Easter Dinner Menu Ideas

Easter is fast approaching. Are you searching for the perfect Easter dinner menu idea? Check out this delicious Easter dinner menu idea that will be served on many dining tables, this Easter Sunday. The perfect thing about these Easter dish ideas is the fact that this menu can be prepared the day before and simply heated before serving on Easter Sunday!

Easter Dinner Menu Idea: Main Dish Idea
Old Fashioned Meatloaf

* 1 1/2 to 2 pounds ground beef
* 1/2 cup rolled oats
* 1 large onion chopped
* 1 small bell pepper chopped
* 1 small can tomato paste
* 1 small can of tomato sauce
* 2 eggs
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place all ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Mix all ingredients, I use my hand. The simplest tool to effectively blend the ingredients of a meatloaf. Put the meatloaf mixture into a non-greased loaf pan and place a piece of aluminum foil on top to speed the cooking process. It also keeps the meatloaf from drying out. Put the meatloaf into the oven and cook for 1 hour. Carefully remove the meatloaf from the oven. Pour the tomato sauce on top of your meatloaf and return to the oven, uncovered and cook an additional 30 minutes. Serve while meatloaf is still warm.

Easter Dinner Menu Idea: Side Dish Idea
Southern Style Black Eyed Peas

* 2 cans black eyed peas
* 1/2 onion (chopped)
* 3 strips bacon
* 6 whole okra pods
* salt to taste

In a small frying pan, fry bacon until almost crisp. Set aside to cool.

Open the two cans of black eyed peas and pour into a medium size sauce pan. Place on medium heat and bring to a boil.

Cut bacon into bite size pieces and add to the black eyed peas. Pour in the bacon drippings. Reduce heat and let the black eyed peas and bacon simmer, 10 minutes.

Add chopped onions, okra and salt. Simmer only long enough to cook the vegetables. Around 10 minutes. Do not overcook as this will make the okra in your southern black eyed peas slimy. Remove from heat. Serve while still hot.

Easter Dinner Menu Idea: Side Dish Idea
Loaded Mashed Potatoes

* 4 large potatoes (white)
* 4 tablespoons butter or margarine
* 1/8 cup milk or cream
* 1 tablespoon garlic powder salt and pepper to taste
* 2 strips bacon (cooked and crumbled)
* 2 green onions chopped (tips and bulb)
* shredded cheese
* sour cream

Peel and wash the potatoes, cut into small slices. Put the potatoes onto a large pan with enough water to cover the potatoes completely. Add the garlic powder. Place the pot of potatoes on the stove and cook on high heat for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Drain.

Place the potatoes into a large bowl and mash until all lumps are gone. Add the butter, milk or cream, salt and pepper. Stir until butter has melted and the potatoes are creamy.

Transfer the mashed potatoes into a large casserole dish, sprinkle with the chopped onion and bacon. Add dollops of sour cream over the top and sprinkle generously with sour cream. Place into a 350 degree pre-heated oven for 10 or 15 minutes...just long enough for the cheese to melt. Serve.