40 Easter Lunch Ideas for a Special Sunday Meal

Read Time: 30 mins

40 Easter Lunch Ideas for a Special Sunday Meal1/40 Spinach Quiche 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Medium Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A versatile and comforting dish, this quiche’s creamy blend of Gruyere cheese and hearty spinach can be enjoyed any time of the day. Bits of shallots sprinkled throughout and a crisp crust compliment the egg base. It’ll be hard to stop at just one slice! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 590 calories, 48g fat (29g saturated

Who doesn’t love an elegant Easter quiche?

fat), 258mg cholesterol, 649mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein. Who doesn’t love an elegant Easter quiche? Wilted spinach, nutty Gruyere and caramelized shallots are one delicious combo when baked into a flaky pie crust with eggs. The best part is that this wholesome dish works for breakfast, lunch or dinner. And leftovers taste even better the next day. 2/40 Pasta with Asparagus 36 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Easy Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Many terrific recipes change hands at the monthly get-togethers

of my ladies’ bridge group

of my ladies’ bridge group. That’s where I discovered this zippy, tempting dish. The garlic, asparagus, Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes create an irresistible taste combination. —Jean Fisher, Redlands, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 259 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 83mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein. Peak asparagus season coincides with spring—and Easter. Put the tender stalks to good use in this 30-minute pasta dish. It leans on the rich and earthy crunch of fresh asparagus with the zesty kick of hot peppers. Then add some olive oil, butter and Parmesan cheese

into the mix

into the mix. You’ll have a winning lunch fit for a holiday occasion. 3/40 Chickpea Salad Sandwiches 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chickpea Salad Sandwiches Recipe photo by Jena Carlin for Taste of Home Skill Level Easy Total Time 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This chickpea salad is super flavorful and contains less fat and cholesterol than chicken salad. The chickpea salad makes delightful picnic sandwiches. —Deanna McDonald, Muskegon, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 295 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 586mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 7g fiber), 10g protein.

I love a plant-based salad for a simple Easter lunch

I love a plant-based salad for a simple Easter lunch. You’d never know our vegan chickpea salad doesn’t contain an ounce of chicken or tuna, especially once it is sauced with the tangy, herby, mayo-free dressing. It’s delicious on crackers, in lettuce cups or in tiny tea sandwiches. 4/40 Ham Steak 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved SARAH TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Easy Total Time 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You need just three ingredients to fix this sweetly seasoned ham steak. It’s a quick and easy main dish for brunch

or any meal

or any meal. —Nancy Smits, Markesan, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked ham: 269 calories, 17g fat (8g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 1157mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 0 fiber), 18g protein. If you don’t have the energy to prepare a whole Easter ham, save yourself time without sacrificing flavor. Make a fried pan ham steak glazed in melted butter and brown sugar. This three-ingredient recipe comes together in 15 minutes. It goes so well with hearty dishes like mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. 5/40 Easter Meringue Cups 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME

To end your Easter lunch on a sweet note, put out a tray of these pretty

Skill Level Medium Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These crunchy meringue shells with a lemon curd filling will make guests stop to ooh and aah at your dessert table. Topped with fresh fruit, they’re especially pretty when served with a spring meal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 meringue cup: 180 calories, 1g fat (1g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 38mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. To end your Easter lunch on a sweet note, put out a tray of these pretty

little meringue cups filled with lemon curd and fresh fruit

little meringue cups filled with lemon curd and fresh fruit. They’re easy-to-make treats that look as if you spent hours perfecting them. 6/40 Ham and Cheese Croissants Test Kitchen Approved SARAH TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Easy Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When you’re craving something more than just a plain sandwich for lunch, try these toasted croissants. If you’re not a fan of Swiss cheese, try them with slices of Gruyere, Muenster or aged cheddar. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 386 calories,

19g fat (10g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 1173mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein. Buttery, flaky croissants have the superpower to turn ordinary sandwich ingredients into a truly decadent meal. Maybe it’s their French appeal or their soft crescent layers, but croissants work wonderfully as bread when you’re looking for a party-ready sandwich, especially when we’re talking about these melted ham and cheese beauties. 7/40 Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup 49 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Easy Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe

My family requests it all the time

Creator: This creamy, cheesy broccoli soup tastes just like the one served at Panera Bread! My family requests it all the time. You can even make your own homemade bread bowls with the recipe on my blog, Yammie’s Noshery. —Rachel Preus, Marshall, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 cup (calculated without bread bowl): 422 calories, 32g fat (19g saturated fat), 107mg cholesterol, 904mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 17g protein. While growing up, I preferred only broccoli cheddar soup—and quite honestly, that’s still true. Bright green crunchy florets poking out of a crock of cheesy cheddar broth? The combo is

unbeatable

unbeatable. But it is always better in a copycat Panera bread bowl, which is precisely what is called for in this recipe. 8/40 Tuna Nicoise Salad 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Medium Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Like the French, I pack my classic Nicoise salad with veggies, potatoes, tuna and eggs. Cooking the potatoes and beans together helps the dish come together fast. —Valerie Belley, St. Louis, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 327 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 206mg cholesterol, 691mg

sodium, 27g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 21g protein

sodium, 27g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 2 fat, 1 starch. Overflowing with lots of colorful veggies and protein-packed eggs, the humble Nicoise is always a crowd-pleaser at Easter lunch. Our recipe is traditional with tuna, tomatoes and beans, but it is easily adaptable to suit your tastes. Want to earn bonus points for authenticity? Replace the tuna with anchovies, which is what the original salad included. 9/40 Shrimp Pasta Salad Test Kitchen Approved GRACE NATOLI SHELDON FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Medium Total Time 25 min Servings about 12

It’s the perfect go-to when you’re looking for something light and tasty

servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Elbow macaroni, shrimp and crunchy veggies like celery, sweet red pepper and onion get covered in a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise and yogurt. It’s the perfect go-to when you’re looking for something light and tasty. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 243 calories, 15g fat (3g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 263mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 11g protein. Creamy macaroni salad is the consummate side for spring lunches. This version could easily star as the main course thanks to the addition of shrimp. If

If you can’t find leeks, a sweet or mild onion works just as well

you’re not a fan of shellfish, try flaked salmon, chopped chicken or crispy bacon crumbles instead. 10/40 Ham and Leek Pies 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Medium Total Time 1 hour Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve been making these pies for years, so lots of friends and family now have the recipe. If you can’t find leeks, a sweet or mild onion works just as well. —Bonny Tillman, Acworth, Georgia Nutrition Facts: Nutrition Facts: 1 pie equals 713 calories, 37g fat (15g saturated fat), 123mg cholesterol,

1,461mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate, 9g fiber, 25g protein

1,461mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate, 9g fiber, 25g protein. Potpies might seem like a labor of love, but individually sized versions are surprisingly easy to pull off. Sauteed leeks, mushrooms, carrots and ham come together to create a rich, flavorful filling. And puff pastry eliminates the need to fuss over making pie crust from scratch. 11/40 Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad 99 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved GRACE NATOLI SHELDON FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Medium Total Time 30 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad