37 Mother’s Day Dinner Ideas to Celebrate the Best Mom Ever
Have you made a plan for Mother’s Day dinner yet? Lots of moms wake up to breakfast in bed or an elaborate brunch on the second Sunday in May, but the day’s not over when those plates are cleared. The following Mother’s Day meal suggestions will keep your mother (or your favorite mother figure) fed into the evening. We have spring-y pastas, smoky grilled favorites, classic Gourmet recipes that’ll hit many a mother with a touch of nostalgia, and plenty more of the tried-and-true recipes we’d gladly make for our own moms. Just remember one thing: Whether you got the lady the newest Instant Pot or merely the pleasure of your own company (she’d love either), she’s going to want dessert too. We’re thinking cake.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Simon Andrews1/37Sticky Grilled Chicken
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell2/37Lemon-Roasted Salmon With Escarole, Asparagus, and Potatoes
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Frances Boswell3/37Manicotti
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton6/37Sri Lankan Cashew Curry
Whole cashews are the star of this comforting vegan curry. They simmer and soften enough to sip up luscious coconut milk, scented with ginger, cumin, turmeric, and fennel.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich7/37Pulled Mushroom Tacos With Salsa Guille
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by John Bjostad8/37Lemony Risotto With Asparagus and Shrimp
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich10/37Garlicky Instant Ramen Noodle Salad With Grilled Chicken Thighs
This fun grilled chicken recipe, inspired by a specialty of Thai street vendors, starts with a packet of instant ramen and ends with Mom saying, “I love you.”
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton11/37Crispy Chicken Over Turmeric-Lemon Cabbage and Peas
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton13/37Shrimp Scampi
Garlicky, buttery shrimp scampi takes little more than a skillet and 15 minutes to make at home. Serve with crusty bread for mopping up the sauce or toss with cooked linguine and a little pasta water.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne15/37Baked Rigatoni With Red Peppers and Green Olives
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell16/37Roasted Niçoise Salad With Halibut
Marinated artichoke hearts get super-crispy when roasted (try them out as an appetizer) making them the secret star of this simple sheet-pan dinner.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson17/37Lamb Chops with Polenta and Grilled Scallion Sauce
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell18/37Grand Aioli
This classic French dish is like the most luxe picnic dinner ever: no utensils required, and it pairs very well with chilled rosé (or mimosas for fancy Mother's Day brunch). But it's also surprisingly easy—serve with any vegetables or seafood your mother likes.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell19/37Crispy Chicken Thighs With Spring Vegetables
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Judy Mancini21/37Low-Fuss Crispy Roast Chicken
Rendering fat trickles from the chicken as it roasts onto a bed of sliced potatoes and onions, resulting in a deliciously crisp and juicy low-fuss bird with a built-in side dish. Serve with a simple green salad with fresh herbs.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Christopher Barsch23/37Seared Scallops With Basil Risotto
This creamy risotto is made not with the usual wine, but with pineapple juice. Perfectly caramelized scallops and fresh basil finish it nicely.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Claire Saffitz24/37Yogurt-Braised Chicken Legs With Garlic and Ginger
Photo by Caleb Adams, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog26/37Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup With Bean and Cheese Nachos
Photo by Kamil Bialous27/37Halibut with Spicy Sausage, Tomatoes, and Rosemary
Give flaky halibut the foil-packet treatment in this grilled fish dinner with burst cherry tomatoes and spicy, paprika-loaded sausages.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson28/37Gluten-Free Crab Cakes With Snap Pea Salad
Photo by Laura Murray30/37Clam Toasts with Pancetta
Shellfish and pork are a power duo. The salty-sweet pancetta soffritto is the backbone of this clam toast. Pair it with an Italian deli–style salad recipe that's made with refreshing iceberg lettuce.
Photo by Alex Lau31/37Broiled Red Snapper With Za'atar Salsa Verde
The zesty sauce in this recipe is chef Alon Shaya's Middle Eastern–spiced riff on herby salsa verde. We’d love this served over a couscous and zucchini salad.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton32/37Four-Cheese Manicotti
Are ricotta-stuffed noodles the best Mother’s Day gift of all time? Maybe. But in case you’re worried, the cheesy bechamel and simple marinara should seal the deal.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Liza Jernow33/37Salmon Croquettes With Dill Sauce
These delicious fish cakes are one of our favorite inexpensive recipes. Canned salmon is transformed into elegant patties served with a sour cream and herb sauce.
Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich35/37Lemon Chicken Thighs
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton36/37Dill-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Farro, Pea, and Blistered Tomato Salad
Packed with the bright flavors of citrus and dill, this greens-and-grains dinner comes together fast, giving you more time to think about the perfect Mother’s Day dessert recipe.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell37/37Pistachio and Pomegranate Meatballs (Kufteh-Ye Pesteh-o Anar)
Tuck these Persian turkey meatballs into flatbreads with crisp lettuce for a Mother's Day dinner wrap, or serve them over a fragrant rice and fava bean polow.
