Easter dinner doesn’t have to cost a fortune to feel special. With grocery prices climbing every year, many families are looking for ways to create a holiday meal on a tight budget.
So I decided to try something fun: making an entire Easter dinner using mostly Dollar Tree groceries.
The goal?
Create a traditional Easter-style meal for under $20 that still feels comforting, festive, and filling.
Surprisingly, it worked better than I expected.
Here’s the full Dollar Tree Easter dinner menu, the grocery list, and how to make each dish.
Cheap Easter Dinner Ideas on a Budget
If you’re trying to create a special holiday meal without overspending, these cheap Easter dinner ideas can help. Using simple ingredients from stores like Dollar Tree, you can still make a traditional Easter menu with ham, side dishes, and dessert. This budget-friendly Easter dinner shows how easy it is to feed a family while keeping grocery costs low.
Dollar Tree Easter Dinner Menu
Main Dish
Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
Side Dishes
Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Sweet Corn
Garlic Butter Green Beans
Savory Stuffing
Warm Dinner Rolls
Dessert
Peach Pudding Parfaits
Dollar Tree Grocery List
Most Dollar Tree stores now carry $1.25 items, with a few $3–$5 freezer items depending on location.
Main Dish
Canned ham
Sides
Instant mashed potatoes (2 boxes)
Brown gravy packet
Canned corn
Canned green beans
Box stuffing mix
Extras
Brown sugar
Honey or pancake syrup
Dinner rolls or biscuits
Dessert
Vanilla pudding mix
Graham crackers
Canned peaches
Estimated total: $17–$20
Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
Even a simple canned ham can feel like a holiday centerpiece with a quick glaze.
How to Make It
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Place the ham in a small baking dish. Score the top lightly with a knife.
Mix together:
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey or syrup
Spread the glaze over the ham and bake for about 40–45 minutes until warmed through and slightly caramelized.
The glaze gives the ham that classic sweet Easter flavor.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Prepare instant mashed potatoes according to the package instructions.
While the potatoes cook, prepare the brown gravy packet on the stove.
Serve the mashed potatoes topped with warm gravy for a comforting side dish.
Sweet Butter Corn
Drain the canned corn and heat it in a small saucepan.
If you have it, add:
1 tablespoon butter
Pinch of salt and pepper
Simple, classic, and perfect alongside ham.
Garlic Butter Green Beans
Drain the green beans and heat them in a skillet.
Add:
1 tablespoon butter
Pinch garlic powder
Salt and pepper
Cook until warmed through.
Savory Stuffing
Prepare the boxed stuffing according to the package instructions.
While stuffing is usually associated with Thanksgiving, it works perfectly here and helps stretch the meal for very little cost.
Warm Dinner Rolls
Heat the rolls or biscuits in the oven for a few minutes.
Brush lightly with melted butter if you have it.
Peach Pudding Parfaits
This simple dessert looks surprisingly pretty and tastes great.
How to Make It
Prepare vanilla pudding according to the package.
Crush graham crackers into crumbs.
Layer in glasses or small bowls:
graham cracker crumbs
vanilla pudding
chopped canned peaches
Repeat layers and top with extra peaches.
It creates a sweet, creamy dessert that feels festive without spending much money.
Tips for Stretching the Meal
If you want to make this dinner feed more people, try these tricks:
Add a simple cabbage slaw (very cheap).
Serve extra potatoes or rice.
Add deviled eggs if eggs are affordable in your area.
Small additions can stretch the meal to feed 6–8 people easily.
How to Make Easter Dinner on a Budget
Cooking a holiday meal doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Choosing affordable ingredients like canned vegetables, instant potatoes, and simple desserts can help stretch your grocery budget. With a little creativity, you can create a festive Easter dinner without spending more than $20.
Sometimes the simplest meals bring the most joy around the table.
