I know it’s rough out there right now; the price of groceries (and don’t even get me started on gas) are through the roof, but there’s no way I’m letting that stop me from hosting my annual Easter celebration! There are plenty of ways to throw an affordable holiday bash, including making it a potluck, but I went a different route: I put together this entire menu for 8 people by shopping at my local Walmart for under $40. I beat my own budget; I almost couldn’t believe it!
Note: Always check the store brand’s price first! Great Value (Walmart’s store brand) Hawaiian rolls were $1.98 where the name brand Hawaiian rolls were $4.72 for the same number of rolls.
Download our $40 Easter Dinner Grocery List PDF HERE!
This menu is a mix of smart shortcuts and a few tried-and-true Budget Bytes recipes that help turn this simple grocery list into a full Easter dinner. Some items are ready to serve as-is, while others can be dressed up with basics you might already have at home. Either way, this menu gives you plenty of flexibility depending on your budget, time, and what’s in your kitchen.
And remember, at the end of the day, the most important part of ANY gathering is the people who are there. So, rest assured you’re going to have a happy Easter if you give yourself permission to be present and enjoy your company!
I went with my baked ham with pineapple recipe for this Easter dinner plan. It’s SO easy and flavorful, even if you skip the mustard, brown sugar, and spices! You’ll still end up with a show stopping ham by using just the canned pineapple and its juices to baste it. Cook it for about 20 minutes per pound in a 350°F oven, tented with foil, and it’s done! A lot of hams come with a seasoning packet, so you could use that, too, if your spice drawer is lacking.
When it comes to choosing your ham, a 4-lb ham might seem too small, but when you look at all the amazing sides spread out on your holiday table, I bet you’ll have leftovers! ¼ lb per person is more than enough ham, but I made the portions a bit more generous in this meal plan at ½ lb per person, so there’s a little more wiggle room (just in case you have a surprise guest pop in!). Even if you have to stretch this ham to ¼ lb per serving, everyone will have plenty to eat with all the sides.
If you don’t have much on hand for pantry staples like sugar and flour, you can totally steam the corn and serve it hot as-is with just a dollop of butter on top. Or, you can transform the corn into creamed corn with just a few simple ingredients I’m willing to bet you already have on hand!
I LOVE my new recipe for creamed peas, but I didn’t want to have two creamed side dishes on the same menu, so I opted to steam the peas instead. Steamed peas are classic, cheap, and so incredibly easy to make. I just pour the frozen peas into a microwave-safe container, cover with water, and microwave them for a couple minutes until heated through. You can also use a steam basket on the stove top. Add some butter before serving for a little extra richness (optional), plus a pinch of salt and pepper if you like.
These Hasselback potatoes are a great way to turn an inexpensive bag of russets into a satisfying side for Easter dinner (or any meal!!). You can use whatever oil you already have on hand, and the seasonings are totally optional and flexible. They’re an easy, budget-friendly side, and I love that they still look a little more dressed up on the plate!
I kept the Hawaiian rolls super simple by brushing the tops with half a batch of the glaze from our ham and cheese sliders recipe, then warming them in a 350°F oven using those same directions. It’s an easy way to dress up these store-bought rolls for Easter dinner. That slider recipe is also perfect for using up any leftover ham after the holiday!
But of course, you can serve the rolls exactly as they are, and they’ll still be a great addition to your meal. We also have a Hawaiian roll recipe you can try if you have the time and ingredients on hand to make them from scratch.
I had to include deviled eggs on this menu because they’re such a favorite for Easter, potlucks, and holiday gatherings. They always disappear fast whenever I make them! This is our tried-and-true budget recipe that keeps things simple with a creamy filling made from mayo, Dijon, and seasonings. I already had those ingredients on hand, so it didn’t add anything to my overall budget, but don’t worry if your kitchen isn’t as stocked! You can make a simpler version with just mayo, salt, and pepper, and still have a delicious side for the table.
As you can see, this grocery list can still make a full holiday meal no matter how you prep it. The same goes for the carrots! You could totally roast, steam, or air fry them, keeping it simple with just a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, or you can whip up a batch of our 5-ingredient glazed carrots. (The kids AND adults will be licking their plates—I highly recommend the glazed carrots!)
Now, dessert is one area where I was really impressed with the value for money. I picked up a ready-made carrot cake that looks cute and slices neatly into 8 pieces. Of course, you can absolutely make our carrot cake or carrot cake bars instead, but it really just depends on what ingredients you already have and whether you have the time to make dessert from scratch. But rest assured, whether you go homemade or store-bought, everyone still gets a sweet little something to end the meal with this budget Easter dinner plan!
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