25 Mouthwatering Easter Side Dishes

Main dishes are great and all, but we all know that sides usually become the stars of any holiday spread. From couldn't-be-easier to slightly more time-consuming (but extremely elegant), here are 26 delish side dish recipes that may just overshadow the entrée at your Easter dinner.

1. Cheddar Ranch Skillet Cornbread

Rachael Ray Show

Toasting the cornmeal and corn flour heightens the flavor in this cheesy, ranch-infused cornbread from former staffer Grant Melton.

2. Ricotta Mashed Potatoes

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Rachael gives classic mashed potatoes a cheesy upgrade with ricotta cheese—because why not?

3. Pan-Roasted Asparagus with Lemon and Parmesan

Rachael Ray Show

Emeril Lagasse's Pan-Roasted Asparagus with Lemon and Parmesan makes for a simple + delicious side.

4. Mac & Cheese with Leeks and Ham

Rachael Ray Show

This hearty, rich mac and cheese will get your guests rushing to the table. And if ham isn't your main course, this can be the ham contribution to the meal. (Watch Rach make it in the video above!) 

Tip: Don't overcook your roux for this recipe. When it starts to turn brown, it won't have as much thickening power and will also darken your white cream sauce.

5. Cheesy Broccoli Gratin

Rachael Ray Show

You only need five ingredients to get all of this deliciousness.

6. Lemon-Poppy Pasta Salad

Rachael Ray Show

Nothing says spring like this Lemon-Poppy Pasta Salad from former staffer Grant Melton.

7. Minty Fresh Peas

Rachael Ray Show

This refreshing side dish is perfect for your Easter spread — right next to Rach's Lemon-Glazed Ham!

8. Loaded Potato Salad With Bacon

Rachael Ray Show

This potato salad recipe (which happens to be Curtis Stone's favorite dish ever) is a crowd-pleaser and easy to make when you're multitasking a holiday meal featuring many different dishes. It is meant to be served warm, but you could totally make it ahead.

9. Roasted Radish and Yellow Beet Salad

Rachael Ray Show

This salad is perfect for a spring Easter meal, combining all the beautiful colors of a farmer's market. Robert Irvine roasts the radishes to get a sweeter, softer, mellower effect.

10. Lemon Roast Potatoes

Rachael Ray Show

The secret ingredient in these (pssst...semolina!) make them extra crunchy. Yum!

11. Garlic-Roasted Beets

Ray Kachatorian

Actress + cookbook author Laura Prepon's Garlic-Roasted Beets are simple, delish + so pretty!

12. Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

Rachael Ray Show

Creamy mashed cauliflower blended with herbed Boursin cheese makes for a side dish the whole family will love! It's also easy to prep ahead.

Tip: Don't bother to chop up the cauliflower — if you cook it with half a cup of liquid (water or stock) in a tightly covered pan, the steam will cook it through, and you can just mash it up.

13. Potato Cake with Onions

Rachael Ray Show

If you have the time, and you want to wow your dinner guests, make Ludo's spiral-layered potato cake. By cooking this glamorous "cake" slowly in clarified butter, you will achieve a French "confit."

14. Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Orange

Rachael Ray Show

Adding all-fruit orange preserves to mashed sweet potato will make your guests say, hmmm, wondering where the citrus-y undertones came from.

15. Roasted Cauliflower, Broccoli and Pasta Bake with White Cheddar

Rachael Ray Show

This is a side that could be a main dish if you are looking a vegetarian entree. The vegetables are roasted separately to develop maximum flavor.

Tip: No need to buy pre-made breadcrumbs. Just make your own with the leftover bread you already have in your pantry.

16. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Rachael Ray Show

Be careful when you make these delectable garlic mashed potatoes — your family will demand you make them every year! But since the recipe couldn't be easier, we say go for it!

17. Blue Cheese Ranch Mashed Potatoes

Rachael Ray Show

We're about to blow your mind with this mashed potato recipe. A combination of mashed potatoes and parsnips gets kicked up with additions including blue cheese, herbs, sour cream and more.

18. Roasted Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato with Arugula and Balsamic

Rachael Ray Show

Actress Jane Leeves shared this beautiful roasted squash and sweet potato arugula salad, which would be a great hearty but light addition to your Easter table.

19. Potato, Cauliflower + Camembert Gratin

Rachael Ray Show

This sophisticated Gratin will impress any guest for your Easter meal. It pairs very well with ham, if that's what you're planning to serve as a main course.

20. Baked Mashed Potatoes with Pancetta

Rachael Ray Show

These are basically mashed potatoes with bacon, but doesn't pancetta sound fancier? A secret ingredient — mascarpone cheese adds a sweet creamy flavor.

21. Mexican Confetti Quinoa Pilaf

Rachael Ray Show

This colorful quinoa pilaf is the perfect addition to Easter dinner, as the light and bright flavors and texture will counteract some of the heavier dishes. Plus, it would be hard to top this when it comes to nutritional value.

22. Sundried Tomato Cauliflower

Rachael Ray Show

This dish couldn't possibly be easier with only two ingredients, one of which you might already have in your cupboard. Just toss cauliflower florets with store-bought sun-dried tomato pesto and roast! Done and done!

23. Spicy Cheese Crisps

Rachael Ray Show

These cheese crisps are perfect if you need a snack to serve while dinner is being prepared, or you want something to pass at the table instead of rolls. And, again, only two ingredients! You just mix up some crushed cheese crackers with some freshly shredded Colby Jack cheese, spoon onto a baking sheet and bake. Delish!

24. Muffaletta Salad

Rachael Ray Show

This antipasto-type salad would be great as an appetizer or a side dish. Super easy and involves no cooking — great for something to throw together quickly right before dinner.

25. Bitter Greens Salad With Beets + Horseradish-Mustard Vinaigrette

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Rach's bitter greens salad recipe with horseradish-mustard vinaigrette is a palate-cleansing antidote to the rich flavors of the holiday season.