Easter is just around the corner, and I know I’m not the only one who volunteered last minute to host a get-together. Thinking of creative side dishes can be difficult when all you can think of is mashed potatoes and creamed corn. As usual though, here at Forkly, we have you covered! These side dishes range in gourmet-ness and difficulty; but no matter what you choose from this list, your guests will be satisfied. I’ve included a variety of salads which are an easy way to accommodate every dietary restriction in the crowd. Choose from this list of irresistible side dishes, whip them up and enjoy lots of family time this weekend. Happy Easter!

1. Loaded Mashed Potato Cups

Ditch those old school mashed potato recipes and jazz them up with a little pastry and your favorite baked potato toppings. Your guests will definitely be reaching for seconds.

To make it even easier for you and more fun for your guests, have the toppings on the side and have your guests top their own pastries.

http://www.iwashyoudry.com/2013/12/30/loaded-mashed-potato-cups/ Photos By: I Wash You Dry

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2. Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots

Change up the old boiled carrots recipes with this simple yet stunning roasted carrot recipe. Garnish with some greenery and your guests will be asking who catered supper!

The Easter bunny may even visit your house early just to get a bite of these sweet things.

http://carlsbadcravings.com/honey-garlic-roasted-carrots/ Photos By: Carl’s Bad Cravings

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3. Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad

Don’t let those artificially colored eggs be the only bright food on Easter! This fresh salad is packed with healthy ingredients and a little touch of pleasure – pasta!

Add whole grain or brown rice pasta noodles to make this dish even healthier.

http://diethood.com/strawberry-avocado-pasta-salad-balsamic-glaze-recipe/ Photos By: Diethood

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4. Israeli Couscous with Pistachios, Apricots, and Cranberries

A little dried fruit, some nuts, and some filling grains! This salad will attract all those foodies in the crowd and will catch the eye of all.

Depart from the regular Easter side dish and introduce your guests to some new Easter foods!

http://www.foodiecrush.com/couscous-with-pistachios-apricots-and-cranberries/ Photos By: Foodie Crush

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5. Lemon Orzo with Asparagus

Orzo sides nicely with any ham, chicken or turkey you may be serving at Easter. It’s simple yet unique recipe will be your best friend when you realize last minute that you need more food.

http://www.jocooks.com/healthy-eating/lemon-orzo-with-asparagus/ Photos By: Jo Cooks

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6. Duchess Potatoes

The presentation is everything – proper and pretty, these potatoes look almost as lovely as cupcake icing.

It’s a great way to save room on your dinner plate for more food instead of a sloppy scoop of mashed potato casserole. Both are delicious – but one allows more on your plate!

http://www.homemadeinterest.com/duchess-potatoes/ Photos By: Homemade Interest

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7. Garlic Prosciutto Brussel Sprouts

Ew Brussel Sprouts. Right? Wrong. We love these little sprouts because of the way they’re cooked with garlic and a favorite Italian meat – Prosciutto.

Even the kids will be asking for a few more sprouts and you’ll have to remind them to leave room for dessert!

http://rasamalaysia.com/garlic-prosciutto-brussels-sprouts/ Photos By: Rasamalaysia

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8. Oven Roasted Root Potatoes

Color, flavor, and nutrients: all packed into one side dish. These pair well with Easter casseroles and meats and are always popular at family gatherings.

Flavor with your favorite spices, throw in the oven and you are good to go. Don’t forget to set a timer!

https://brendid.com/oven-roasted-root-vegetables/ Photos By: Bren Did

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9. Cheesy Bacon Broccoli Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Easter can be a time where you eat a lot of sugar and carbs – ease up and fill up on some great nutrients by bringing this dish to the next Easter potluck!

You can also scoop out the Spaghetti Squash and fill a casserole dish.

http://peasandcrayons.com/2016/10/cheesy-bacon-broccoli-stuffed-spaghetti-squash.html Photos By: Peas and Crayons

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10. Blackberry Honey Walnut Salad

I think this just looks like spring. Sweet and flavorful with a splash of color, the blackberries will be an unexpected addition to the dinner table this Easter.

http://carlsbadcravings.com/blackberry-honey-walnut-salad-easy-blackberry-balsamic-vinaigrette/ Photos By: Carls Bad Cravings

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11. Goat Cheese Polenta with Balsamic Mushrooms

Going gourmet? Need to impress some loved ones? This is the dish for you! It takes a little love and a little time, but the presentation of this dish alone is enough to make it a success.

http://www.cookingandbeer.com/2015/02/goat-cheese-polenta-with-balsamic-mushrooms/ Photos By: Cooking and Beer

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12. Tomato Mozzarella Salad

You can never go wrong with this simple and beautiful salad. It takes only a few minutes to make and can also be served as an appetizer for those guests that are starving and getting – God forbid – HANGRY.

https://www.littlebroken.com/2015/02/21/tomato-mozzarella-salad-with-balsamic-reduction/ Photos By: Little Broken

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13. Spinach and Quinoa Salad with Apple

An easy combination of flavors is feta, apple, and cranberries. Use this array of flavors on Quinoa, Couscous, Spinach or Rice!

This salad is great to create, using whatever you have kicking around your kitchen, to make a flavorful masterpiece.

http://www.recipegirl.com/2016/09/08/spinach-and-quinoa-salad-with-apple/ Photos By: Recipe Girl

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14. Easter Devilled Eggs

To get these beautiful eggs, you must hop down Cottontail Trail, hang a right and – KIDDING.

All it is, is a little food coloring. This recipe is also a fantastic opportunity to get the kids involved in prepping for Easter Dinner.

http://www.forkly.com/recipes/easter-dyed-deviled-eggs/ Photos by: Forkly

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15. Mandarin Pomegranate Spinach Salad

A pretty salad to eat and to display. This delicious dish is filled with iron and protein that will get you through those long Easter suppers and through the dishwashing afterward as well!

http://www.cookingclassy.com/mandarine-pomegranate-spinach-salad-poppy-seed-dressing/ Photos By: Cooking Classy

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16. Southwest Roasted Potato Salad

Save some dishes, boost your creativity and serve your potatoes and corn all in one dish! The southwest twist on this recipe will take your guests by surprise and add a fun twist to Easter Dinner with your family.

http://www.aberdeenskitchen.com/2016/05/southwest-roasted-potato-salad/ Photos By: Aberdeen’s Kitchen

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17. Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

I have always had a soft spot for my aunt’s Broccoli casserole. This one is almost exactly the same and is SO good. It’s creamy but still filled with lots of health benefits from the broccoli. Be careful not to overcook the broccoli in order to maintain it’s nutritional value.

http://www.yellowblissroad.com/cheesy-broccoli-casserole/ Photo By: Yellow Bliss Road

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18. Roasted Beetroot, Goat Cheese & Walnut Salad

Freshly roasted beets paired with just a few of my favorite things. Minus the nuts because I’m allergic. But I’ve been told they are simply irresistible in a dish like this!

http://thecookspyjamas.com/roasted-beetroot-goats-cheese-walnut-salad/ Photos By: The Cooks Pyjamas

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19. Balsamic Soy Roasted Garlic Mushrooms

You wouldn’t expect something like this to be served as a side dish at Easter – which is all the more reason to cook it! Take your guests by surprise with these cute as a button mushrooms. Don’t forget that splash of parsley for a garnish!

http://www.closetcooking.com/2016/12/balsamic-soy-roasted-garlic-mushrooms.html Photos By: Closet Cooking

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20. Garlic Basil Knots

If you don’t already get why this is a great idea, I really don’t know how to break it down for you. It’s fresh bread. It’s fresh herbs. It’s butter.

It’s the perfect side to absolutely any Easter meal. And you’ll get major brownie points for weaving these works of art into being.

http://www.jocooks.com/bakery/breads/garlic-basil-knots/ Photos By: Jo Cooks

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21. Roasted Beets with Burrata, Pistachios and Orange Vinaigrette

If your family loves to get their foodie on, this side dish is perfect for them! Roasted beets are rich in flavor and in antioxidants.

Mix these nutritional benefits with some fresh cheese and pistachios, and you have yourself a side dish that is going to be remembered and craved for years to come.

https://reciperunner.com/roasted-beets-with-burrata-pistachios-and-orange-vinaigrette/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: RECIPE RUNNER

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22. Honey Lime Quinoa Fruit Salad

Easter is the time of year that demands we break out our bright colors, even if we normally stick to wearing black and white; and food is no different!

Wake your body up from it’s winter slumber with this bright and nutritious salad that will pair nicely with a lovely Easter dinner.

https://therecipecritic.com/2015/06/honey-lime-quinoa-fruit-salad/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: THE RECIPE CRITIC

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23. Spring Roll Salad with Peanut Glazed Tofu

Sometimes bringing some international food into the mix for Easter is one of the best ideas for freshening up your plate with new flavors.

A spring roll salad is colorful and light, making it an excellent side dish for a big family meal that is typically loaded with carbs.

https://evergreenkitchen.ca/home/vegan-spring-roll-salad PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: EVERGREEN KITCHEN

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24. Spiralized Rosemary Potatoes

Are mashed and baked potatoes getting a little old at your family Easter dinners? Try out a whole new recipe that will surprise your family in the best way possible.

These spiralized rosemary potatoes are to die for! Not only are they packed with flavor, but they also have a crispy texture that is a major crowd pleaser.

https://thecleaneatingcouple.com/spiralized-rosemary-potatoes/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: THE CLEAN EATING COUPLE

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25. Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Creamed corn is one of those side dishes you love or love to hate, but regardless of your stance on this side dish, we’re convinced you will love this recipe.

Not only is there corn and cream packed into this slow cooker, but it also contains spices and bacon that make this dish super flavorful.

https://www.cookingclassy.com/slow-cooker-creamed-corn/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: COOKING CLASSY

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26. Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes Puffs

This side dish is for the times when you want to just have french fries with supper, but it’s not really socially appropriate.

Whip up some sweet potatoes and bake them in small swirls of creamy goodness to achieve the crispy and creamy texture that you crave so much.

https://www.tastesoflizzyt.com/twice-baked-sweet-potato-puffs/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: TASTES OF LIZZY T

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27. Instant Pot Hack: How to Cook Sweet Potatoes

The thing about root vegetables is that they take a lot of time to cook, especially in the oven. But these pillowy sweet potatoes cook effortlessly in the IP and once again, the skin literally falls right off! Perfect for eating on their own or to use in other dishes that require cooked sweet taters!

https://www.forkly.com/recipes/instant-pot-hack-how-to-cook-sweet-potatoes/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY

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28. Oven Roasted Asparagus with Garlic, Parmesan, and Lemon

Asparagus is one of those veggies you can never get enough of! They’re packed with nutritional benefits and are so simple to make.

Sometimes the flavor of asparagus can get a little boring, but with this recipe, you can spice it up in no time! Parmesan cheese makes just about everything better.

https://houseofnasheats.com/oven-roasted-asparagus-garlic-parmesan-lemon/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: HOUSE OF NASH EATS

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29. Macaroni Salad with Smoked Mozzarella and Proscuitto

If your family members are fans of pasta, this salad will have them going back for second and third servings of this memorable pasta salad.

The gentle flavor of the mozzarella is contrasted with the salty taste of proscuitto that is always a crowd favorite. Dig in!

https://www.foodiecrush.com/craving-5-recipes-for-creamy-macaroni-salad/# PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: FOODIE CRUSH

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30. Za’atar Honey Roasted Carrots with Creamy Hummus Sauce

Roasted carrots don’t have to be plain or just coated in honey. While both these options are scrumptious, this dish is fantastic for adventurous eaters.

These carrots are roasted to perfection and then served with some sprinklings of cheese and pomegranate seeds to achieve the salty and sweet flavor. The creamy hummus sauce is an unexpected surprise that will knock your socks off.

http://www.abbeyskitchen.com/zaatar-honey-roasted-carrots/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: ABBEY’S KITCHEN

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31. Baked Mac and Cheese Cups

Sometimes you just have to get back to your roots! Who didn’t love mac and cheese as a child? It’s one of those dishes that never gets old, even if you get older!

Serve these individual servings of mac and cheese in muffin tins as a fun side dish to a typically traditional Easter supper and your family and friends will be demanding more for years to come!

https://www.thereciperebel.com/baked-mac-and-cheese-cups-gluten-free-video/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE BY: THE RECIPE REBEL

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32. Instant Pot Hack: How to Cook Butternut Squash

Cooking butternut squash in the Instant Pot makes it both effortless and quick. Perfect to serve up as a side or as part of another side dish on Easter. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the coveted oven space that is at such a prime during major holiday get-togethers!

https://www.forkly.com/recipes/instant-pot-hack-how-to-cook-butternut-squash/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY

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33. Insanely Delicious Instant Pot Green Bean Casserole

We have transformed an American favorite, green bean casserole into an Instant Pot recipe! Traditionally this casserole is served during Thanksgiving but it is seriously so delicious that if you share it for any occasion or potluck everyone will surely thank you!

https://www.forkly.com/recipes/insanely-delicious-instant-pot-green-bean-casserole/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY