65 Easter Dinner Ideas: Mains, Sides, And Desserts For The Holiday Feast

Get fresh recipe inspiration for every kind of Easter gathering.

Southern Living Roasted Lamb With Fresh-Herb Sauce on serving platter
Photo:

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

It's easy to find yourself boxed into making the same dishes for Easter every year. Even if you aren't sick of serving ham or lamb , you might want to mix up how you cook the centerpieces of the meal. Maybe a chicken is more appropriate for the size of your gatherings, especially if don't want tons of leftovers. Perhaps it's the sides you need help with.

No matter the course or type of Easter feast, we have recipes for classic and new-school takes on all the staples. From casseroles to cakes , and everything in between, these are the Easter recipes we reach for when entertaining.

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Spice-Rubbed Tenderloin with Mustard-Cream Sauce

Spice-Rubbed Tenderloin with Mustard-Cream Sauce

A rosy-centered tenderloin is the perfect centerpiece to an Easter feast for those who don't eat or want ham.

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Braised Lamb Shanks with Parmesan-Chive Grits

Braised Lamb Shanks with Parmesan-Chive Grits
Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Instead of a leg of lamb, try serving braised lamb shanks this year. Served over cheesy grits, all you need is a green side salad to complete the meal.

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Romaine Salad With Oranges And Radishes

Southern Living Romaine Salad With Oranges and Radishes on serving platter

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Every holiday table needs something green, and this crunchy romaine salad with juicy orange segments is as colorful as it is flavorful.

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Potato-And-Rutabaga Gratin

Southern Living Potato-and-Rutabaga Gratin Recipe in baking dish

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

For a healthier take on the classic cheesy side, we use rutabagas as well as potatoes and lean on nutty Gruyére cheese for added flavor.

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Grilled Lamb Chops with Green Garlic Chimichurri

Grilled Lamb Chops with Green Garlic Chimichurri
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Instead of slow roasting a ham, try these grilled lamb chops, which make just as delicious a main dish in half the time.

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Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Shepherd's Pie
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

The base of this dish must be lamb in order to be called Shepherd's Pie, but that's perfect for an Easter feast.

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Lemon Roast Chicken With Rainbow Carrots

Southern Living Lemon Roast Chicken With Rainbow Carrots in roasting pan

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

A spring chicken for Easter? Sounds great to us.

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Ginger Carrots

Southern Living Ginger Carrots

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Orange juice, ginger, and butter make these carrot coins a great zesty side for ham, lamb, and chicken.

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Roasted Lamb With Fresh-Herb Sauce

Southern Living Roasted Lamb With Fresh-Herb Sauce on serving platter

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

The herb-and-garlic mixture in this lamb recipe doubles as a marinade and serving sauce. With just the right amount of lemon, it’s a tangy, herby punch of flavor that balances the rich roasted lamb.

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Chicken-And-Rice Bake With Broccolini

Southern Living Chicken-and-Rice Bake with Broccolini in pan with serving spoon

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

A comforting casserole is welcomed on any holiday, and this quick chicken and rice bake happens to be as easy as it is cozy.

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Prime Rib With Horseradish Dipping Sauce

Prime Rib With Horseradish Dipping Sauce

Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Swap lamb for beef this Easter with a prime rib roast that is bound to impress all your relatives.

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Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas with Orange Zest and Buttery Almonds

Sugar Snap Peas with Orange Zest and Buttery Almonds
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Snap peas with added crunch from buttery almonds? Sign us up.

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Slow-Cooker Ham

Southern Living Slow Cooker Ham finishing the ham with more glaze

Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Kelsey Moylan; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Don't monopolize oven space with a ham. Use our slow-cooker method and free up the oven for all sorts of sides and desserts.

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Creamy Spring Vegetable Slaw

Creamy Spring Vegetable Slaw
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Like colorful confetti, this salad is the festive addition to the Easter table you need.

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Maple-Bourbon Glazed Ham

maple bourbon glazed ham
Photographer: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Maple and bourbon are a perfect flavor pairing, especially when used to glaze ham.

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Baked Pork Tenderloin

Baked Pork Tenderloin with Shaved Vegetable Salad
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

If you want to serve pork, but not a ham, try a pork tenderloin. This cut is not only less expensive, but cooks up in no time.

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Citrus Salad with Spiced Honey

Citrus Salad with Spiced Honey
Iain Bagwell

The orange hues of this salad are a colorful way to brighten up Easter dinner.

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Garlic Parmesan Green Beans

garlic parmesan green beans
Photographer: Isaac Nunn, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Every Easter dinner needs a straightforward vegetable side with bacon and this recipe is exactly that.

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Lemony White Bean Salad with Broccoli

Lemony White Bean Salad with Broccoli
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Salty Parmesan, spicy baby arugula leaves, and creamy white beans combine to form a hearty salad perfect for vegetarian guests or carnivores craving greens.

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Lemon Lush

Two slices of Lemon Lush dessert on plates with forks with a glass of lemonade and a napkin.

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

The best part about this layered dessert is that no oven is required. It can also be assembled well in advance and then sliced when everyone is ready for dessert.

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Glazed Ham with Pineapple Chutney

Glazed Ham with Pineapple Chutney
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

If your go-to pizza order is Hawaiian, then this is the ham recipe for you.

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Mac And Cheese With Ham

Baked Smokin’ Macaroni and Cheese

Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Don't limit ham to the main dish; throw it into a classic side too!

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Lemon Tiramisu

Lemon Tiramisu
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

Try this spring version of the classic Italian dessert. This version may not contain coffee, but it's packed with zingy lemon flavor.

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Deep-Dish Ham Pot Pie

Deep-Dish Ham Pot Pie
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Pot pies don't always have to be chicken. Even if you don't want to serve this for Easter dinner, save the recipe for ham leftovers later in the week.

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Scalloped Potatoes With Ham

Scalloped Potatoes with Ham
Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

You can't go wrong with cheesy scalloped potatoes. With added ham, they're even more delicious, if that's possible.

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Sweet-Hot Plum-Glazed Ham

Sweet-Hot Plum-Glazed Ham
Southern Living

Plum preserves and red pepper flakes combine for a sweet and spicy glaze that's anything but boring.

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Lemon Meringue Cheesecake

Lemon Meringue Cheesecake

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This twist on the flavors of the classic pie is an impressive way to finish Easter dinner.

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Hot Cross Buns

hot cross buns - southern living

Molly Bolton

It wouldn't be Easter without Hot Cross Buns, whether you serve them with dinner or as dessert.

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Strawberry Patch Cake

Southern Living Strawberry Patch Cake sliced on plates to serve

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

Freeze-dried strawberries lend the frosting its vibrant pink hue and sweet strawberry flavor.

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Hummingbird Cake

Hummingbird Cake

FRED HARDY II; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL; PROPS STYLIST: CHRISTINA BROCKMAN

There isn't an occasion in the South that a Hummingbird Cake isn't welcome to.

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The Ultimate Carrot Cake Recipe

Ultimate Carrot Cake
Alison Miksch

We're pretty sure the Easter Bunny will be happy to see carrot cake on the menu.

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Pineapple Casserole

Pineapple Casserole in a square casserole pan
Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle,Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

The uniquely Southern combination of canned pineapple chunks, Cheddar cheese, and crispy Ritz crackers will always have a spot on our Easter dinner lineup.

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Carrot Cake With Maple-Cream Cheese Frosting

Southern Living Carrot Cake With Maple-Cream Cheese Frosting cut on serving platter

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

Easier to assemble than a layer cake, this carrot cake is an adorable way to serve the Easter classic without the hassle.

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Easter Egg Lemon Cake With Whipped Cream Topping

Easter Egg Lemon Cake With Whipped Cream Topping

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

Everyone will be hunting for a second slice of this Easter egg sheet cake after dinner.

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Easy Bunny Cake

Southern Living Bunny Cake on a table with forks, plates, and extra candy

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Some cakes with 'easy' in the title still end up being a huge undertaking, but not this cake. It's as straightforward as it is cute, and it's a great recipe to get the kids involved with.

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Easter Egg Cake

Easter Egg Cake
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

Robins egg blue might be our favorite cake color of all time. Topped with candy eggs and a coconut nest, this cake is almost too pretty eat. Almost.

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Old-School Squash Casserole

Old-School Squash Casserole in a green casserole dish
Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Props Stylist: Christina Brockman

This classic casserole is the most searched for in the South and for good reason. Filled with butter and cheese-smothered squash, it's an assured crowd-pleaser.

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Strawberry Pound Cake

Southern Living Strawberry Pound Cake on a platter to serve

Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

We all love a classic pound cake, but the addition of fresh strawberries throughout this recipe make it extra festive for spring celebrations.

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Asparagus Gratin

Asparagus Gratin
Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin

The ideal way to eat veggies is blanketed in cream and cheese. Although you could give any vegetable this decadent treatment, we think asparagus is the perfect seasonal choice.

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Chocolate Chick Cake

Southern Living Chocolate Chick Cake

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

Spring desserts are often filled with rhubarb, lemon, and strawberries, but this cake appeals to the chocolate lovers attending Easter this year.

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Sumac Carrots with Feta Mousse and Crispy Panko

Coby Ming and Damaris Phillips' Sumac Carrots with Feta Mousse and Crispy Panko
Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

These are not your Grandma's carrots, but we promise one-bite is all you'll need to convince her of how delicious they are.

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Potato Salad with Dijon and Scallions

Potato Salad with Dijon and Scallions
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

This potluck classic is wonderful served with ham or lamb. It's also a great recipes for those who like to plan ahead as the dressing can be made up to one week in advance.

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Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie Recipe

Strawberry Pretzel Icebox Pie
JENNIFER DAVICK

Turn your favorite salad into a memorable dessert. Top with fresh strawberries and lots of whipped cream for a sweet finish to Easter festivities.

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Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad

Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad with Orange-Poppy Seed Dressing
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This salad has it all: crunch from the radishes, tang from the citrus, and creamy richness from the avocados.

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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

Break out the slow-cooker and relax, this recipe practically cooks itself.

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Pineapple-Ginger Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple-Ginger Upside-Down Cake
CREDIT: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: KAY E. CLARKE; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL

The iconic upside-down cake gets a spicy ginger makeover. Don't worry, it's still as tender and gooey as ever.

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Sautéed Radishes with Bacon

Sauteed Radishes with Bacon
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Radishes are crisp and a little spicy, making them a perfect pair for smoky and fatty bacon.

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Parker House Rolls

Parker House Rolls
Photographer: Alison Miksch / Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn / Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

While store-bought rolls are fine, they can't compare to homemade. Especially when eaten warm straight out of the oven.

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Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas

Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas
Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

We replace thinly sliced potatoes with gnocchi in this gratin. The result? A cheesy side that tastes like macaroni and cheese and scalloped potatoes had a baby.

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Oven-Roasted Corn On The Cob

Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob
PHOTOGRAPHER: FRED HARDY II, FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL, PROPS STYLIST: CHRISTINA BROCKMAN

You don't need to fire up the grill to serve perfect corn on the cob this Easter.

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Asparagus with Cheese Sauce and Herb Breadcrumbs

Asparagus with Cheese Sauce and Herb Breadcrumbs
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

This refined looking side couldn't be easier to put together. Double the delicious breadcrumb mixture to use on top of pasta or casseroles later in the week.

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Chocolate-Peanut Butter Eggs

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Eggs
Cedric Angeles; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Combining chocolate and peanut butter is never a bad idea, especially when brought together to make this sweet Easter treat.

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Easter Birds' Nest Coconut Cupcakes

Easter Birds' Nest Coconut Cupcakes
Cedric Angeles; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This coconut cupcake recipe is lighter and more tender than a boxed mix, and is enriched with extra coconut flavor thanks to the coconut milk in the batter.

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Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs

Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

This spin on a Caesar salad uses Greek yogurt to lighten up the dressing; and you'll need at least one lighter side to balance Easter dinner out.

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Watergate Salad

Watergate Salad

Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Every Easter meal needs one nostalgic side, so may we suggest this Jell-O salad? The maraschino cherry on top helps pull together the fluffy, simple dessert.

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Herbed Chicken-and-Rice Salad

Herbed Chicken-and-Rice Salad
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Chicken and rice are Southern staples, so why not serve them together in a salad as one of your many Easter sides? Lots of tender herbs and a bright lemon dressing give the salad plenty of vivid colors and a fresh taste.

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Chocolate Poke Cake

Chocolate Poke Cake

Stacy Allen, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke, Food Stylist: Jen Riley

Store-bought shortcuts like cake mix and instant pudding make this dessert easy to whip together after a long day of cooking Easter mains and sides.

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Lemon Granita

three cups of lemon granita on marble with a striped yellow napkin
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Here's a dessert for all the non-bakers out there. The frozen treat is easy to make, but still feels fancy.

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Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad

Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Salad is a flexible term in the South and this is one of the salads that stretch the definition of the term. Nonetheless, it's a delicious addition to the Easter table.

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Éclair Cake

Eclair Cake

Molly Bolton

This cake has all the flavor of the French pastry, but none of the technical skill required.

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Ambrosia Trifle

Ambrosia Trifle
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Giulietta Pinna; Food Styling: Ali Ramee

Ambrosia doesn't have to be only for Christmas. Assembled into a trifle, it's a lovely way to end Easter with the family.

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Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder

Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder
Alison Miksch

Pork shoulder doesn't always have to mean barbecue. Braised in apple cider, honey, and mustard, it becomes a meaty main perfect for Easter entertaining.

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Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Southern Living roasted fingerling potatoes recipe in serving bowl with forks and plates beside

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

For a fancier potato side dish, give these slender potatoes a try. Roasting turns them crispy and tender. The butter-and-herb coating is all the flavor you need.

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Glazed Spiral-Cut Ham

Glazed spiral-cut ham on white platter

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Missie Neville Crawford

One ham, three glazes. Pick the one that matches your meal's flavors, and use the fail-proof glaze ham recipe to turn it into a centerpiece.

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Cheesecake Fruit Salad

Southern Living Cheesecake Fruit Salad in a bowl to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

A creamy way to enjoy this fresh, colorful side.

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