Easter is just around the corner, so naturally that means that moms everywhere will be very busy “bunnies.” This is yet another “first” for our daughter and I’m looking forward to another round of new holiday traditions. Plus, her Easter dress is totally adorable!
Our family celebrates Easter by attending a church service, eating a delicious brunch, hunting for eggs, and enjoying time surrounded by extended family. Of course, I want to have as much time as possible to soak up memories with our little one, so I’ve made a concentrated effort to select recipes that won’t keep me tied up in the kitchen but are still share-worthy. First off, a delicious breakfast casserole made in the crock pot — it’s a winner on all levels: simple, fast, tasty, and portable. Plus, a festive treat that the kids will gobble down before you can make a “peep!” These recipes will be added to our family’s Easter traditions and you might just want to give them a shot, too.
Easy Easter Meal Ideas
Crockpot Breakfast Casserole
What I love most about this recipe is that you can feed a lot of people without a lot of effort. It’s perfect if you have guests at your house and want to have a hearty breakfast to serve them in the morning and it’s a lifesaver on hectic holidays! 
I’ve made it overnight (on low) so we could enjoy it first thing in the morning and I’ve also made it as a brunch dish which I started when I got out of bed in the morning and cooked (on high) until brunch. Both easy, both delicious. The recipe is also flexible in that you can really use whatever meat or veggie your family prefers. We like a spicy breakfast sausage but if you’re really short on time you can even purchase pre-cooked bacon, cubed ham or something else that will not require any work before the rest is assembled. Whatever you try, this recipe is a keeper!
Ingredients:
- 30oz bag frozen hash browns
- 1lb sausage, browned & drained (or crumbled bacon or cubed ham…)
- 8oz shredded cheddar cheese (or whatever you have on hand)
- 8oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- 6-8 green onions, sliced
- 12 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- salt and pepper to taste
I use my largest crock pot (8 qt) and begin by spraying it with non-stick spray or using a handy crock pot liner (LOVE THOSE!). You essentially layer the ingredients… start with half the hash browns, then half the cooked meat, half the cheeses, and half the green onions, then repeat hash brown, meat, and cheese layers. In a separate bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper, then drizzle the egg mixture over the top of your layers. Cook on high for 4 hours, or low for 8 hours (or until eggs are set). This recipe serves about 12 adults but I imagine that you could cut the ingredients in half and use a smaller crock pot for the same results. It has to be the easiest breakfast/brunch dish of all time!
Colorful Rice Krispie Peep Treats
There is a genius out there that decided to use peeps marshmallow treats in place of normal marshmallows to make the most beautiful rice krispie treats imaginable! Unfortunately I’m not the genius that thought of this… I found this gem of a recipe on Pinterest and I know it will be a big hit with all the kids at our extended family’s Easter celebration this year. If you love rice krispie treats and you love festive spring colors than you HAVE to whip these up! They are just as easy to make as the traditional treat but the colors are gorgeously vivid. Peeps are easy to find this time of year and they now come in yellow, pink, purple, green, blue and orange. I used pink and yellow for my first batch (as pictured) but will probably do 3 layers for Easter… hmmm decisions, decisions.
You can find the genius’ recipe online!
What are your go-to Easter recipes? Please share!
Related: Check out more Easter content from Iowa City Moms!
