Tips to Plan a Low-Budget Easter Dinner

While Easter is not all about the food, it is a part of the holiday many of us look forward to. Gathering with family, laughing, talking, and stuffing our faces... Easter dinner is a large part of the day. However, it can get to be very expensive when only one person is buying all the food. Not to mention preparing all the food alone takes a lot of time away from enjoying the family. But there are ways that you can plan a low-budget Easter dinner to fill everyone up.

Share the Work

First and foremost, delegate dishes to the other family members, even if it is something small. Every little bit helps take some of the weight off your shoulders - and leaves a little more in your pocketbook. Ask each adult to bring a dish or a beverage, whether it is a side dish, an appetizer, or a bottle of soda. Give them dish ideas, and coordinate the menu so you don't have ten salads and one dessert item.

Easy Appetizer Ideas

Since eggs are cheap, and most people enjoy eating deviled eggs, they are a good appetizer choice for your guests. They are very simple to make: Boil the eggs, and peel them once they have cooled. Cut each egg in half, lengthwise, and remove the yolk. Whip the yolk with mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, and any other ingredient of your choice. Fill each egg half with the mixture and top with paprika if you like. Other cheap appetizer ideas include bacon cheddar deviled eggs, nacho dip, and stuffed mushrooms.

The Main Course

For the main dish, you have several options, from chicken to turkey and duck. Since you are looking for a cheap and easy Easter dinner idea, consider buying a budget-friendly brisket and letting it cook overnight. Putting it in the oven Saturday night will give you extra time on Sunday to prepare the rest of the meal. Use your favorite recipe; if you don't have a favorite, try this one .

Side Dishes

The sides help make up the Easter dinner we look forward to every year. Of course, mashed potatoes and veggies are a must. Also, homemade bread or dinner rolls can be cheaper than store-bought ones, when you make them in large batches. And what better time is there to make a large batch than for the Easter holiday? Often, you will be able to buy several boxes of Jell-O for less than a dollar, so whip up a bowl of Jell-O salad, too.

Dessert

Carrot cake is a delicious and easy dessert to make for after the Easter meal. Plus, it is healthy and even the Easter Bunny will appreciate the effort. For the kids, make these fun Easter Bunny snack cakes (beware - they are very sugary!). Other cheap dessert ideas include homemade apple pie, cheesecake, and brownies.

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