15 Easter Dishes You’ll Only Know About If You’re From The Midwest
Growing up in the Midwest means having your fair share of, shall we say, interesting meals. Every Midwesterner has experienced, at least once, the moment of watching a friend's face turn from shock to disgust or awe listening to a description of a meal that we, frankly, didn’t realize was strange at all. We are big fans of out-of-the-box combinations, casseroles, and pre-made hacks like Jell-O and tater tots, and for many a Midwestern household, Easter is the perfect opportunity to display a truly regional spread. These 10 recipes are sure to take you back to Midwest Easter—pastel polos and sun hats not included.
When I think about Easter at my family’s Kansas table, I think of carbs and casseroles aplenty. For a slice of the finest the flyovers have to offer, try our tater tot casserole, our funeral potatoes, or our corn casserole.
While eggs are a classic fixture of Easter for fun and food—and sometimes both at the same time like in our Easter bread—when it comes to Easter dinner, ham is the real start of the show. In my family, we always made a classic honey-glazed ham and would eat leftovers for days and days to come. For our Midwestern spins, try our copycat Honey Baked ham, our classic baked ham, or our ham & bean soup.
In my opinion, Easter dessert is when the beauty of Midwest cooking really gets to shine. From classics and festive spins on classics like our banana pudding and Easter bunny cinnamon rolls, to the crown jewel of Midwest dessert innovation, the strawberry pretzel tart, we’ve got plenty of sweets to choose from.
Looking for more Easter inspiration? We’ve got you covered with guides from everything from breakfast, to dinner, drinks, and treats. Happy hopping!
Funeral Potatoes
Don't be fooled by the name—the only thing deathly about this casserole is how absolutely delicious it is. This cheesy, creamy casserole is originally a Mormon dish, but has now become a staple at holidays in my Kansas household.
Get the Funeral Potatoes recipe.
Tater Tot Casserole
Midwesterner or not, you'll love this casserole. Topped with crispy tater tots, this customizable casserole is a dream. Our version uses beef, but feel free to substitute your preferred protein.
Get the Tater Tot Casserole recipe.
Strawberry Pretzel Tart
In my house, we call this pretzel salad, but whatever you call it, this dessert strikes the perfect balance between sweet and salty. It might sound a little strange, but trust me—it just works. The pretzel crust is a surprisingly ideal complement to the rich cream cheese layer and the sweet strawberries and Jell-O.
Get the Strawberry Pretzel Tart recipe.
Ambrosia Salad
At every holiday, a fruit and Cool Whip-based salad is an absolute must. The variations change depending on the holiday and whose family recipe is being showcased, but this ambrosia salad is difficult to beat.
Get the Ambrosia Salad recipe.
Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls
While cinnamon rolls certainly aren't secrets hidden inside the Midwest, I would argue they are taken advantage of more often. Chili and cinnamon rolls anyone? These adorable Easter sweets put a festive spin on a classic treat.
Get the Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls.
Copycat Honey Baked Ham
Honey Baked ham is grand, deliciously smoky, and has a signature caramelized crust all over, but is also something you have to plan to order in advance and can be a little on the pricey side. This Easter, save your time and money with our copycat recipe.
Get the Copycat Honey Baked Ham recipe.
Ham & Bean Soup
This simple Midwest classic is warm, comforting, and endlessly filling, not to mention, the perfect way to utilize leftover ham. Customize it with your favorite ingredients for a hearty soup the whole family can enjoy.
Get the Ham & Bean Soup recipe.
Classic Deviled Eggs
A classic appetizer, deviled eggs bring the party to any event. Every Easter, my family playfully argues over who is taking too many deviled eggs from the platter, and once you give this famous app a chance, you'll understand why.
Get the Classic Deviled Eggs recipe.
Cheesy Mashed Potato & Ham Bake
Imagine a crispy topping on your rich mashed potatoes with an added ham layer, and you've got this cheesy casserole. Serve it as a main or as a side this Easter—it'll be beloved no matter what.
Get the Cheesy Mashed Potato & Ham Bake recipe.
Banana Pudding
This sweet, classic dessert is a favorite every year. With towering layers of vanilla pudding, ripe bananas, whipped cream, and wafer cookies, this homemade recipe is one I’ll never tire of. It’s simple to create and assemble; the key to perfection is patience
Get the Banana Pudding recipe.
Corn Casserole
This corn casserole is packed with sweet corn, balanced by a pinch of paprika and herby chives, and has an insanely tender and custardy texture that will have you on your third helping before you even know what hit you.
Get the Corn Casserole recipe.
Potato Rolls
Fresh out of the oven, each of these rolls has a crispy bottom, buttery top, and unbelievably soft center. The secret? Starch from potatoes.
Get the Potato Rolls recipe.
Jell-O Cake
This Jell-O cake is a delicious and easy dessert that was all the rage at potlucks and parties in the '70s and '80s, and we want to bring it back. It's giving nostalgia, kitsch, and strawberry shortcake vibes, and we are here for it.
Get the Jell-O Cake recipe.
Ham & Cheese Pinwheels
Packed full of ham and melty cheese, these shareable pinwheel sandwiches get an added flavor boost from fresh parsley and toasty poppy seeds. Endlessly customizable and too easy to create, these 30-minute pinwheels are the perfect last-minute app if you need a guaranteed hit for a crowd.
Get the Ham & Cheese Pinwheels recipe.
Dr. Pepper-Pineapple Glazed Ham
If you're not glazing your ham in a sweet-acidic mixture of Dr. Pepper and pineapple juice, you're doing it wrong.
Get the Dr. Pepper-Pineapple Glazed Ham recipe.
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