Growing up with divorced parents, holidays were never easy. I always had to carefully plan my time between my mom and my dad, but one thing that consistently eased that stress was the food my family made. Eating together was always something I looked forward to.
Easter has always been especially important to both sides of my family. On my dad’s side, we take great pride in our Irish heritage. On my mom’s side, our Sicilian roots have shaped so much of the time we spend together. Despite our differences, both sides share a deep connection through Catholicism and, of course, food. Especially after Lent, homemade food was the best thing to look forward to. No matter what else was going on in our lives, my family always came together to celebrate and cook. In many ways, cooking is our love language.
I feel lucky to have grown up surrounded by such incredible cooks. My maternal grandmother is probably the most impressive cook in my life, second only to my mom. They both learned from the very best, my great-grandmother. She was born in Aragona, Sicily, and although she left Italy at a young age, she and her mother brought their cherished recipes with them. That legacy of passing down recipes through generations is something I deeply value.
On my dad’s side, my grandma loved trying new things, but her desserts were truly unmatched. I had never tasted anything better than her pies and cookies. When she passed, her recipe cards were the first thing everyone wanted to look through. She had written down every meal, every appetizer —- everything she had ever learned to cook. It was the greatest gift she could have given us.
Easter dinners will always be one of the most positive memories of my childhood on both sides of my family, and I can confidently say that’s because good food has a way of bringing people together, no matter the circumstances. Hearty food makes everyone happy. Our family’s secret recipes will not be revealed, but if you want to celebrate Easter in true Italian and Irish fashion, here are some of the best dishes to make.
Italian Menu
Ravioli
The craft of making ravioli is sacred in my family. Days before the holiday, my aunts and grandmother come together to prepare homemade batches of both sweet cheese and savory meat ravioli from scratch. Their skill in the kitchen is mesmerizing; they move in harmony, and each ravioli is filled with care. Homemade ravioli are always the most popular dish, and I think that’s because the women in my family have truly mastered the art of making them.
Lamb
The most traditional main course for an Italian Easter is the lamb. Like a Thanksgiving turkey the Easter lamb is crucial to completing the menu. It is often roasted with garlic, rosemary, and olive oil. The lamb carries symbolic meaning, representing sacrifice and spring renewal in Catholic culture. Our family serves it alongside vegetables and fresh bread.
Italian Wedding Cookies (Anginetti)
It wouldn’t be a holiday celebration if my aunt didn’t bring her homemade Italian wedding cookies. They are the perfect blend of buttery richness, nutty flavor, and sweetness. The tops are glazed with a sugary coating, and my aunt adds a subtle hint of lemon that makes them stand out. Each bite is light and comforting, making them a favorite that everyone looks forward to at every family gathering.
Irish Menu
Cheesy potatoes
The cheesy brunch potatoes were my grandmother’s specialty. I could eat a million servings of them, they have the perfect balance of salty, crunchy, and savory. She would bake them in a casserole dish, making them easy to scoop and share with everyone at the table. What makes these potatoes truly special is their versatility, they’re just as delicious for brunch as they are for dinner, and no holiday meal feels complete without them.
Ham
Like the Italian lamb, ham takes center stage in my Irish family’s Easter celebration. Typically glazed with honey and roasted to perfection, it’s savory, sweet, and full of flavor. We usually serve it alongside roasted carrots and golden potatoes, making it a hearty and comforting centerpiece for the holiday feast.
Irish Trifle
My grandmother’s specialty was her trifles, and every holiday she would make one. Her classic trifle features layers of raspberry-filled sponge cake, mixed with fresh strawberries and a lightly whipped heavy cream. It is beautifully assembled, with color and flavor, and it was always the dessert everyone eagerly saved room for. Her trifles weren’t just a dessert, they were also a celebration of family in every bite.