31 Mother's Day Dinner Ideas

Send Mom off to rest and prepare a festive dinner for her. Our main course and side dish recipes will help you do just that!

Baked halibut in wine with herbs

Halibut fillet is baked on a fragrant bed of thyme, parsley, and bay leaf in dry vermouth, which infuses the fish with a whole range of flavors. The aromatic juices from the pan are then reduced on the stovetop, creating a wonderful light sauce for the halibut. Serve the fish with cherry tomatoes, herbs, roasted garlic, and a homemade tapenade of chopped olives with thyme and lemon zest. A perfect idea for a light, Mediterranean-style Mother's Day dinner!

Moroccan Chicken with Pickled Lemons

The key ingredients in this Moroccan chicken dish are pickled lemons and marinated olives. Seared chicken breast is simmered in a light wine sauce with pickled lemons, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and oregano, resulting in a juicy and flavorful dish. A real explosion of flavors!

Spaghetti with ricotta and lemon

Remember the days when your mom used to make you spaghetti and meatballs? This elegant version of creamy pasta combines the bright flavor of lemon with the peppery notes of arugula. When you cook the pasta, don't discard all the cooking water. Save some of this starchy cooking water to thin out the ricotta sauce, creating a deliciously creamy, creamy sauce.

Crab-Stuffed Artichokes

This recipe infuses classic stuffed artichokes with all the traditional ingredients of crab cakes, including Old Bay seafood seasoning and a crispy breading. If you're new to fresh artichokes, the recipe includes a detailed description of the cleaning and trimming process: the inedible fuzz is removed from the hearts, and the hearts are stuffed with a mixture of natural crab meat. The artichokes are first steamed and then roasted in the oven until golden brown.

Oven-baked orange-glazed chicken breasts

In this recipe, a simple glaze of orange juice, honey, oregano, and vinegar transforms ordinary chicken breast into a stunning restaurant-quality dish. Simply brush it over skinless, boneless chicken breasts while baking, and you're done! Serve with roasted asparagus glazed with the same orange glaze.

Fusilli alla caprese pasta

Enjoy pasta with the flavors of traditional Italian caprese. The key ingredients of caprese—tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil—make a wonderful pasta sauce. The recipe is incredibly simple and perfect for both novice cooks and those looking for a quick, delicious Mediterranean dish. The sauce is made with fresh cherry tomatoes sautéed with garlic in olive oil, then tossed with separately cooked fusilli (spiral pasta). While the pasta is hot, immediately stir in the shredded mozzarella to melt it. Add a little basil, and serve.

Chicken Alfredo Manicotti

These wide Italian manicotti pasta tubes are filled with a juicy filling of ricotta, chicken, and spinach and baked in a creamy Alfredo sauce topped with grated cheese. The filling is made with grilled chicken, and there's no need to boil the manicotti tubes before filling them: they'll cook through while baking in the sauce. This significantly reduces cooking time. The highlight of this casserole is the crispy bacon bits that cover the manicotti, along with the melting cheese on top. Hearty homemade pasta at its best!

Salad with arugula, mozzarella, roasted bell peppers and mint

Enjoy the delicious combination of peppery arugula, creamy mozzarella, mint, and fire-roasted bell peppers for a zesty twist. This refreshing salad, dressed in a tart mustard dressing, is the perfect side dish for meat and will bring back memories of summer any time of year.

Golden mackerel with peach and cucumber salsa

Chunks of white fish (mahi, grouper, snapper, or halibut) are salted, peppered, and pan-fried in olive oil until golden brown. Their dense texture is perfectly complemented by a refreshing, juicy salsa made with cucumbers and peaches, which, along with spicy jalapeño and red onion, are sliced ​​into evenly thin pieces and seasoned with lime juice. Let the vegetables simmer to allow the flavors to meld, resulting in a rich, aromatic, and incredibly delicious salsa.

Pizza with pumpkin and cheese

This fragrant pizza will become your new favorite fall dish. Sweet chunks of butternut squash are perfectly complemented by juicy, zesty arugula, creamy ricotta, fragrant sage, and salty Parmesan shavings, all on an airy pizza dough with a delicious crust.

Green gazpacho with edible flowers

This refreshing, light soup will not only be a pleasant refreshment in the heat, but also add a touch of summer with its elegant floral appearance. It's made with only green ingredients: cucumbers, bell peppers, green onions, and seedless white (or green) grapes, which impart a wonderful aroma. A little white bread and almonds thicken the soup and make it filling. Gazpacho requires no cooking; all ingredients are blended together and the chilled mixture is poured into bowls. Garnish each serving with several types of edible flowers. They will look vibrant against the green soup, like a summer lawn.

Salmon in filo pastry "Salmon en Croute"

Salmon en croûte is a festive French dish that will impress your guests. Juicy salmon, creamy mascarpone cheese, and spinach are wrapped in filo pastry and baked until golden and crisp. Served with a creamy dill sauce.

Ravioli alla caprese

Caprese-inspired ravioli combine two Italian dishes on one plate, delivering a wealth of vibrant Mediterranean flavors and the intoxicating aromas of tomatoes, cheese, and fragrant basil. The ravioli dough is made with flour and hot water, and for a rich, delicious filling, combine three types of cheese: ricotta, Parmesan, and any soft sheep's milk cheese (such as caciotta). The cooked ravioli are served on a bed of thick tomato sauce, sprinkled with grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves.

Salmon and Fennel Salad

A light, vitamin-rich dish of fresh salad vegetables and herbs with lemon-marinated and baked salmon fillet. Served with a balsamic vinegar and honey dressing, this salad is sure to please those who appreciate delicious and healthy food.

Scallops in Lemon-Garlic Butter "Scallops Scampi"

This American restaurant dish, "Scampi," made with a garlic, lemon, and parsley butter sauce, substitutes scallops for shrimp. It's just as quick and easy to make. Be careful not to overcook the scallops, or they'll become tough. Pair the scampi with cooked spaghetti for a delicious, quick dinner for a special occasion.



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Lavash pizza with artichokes and mortadella

When you crave a delicious homemade pizza and don't want to mess around with dough, lavash or any other flatbread you have on hand will do the trick. Spread it with ricotta and bake until crispy, then top it with thin slices of Bolognese sausage (mortadella) and a light salad of arugula and marinated artichokes in a lemon dressing. Quick, juicy, and healthy.

Risotto with mushrooms and green peas

While portobello mushrooms lend this risotto a rich aroma and flavor, green peas add a spring-like freshness and juiciness. Easy to prepare, this tender, creamy risotto is perfect for both everyday meals and special occasions.

Filet mignon with shrimp sauce and black pepper

This beef filet mignon steak is quickly pan-seared and finished to perfection in the oven. Served with a creamy shrimp sauce seasoned with black pepper. It's important to use crushed peppercorns, not ground peppercorns, in this recipe so that its piquant flavor is clearly present in every bite.

Dirty risotto

This flavorful risotto was inspired by the Creole dish "dirty rice," where rice is cooked with ground meat, giving it a dirty hue but an absolutely stunning flavor. Instead of regular ground meat, this recipe uses raw Italian sausage, stripped of its casing, which is already infused with a bouquet of aromatic spices. The risotto is hearty and creamy, with a Southern Italian twist.

Stewed chard with chickpeas

Swiss chard is sautéed in a pan with chickpeas, onions, and spices, creating a delicious side dish rich in protein and fiber that can be served with meat dishes. Use the entire bunch of Swiss chard, including the leaves and the tougher stems, sautéing them a little before the greens. Drizzle with lemon juice at the very end.

Eggplant rolls

Eggplant rollatini is a common dish in southern cuisine. They come with a wide variety of fillings! Italian rollatini are typically filled with soft cheese, sprinkled with Parmesan, topped with tomato sauce, and baked. Eggplant rolls always look more impressive and unique; they can be served at a festive table or simply cooked as a side dish with meat. Since eggplant absorbs oil like a sponge, it's best to fry them in a hot grill pan or on the grill. This will result in a less greasy eggplant.

Cauliflower Piccata

Cauliflower piccata is a vegetarian dish that's perfect for the holidays, yet easy enough to prepare for a weeknight dinner. It's a great way to add more delicious vegetables to your family's diet. Baked cauliflower steaks are served with a delicious sauce made with butter, wine, parsley, lemon, and capers. The combination of bright lemon and salty capers is pure magic!

Iceberg lettuce with peaches

Although the main ingredient in this salad is peach, it's not a dessert fruit salad at all, but a fascinating, juicy appetizer served with the main course. This salad is especially good for a summer barbecue and will appeal to anyone who enjoys combining interesting flavors. Ripe peaches are sliced ​​and tossed with shredded iceberg lettuce in a creamy dressing made from sour milk (or kefir), sour cream, and lemon juice and zest. The highlight of the salad is the crispy pieces of fried bacon, which provide an intriguing crunch against the delicate peaches.

Avocado and cucumber salad

In this simple, healthy salad, tender avocado pairs beautifully with juicy, crunchy cucumbers and red onion. Like any other avocado salad, its beauty lies in its creaminess, even without a creamy or mayonnaise-based dressing. This is all thanks to a small amount of mashed avocado mixed with olive oil, honey, and freshly squeezed lime juice. A touch of cumin adds extra flavor. Gently toss the salad with the dressing and fresh parsley, preferably by hand to avoid crushing the tender pieces, and serve immediately as an appetizer or side dish.

Chicken in creamy pesto

Roasted chicken breast fillets are served on a bed of braised rainbow chard with cherry tomatoes and drizzled with creamy pesto for a quick, yet delicious, and healthy midweek dinner. Homemade basil pesto can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 5 days.

Fettuccine with chicken in creamy Alfredo sauce

Fettuccine pasta in a creamy Alfredo sauce with chicken and Parmesan is a quick and delicious dish the whole family will love. It's ready in just half an hour and is perfect for a midweek dinner. Serve garnished with fresh parsley.

Oven-baked bone-in pork loin with rosemary, garlic, and chickpeas

So, you want to cook for Mom but don't want to wash a ton of dishes? Try this savory sheet pan dish. Everything is made in one pot and ready in just 35 minutes.

Strawberry salad with endive and edible flowers

This vibrant, juicy salad is made with strawberry slices mixed with torn endive leaves, chives, and walnuts, which add a warm, rich flavor and crunch. Edible flowers are the cherry on top. They add a bright, striking appearance and spicy notes that complement the sweet strawberries. These flowers can be purchased online or in specialty stores (the packaging should specifically indicate they are edible). Use a variety to give the salad a summery floral feel. Dress it with a Chardonnay-based vinaigrette and enjoy.

A simple Caesar salad with croutons and no chicken.

The perfect Caesar salad is one made with homemade dressing and homemade croutons. Ree Drummond adds a touch of balsamic vinegar to her eggless dressing, which enhances its flavor. To really bring out the flavor, let the dressing sit for a while.

Pasta with spinach pesto and chicken cutlets

For this recipe, it's best to use short, tubular pasta, such as mezzi rigatoni, which will soak up the delicious spinach-nut pesto sauce. You don't need to buy pine nuts for this pesto; almonds and walnuts also work well. After boiling the pasta, don't discard all the cooking water. This starchy liquid will help if you need to thin the sauce, preventing the pasta from becoming dry. Miniature, coin-sized fried cutlets are also added to the pasta. These are easily made from raw, casing-less chicken sausage. Serve the pasta generously sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.







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