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These Italian Easter Recipes are the recipes you need to host a delicious and festive Italian Easter celebration. Find out exactly what to make for Easter this year with these simple and traditional Italian menu ideas.
Whether you are hosting a small brunch or a large dinner, these recipes are perfect for your Italian Easter. Get the traditional recipes as well as fun twists on classics, all in one place.
While most traditional Italian Easter foods are heavy on the meat, featuring such rich fare as braised lamb, this menu features recipes designed for grazing with simple recipes that are more make-ahead friendly.
What is Italian Easter?
Easter (called "Pasqua" in Italian) marks the end of a long period of fasting during Lent. During this time, Italians avoided foods such as meat, eggs, and butter. So, when Easter arrives, it was time to indulge in all of these foods and celebrate with family and friends.
Traditional Italian Easter features many different foods and is always a social event. These 20 recipes focus around fresh spring produce like asparagus, peas, and lemons. Read on to find some of the best Italian Easter recipes and host your own celebration.
Italian Easter Recipes
Stuck on what to cook this year? Be sure to check out these tried and tested recipes that will make your Italian Easter celebration truly memorable and delicious. Here is a list of some of the best Italian Easter Recipes:
Easter Starters and Sides
Italian Easter Bread | No Yeast Recipe - Italian Easter Bread recipe without yeast is going to be your new favorite way to make Easter Bread. This quick and easy Italian Easter tradition takes minutes to make and is so delicious. (click here for recipe)
Print Recipe
Italian Easter Bread | No Yeast Recipe
This no-yeast Italian Easter Bread is easy to make and perfect for Easter Brunch. This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled with excellent results. The dough is crumblier than traditional Easter breads, so forming into a donut shape is usually the easiest way to prepare it. Top with sprinkles and a raw colored egg (that cooks in the oven) to make this bread extra festive.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Total Time40 minutes mins
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Easter Bread, Italian Bread, Italian Easter Bread
Servings: 9 servings
Calories: 265kcal
Author: Angela Allison
Cost: 5-6
Equipment
baking sheet
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour (plus more for dusting counter)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter, softened (one stick)
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 large egg, beaten (for brushing the tops of breads)
Decorating
- 3 dyed eggs (optional)
- multicolor sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat; set aside.
In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a bowl or stand up mixer, cream together the room temperature butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Reduce speed of mixer to low, and gradually add in the flour mixture and milk until combined.
Pour mixture out on to floured surface and press together into a disk shape. Divide the dough into three equal parts. Roll the dough pieces into about 8 inch logs and form into donut shape. Place on baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each bread.
Brush breads with beaten egg and top with sprinkles if using. Place the colored egg in the middle hole of the bread.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
This no-yeast bread recipe is slight sweet and pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or espresso. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Nutrition
Calories: 265kcal
Italian Deviled Eggs - Italian Deviled Eggs are a fun change from traditional deviled eggs. This Italian-inspired appetizer is made with salami, parmesan, and green onion, and is great for parties and holidays. (Click here for recipe)
Asparagus Tart with Lemon and Ricotta - Asparagus Tart with Ricotta and Lemon is an easy and crowd-pleasing recipe that requires little work and is so elegant. Great as an appetizer or side dish, don’t miss this delicious tart! (click here for recipe)
Peas and Pancetta - Peas and Pancetta is a delicious and easy Italian side dish that comes together fast! Made with frozen peas, diced pancetta, and sliced shallots. (click here for recipe)
Italian Tomato Onion Salad - Italian Tomato Onion Salad is a great starter for Italian Easter dinner. Made with fresh vine tomatoes, red onion, garlic, and balsamic vinegar, this simple salad is a great side dish or starter. (click here for recipe)
Easter Main Dishes
Pizza Rustica | Italian Easter Pie - Traditional Italian Easter Pie with a delicious cheesy and meaty ricotta filling is perfect for your Easter menu. Pizza Rustica is an easy to make and crowd pleasing meal that everyone will love. (click here for recipe)
Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze - Slow Cooker Ham is a great way to cook your holiday ham. Using a boneless ham and a delicious brown sugar glaze, this ham requires little prep and cooks easily in your slow cooker. (click here for recipe)
Asparagus Ricotta Frittata - Asparagus Ricotta Frittata is a simple and delicious recipe that's made with fresh asparagus, shallots, ricotta cheese, eggs, and mozzarella. This classic Italian egg dish is simple to make and perfect for any occasion.(click here for recipe)
Salmon Wellington - Delicious and elegant, this simple recipe for Salmon Wellington is sure to be the hit of your Easter celebration. Salmon wrapped in puff pastry and served with a rich whipped dijon dill sauce.(click here for recipe)
Mushroom Pea Risotto - Mushroom Pea Risotto is a classic Italian recipe that is simple and delicious. Made with arborio rice, mushrooms, frozen peas, and parmesan cheese, this recipe is perfect for any your Easter meal.(click here for recipe)
Tortellini Primavera - Tortellini Primavera is an easy and fast recipe with veggies and cheese. Use whatever spring veggies you have on hand or substitute frozen vegetables. (click here for recipe)
Italian Turkey Lasagna - This recipe for Italian Turkey Lasagna is simple, delicious, and so easy to make. Featuring ground turkey, no boil lasagna noodles, ricotta, and mozzarella. (click here for recipe)
Desserts and Sweets
Olive Oil Bundt Cake - One taste of this olive oil bundt cake and you'll be hooked. This Italian dessert or breakfast Ciambella is made with olive oil, greek yogurt, lemon juice and zest, and is topped with a lemon honey glaze.(click here for recipe)
Italian Easter Cookies - Italian Easter Cookies are one tradition you don't want to miss! These soft batch frosted cookies are super easy to make and perfect for the holidays. (click here for recipe)
Lemon Amaretti Cookies - Lemon Amaretti Cookies are a delicious take on traditional Italian Amaretti cookies. Soft and chewy amaretti cookies are great for any occasion.(click here for recipe)
Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cake - This traditional Italian Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cake is the perfect dessert or snacking cake to have on hand. Made with ricotta cheese and mini chocolate chips, this simple cake is the best texture with so much flavor.(click here for recipe)
Blueberry Lemon Mascarpone Tart - Blueberry Lemon Mascarpone Tart is a simple to make tart featuring an olive oil crust, slightly sweet mascarpone filling, and blueberry lemon sauce topping. You’re going to love this sophisticated spin on traditional blueberry cheesecake. (click here for recipe)
Limoncello Tiramisu - Limoncello Tiramisu is a simple and make-ahead Italian dessert made with Limoncello liqueur, mascarpone cheese, and ladyfinger cookies. Full of bright flavors, you are going to love this lemony version of classic tiramisu.(click here for recipe)
Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake
This recipe for Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake is the BEST out there! Light, fluffy, and full of flavor, it is the perfect Italian dessert.(click here for recipe)
Blueberry Ricotta Coffee Cake - Blueberry Ricotta Coffee Cake is a super moist and flavorful cake with a brown sugar oatmeal streusel topping. Made with ricotta cheese and fresh blueberries, this recipe is perfect for Easter. (click here for recipe)
Any of these dishes would be a delicious additional to your Easter meal. And don't forget to add these Taralli Dolci di Pasqua or this Italian Easter Cake to your list of recipes! These are all tested and perfected recipes that you are sure to love. Click on the photos or text to get the recipe as well as the option to print them out. And be sure to comment on any recipes you try!
