Sicilian Easter Recipes
Easter is around the corner and it's time to start planning your menu! If you're searching for authentic Sicilian Easter dishes to serve your guests or edible gifts, look no further! I've also added a few non-Sicilian treats that have become staples in our home. Whether you're looking for traditional breads or cookies with eggs; sweet or savory ricotta filled delicacies; or hearty pasta dishes, these are authentic, nonna tested recipes that have stood the test of time.
For the recipes, simply click on Continue Reading following each description for the detailed recipe post. Enjoy!
Recipes with Eggs
Sicilian Easter Bread (cuddura cu l'ova)
A loaf of my mother's cuddura cu l'ova, or bread with eggs is a tradition on Easter Sunday. Some call these pupa cu l'ova and use a sweet dough instead. My mother's version is made with bread which makes it perfect for enjoying with a drizzle of olive oil along with the baked eggs. On Easter Sunday each of her children and grandchildren took home a loaf of this braided bread nestled with eggs!
Sicilian Easter Cookies with Eggs
A basic, easy cookie dough flavored with lemon zest is wrapped around eggs and decorated with candy sprinkles to create these festive looking cookies. Another perfect edible gift! Check out my notes about baking these cookies with ammonium carbonate instead of baking powder for a cookie with a soft and tender crumb and slightly crisp on the outside, it's worth a try!
Italian Braided Easter Bread with Eggs
If you're looking for an Easter bread, or pane di Pasqua, made with a soft and fluffy, lightly sweetened brioche dough, this one's for you. Dye the eggs with food coloring for an extra festive look. This one's a crowd pleaser!
Recipes with Ricotta
Mom's Sicilian Ricotta Pie
A classic double crust sweet ricotta pie is a must have on any Italian Easter dessert table. Filled with creamy ricotta flavored with lemon with a sweet and flaky crust, what's not to love?
Easy No Crust Easter Pastiera
Although not Sicilian in origin, this crustless version of the classic Neapolitan ricotta and rice dessert has become a favorite at our house and it couldn't be any easier to prepare!
Sweet Ricotta Easter Calzone
Another easy no crust ricotta dessert! This one hails from my husband's Barese (Puglia) side of the family. Simply stir together all ingredients and bake. This is the perfect last minute dessert idea!
Pizza Rustica (Italian Easter Pie Recipe)
This savory pie is usually served on Easter Monday known as Pasquetta in Italy. Traditionally filled with cured meats and a variety of cheeses, including ricotta, I added swiss chard to this version. The perfect dish if you're hosting brunch on Easter Sunday!
Bonus cookie recipe!
Almond Paste Cookies with Icing (Paste Reali)
Another traditional recipe from the Pugliese side of the family, these almond paste cookies with icing (paste reali) are made either for Easter or Christmas. These festive cookies flavored with lemon zest and covered with icing couldn’t be any easier to make with only 4 ingredients and are gluten free!
Main Dish Suggestions
Sicilian Lasagna
Lasagna is always a great option when feeding a crowd, especially since it can be prepared ahead of time. This lasagna is typically Sicilian made with meat sauce, béchamel sauce and peas.
Sicilian Pasta al Forno
An oven baked pasta casserole made the Sicilian way with meatballs, mozzarella cheese and hard boiled eggs. Another delicious and hearty pasta dish typically served for Sunday lunches!
Anelletti al Forno with Eggplant
Another traditional Sicilian baked pasta dish with a meat sauce and peas completely encased in a layer of eggplant. This recipe, also known as timballo di melanzane, will be sure to impress your guests!
Homemade Sicilian Maccheroni Pasta (maccarruna)
If you travel throughout the province of Messina in Sicily you'll be sure to encounter this maccaruna pasta every where you go. Maccaruna are a staple in my parent's hometown. This thick pasta can be served with a basic tomato sauce or a sugo di maiale from pork found in the Nebrodi mountain chain.
And there you have it, 12 recipe ideas for your traditional Italian Easter gathering! No matter which recipes you choose to indulge in, the important part is sharing them gathered around the table with your loved ones. From my table to yours, Buona Pasqua!
Luanna
Omg! I can’t wait to try so many of these! Thank you for this spectacular constellation of fabulous recipes. Let’s get those pots and pans going!!
Nadia
Hello Luanna, I do hope you have a chance to try a few. Enjoy and thank you very much!
Pat
Thank you for sharing all your delicious Easter recipes in one place in this post, Nadia. They are a lasting legacy of your dear Mother.
May you and your family have a very blessed Easter!
Nadia
You are quite welcome Pat, and thank you it is exactly what I am trying to do. Happy Easter to you and yours, all the best!