Skip crowded restaurants and treat your mom to a home-cooked meal. The Mother's Day dinner ideas here range from light vegetarian options to slow-cooked meats.
35 Mother’s Day Dinner Ideas
Updated on Mar. 13, 2025
1/35
Dill Sauce with Salmon
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There's nothing like fresh salmon, and my mom bakes it just right so it nearly melts in your mouth. Plus, the sour cream dill sauce is subtly seasoned with horseradish so that it doesn't overpower the delicate salmon flavor. —Susan Emery, Everett, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked salmon with about 2 tablespoons sauce: 418 calories, 33g fat (11g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 643mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 26g protein.
This elegant salmon recipe doesn’t require any knife work beyond slicing a few pieces of onion and lemon. Even a kitchen novice can make this special dinner. Make the dill sauce while the salmon bakes (or earlier in the day) so the flavors have time to meld.
2/35
Easy Chicken Piccata
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Easy chicken recipes are my go-to dinner choice. My chicken piccata pasta dish is ready to serve in a half hour. It takes just a few minutes in the oven to bake to tender perfection. —Hannah Williams, Malibu, California
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked chicken with about 2 tablespoons sauce: 382 calories, 23g fat (8g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 725mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 36g protein.
It’s simpler than you think to make restaurant-worthy chicken piccata, complete with a bright and briny lemon caper sauce, at home. This recipe starts with boneless skinless chicken breasts split horizontally into two pieces. Or, you can buy thin-sliced boneless chicken breasts as a shortcut.
3/35
Blackened Halibut
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Try serving this spicy halibut recipe with garlic mashed potatoes, hot crusty bread and a crisp salad to lure in your crew. After trying a few halibut recipes, this one is my family's favorite. —Brenda Williams, Santa Maria, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 189 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 758mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 fat.
An easy spice rub, including a few essential spices, is the key to an easy fish meal with a ton of flavor. Halibut is a great choice to cook in a skillet. It needs only a few minutes on each side to cook through. Overcooking it will make it dry and tough, so watch the clock!
4/35
Steak au Poivre
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Have an elegant restaurant experience right at home with this steak au poivre. Peppercorns season the steak to create a peppery, light crust. Then, butter, shallots, garlic, Cognac and heavy whipping cream combine to create a thick brown sauce that lathers the steak, creating a delightful bite. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked steak with 2 tablespoons sauce: 376 calories, 26g fat (13g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 884mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 25g protein.
Yes, moms love a steak dinner, especially one based on a classic steakhouse recipe. This one features a peppery, tender steak topped with a creamy Cognac-spiked sauce. Freshly crushed peppercorns are the key to getting the right bold flavor without any peppery dust that burns your throat. This recipe recommends a mortar and pestle. If you don’t have one, put the peppercorns in a thick plastic food storage bag and crush them with a meat mallet.
5/35
Creamy Lemon Pasta
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've been making this lemony pasta for the family for years. It's both simple and indulgent enough to make it a go-to recipe. —Anne Miller, Glenfield, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 518 calories, 34g fat (21g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 346mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 11g protein.
If your mom is a pasta lover, this lemony, garlicky fettuccine recipe is an easy but impressive Mother’s Day dinner she will love. Instead of a flour-based sauce, the pasta is coated with a silky combination of heavy cream and cream cheese, which will thicken as it cools. Save half a cup of hot pasta water and toss in a spoonful at a time to thin the texture to your liking.
6/35
Veal Scallopini
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I found the original version of this dish in a magazine and adjusted it to suit my family’s tastes. Because delicate, fine-textured veal comes with a short cooking time, this simple entree is even more attractive. —Ruth Lee, Troy, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 435 calories, 35g fat (16g saturated fat), 120mg cholesterol, 941mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 21g protein.
Thin slices of veal cook quickly in this easy one-skillet recipe. The simple pan sauce has sliced mushrooms. While white button mushrooms work just fine, we find that combining other types of mushrooms like oyster mushrooms, cremini and shiitake deepen the flavor.
7/35
Pappardelle Bolognese
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
3 hours 50 min
Servings
12 servings (2-1/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
My robust ragu combines ground beef, sausage and chicken. Serve it over any type of pasta, or baked or fried polenta. It's even good on its own with a slice of hot buttered garlic bread. —Caroline Brody, Forest Hills, New York
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 461 calories, 35g fat (16g saturated fat), 112mg cholesterol, 712mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein.
This pasta dinner features a long-simmering, lightly creamy three-meat sauce. The sauce cooks for over three hours total, so plan enough time for it to be ready by dinner. Or, make it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to four days. Like a lasagna recipe, it gets better as it sits.
8/35
Dutch Oven Whole Chicken
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This Dutch oven roast chicken recipe gets wonderful flavor from the celery, onion and parsley tucked inside. This is my family's favorite way to make roast chicken. When my daughter was away at school, she even called home to ask me for the recipe so she could make it herself. —Judy Page, Edenville, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 525 calories, 25g fat (7g saturated fat), 157mg cholesterol, 1399mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 52g protein.
If you have never roasted a whole chicken in a Dutch oven, you are missing out on a tender, juicy way to enjoy chicken. The aromatics here stick to classic flavors like onion, celery, dried thyme and parsley. You can easily switch things up by using other herbs or maybe your mom’s favorite!
9/35
Beef with Polenta
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
7 hours 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love beef roast in the slow cooker, and it's fun to pair it with something a little different from potatoes! This is true comfort food. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 471 calories, 25g fat (11g saturated fat), 130mg cholesterol, 1216mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 39g protein.
A slow cooker is the secret to meltingly tender shredded beef for a meal that’s elevated comfort food. The Parmesan polenta served with the meat is cooked in half milk and half water. You could use all water or broth for a lighter polenta or all milk for an extra-creamy version.
10/35
Shrimp Asparagus Pasta
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We’ve all heard that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so when I plan a romantic dinner, this shrimp asparagus pasta with angel hair is one dish I like to serve. It is easy on the budget and turns out perfectly for two. —Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1-3/4 cups: 488 calories, 19g fat (4g saturated fat), 132mg cholesterol, 584mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 29g protein.
This light shrimp and asparagus pasta recipe is full of fresh herbs. It is perfect for a springtime Mother’s Day dinner. Angel hair pasta cooks very quickly, so have all your ingredients ready to go before starting. When angel hair overcooks, it clumps together and becomes difficult to toss with the shrimp and sauce.
11/35
Salmon Steak
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After our children were married and gone, I prepared salmon steaks often for my husband and myself, especially on our anniversary. It was one of our favorites. We found that one of the nicest ways to enjoy each other's company was to have a lovely meal together. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 salmon steak: 461 calories, 33g fat (12g saturated fat), 144mg cholesterol, 472mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 39g protein.
Salmon is one of the best-tasting fish. This salmon steak recipe is an example of how easy it is to cook. Coat salmon steaks with lemon and butter, sprinkle them with herbs and seasonings, and then bake them until just cooked through for a simple meal. This dish will give you confidence to cook more fish at home.
12/35
Chicken Cacciatore
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
1 hour 45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This chicken cacciatore recipe makes a good Sunday dinner since the recipe is so simple to prepare. It's also inexpensive and loaded with lots of vegetables. —Barbara Roberts, Courtenay, British Columbia
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 517 calories, 25g fat (8g saturated fat), 112mg cholesterol, 790mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 6g fiber), 39g protein.
This recipe takes an old-world Italian dish and adapts it for a slow cooker. Dinner can gently simmer all day for a special Mother’s Day meal with minimal effort. Boneless skinless chicken thighs stay tender throughout the lengthy cooking time. Or, you can use regular chicken thighs and remove the skin and bones before serving.
13/35
Spinach Tortellini
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I enjoy all things pasta, and tortellini is my favorite. The flavor of this dish is amazing. Even my husband, who hates pasta of any kind, loves it! It's a great recipe for non-spinach fans to try too. —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 404 calories, 22g fat (13g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 810mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein.
Tortellini is a fantastic way to infuse a simple pasta dinner with a huge boost of flavor because each tortellini is packed with a savory filling. This recipe calls for frozen chopped spinach and cheese tortellini, but you can use fresh spinach or another type of leafy green and whatever kind of tortellini you like.
14/35
Lobster Tail
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
No matter where you live, these succulent, buttery lobster tails are just a few minutes away. Here in Iowa, we use frozen lobster with delicious results, but if you're near the ocean, by all means use fresh! —Lauren McAnelly, Des Moines, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 lobster tail: 211 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 211mg cholesterol, 691mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein.
Sure, lobster comes to mind for Valentine’s Day dinners, but moms like lobster too. For this straightforward recipe, all you need are lobster tails, butter and a few minutes under the broiler to create a delightful meal. To avoid overcooked lobster, keep a close watch. Broiler strengths can vary drastically between different ovens. Also, use an instant-read thermometer to double-check if the lobster is ready.
15/35
Crab-Stuffed Manicotti
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love pasta and my husband loves seafood. I combined them to create this dish, and he raved that it's the best meal ever. —Sonya Polfliet, Anza, California
Nutrition Facts:
2 shells: 359 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 793mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 fat, 1/2 fat-free milk.
Creamy and cheesy, this crab-stuffed manicotti upgrades regular pasta into a divine meal for Mother’s Day. The filling is lightly seasoned so the flavor of the crab can shine, but you can always intensify the taste with a small handful of chopped fresh herbs or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
16/35
Beef Tenderloin Roast
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the simplicity of this easy beef tenderloin recipe. All you need are olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, then just add the tenderloin and pop it in the oven. In an hour or so you’ve got an impressive main dish to feed a crowd. You'll have more time to visit with family and less time fussing in the kitchen. —Mary Kandell, Huron, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked beef: 294 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 394mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 40g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
Roasting a whole beef tenderloin is a smart choice if you’re hosting a group for Mother’s Day dinner. The large cut can serve a crowd but requires little hands-on work. To promote even cooking, tuck the thin ends under the roast and secure it with a few pieces of butcher’s twine.
17/35
Asparagus Casserole
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Fresh asparagus is best for this decadent and quick casserole. The crisp-tender stalks are enveloped in a beautiful creamy Parmesan sauce and topped with a buttery cracker topping. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 206 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 584mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
Fresh asparagus is more versatile than you might think. If you usually default to roasted asparagus, this casserole recipe offers something different without adding difficulty. Before cooking with fresh asparagus, check out these tips for cooking great-tasting asparagus. We’ll help you figure out how to purchase, store and trim the vegetable.
18/35
Roasted Pork Tenderloin
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There are no complicated steps to follow when preparing this roasted medley of tender pork and veggies. Just season it with herbs, then pop it in the oven for less than an hour. —Diane Martin, Brown Deer, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 301 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 304mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable.
Mother’s Day dinner can be as easy as a sheet-pan meal of tender roasted pork and vegetables. This recipe features potatoes, carrots and onion wedges nestled around a seasoned pork tenderloin, but feel free to swap in other sturdy root vegetables like turnips or parsnips.
19/35
Seafood Mac and Cheese
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I wanted to try a luxurious version of mac and cheese with two of my favorite ingredients: lobster and cavatappi pasta. The result features Gruyere, cheddar cheese and the perfect mix of seasonings—a little cayenne and nutmeg. —Rose Muccio, Methuen, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 742 calories, 36g fat (21g saturated fat), 260mg cholesterol, 1555mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 47g protein.
My mom loved seafood for dinner more than anything else and would have appreciated how this recipe combines shrimp and lobster—her favorite—with macaroni and cheese—a family favorite. There is just a touch of cayenne and hot sauce in the creamy cheese sauce to add warmth, but you can always leave it out or replace it with a pinch of smoked paprika to add flavor without heat.
20/35
Greek Lemon Chicken
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This grilled chicken recipe is so full of flavor! The lemon and oregano flavors shine in this simple dish. It pairs perfectly with roasted vegetables or a side salad. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken thigh: 359 calories, 26g fat (6g saturated fat), 107mg cholesterol, 165mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 30g protein.
The way to my heart on Mother’s Day involves firing up the grill and cooking a huge mix of vegetables and meat, including flavorful, marinated chicken like this Greek lemon chicken recipe. The marinade has a generous amount of lemon juice and zest in addition to garlic and spices, which tenderizes the chicken while imparting flavor. Don’t let it marinate for too long or the acidity will start to break down the integrity of the meat.
21/35
Pork Chops and Scalloped Potatoes
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mom always managed to put a delicious hearty meal on the table for us and for our farmhands. This all-in-one comforting pork chops recipe reminds me of home. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 574 calories, 29g fat (11g saturated fat), 128mg cholesterol, 1015mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 40g protein.
Saucy potatoes and juicy pork chops all baked in one dish? Yes, please! Unlike au gratin potatoes, the scalloped potatoes in this recipe don’t have cream or cheese, which helps prevent curdling while baking. But if you still want a hit of cheese, remove the cooked chops to a cutting board to rest, sprinkle the top of the potatoes with cheese and return them to the oven for a few minutes.
22/35
Herb-Crusted Salmon
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Often we catch enough of our delicious Northwest salmon to send some to Michigan for my sister to enjoy. This crisp, lemony recipe is a tasty way to enjoy it. —Perlene Hoekema, Lynden, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 339 calories, 19g fat (5g saturated fat), 93mg cholesterol, 507mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 fat, 1/2 starch.
Fresh herbs, lemon and garlic come together with soft, fresh bread crumbs to create a crisp topping for baked salmon fillets. Next time you have bread starting to get stale, grind it up into plain or seasoned bread crumbs. Then, freeze them so you have a supply of fresh bread crumbs anytime you need them.
23/35
Carbonara
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Spaghetti carbonara is a classic Italian recipe. The key is to use the hot pasta water to make the dish creamy. If made properly, there is no need to add cream or milk. The dish is luxurious, satisfying, comforting and easy to make. If you like, you can add peas after you have cooked the pancetta and garlic. Use any pasta you like, but the consistency is usually best with a thicker spaghetti. —Luisa Webb, Fort Collins, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup : 337 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 539mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 14g protein.
Get Mom settled in a relaxing seat and tell her that dinner will be ready in 20 minutes! Whipping up a saucy skillet of spaghetti carbonara takes hardly any time and it is best served piping hot. Parmesan cheese and eggs transform pasta and crisp pancetta into smooth carbonara. For the best texture, use freshly grated cheese and gradually add the egg mixture to avoid lumps of cooked egg.
24/35
Sheet-Pan Chicken and Veggies
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This sheet-pan chicken and veggies meal tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken thigh with 1 cup vegetables: 357 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 597mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
Avoid some common sheet-pan dinner mistakes when cooking for Mother’s Day dinner, and pick up a new sturdy baking sheet if your current ones are worn out or prone to warping in the oven. In this recipe, we use bone-in skinless chicken thighs, which stay juicy when roasted. You can use other cuts of chicken instead, but you may need to adjust the time so they are cooked through and not dry.
25/35
Grilled Salmon with Lemon
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This tender and flaky fish is wonderful to serve to family and friends. A savory marinade that includes dill gives the salmon mouthwatering flavor. Since it can be grilled or broiled, you can enjoy it all year round! —Aelita Kivirist, Glenview, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 280 calories, 17g fat (3g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 633mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein.
A flavorful marinade with savory soy sauce, fresh dill and a touch of brown sugar transforms grilled salmon into a Mother’s Day-worthy dinner. The fish is grilled skin-side down without turning, so make sure your grill is clean and not too hot or the skin will stick, burn or cause flare-ups.
26/35
Seafood-Stuffed Shells
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Inspired by my love of lasagna, pasta shells and seafood, I created this recipe that's easy to make but special enough to serve company. I serve it with garlic bread and a salad. —Katie P. Sloan, Charlotte, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
3 stuffed shells: 448 calories, 23g fat (11g saturated fat), 148mg cholesterol, 710mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein.
Making homemade stuffed shells does take some time, between cooking the sauce, mixing up the filling, assembling and baking it all together. But it’s well worth the effort for a special meal that feeds a crowd. Shell pasta comes in various sizes, but you need jumbo shells for this recipe. The jumbo shells are big enough to stuff with the crab- and shrimp-studded filling without tearing.
27/35
Eggplant Parmesan
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Because my recipe calls for baking the eggplant instead of frying it, it’s much healthier than other versions of this dish! The prep time is a little longer than for some recipes, but the Italian flavors and rustic elegance are well worth it. —Laci Hooten, McKinney, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 305 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 912mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 9g fiber), 18g protein.
Eggplant is a satisfying and hearty vegetable to use instead of meat in this take on classic eggplant Parmesan. There is no frying required in this recipe. The sliced and breaded eggplant is baked until crisp, making the dish a little lighter and quicker to assemble.
28/35
Seafood Thermidor
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here in the Midwest, lobster can be pricey, so I found this recipe that tastes like lobster thermidor but costs a lot less. —Sandi Laskowski, Rapid city, South Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 365 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 162mg cholesterol, 829mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 39g protein.
Lobster thermidor is a classic French dish and one of those vintage recipes that’s hard to find at restaurants nowadays. With this recipe and some helpful modifications, you can make it at home. It’s even more affordable since it uses white fish and shrimp instead of lobster. Still, the creamy, lightly cheesy sauce is rich and decadent. Since this serves two, it’s a perfect treat for just you and your mom.
29/35
Pasta with Prosciutto
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love quick, simple pasta dishes, and this is one of my favorites. I prepare a tossed green salad while the pasta cooks and serve up a lovely light supper in minutes! —Laura Murphy-Ogden, Charlotte, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 461 calories, 16g fat (4g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 802mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein.
Prosciutto is a wonderful addition to a charcuterie board, but you can cook with it too. In this recipe, bits of prosciutto crisp in garlic-infused oil before being tossed with hot cooked pasta and peas for a comforting dinner. Top the dish with torn fresh basil or parsley if you have it for an herbaceous pop of flavor.
30/35
Marry Me Chicken
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With a name like marry me chicken, this dish has people falling head-over-heels. It's all about the comforting sun-dried tomato cream sauce, loaded with herbs, fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese. —Nancy Mock, Southbridge, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 313 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 465mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein.
This recipe for swoon-worthy chicken will definitely show your mom you love her! Although this one-skillet meal is simple to make, the combination of sun-dried tomatoes, cream, Parmesan and spices creates an elegant and sublime sauce that outshines your typical chicken dinners.
31/35
Crab-Stuffed Tilapia
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
45 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Make a reservation for four at your dining room table. With this elegant, restaurant-quality dish, you can turn an ordinary Tuesday night into a supper celebration. —Linda Stemen, Monroeville, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 608 calories, 47g fat (21g saturated fat), 248mg cholesterol, 894mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 40g protein.
For a double hit of seafood, you can’t go wrong with this lovely fish dinner. The tilapia isn’t stuffed exactly but topped with a savory crab mixture and then rolled up. No fancy knife work is required. If you secure the rolled fish with toothpicks, be sure to remove them before serving. Twisting them to loosen rather than pulling will prevent tearing the delicate fillets.
32/35
Tortellini Alfredo
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When we're having company, I prepare this dinner shortly before guests arrive, put it in a casserole dish and keep it warm in the oven. —Chris Snyder, Boulder, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 579 calories, 45g fat (27g saturated fat), 161mg cholesterol, 812mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein.
This recipe combines convenient supermarket shortcuts—frozen peas and refrigerated tortellini—with homemade Alfredo sauce. It’s an easy but impressive dinner. If you are feeling ambitious or have extra time, try your hand at homemade pasta instead of using tortellini. Making homemade pasta was an activity my mother and I loved to do together.
33/35
Seared Scallops with Polenta and Avocado Cream
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a really impressive dish. It's beautiful but simple and a wonderful dinner party entree. If you can find them, peppadew peppers add a bit of zing. If you can't find them, roasted red peppers work just fine. Substitute shrimp for the scallops, if you prefer. —Katie Pelczar, West Hartford, Connecticut
Nutrition Facts:
2 scallops with 1 cup polenta and 2 tablespoons avocado cream: 467 calories, 21g fat (10g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 1773mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 24g protein.
This recipe feels fancy thanks to the different colors and textures from the cheesy polenta, the silky avocado sauce and the tender scallops. Yet, each part of the meal is simple to prepare. For well-browned scallops, pat them very dry before seasoning. Also, make sure the skillet is piping hot so that they sear instead of steam.
34/35
Roasted Cornish Game Hen
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're looking for an elegant dinner for two, we suggest these delightful Cornish game hens. As a bonus, crisp and tasty potatoes cook right alongside the meat. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 984 calories, 68g fat (22g saturated fat), 381mg cholesterol, 1239mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 64g protein.
Cornish hens look like little chickens and have a similar mild flavor. They are fun for a special occasion dinner because everyone gets their own little bird to enjoy. To flavor them, pack the cavity with lemon and onion, and tuck fresh sage leaves under the skin. This will infuse the flavors into the meat without the risk of burning during cooking.
35/35
Cioppino
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
4 hours 40 min
Servings
8 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're looking for a great seafood recipe for your slow cooker, this classic fish stew is just the ticket. It's brimming with clams, crab, fish and shrimp. This stew is fancy enough to be an elegant meal. —Lisa Moriarty, Wilton, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 205 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 125mg cholesterol, 483mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable.
Cioppino isn’t just any classic soup recipe. It’s an elegant, thick celebration of seafood that is hearty but light at the same time. This recipe has haddock, shrimp, clams and crab. But you can use almost any combination of seafood you like. This cioppino is made in the slow cooker so it can gently simmer all afternoon while you spend time with your mom.
Mother’s Day Dinner Ideas FAQ
Which foods are associated with Mother’s Day?
Since Mother’s Day is in May, springtime fruits, vegetables and herbs are naturally associated with the day. Bright, light dishes like salmon dinners or other seafood, as well as lemon desserts or pink recipes, really stand out. Try some new spring flavor combinations from what’s in season, including strawberries, rhubarb, peas, asparagus and tender herbs like tarragon.
What is a special entree to cook for my mother?
As a mom myself, I feel the most special entree is prepared with care and full of my favorite flavors and ingredients. For example, if your mom likes steak, visit a butcher shop and pick a cut that is well-marbled and tender. Or, tackle a cooking project and create an impressive dinner that makes her feel extra-pampered and appreciated. It’s less about the exact entree you make and more about the intention.
What are some good side dishes to serve for Mother’s Day dinner?
When choosing a good side dish for Mother’s Day dinner, you can take a few approaches. Lean into the season, visit a local farmers market for inspiration and create a fresh vegetable side dish. Sides like sauteed peas, raw or cooked asparagus, or a big green salad are all versatile options regardless of the main course. For a heartier side dish, bake fresh homemade dinner rolls or make a savory herbed rice pilaf.
