

Southern Living Rhubarb Custard Pie baked and ready to serve

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox


Rhubarb is definitely underrated and we’re here to flip the script with this pie. Tart rhubarb is contrasted excellently with the sweet flavors of vanilla and almond extract. Orange brightens the custardy filling.


03


of 30



Best-Ever Lemon Meringue Pie

Best-Ever Lemon Meringue Pie - Southern Living

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


Creamy and citrusy with a cloud of sweet meringue on top, this recipe definitely strikes a happy note. Let it cool in the fridge before serving to ensure the pie is chilled and refreshing, plus, the slices will come out a lot cleaner than when trying to serve it straight out of the oven.


04


of 30



Spring Salad With Berries And Bacon

Spring Salad With Berries and Bacon in bowl with tongs for serving - Southern Living

Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry


For a salad that everyone will enjoy, consider serving this berry-filled mix. Bacon adds a bit of Unami to the fairly sweet salad. With just 20 minutes of hands-on time, it’s the perfect side dish to throw together right before the Easter meal is served. If you’re looking to make this the main, add some rotisserie chicken to the blend.


05


of 30



Mini Cheese Grits Casseroles

Mini Cheese Grits Casseroles

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas


Fewer people than usual? This is the ideal time to make a personalized grits casserole for each!


06


of 30



Ham Biscuits

Ham Biscuits on white plate with cups of orange juice - Southern Living

Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey


Enter the most perfect Easter main dish for a low-key celebration ever.


07


of 30



Pineapple Casserole

Southern Living Pineapple Casserole serving on a plate

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall


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


08


of 30



Asparagus Quiche

asparagus quiche with a slice out - Southern Living

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


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


09


of 30



Glazed Ham With Pineapple Chutney

Glazed Ham with Pineapple Chutney


Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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


10


of 30



Strawberry-Spinach Salad

Southern Living Strawberry Spinach Salad on a platter to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


For a gorgeous, show-stopping salad, serve up this strawberry spinach salad. Candied pecans give a nutty, sweet crunch to each bite.


11


of 30



Slow-Cooker Green Beans

Southern Living Slow Cooker Green beans in a bowl to serve

Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle


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


12


of 30



Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie

Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie

Jennifer Davick


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


13


of 30



Buttery Pineapple Crumble Bars

Buttery Pineapple Crumble Bars


Antonis Achilleos

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


14


of 30



Smashed Baby Red Potatoes

Smashed Baby Red Potatoes

Emily Laurae / Southern Living


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


15


of 30



Slow-Cooker Pork Roast

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


Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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.


16


of 30



Resurrection Rolls

Resurrection Rolls - Southern Living

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell


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


17


of 30



Cheesy Ham, Corn, And Grits Bake

Cheesy Ham, Corn, and Grits Bake

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunnigham


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

homemade buttermilk biscuits

.


18


of 30



Fresh Salmon Cakes With Buttermilk Dressing

Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox


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


19


of 30



Wacky Cake

Wacky Cake slices on blue plates


Will Dickey; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

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, anyway it turns out.


20


of 30



Chocolate Zucchini Cakes

chocolate-zucchini cake on a plate with a fork

ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: KAY E. CLARKE; FOOD STYLING: TORIE COX


Cute little cakes for a cute little Easter. Make use of pre-season zucchini with this indulgent personalized treat.


21


of 30



Pimiento Cheese Deviled Eggs

Southern Living Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs on a gold surface

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Matthew Gleason


Two of the South’s favorite dishes combined into one tasty bite. These pimiento cheese deviled eggs will be the hit of your Easter celebration.


22


of 30



Pear Salad

Pear salads with mayonnaise, lettuce, cheese, and cherries - Southern Living

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


Serve up some nostalgia at your Easter gathering this year. For some Southerners, no celebration is complete without this sweet and savory salad. The cherry on top is optional, but definitely cute.


23


of 30



Strawberry Pie

Southern Living Strawberry Pie after baking ready to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


Spring is the ideal time to utilize strawberries, and what better way than in a gorgeous pie that truly highlights them? Plus, with just 20 minutes of active time and a short ingredient list, it couldn’t be easier to whip it together.


24


of 30



Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread

Southern Living Jalapeno Cornbread with a slice cut out of the skillet to serve

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox


Give your classic cornbread a fun makeover for the occasion with this cheesy, spicy skillet cornbread. Serve with spreadable butter and warm honey.


25


of 30



Egg Salad

Southern Living Egg Salad in a bowl to serve

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey


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


26


of 30



Ham-And-Cheese Sliders

Ham-And-Cheese Sliders


Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin

Deli ham, gruyère cheese, and honey mustard are sandwiched between sweet Hawaiian rolls for a delicious, savory meal everyone will love. And it’s quick too: From prepping to on the table, the recipe takes 30 minutes.


27


of 30



French Toast Casserole

Southern Living French Toast Casserole in the pan with a serving out

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey


If this isn’t the most heavenly idea for Easter brunch, we don’t know what is. Serve alongside lots of fresh berries and maple syrup.


28


of 30



Strawberry Upside-Down Cake

Southern Living Strawberry Upside Down Cake sliced on a plate to serve

Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Costen King, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines


Headed to the farmer’s market? Pick up some extra strawberries for this tasty twist on the classic pineapple upside-down cake.


29


of 30



Southern-Style Collard Greens

Southern-Style Collard Greens - Southern Living

Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Props Stylist: Christina Brockman


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


30


of 30



Spring Vegetable Sauté

Southern Living Glazed Ham Steaks on a plate to serve with spring vegetables

Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley


Whether you’re making pork tenderloin or a classic ham for Easter, this vegetable sauté will add freshness and lots of color to each plate. This sauté includes rainbow carrots, radishes, snow peas, and sweet peas, using some of spring’s best produce.