11 Easter Dinner Ideas If You Don't Like Lamb

By: Foodlets
Giada De Laurentiis  - Prosciutto-wrapped Scallops

Giada De Laurentiis - Prosciutto-wrapped Scallops

Photo by: Adrian Mueller ©2012, Adrian Mueller - www.amueller.com, Cooking Channel, LLC All Rights Reserved

Adrian Mueller, 2012, Adrian Mueller - www.amueller.com, Cooking Channel, LLC All Rights Reserved

Lamb may be a classic Easter dish, but if your family is like mine and doesn’t hold that dish in your repertoire, there are plenty of delicious choices that are every bit as festive. Read on below for my tried-and-true picks, like ham, pork roast, chicken and seafood.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Scallops (pictured above)

Not only does Giada wrap succulent scallops with salty prosciutto, but she also rubs the seafood with a flavorful mixture of sun-dried tomatoes, olives, fresh basil and balsamic vinegar.

Anne Burrel Pasta Bolognese

Anne Burrel Pasta Bolognese

Photo by: Armando Rafael

Armando Rafael

The beauty of making this dish for company is that the sauce needs to simmer for a few hours before serving, which means that you can get the bulk of the meal finished before your guests arrive.

Food Stylist:  Anne Disrude 
Prop Stylist: Leslie Siegel

FOODNETWORK_20101215_184.tif

Food Stylist: Anne Disrude Prop Stylist: Leslie Siegel

Photo by: Tina Rupp

Tina Rupp

Start with a classic ham and dress it up with bold flavors. This one gives four glaze options: Apple-Maple, Mustard-Orange, Hoisin-Spice and Pineapple-Apricot.

Photo by: Picasa

Picasa

Pair this moist and tender pork roast with scalloped potatoes and roasted asparagus for an impressive holiday dinner.

Rachael Ray’s easier version of a classic comes together quickly with no meat mallet required. You’ll get the same tangy flavors with capers, white wine and lemon juice in a hearty pasta with juicy chunks of chicken. Bonus: Since it’s an all-in-one meal, there’s no need to make separate protein-starch components.

It’s time to think beyond Thanksgiving when we see turkey. In fact, roast turkey is my mom’s go-to party meal. You can bet this version is something special, with melted butter, fresh lemon and thyme in abundance. It’s no wonder Ina Garten’s recipe has racked up a stellar 5-star rating.

Photo by: Picasa

Picasa

I love it when a fancy meal actually cooks quickly and easily. This crowd-pleaser is one of those go-to dinners, and it’s done in 20 minutes.

Giada De Laurentiis tops her quick-cooking salmon with a mixture of oranges, lemon juice, fresh mint and capers for a sweet-salty flavor combo that’s undeniably fresh.

There’s just something decadent about juicy shrimp peeking out from tender noodles in a buttery sauce — especially when there’s vibrant lemon juice running throughout.

nach and Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Breasts: Rachael Ray

nach and Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Breasts: Rachael Ray

Photo by: Tara Donne ©Tara Donne

Tara Donne, Tara Donne

Leave it to Rachael to come up with another quickie meal that seems straight from a restaurant kitchen. Oozing with two kinds of cheese, plenty of garlic and earthy mushrooms, it’s a company-worthy dish.

FN_BeefTenderloinBlackOliveSauce_RachaelRay_s4x3

Photo by: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Brian Kennedy, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

For a wow-worthy steak dinner, look no further than this top-rated tenderloin. It cooks right in the oven — no grilling required — and is best served with a coarse roasted pepper-garlic mixture.

Charity Curley Mathews is the mom of four small kids and lives in North Carolina on a mini farm in the making. She’s a contributor to InStyle, The Huffington Post and eHow Food and the founder of Foodlets.com, a food and parenting blog where every recipe is full of fresh ingredients, simple to make and kid-tested x4. You can follow her on Facebook.

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