What to Serve with Lamb

Easter is coming up this weekend, and I know many people will be cooking up a classic lamb roast. This round-up post on what to serve with lamb will help you decide what dishes to prepare for your Easter feast. Whether you’re having roast lamb, lamb steaks, or lamb shanks, I have the perfect sides to go with any meal!

BEST Lamb Recipes

If you’ve never cooked lamb before, don’t be nervous! I have some delicious recipes to get you started so you can make lamb the star of the show on this special occasion.

Roasted Leg of Lamb – This is a great recipe for beginners with straightforward and precise cooking instructions. The perfect centerpiece for any lamb dinner. 

Easy Lamb Shoulder Chops – A simple garlic and rosemary-marinated lamb shoulder chops cooked in a little olive oil until golden brown. This main dish will make anyone happy to be invited for dinner. 

Roasted Rack of Lamb –  The pistachio crust on this rack of lamb serves a restaurant-style taste with little effort.  This is a great choice for the main dish on Easter.

What to Serve with Lamb

Appetizers

1. Fried Cheese Balls –  There are only 3 simple ingredients in these cheesy and crispy bites, that come together in 20 minutes! Who doesn’t love fried cheese?

2. Risotto alla Milanese – Risotto alla Milanese is the classic creamy risotto with a bit of saffron that gives the final result a distinctive yellow color. 

3. Baked Stuffed Clams – Perfectly cooked clams, brimming with a flavorful mixture of crispy breadcrumbs, fresh herbs, and aromatic garlic. The perfect accompaniment to any meal.

4. Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip – Loaded with fresh spinach, chopped artichokes, and three kinds of cheese, the whole family will love this cheesy masterpiece.  

5. Sausage Dip – Flavorful sausage, velvety cream cheese, and vibrant veggies unite for an unforgettable flavor experience. This great side dish is always a popular choice at any gathering. 

6. No Knead Ciabatta Bread—This bakery-style Ciabatta bread can be ready in only 4 hours! Serve it with the spinach artichoke dip or sausage dip linked above. 

7. Italian Frittata – Italian Frittata Recipe with Peas and Ricotta. Easy, peasy, and delicious Italian Frittata with peas, red onions, and ricotta cheese. This 30-minute dish will wake up your taste buds!

Salads to Serve with Lamb

8. Italian Rice Salad – Refreshing and colorful – made with short-grain rice, fresh vegetables, herbs, a light dressing, and optional meat or meat seafood. Easily one of the most delicious side dishes on any dinner table. 

9. Harvest Salad with Apple and Butternut Squash – Mixed greens, apples, roasted butternut squash, goat cheese, candied nuts, and a pop of pomegranate seeds drizzled with a sweet and tangy apple cider vinaigrette.

10. Classic Italian Chopped Salad – a perfect side dish that combines a variety of fresh vegetables, Italian deli meats, cheeses, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. Salad is always a good option for any meal!

11. Italian Salad with Pears, Walnuts, and Gorgonzola –  This salad boasts sweetness of pear, sharpness of gorgonzola or blue cheese, and comforting flavors of the orange honey mustard vinaigrette – a great addition to any dinner party. 

12. Berry Goat Cheese Salad – a fresh and delicious berry salad with a bit of honey citrus dressing. It hits all the taste buds with a little sweet, tangy, earthy, salty, and tart. Who needs a greek salad when you have this one?

13. Simple Salad with Lemon Olive Oil Dressing – This vegetable salad goes perfect with the creamy texture of mild chèvre cheese, a tangy sweet from the kalamata olives and carrots, and a light dressing to wrap it all together. Top with parmesan cheese if you like!

Traditional Italian Easter Dishes

14. Torta Pasqualina – A traditional Italian Easter savory pie featuring spinach, creamy ricotta, and egg filling baked in a golden puff pastry shell.

15. Italian Ricotta Pie – This sweet ricotta pie has a creamy ricotta filling flavored with lemon zest and a hint of almond and vanilla all inside a super easy pie shell.

16. Pizza Rustica – Combining cheeses and meats in a buttery crust makes this one of the very best side dishes. It’s a crowd-pleaser that can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

17. Fresh Cranberry Relish – Change it up from the normal mint jelly this year and try this easy 3 ingredient cranberry relish with your roast lamb. 

Pasta Dishes to Serve with Lamb

18. Pasta with Creamy Saffron Sauce – The deep, unique, and sweet flavor of saffron fits well in this creamy sauce that coats pasta like a warm and cozy blanket. The natural yellow/orange color makes this dish bright and light as well as comforting and filling.

19. Cacio e Pepe  –  The easiest pasta of all time with only 4 ingredients and ready in 20 minutes! This is a simple side dish that packs a lot of black pepper flavor.

20. Pesto Genovese – Authentic basil pesto sauce that makes the perfect topping for any pasta shape! You could even use it as a marinade or sauce for a roasted lamb dish.

21. Angel Hair with Garlic and Tomatoes – .This 20-minute Italian pasta recipe is fresh, satisfying, and delicate. It is made with a light sauce of olive oil, fresh garlic, basil, and parsley, then topped with fresh parmigiano and sweet cherry tomatoes

22. Pasta with Pink Sauce –  a crave-worthy 20-minute pasta sauce with a few simple ingredients for a busy weeknight. This beautiful Italian pink sauce is a simple tomato cream sauce for any pasta.

Vegetable Sides to Serve with Lamb

23. Roasted Asparagus – This tender asparagus combined with olive oil, Parmigiano cheese, garlic, and pop of lemon is easily one of my favorite veggies of all time. You can also make this in the air fryer!

24. Stuffed Artichokes – This ultimate side dish has the rich flavors of savory breadcrumbs and Pecorino Romano cheese stuffing, garlic, fresh parsley, and extra-virgin olive oil all cooked inside a steamed-tender artichoke! 

25. Honey Glazed Carrots –  These honey-glazed carrots transform simple carrots into a show-stopping side dish to remember. One sheet pan and 30 minutes to make. This is a great hearty side to serve with lamb shanks.

26. Sauteed Green Beans – These delicious green beans are quickly blanched and then sauteed in olive oil and butter with onions, garlic, and toasted pine nuts. This creates the perfect texture and adds classic Italian flavors! Ready in 20 minutes.

27. Eggplant Caponata – Bursting with bold flavors, delicious vegetables, and aromas that define Sicilian cuisine, this beloved Italian dish is wonderful for any occasion.

28. Stuffed Zucchini – These little bites are mild, tender, flavorful, and packed with delicious zucchini, onion, and olive oil flavor. You will love this twice baked zucchini recipe!

29. Roasted Portabello Mushrooms –  This roasted portobello mushroom recipe contains delicious earthy flavors of balsamic vinegar, thyme, and garlic. This is a healthy recipe you will love.

30. Crispy Brussels Sprouts – These Brussels sprouts remain tender with the perfect crispy edges. The perfect amount of sweet & spicy flavors leaves you craving more after every bite. Ready in less than 30 minutes!

Potato Sides for Lamb Roast

31. Oven Roasted Potatoes – These oven-roasted potatoes are so simple and tasty. One of everyone’s favorite side dishes!

32. Red Skinned Mashed Potatoes – These mashed potatoes are full of roasted garlic flavor with a great texture that is creamy and slightly chunky. You’ll love this easy mashed potato recipe! 

33. Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes – Tender potatoes with a rich flavor and lots of melted cheese and crispy edges. This is one of the standard side dishes but never disappoints. 

34. Hasselback Sweet Potatoes – The combination of savory herbs, garlic, butter, and maple syrup complements the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes perfectly. Forget the french fries and try this instead.

35. Duchess Potatoes – transform ordinary mashed potatoes into extraordinary Duchess potatoes. A delightful twist on a classic, these creamy and cheesy potatoes with crispy edges are a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Other Sides to Serve with Lamb

36. Deviled Eggs – 4 ingredients The eggs are perfectly cooked, and the filling is creamy with plenty of flavor! Deviled eggs make the perfect appetizer for your Easter table setting and other gatherings.

37. Creamy Pasta with Bacon and Peas – We start with delicious sweet peas that get coated in a creamy sauce and finally, tossed with al dente pasta shells to hold all the delicious sauce and topped with crispy bacon. This is a very filling side dish.

38. Orzo with Sundried Tomatoes and Artichokes – Tender orzo with savory marinated artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes makes a perfect addition to any meal! Just skip the shrimp when serving it with your lamb chop dinner.

39. Potato Gnocchi –  pillowy soft potato gnocchi! When you master this pillow-soft gnocchi recipe, you will make it for all your family and friends. This is a tried and true Italian family recipe we’ve perfected to give you the best homemade potato gnocchi!

40. Creamy Polenta  – comforting, creamy, smooth, and sensational Italian polenta recipe. With only 5 ingredients and 10 minutes, you will have the perfect side to any meal that includes lamb meat.

Soup to Serve with Lamb

41. Tuscan White Bean Soup – easy 30-minute one-pot Italian soup. It is nourishing, satisfying, and packed with delicious and comforting flavors. This recipe is also gluten free!

42. Roasted Cauliflower Soup – a delicious, velvety soup that combines the earthy flavors of roasted cauliflower with the richness of the cheese, making it satisfying and flavorful!

43. Artichoke Soup – This Simple Italian Artichoke Soup is hearty and heavenly in taste and texture. It is simple to make and full of flavor. Serve it as a side dish, or appetizer, or make it your light and healthy meal. It is ready in just 30-minutes!

44. 15 Bean Soup – a hearty soup perfect for a comforting meal. It comes together in one pot (even a crockpot!). Savor a blend of 15 beans and peas, succulent ham, and a medley of aromatic vegetables, all simmered to perfection in a flavorful broth. Enjoy!

45. Autumn Squash Soup – a delicious blend of butternut squash, and pumpkin simmered in a savory broth with coconut cream and warm spices.

Easter Desserts

46. Easter Rice Pie – The sweet pie is filled with creamy rice, ricotta, orange, and lemon zest, and a touch of cinnamon. It’s easy to say this could be the best part of Easter!

47. Sweet Braided Easter Bread Recipe – festive and delicious braided brioche bread served for Easter. Beautifully decorated with colorful eggs, sprinkles, and a sweet glaze to stand as the centerpiece of your Easter table.

48. Easter Coconut Cake – This is an old-fashioned loaf cake recipe copied from a King Arthur Flour recipe. You may even want to try some pretty toppings like fresh strawberries, marshmallow animals, or chocolate eggs.

More Desserts to Serve with Lamb

49. Strawberry Tiramisu – a light, beautiful, and refreshing dessert made with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, mascarpone, a hint of orange, and ladyfingers.

50. Crostata (Jam Filled Tart) – Italian Crostata is a classic dessert made with a shortbread cookie-like pastry crust (pasta frolla) and filled with any fruit jam or preserve.

51. Steamed Carrot Pudding –  Steamed carrot pudding is a moist cake that is studded with raisins and packed with carrots, potatoes, and warm spices. It is then drizzled with caramel sauce and topped with pure half and half, or heavy cream.

52. Frozen Lemon Bars – This dessert tastes like lemon gelato with a graham cracker crunch that replaces an ice cream cone. It’s light, refreshing, and has the perfect silky smooth texture.

Cake Recipes

53. Chocolate Cake – This soft Italian chocolate cake is not too sweet and decadent with a deep chocolate flavor. The best part? It is an easy one bowl recipe, win-win!

54. Lemon Ricotta Cake – A delicious Italian cake with a moist and tender crumb and a citrus kick from the fresh lemon juice. 

55. Orange Olive Oil Cake – The soft texture and honey-sweet taste of this cake will leave you craving more after your first slice. 

56. Italian Pear Cake – This is a simple moist dessert, breakfast or served as an afternoon tea cake. Made with creamy yogurt, luscious butter, and fresh pears this cake will soon become a family favorite!

57. Almond Cake – A simple and delicious recipe for Italian Almond Cake that’s easy to make and naturally gluten-free with almond flour. Great for any occasion!

I hope these recipes inspire you to create a beautiful meal with lamb for your Easter celebration!

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