If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food that brings warmth, color, and effortless charm to your holiday table, this Sheet Pan Easter Dinner with Maple Brown Sugar Ham Recipe is an absolute must-try. Imagine a tender, juicy spiral ham glazed with a luscious maple brown sugar mixture, surrounded by roasted asparagus, cheesy potatoes, and a delightful homemade deviled egg side that sings springtime flavors loud and clear. This recipe transforms your Easter meal into a lively celebration where everything cooks on one pan, making cleanup a breeze and your guests thoroughly impressed. It’s the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and creamy that feels festive yet totally achievable for any home cook.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, wholesome ingredients come together in this recipe, each playing a vital role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color. From the savory herbs that add freshness to the rich cheeses that bring melty goodness, every item is essential for making this sheet pan feast truly memorable.
- Small spiral ham (about 5 lbs, precooked): The star of the show, already cooked, making preparation incredibly easy while ensuring juicy, flavorful meat.
- Brown sugar (½ cup): Adds deep caramel notes, perfect for that irresistible glaze on the ham.
- Maple syrup (¼ cup): Sweet and slightly smoky, elevates the glaze with natural richness.
- Olive oil (2 tbsp + 1 tbsp): For roasting vegetables and adding a silky finish to potatoes and asparagus.
- Minced thyme (1 tsp): Provides herbal brightness that complements the ham’s sweetness beautifully.
- Yukon gold potatoes (2 large, thinly sliced): Creamy and buttery-tasting, they become golden and tender under a cheesy crust.
- Heavy cream (⅓ cup): Makes the potatoes luxuriously creamy for that perfect consistency.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (½ cup): Adds a sharp, nutty depth to the potatoes.
- Minced garlic cloves (2): Imparts a fragrant punch that enhances every bite.
- Minced fresh parsley (1 tsp): Brings a fresh, grassy note to balance richness.
- Kosher salt (1½ tsp total): Enhances all the savory flavors throughout the dish.
- Grated cheddar cheese (1 cup): Melts beautifully on top of potatoes, giving a vibrant, melty finish.
- Asparagus (1 lb, trimmed): Tender-crisp with a bright green pop, roasted simply with oil and salt.
- Large eggs (6): The base for creamy, classic deviled eggs to complete the meal.
- Mayonnaise (¼ cup): Creates a smooth, rich filling for the deviled eggs.
- Mustard (1 tbsp): Adds a subtle tang that brightens the deviled eggs.
- Pickle relish (2 tbsp): Offers a nice sweet-vinegary crunch for texture contrast in the filling.
- Paprika (for garnish): Sprinkled on deviled eggs for a smoky color pop and mild spice.
How to Make Sheet Pan Easter Dinner with Maple Brown Sugar Ham Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Maple Brown Sugar Glaze
Start by mixing the brown sugar, maple syrup, olive oil, and minced thyme in a bowl until well combined. This glaze is going to create that luscious, shiny coating for your spiral ham, infusing it with sweet, caramelized notes as it roasts.
Step 2: Glaze and Roast the Ham
Place the precooked spiral ham on your sheet pan and generously brush the glaze all over its surface, making sure to get in between some of the slices so every bite is bursting with flavor. Roast it in a preheated oven at 325°F (163°C) for about 90 minutes, basting with the glaze every 20 to 30 minutes. This slow roasting enhances the natural sweetness and ensures the ham stays tender and juicy.
Step 3: Prepare the Cheesy Roasted Potatoes
While the ham is cooking, combine thin potato slices with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, fresh parsley, kosher salt, and a drizzle of olive oil in a large mixing bowl. Toss them well to coat every slice. Layer the potatoes evenly alongside the ham on the same sheet pan during the last 45 minutes of baking. This way, they absorb those lovely ham drippings, turning golden and perfectly tender under their cheesy, fragrant blanket.
Step 4: Roast the Asparagus
During the last 15 minutes of cooking time, add the trimmed asparagus tossed with olive oil and kosher salt to the sheet pan. Roasting asparagus this way keeps it tender but still crisp, with a touch of caramelized edges that complement the other components beautifully.
Step 5: Make the Classic Deviled Eggs
While everything is roasting, hard boil your eggs by placing them in a pot of cold water, bringing it to a boil, and then letting them simmer for 10 minutes. Peel and halve the eggs, then scoop out the yolks into a bowl. Mash the yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, pickle relish, and a pinch of kosher salt until smooth and creamy. Spoon or pipe this mixture back into the egg whites and sprinkle with paprika for that perfect finishing touch. These creamy, tangy bites are the ideal cool and refreshing contrast on this hearty sheet pan dinner.
How to Serve Sheet Pan Easter Dinner with Maple Brown Sugar Ham Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme scattered over the ham and potatoes brighten every bite with their fresh aroma and vibrant green color. A light dusting of paprika over the deviled eggs not only gives a pop of color but also a mild, smoky warmth that ties everything together.
Side Dishes
If you want to add even more variety to your Easter feast, consider a simple spring salad with mixed greens, radishes, and a lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness. A basket of warm dinner rolls or crusty bread is also fantastic for soaking up any extra glaze or cheese sauce from the sheet pan.
Creative Ways to Present
For a rustic yet elegant style, line your serving platter with fresh greens and arrange thick slices of the glazed ham alongside the roasted asparagus and potatoes. Serve the deviled eggs on a separate decorative dish with garnishes for a striking contrast. If you’re feeling extra festive, fresh edible flowers or microgreens add an unexpected, charming touch that guests will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After your lovely Sheet Pan Easter Dinner with Maple Brown Sugar Ham Recipe, store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Ham, vegetables, and deviled eggs all keep well for up to 4 days, making for easy next-day meals that still taste amazing.
Freezing
The ham and potatoes freeze beautifully if you want to save some for later. Wrap the cooled items tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in freezer-safe bags or containers. They’ll last up to 3 months frozen. Deviled eggs are best enjoyed fresh and don’t freeze well due to their creamy filling.
Reheating
Reheat ham and potatoes in a 350°F (175°C) oven, covered loosely with foil to prevent drying, until warmed through (about 20-30 minutes). The asparagus is best eaten fresh or lightly reheated in a skillet. Avoid microwaving deviled eggs to keep their texture perfect.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of ham for this recipe?
Absolutely! While a spiral ham works wonderfully because it’s pre-cooked and easy to slice, you can use any precooked ham. Just adjust glazing and cooking times if your ham is larger or smaller.
Are the potatoes fully cooked on the sheet pan, or should I parboil them first?
The thinly sliced Yukon gold potatoes cook fully on the sheet pan alongside the ham and asparagus. Their thin layering combined with the moist cream and cheese helps them become tender without needing to parboil.
Can I prepare this recipe for a larger crowd?
Definitely! Simply increase the quantities proportionally and consider using two sheet pans so everything cooks evenly. Just watch oven space and timing to ensure perfect results.
What can I substitute for pickle relish in the deviled eggs?
If you don’t have pickle relish, finely chopped dill pickles or capers make excellent substitutes, adding that essential sweet-vinegary crunch to the filling.
Is there a vegetarian version of this Sheet Pan Easter Dinner with Maple Brown Sugar Ham Recipe?
While the ham is the centerpiece here, you could create a vegetarian-friendly version by focusing on the cheesy potatoes, asparagus, and deviled eggs, and perhaps substituting the ham with a hearty roasted portobello or spiced tofu glaze.
Final Thoughts
This Sheet Pan Easter Dinner with Maple Brown Sugar Ham Recipe is truly a showstopper that brings together so many delightful flavors and textures in one simple, elegant meal. It’s perfect for celebrating special moments with loved ones without spending all day in the kitchen. I can’t wait for you to try it and experience that perfect blend of sweet, savory, and cheesy goodness that only a sheet pan full of love can deliver.
Print
Sheet Pan Easter Dinner with Maple Brown Sugar Ham Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Sheet Pan Easter Dinner with Maple Brown Sugar Ham is a festive and delicious one-pan meal perfect for holiday gatherings. Featuring a precooked spiral ham glazed with a sweet maple brown sugar mixture, roasted Yukon gold potatoes with Parmesan and garlic, tender asparagus, and a tangy deviled eggs side, this dish offers a balanced and flavorful combination. Easy to prepare and baked in one pan, it simplifies holiday cooking while providing a hearty and elegant meal for four people.
Ingredients
Ham and Glaze
- 1 small spiral ham (about 5 lbs, precooked)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp minced thyme
Potatoes
- 2 large Yukon gold potatoes (sliced thinly)
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tsp fresh parsley (minced)
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Asparagus
- 1 lb. asparagus (with the bottom 1-2” removed)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Deviled Eggs
- 6 large eggs
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 2 tbsp pickle relish
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- paprika (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ham and Glaze: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, olive oil, and minced thyme to make the glaze. Place the precooked spiral ham on a sheet pan and brush the glaze all over the surface evenly.
- Prepare the Potatoes: Thinly slice the Yukon gold potatoes and toss them in a mixing bowl with the heavy cream, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, fresh parsley, and kosher salt. Spread the potato mixture in an even layer on one side of the sheet pan next to the ham.
- Add the Asparagus: Trim the tough ends from the asparagus and toss with olive oil and kosher salt. Arrange the asparagus on the sheet pan alongside the potatoes and ham, ensuring everything is spaced out for even cooking.
- Bake the Sheet Pan Dinner: Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 90 minutes, basting the ham with extra glaze halfway through if desired. The potatoes should be tender and golden on top, the asparagus tender-crisp, and the ham heated through and caramelized on the edges.
- Prepare the Deviled Eggs: While the ham and vegetables bake, place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then cover and remove from heat, letting sit for 10 minutes. Peel the eggs, slice in half lengthwise, and scoop out the yolks into a bowl. Mix the yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, pickle relish, and kosher salt until smooth. Spoon or pipe the mixture back into the egg whites and sprinkle with paprika for garnish.
Notes
- Use a precooked spiral ham to ensure convenience and reduce cooking time.
- Thinly slicing the potatoes helps them cook evenly and absorb the creamy mixture.
- Basting the ham halfway through baking enhances the glaze’s caramelization.
- Adjust the asparagus cooking time depending on thickness to avoid overcooking.
- Deviled eggs can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until serving.
