Treat your mom like the queen she is this Mother’s Day by whipping up a special lunch just for her. A thoughtful gesture that shows you care, making a homemade meal is the perfect way to celebrate her special day.
If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with a comprehensive list of 33 Mother’s Day recipes and lunch ideas that are sure to get your creative juices flowing.
Leftover Mashed Potato Waffles With Cheese
When faced with the pressure of whipping up a last-minute lunch for mom, the initial reaction might be one of panic upon opening the empty fridge. But fear not! A quick glance at your leftovers could lead you to a culinary savior – mashed potatoes. These humble tubers can be transformed into delectable cheesy waffles that are sure to impress.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to repurposing leftover ingredients, and this creative solution is just the starting point for a delicious meal.
Arugula And Three-Pea Salad
This delectable springtime dish is an ideal choice for a Mother’s Day luncheon. It boasts a vibrant medley of healthy greens, paired with three distinct varieties of peas. To add depth and complexity, the recipe also incorporates salted goat cheese, peppery radishes, and a selection of fresh herbs. This delightful combination is sure to impress if you’re seeking a light yet satisfying lunch option.
Easy To Make Quiche
A quiche is best enjoyed as part of a satisfying meal combination – think pairing it with a fresh salad for a delightful lunch experience. The beauty of making a quiche lies in its versatility, allowing you to get creative with the various flavors and ingredients you choose to incorporate. To simplify the process, consider purchasing a pre-made pie crust from your local store, but if you’re feeling ambitious, whipping up your own crust can be a fun and rewarding experience.
Strawberry And Balsamic Vinegar Pasta Salad
This delectable strawberry and balsamic vinegar pasta salad boasts a satisfyingly filling nature, making it an excellent choice for a sweet lunch. Building upon the previous strawberry salad recipe, this version incorporates pasta, elevating its filling power and indulgence factor. To add a delightful burst of heat, simply sprinkle some fresh black pepper on top.
Easy To Make Tuna Melt
Indulge your mom in a taste of nostalgia by whipping up an elevated tuna melt recipe that’s sure to bring back memories – even if it wasn’t part of her childhood. Chances are, she made you countless versions of this classic comfort food when you were growing up. To take it to the next level, why not experiment with various cheeses and add some luscious tomato slices to give it a fresh twist?
Baked Ziti
Paying homage to a childhood favorite by cooking up a warm and comforting ziti dish for your mom might be the perfect way to show your appreciation. This classic Italian-American recipe is loaded with creamy goodness from ricotta cheese, melted mozzarella, savory sausage, and rich beef. Don’t let the number of ingredients intimidate you – this hearty dish is surprisingly easy to prepare.
Apple, Turkey And Cheddar Panini
If your mom is a panini enthusiast, she’s in for a delightful surprise. A unique filling combination that combines the natural sweetness of thinly sliced apples with savory turkey and melted cheese will surely tantalize her taste buds. This creative pairing may not be a familiar one for her, but its harmonious blend of flavors will likely win her over.
Tomato And Spinach Creamy Pasta
For a quick yet impressive meal that combines flavor with visual appeal, look no further than this simple and satisfying tomato and spinach pasta. With a cooking time of under 30 minutes, you can enjoy a rich and creamy pasta dish without sacrificing quality or taste. The best part? You have the flexibility to choose between using fresh or canned tomatoes, allowing you to tailor the sweetness level to your liking.
Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut squash soup is a heartwarming meal that pairs perfectly with crusty bread slathered in butter. What’s more, this comforting dish requires minimal effort and few ingredients. The foundation of the recipe rests on three main components: butternut squash, pungent garlic cloves, and sweet onion. From there, it’s simply a matter of seasoning to taste. Feel free to get creative by adding potatoes or other vegetables of your choice.
Fruit Salad With A Mint Syrup
As the warmer months approach, there’s no better way to spend quality time with mom than enjoying a refreshing and visually appealing light lunch. This recipe offers just that, featuring a delightful combination of sweet and fruity flavors accompanied by a revitalizing mint syrup. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to prepare and presents beautifully due to its vibrant color palette.
Caprese Salad With Mozzarella And Tomatoes
The allure of this salad lies not just in its fresh flavors, but also in the perfect harmony between sweet and tangy notes. To achieve this delightful taste experience, it’s crucial to start with extremely ripe and juicy tomatoes.
Tomato Salad With Seasoning
As Mother’s Day approaches in May, a refreshing salad is an excellent way to celebrate this special occasion. Take advantage of the season’s bounty by visiting your local farmer’s market to discover the latest fresh produce arrivals. This tomato salad recipe showcases the sweetness and juiciness of cherry tomatoes, making them a perfect choice for a springtime delight.
Croque-Monsieur
At first glance, this seemingly ordinary grilled cheese sandwich might strike you as unremarkable. But don’t be quick to dismiss it – a closer look reveals a medley of ingredients and cheeses that can surprise and delight even the most discerning palate. The result is a culinary experience that’s more than just a simple grilled cheese; it’s a flavorful journey worth embarking on.
Strawberry And Basil Bruschetta
While initial impressions might lead you to believe these are recipes best left for special occasions, we’re here to convince you otherwise. We’ve chosen this delectable strawberry bruschetta recipe as a great starting point because its rich flavors belie its simplicity. With just bread and a few toppings required, it’s astonishingly easy to prepare and can be ready in mere minutes – perfect for a spontaneous treat or impromptu gathering.
Classic Lobster Bisque
Elevate your Mother’s Day lunch game by preparing a delectable French classic that’s sure to impress. Despite its luxurious reputation, featuring full lobsters, the preparation process is surprisingly manageable. The indulgent nature of lobster makes it a fitting treat for Mother’s Day, ensuring mom will thoroughly appreciate and savor this special dish.
Egg Salad Sandwich
Classic egg salad sandwiches are a staple in many households, making them an ideal choice for a special occasion like Mother’s Day when you can share it with your mom. But what if you could elevate this familiar recipe to new heights? In our version of the classic, we take a departure from tradition by removing the egg yolks and whisking them together with mayonnaise. This game-changing move yields an egg salad that is surprisingly creamy and indulgent.
Try it out and see why we’ve been hooked on this method ever since! The result is a sandwich that’s sure to impress even the pickiest of eaters.
Shrimp Pasta With Garlic Butter
As we’ve indulged in succulent lobster, it’s now time to give shrimp its moment to shine. This delectable shrimp pasta with garlic sauce recipe will transport your lunch to a luxurious experience, without breaking the bank. The best part? It’s surprisingly simple and budget-friendly, requiring only 20 minutes of preparation time – mostly due to the cooking time of the pasta itself.
Olive Garden Inspired Chicken Gnocchi Soup
For those who share their mom’s passion for Olive Garden, this copycat recipe is sure to impress. Not only does it replicate the flavors she loves, but its presentation is equally stunning and the taste is simply divine. Additionally, if gnocchi is a culinary discovery for your palate, you’re in luck – it makes a fantastic alternative to traditional pasta.
Mandarin Orange Salad With Chicken
This vibrant salad bursts with an array of colors and textures, drawing inspiration from the flavors of Asia. What’s more, its simplicity makes it a cinch to prepare. A harmonious blend of juicy chicken strips, tangy mandarin segments, crunchy veggies, and toasted almonds is elevated by a zesty dressing infused with the sweetness of honey, the warmth of ginger, and the brightness of lemon.
It’s little wonder that this delightful creation will have everyone clamoring for seconds – or even asking you to whip up another batch!
Cracker Barrel Chicken With Dumplings
For families residing in the southern United States, this satisfying lunch recipe holds a special place in their hearts. The combination of savory chicken and fluffy dumplings evokes feelings of warmth, comfort, and nostalgia – a true Southern staple. This wholesome meal is sure to be met with enthusiasm from even the most discerning palates.
Avocado, Spinach And Shrimp Salad
When crafting the perfect salad, spinach stands out as an exceptional addition. Boasting a wealth of nutrients and an impressive iron content, it’s a notable improvement over iceberg lettuce, which often lacks these essential qualities. Meanwhile, this recipe requires only a few simple ingredients, with the tangy mustard serving to enhance both the shrimp’s natural flavor and add a satisfying kick.
Simple But Delicious Potato Salad
While potato salad is often a crowd-pleaser, crafting the perfect dish requires a few key considerations. One crucial element is selecting waxy potatoes that retain their shape when cooked. Additionally, incorporating flavorful mustard and paprika can elevate the overall taste experience.
Quick Buffalo Chicken Wraps
For those who prefer understated gatherings, these straightforward buffalo chicken wraps are an excellent choice. By serving the chicken alongside a refreshing salad, the bold flavors don’t overpower. Simply top it with ranch dressing and you’ll have a delightful, easy-to-prepare buffalo chicken wrap.
Vegan Mexican Buddha Bowl
This delectable vegan fajita bowl is a flavorful fusion of sautéed mushrooms, creamy avocado, sweet corn, and a blend of spices including smoked paprika, fresh coriander, chipotle powder, and more. The addition of black beans and wholegrain rice provides a nutritious foundation for this dish. Feel free to customize it by incorporating your favorite veggies or adding some protein like chicken for an extra boost.
With its bold flavors and satisfying texture, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite.
Delicious Carrot Tart
Indulge your loved one with this delightful carrot tart, perfect as a light lunch or a thoughtful treat. The combination of roasted sweet carrots, garlic-infused herb flavored cheese, and creamy Monterey Jack cheese creates a symphony of springtime flavors that’s sure to delight. Not only will it satisfy her taste buds, but the effort you put into making it will make her feel truly special.
Rotisserie Chicken Salad
For a quick yet thoughtful lunch solution when you’re short on time, consider whipping up a rotisserie chicken salad for your mom. This recipe requires just five ingredients, making it an affordable option as well. The simple combination of chicken, celery, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper comes together to create a satisfying meal that’s sure to impress.
Easy Caprese Pizza
This Caprese-style pizza recipe takes a unique approach by combining sticky mozzarella cheese with juicy tomato slices, bypassing traditional thick sauces altogether. The best part? You don’t need to start from scratch – simply buy a pre-made crust, top it with your preferred ingredients and bake until golden. For an added personal touch, incorporate your loved one’s favorite flavors into the mix, making this pizza a truly special treat.
Cream Of Asparagus Soup
Indulge in the delightful flavor of asparagus, a spring vegetable that’s simplicity shines through in its cooking process. This particular soup is a testament to ease of preparation, yielding a creamy yet surprisingly healthy dish that defies its rich taste. To add an extra layer of depth, incorporate coriander into your seasoning for a truly enhanced culinary experience.
Strawberry And Spinach Salad With Feta And Candied Pecans
Indulge in a sweet surprise if you’ve never tried a strawberry-based salad! As we discussed earlier, those who don’t appreciate the zesty flavors will find solace in this sweeter alternative. The sweetness comes from the strawberries being marinated in balsamic vinegar – a timeless combination that harmonizes perfectly. This delectable mix is further enhanced by the addition of crumbly feta cheese, crunchy pecans, and fresh spinach. For a taste experience like no other, head to the recipe now!
Julia Child’s French Onion Soup
Indulge in the richness of Julia’s French onion soup, a hearty yet refined culinary delight. Its thick, velvety consistency makes it perfect for serving in small, satisfying portions. What sets this soup apart is its masterful balance of savory and sweet flavors, courtesy of a judicious use of white wine that adds a subtle depth to the dish. With each spoonful, you’ll experience a harmonious marriage of bold and nuanced notes that will leave you craving more.
Sausage And Kale Quiche
Indulge in this mouthwatering quiche, an excellent accompaniment to a fresh salad. While it may require a moderate number of ingredients, the payoff is well worth the effort. To simplify the process, consider utilizing a pre-made pie crust. Additionally, you’ll need heavy cream, breakfast sausage, and kale to bring this dish together.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re stumped on what to serve your mom for lunch on Mother’s Day, start by considering her favorite foods. This will help guide your recipe search and ensure she feels appreciated.
Additionally, think about ways to make the day special for her, such as cleaning the house, making breakfast in bed, or even planning a fun activity that aligns with her interests.
Barbara is an enthusiastic food-exploring person that goes through different culinary experiences. She got inspired by creating a pizza blog post after she tasted one of the best-selling pizzas in Toledo.