favorite easter recipes.
Easter is coming up quickly - as we all know, I'm a planner. I like to plan WELL in advance in order to avoid last minute requests of "hey babe, can you go buy 4 boxes of butter" the day of. (It's happened, more than once. Mike is a trooper.)
The best plan of attack, for me, is to cook many of my dishes in the crockpot. I have three - yes, you read right, three. I entertain *a lot people. Last year I tried a crockpot ham recipe and I will never go back. I've shared a few of my favorite quick and easy Easter recipes below that can ALL be prepped the day before or cooked in the crockpot.
1. Easy Crockpot Honey Ham
The ham is the MOST important part of Easter lunch, in my opinion, but who wants to tie up their oven all day to get it right when there are other things to cook? You'll need an 8-10 lb spiral cut ham, fully cooked.
Ingredients:
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup veggie broth (or light beer)
1/4 cup dijon mustard
10 whole cloves
1 (8-10 lb) spiral cut ham
serves 8-10.
Make the glaze by adding brown sugar, honey, broth, mustard, and cloves in small sauce pan, bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook for about 5 minutes, remove cloves.
Place ham in 6 quart or larger crock pot.
Pour glaze over ham, slightly separating the slices.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours, basting about every hour with the glaze.
2. Macaroni and Cheese
This is another crock pot recipe that I SWEAR I've probably given to at least 20 people. It is so easy and always tasty. Plus, it cooks for an army. You can choose to use 5 cups of shredded cheddar as opposed to the different types of cheeses to keep it simple. I've made this recipe both ways, both are equally tasty!
Ingredients:
16 oz uncooked elbow macaroni
3 cup shredded sharp/medium cheddar
1 cup shredded gruyere
1 cup shredded parmesan
12 oz evaporated milk
8 oz cream cheese
1 can cream of cheddar soup
2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 stick butter
1 tsp dry mustard powder
salt + pepper to taste
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/3 cup sour cream (optional)
1/4 cup mayo (optional)
Cube butter and cream cheese.
Combine all ingredients in crockpot and stir.
Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours, stirring every hour. Add more liquid if necessary (up to 1 cup of whipping cream OR chicken broth)
3. Corn Bread Casserole
This is a personal favorite of mine. I cannot remember a Thanksgiving or Easter where this dish hasn't been present and it has minimal ingredients.
Ingredients:
1 package JIFFY cornbread mix
1 can creamed corn
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 stick butter, melted
1 cup sour cream
3 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
Preheat oven to 375 and lightly grease 2 qt casserole dish.
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
Bake 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and set.
4. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Okay, I love anything potato. When I made this in the crockpot, I knew I was in love. I've made in the oven before, but why would I go through that type of trouble when I could toss in crock pot and allow it to do all the work?
Ingredients:
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
1 clove garlic minced
2 lbs russet potatoes, sliced (use a mandolin)
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup gouda, shredded
1 cup shredded parmesan
1 cup shredded gruyere
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Mix chicken broth and cream, set aside.
Melt butter in saucepan, whisk in flour to create a roux.
Slowly add cream/stock mixture, stirring constantly.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes.
Remove from heat, add cheese and stir until cheese is melted.
Pour small amount of cream mixture into bottom of crock pot, add layer of potatoes on top with overlapping pattern. Pour cream mixture over potatoes. Repeat with remaining potato slices and cream mixture until both have been used entirely.
Cover and cook for 4-5 hours on high heat.
When ready to serve, remove lid and let potatoes rest for 15 minutes to allow sauce to thicken.
These are my top 4 recipes for Easter than are either easy to prep or can be made in the crock pot. Share your favorite easy Easter recipes!
xoxolauren