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Easter Dinner Calculator

Plan your holiday feast step by step

Guest Count
Main Protein
Side Dishes
Easter Egg Hunt
1
2
3
4
Step 1 of 4: Guest Count

Guest Count

How many people are you hosting for Easter dinner?

Steps

Results
Total Cost

$73

Per Person

$7

Ham

7.1 lbs

Egg Hunt

50 eggs

Cost Breakdown

Ham$25
Side Dishes$33
Easter Egg Hunt$15

Shopping List

ItemQtyCost
Ham7.1 lbs$25
Mashed Potatoes4.8 lbs$4
Asparagus2 bunches$8
Dinner Rolls19 rolls$7
Salad19 servings$14
Easter Eggs (hunt)50 eggs$15
Total$73

Cooking Timeline — Ham

4 hours before

Preheat oven to 325°F. Score ham and apply first glaze.

3.5 hours

Place ham in roasting pan, cover with foil, and start roasting.

2 hours

Begin preparing side dishes (potatoes, casseroles).

1 hour

Set the table. Start quick sides (salad, rolls).

30 min

Remove foil, apply final glaze. Increase oven to 400°F.

15 min

Remove ham from oven and let it rest before carving.

Easter Egg Hunt Planner

50

Total Eggs

$15

Egg Hunt Cost

Tip: Hide eggs at varying difficulty levels. Place some in plain sight for younger children and tuck others behind plants or under furniture for older kids. Consider color-coding eggs by age group so every child finds their fair share.

DIY vs. Restaurant Easter Brunch

Homemade

$73

$7/person

Restaurant

$605

$55/person

You save $532 by cooking at home (88% less)

Example Calculations

1Classic Ham Dinner for 12

Inputs

Adults8
Children4
ProteinHam
SidesMashed Potatoes, Asparagus, Rolls, Deviled Eggs

Result

Total Cost$55.26
Ham Needed7.4 lbs
Cost per Person$4.60

A full Easter ham dinner with four sides feeds 12 people for about $4.60 per person — roughly 1/12 of restaurant brunch pricing at $55/person.

2Lamb Dinner for 6 Adults

Inputs

Adults6
Children0
ProteinLamb
SidesMashed Potatoes, Asparagus, Salad

Result

Total Cost$46.62
Lamb Needed3.0 lbs
Cost per Person$7.77

Lamb is the most expensive protein option but still costs under $8 per person with three side dishes.

3Budget Turkey Dinner with Egg Hunt

Inputs

Adults6
Children5
ProteinTurkey
SidesMac & Cheese, Rolls, Salad
Egg Hunt50 eggs (5 children)

Result

Total Cost$59.77
Turkey Needed8.5 lbs
Cost per Person$5.43

Turkey is the most budget-friendly protein. Including an egg hunt for 5 kids adds $15 to the total, bringing it to about $5.43 per person for 11 guests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

How much ham do I need per person for Easter dinner?

Plan for 3/4 pound (12 oz) of bone-in ham per adult and about 1/3 pound per child. For a boneless ham, reduce to 1/2 pound per adult. A 10-pound ham comfortably serves 12-14 adults with leftovers for sandwiches the next day.

  • Bone-in ham: 3/4 lb per adult, 1/3 lb per child (bone is ~40% of total weight)
  • Boneless ham: 1/2 lb per adult, 1/4 lb per child – less waste but costs $1–$2/lb more
  • Want leftovers? Add 1–2 extra pounds to your total for sandwiches the next day
  • A 10-lb bone-in ham yields about 6 lbs of actual meat (serves 8–10 adults)
  • Spiral-sliced hams are pre-cut and ready to serve – ideal for large groups
ProteinPer AdultPrice/lb (2026)10-Person Cost
Bone-in Ham3/4 lb$3.49~$26
Boneless Ham1/2 lb$4.99~$25
Lamb Leg1/2 lb$8.99~$45
Turkey1 lb$2.29~$23
Q

How many Easter eggs should I hide per child?

Plan for 10 eggs per child for a satisfying hunt that lasts 15-20 minutes. For toddlers (ages 2-3), use 6-8 larger eggs in easy-to-spot locations. For older kids (8+), you can reduce to 8 eggs but hide them in more challenging spots.

  • Toddlers (2–3): 6–8 large, brightly colored eggs at eye level or below
  • Kids (4–7): 10 eggs per child in moderate hiding spots (under bushes, behind planters)
  • Older kids (8+): 8 eggs in trickier locations (up high, camouflaged spots)
  • Pre-filled plastic eggs cost ~$0.25–$0.35 each; budget $2.50–$3.50 per child
  • Create separate hunt zones by age group so little ones are not outpaced by older kids
Q

How much does a homemade Easter dinner cost in 2026?

A homemade Easter dinner for 8 adults and 3 children typically costs $80-$120 depending on the protein choice. Ham averages $3.49/lb, lamb runs $8.99/lb, and turkey is the budget option at $2.29/lb. Compare this to restaurant Easter brunch at $45-$55 per person.

  • Ham dinner for 10: ~$55–$75 total ($5.50–$7.50 per person)
  • Lamb dinner for 10: ~$80–$110 total ($8–$11 per person)
  • Restaurant Easter brunch: $45–$55 per person – 8–10× more expensive than homemade
  • Side dishes add $15–$30 depending on how many you serve (2–5 sides)
  • Egg hunt supplies for 5 kids: ~$15 (50 eggs at $0.30 each)
Q

When should I start cooking Easter ham?

Start your ham about 4 hours before serving time. Allow 15-18 minutes per pound at 325°F for a pre-cooked ham. Add the glaze during the last 30 minutes, then let the ham rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. Begin side dishes about 2 hours before serving.

  • T–4 hours: place ham in oven at 325°F (15–18 min/lb for pre-cooked)
  • T–2 hours: start mashed potatoes, prep asparagus, boil eggs for deviled eggs
  • T–30 min: apply glaze (brown sugar + mustard + pineapple juice) to ham
  • T–15 min: remove ham, tent with foil, rest 15–20 min before carving
  • Internal temperature should reach 140°F for pre-cooked ham, 145°F for raw
Q

What sides go best with Easter ham?

Classic Easter sides include mashed potatoes, asparagus, deviled eggs, dinner rolls, and a green salad. Sweet potatoes and green beans are also popular. Plan 2-3 side dishes for a casual dinner or 4-5 for a more elaborate celebration. Allow 1/2 pound of potatoes per person.

  • Mashed potatoes: 1/2 lb per person – 5 lbs of potatoes for 10 guests (~$4)
  • Asparagus: 4–5 spears per person – 2 bunches for 10 guests (~$8)
  • Deviled eggs: 2 per adult, 1 per child – 1 dozen eggs for 10 guests (~$6)
  • Dinner rolls: 1.5 per person – 15 rolls for 10 guests (~$4)
  • Green salad: 2 cups per person – 2 large bags of mixed greens for 10 guests (~$6)

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Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.

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