Every Easter, I spend more time thinking about what to serve alongside the ham than the ham itself. The sides are honestly what make the table — the creamy potatoes, the saucy green beans, the caramelized sweet potato casserole that disappears before anyone gets a second scoop. If you’ve been searching for the best
ham side dishes that are easy to pull together and guaranteed to impress, you’re in the right place. I’ve rounded up 15 of my absolute favorites — the ones that always earn a ‘wait, can I get that recipe?’ at the table.
Whether you’re planning an Easter dinner, a Sunday ham roast, or figuring out what to do with leftovers (hint: check out my leftover ham potato casserole — it’s a game-changer), these sides have you covered from the first bite to the last.
Why These Sides Work So Well With Ham
Ham is rich, salty, and deeply savory. The best sides either balance that richness with something bright and fresh — like a crisp pasta salad — or lean into the comfort factor with something creamy and hearty. I always aim for a mix of both on the table so there’s something for everyone.
The 15 dishes below cover all the bases: classic comfort, spring freshness, and a couple of unexpected crowd-pleasers you’ll keep coming back to year after year.
1. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
No Easter table is complete without mashed potatoes. I make mine with plenty of butter, warm cream, and roasted garlic — the kind that are impossibly smooth and taste like something from a restaurant. My creamiest mashed potatoes recipe uses a simple trick with a ricer that changes everything. They reheat beautifully too, which makes them perfect for big gatherings where you’re juggling timing.
2. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
This is the dish everyone requests. Golden, caramelized sweet potatoes topped with a toasted marshmallow layer that goes perfectly gooey and crisp in the oven. My sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is a classic for a reason — the sweetness plays off the saltiness of the ham in a way that just works. If you want a more refined, steakhouse-style version, my Ruth’s Chris sweet potato casserole with the brown sugar pecan topping is absolutely worth a try.
3. Green Bean Casserole
This one is a non-negotiable on my Easter table. Creamy, savory, topped with those irresistible crispy onions — green bean casserole is the side dish that ties everything together. My Campbell’s green bean casserole recipe sticks close to the original because sometimes the classic really is the best. I make it in a 9×13 so there’s always enough for seconds.
4. Jiffy Corn Casserole
If you’ve never made corn casserole, this Easter is the year to start. It’s somewhere between cornbread and a soufflé — soft, slightly sweet, and incredibly easy to make. My easy Jiffy corn casserole uses just 5 ingredients and comes together in about 5 minutes before it goes in the oven. It’s the side dish that always surprises people and gets them asking for the recipe.
5. Macaroni Salad
A good creamy macaroni salad is one of those sides that works at any occasion, and it’s especially good alongside a glazed ham. Cool, tangy, and filling — it balances the richness of the main perfectly. My best macaroni salad recipe uses a dressing with just the right amount of mustard and apple cider vinegar to keep things bright. Make it the night before and it’s even better.
6. Italian Pasta Salad
When I’m feeding a crowd, pasta salad is always in the lineup. It travels well, it can be made ahead, and it somehow tastes better after a few hours in the fridge. My Italian pasta salad is loaded with olives, pepperoncini, fresh vegetables, and a zesty homemade dressing that is so much better than anything from a bottle. It holds its own right next to a big Easter ham.
7. Cucumber Carrot Salad
For something light and refreshing on an otherwise heavy table, this is my go-to. Thinly sliced cucumbers and carrots in a sweet tangy dressing — it’s crisp, cool, and ready in under 10 minutes. My cucumber carrot salad is one of those recipes I make on autopilot now, and it’s always the first bowl to empty at potlucks.
8. Hash Brown Casserole
Cheesy, crispy on top, creamy inside — hash brown casserole is pure comfort food. It’s one of those dishes that guests load up on without hesitation. I use frozen shredded hash browns, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and a generous amount of cheddar. The version I make most often is based on the classic Cracker Barrel style and it never fails.
9. Twice Baked Potato Casserole
All the flavors of a loaded twice-baked potato, in casserole form. I’m talking fluffy mashed potatoes baked with sour cream, cheddar, green onions, and crispy turkey bacon bits on top. It’s the kind of side that makes people forget to eat their ham for a minute. Easy to prep ahead, and it reheats like a dream.
10. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mashed Sweet Potatoes
If you want to switch things up from the classic sweet potato casserole, these creamy garlic parmesan mashed sweet potatoes are the move. Savory instead of sweet, with a rich parmesan finish that pairs beautifully with salty ham. I serve these when I want something a little more grown-up on the table — they always get compliments.
11. Deviled Eggs
No Easter spread is complete without deviled eggs. They disappear within minutes every single time. My perfectly creamy deviled eggs recipe uses a touch of dijon mustard and a sprinkle of smoked paprika that takes them from basic to genuinely impressive. I always make a double batch — trust me on this one.
12. Eggs Benedict Casserole
This one is especially perfect if you’re serving ham at a brunch. All the flavors of eggs benedict — the creamy hollandaise, the poached eggs, the toasted English muffins — baked into a casserole you can prep the night before. It looks impressive but takes almost no effort the morning of. A total crowd-pleaser.
13. French Toast Casserole Overnight
For an Easter brunch that leans sweet, an overnight french toast casserole is the answer. Prep it the evening before, pop it in the oven in the morning, and serve it warm with a drizzle of maple syrup alongside your ham. It makes the whole kitchen smell incredible and takes almost no morning effort.
14. Spring Pasta Salad with Lemon Herb Dressing
A bright, herby pasta salad tossed in a lemon and olive oil dressing is exactly the kind of freshness a heavy Easter table needs. I use rotini or farfalle, toss it with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, fresh herbs, and feta, then dress it generously right before serving. For more inspiration on pasta salads for a crowd, my street corn pasta salad is another spring favorite that pairs brilliantly with any grilled or roasted protein.
15. Lemon Blueberry Dessert (To Finish Strong)
OK, I know this is technically a dessert, not a side — but hear me out. A light lemon blueberry something on an Easter table is the perfect way to end the meal without weighing everyone down further. My lemon blueberry cupcakes and the full collection in my Meyer lemon recipes roundup give you plenty of options depending on how ambitious you’re feeling. Both are worth every minute.
Tips for Planning Your Ham Dinner Sides
- Make ahead whenever possible. Most casseroles and pasta salads taste better after a night in the fridge. Prep on Saturday, relax on Sunday.
- Balance textures. Aim for at least one creamy side, one fresh/salad side, and one crispy element. That contrast keeps the plate interesting.
- Think about reheating. If you’re coordinating multiple hot dishes in one oven, know which ones reheat well vs. which need to come out fresh. Mashed potatoes and green bean casserole are very forgiving.
- Don’t forget the leftovers plan. Leftover ham plus any of these sides becomes next-day magic. My leftover ham potato casserole is specifically built for that moment — it’s one of my most-requested weeknight recipes after Easter.
What to Do With Leftover Ham
Easter ham leftovers are secretly the best part of the holiday. A few ideas to make the most of them:
- Leftover Ham Potato Casserole — cheesy, hearty, and ready in 30 minutes
- Ham and Bean Soup — simmer the ham bone with white beans and herbs for a deeply flavorful soup
- Ham fried rice — toss diced ham with leftover rice, eggs, soy sauce, and whatever vegetables you have
- Ham and egg breakfast casserole — layer diced ham with eggs, cheese, and hash browns for a next-morning bake
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best side dishes to serve with ham?
The best ham side dishes balance the rich, salty flavor of the meat with both creamy comfort sides and fresh, lighter options. Top picks include mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, corn casserole, deviled eggs, and a crisp pasta salad.
What vegetables go well with ham?
Green beans, asparagus, roasted carrots, corn, and sweet potatoes are all classic pairings. For a spring touch, add a fresh cucumber salad or a spring pasta salad with herbs and lemon dressing.
Can I make ham side dishes ahead of time?
Absolutely. Most casseroles — including green bean, sweet potato, corn, and hash brown — can be fully assembled the night before and baked the day of. Pasta salads and deviled eggs also improve with time in the fridge.
What do you serve with ham at Easter brunch?
For Easter brunch, eggs benedict casserole, overnight french toast casserole, deviled eggs, and a fresh fruit salad are all excellent choices alongside a glazed ham.
The Bottom Line
The secret to an unforgettable Easter dinner isn’t just the ham — it’s the sides that carry the whole meal. Whether you’re going all-out with six dishes or keeping it simple with three favorites, any of these 15 ham side dishes will earn you a permanent spot as the host everyone looks forward to. Start with the ones you know, try one new recipe this year, and enjoy every bite.
And when Monday rolls around and there’s still ham in the fridge, remember: that’s not a problem, that’s an opportunity. My leftover ham potato casserole is waiting.