I know things are tough out there right now; Grocery prices (and don’t even get me started on gas) are through the roof, but there’s no way I’m going to let that stop me from having my annual Easter celebration! There are many ways to throw an affordable holiday party, including making it a potluck, but I chose a different way: I prepared this entire menu for 8 people by shopping at my local Walmart. for under $40. I beat my own budget; I almost can’t believe it!
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Grocery List
- 4 lbs. Spiral cut ham ($15.60)
- 1 20 oz. can of pineapple rings ($1.62)
- 6 eggs ($0.96)
- Hawaiian Roll ($1.98) – see notes
- 2 pound bag of whole carrots ($2.18)
- 1 yellow onion ($0.88)
- 2 12 oz. bag of frozen corn ($1.96)
- 2 12 oz. bag of frozen peas ($1.96)
- 5 pound bag russet potatoes ($2.47)
- Carrot cake ($5.98)
Notes: Always check store brand prices first! Great Value (Walmart store brand) Hawaiian rolls are $1.98 while name brand Hawaiian rolls are $4.72 for the same number of rolls.
Download the PDF of our $40 Easter Dinner Shopping List HERE!
- Shop at home first. I knew I already had sugar, butter, flour, and a few other staples in the house, so I knew I could jazz up some of these items using Budget Bytes’ tried-and-true recipe. But if you don’t have a pantry stocked with the essentials, you can still throw together a beautiful dinner using JUST what’s on my shopping list!
- Go in with a list and stick to it! Avoid impulse purchases. If you want something more, ask a friend or family member to pick it up on the way to your place.
- Don’t overlook some of these ready-to-wear items—hear me out! The occasional store-bought item not only saves you a little time, but also makes room in your oven for ham, potatoes, and carrots. My favorite perk of grocery items? One less thing on my mind when I’m also trying to have fun with friends and family (or clean the house before they get here!)
What’s in This Easter Dinner for Under $40
This menu is a mix of smart shortcuts and some proven Budget Bytes recipes to help turn this simple grocery list into a complete Easter dinner. Some items are ready to serve as is, while others can be equipped with basic items you may already have at home. Whatever the choice, this menu gives you a lot of flexibility depending on your budget, time, and what’s in your pantry.
And remember, in the end, the most important part of ANY meeting is the people who attend. So, rest assured you will have a happy Easter if you allow yourself to be present and enjoy your company!
Baked Ham with Pineapple
Baked ham
This Baked Ham is sweet, savory, and juicy—the perfect holiday treat. The glaze makes the outside nice and golden but still tender.
$27.24 recipe / $2.47 serving
Get the Recipe
I chose a baked ham with pineapple recipe for this Easter dinner plan. This is SO easy and flavorful, even if you skip the mustard, brown sugar, and spices! You’ll still get delicious ham just by using canned pineapple and its juice as a spread. Cook for about 20 minutes per pound in a 350°F oven, cover with foil, and you’re done! Many hams come with a seasoning packet, so you can also use that if your seasoning container is lacking.
When choosing a ham, a 4 pound ham may seem too small, but when you look at all the amazing sides spread across your holiday table, I’m sure you’ll have leftovers! ¼ pound per person is more than enough ham, but I made the portions a bit larger in this meal plan at ½ pound per person, so there’s more wiggle room (just in case you have a surprise guest coming!). Even if you were to stretch this ham to ¼ pound per serving, everyone would have plenty on all sides.
CREAMED CORN
Creamed Corn Recipe
$5.29 recipe / $0.66 serving
Get the Recipe
If you don’t have many pantry staples like sugar and flour, you can steam the corn completely and serve it hot as is with just a little butter on top. Or, you can turn corn into creamed corn with just a few simple ingredients. I’m sure you already have it!
steamed peas
I LOVE my new recipe for creamed peas, but I didn’t want to have two creamy side dishes on the same menu, so I opted to just steam the peas. Steamed peas are a classic, cheapand very easy to make. I simply pour the frozen peas into a microwave-safe container, cover with water, and pop them in the microwave for a few minutes until fully cooked. You can also use a steam basket on the stove. Add a little butter before serving for extra flavor (optional), plus a pinch of salt and pepper if you like.
Hasselback Potatoes
Hasselback Potatoes
These easy Hasselback Potatoes transform simple spuds into crispy, golden, fan-cut potatoes with plenty of room for your favorite toppings.
$3.45 recipe / $0.86 serving
Get the Recipe
These Hasselback Potatoes are a great way to turn an inexpensive bag of russets into a satisfying side dish for Easter dinner (or any meal!!). You can use whatever oil you have on hand, and the seasoning is completely optional and flexible. They’re an easy, budget-friendly side dish, and I love that they still look a little more dressed up!
Hawaiian Roll
I made Hawaiian rolls really simple by brushing the tops with half a layer of the glaze from our ham and cheese sliders recipe, then warming them in a 350°F oven using the same instructions. It’s an easy way to dress up these store-bought rolls for Easter dinner. That slider recipe is also perfect for using up leftover ham after the holidays!
But of course, you can serve the rolls exactly as they are, and they will still be a great addition to your meal. We also have a Hawaiian roll recipe you can try if you have the time and ingredients to make it from scratch.
Deviled Eggs
Deviled Eggs
This easy Deviled Eggs recipe is perfect for parties, potlucks, and holidays. They are guaranteed to disappear quickly!
$1.21 recipe / $0.20 serving
Get the Recipe
I had to include deviled eggs on this menu because they are a favorite for Easter, potlucks, and holiday gatherings. They always disappear fast every time I make it! This is our tried and tested budget recipe and keeps things simple with a creamy filling made from mayo, Dijon, and seasonings. I already had these ingredients on hand, so it didn’t add to my overall budget, but don’t worry if your pantry doesn’t have enough supplies! You can make a simpler version with just mayo, salt, and pepper, and still have a delicious side dish to serve.
Glazed Carrots
Glazed Carrots
You only need five ingredients and 20 minutes to make these easy & delicious Glazed Carrots. Perfect for busy weeknights or holiday meals!
$1.65 recipe / $0.41 serving
Get the Recipe
As you can see, this grocery list can still be a complete holiday meal no matter how you prepare it. The same goes for carrots! You can grill them, steam them, or fry them simply with just a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, or you can whip up our 5-ingredient glazed carrots. (Kids AND adults will lick their plates—I highly recommend the glazed carrots!)
carrot cake
Now, dessert is one area where I was really impressed with the value for money. I took ready-made carrot cake which had a cute shape and sliced it neatly into 8 pieces. Of course, you can make carrot cake or carrot cake bars, but it depends on what ingredients you already have and whether you have time to make the dessert from scratch. But rest assured, whether you make homemade treats or store-bought, everyone still gets something sweet to end the meal with these frugal Easter dinner plans!
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