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I’ve rounded up Mother’s Day Dinner Ideas to help make spoiling mom as easy as possible. Whether you go all out or keep it simple, I’ve got you covered! Show her you love her with some delicious dishes.

More Collections: Mother’s Day Dessert Ideas, Mother’s Day Brunch Ideas

A collage of multiple Mother's Day Dinner Ideas.


Make Dinner Special for Mom!

The best Mother’s Day Dinner is one she doesn’t have to make herself. My family never believes me, but really all I want is a clean house, happy kids, and not to have to cook!!!

My husband and kids can make the simplest menu and serve it on a paper plate. It’s really the gesture that means the most to me. As long as I don’t have to cook, then I appreciate it. 😉

If you want to turn your Mother’s Day meal into one she not only appreciates but loves, it only takes a few easy tweaks.

  • Use her special china, silverware, and glasses.  
  • Add a tablecloth and folded napkin.
  • Preset the table and add a place card. It’s an easy addition that adds elegance. 
  • Add a floral centerpiece. It can be flowers picked from your garden or a more elegant arrangement from a florist. 
  • Do the dishes and tidy the kitchen. 
Honey mustard chicken salad topped with fruit and avocado.

Planning the Menu

If you will be hosting a larger dinner, it is helpful to plan your Mother’s Day menu a couple of weeks ahead of time. The following information will help you decide what to serve and how much you will need. 

  • There is usually more time on Sundays to spend on more involved recipes, but you can also choose to make a quick & easy dish that is just as delicious.
  • A guest who offers to bring a dish is worth their weight in gold. 
  • Incorporate dishes that can be prepped and or fully made ahead of time.
  • Make sure you have room to heat up the different dishes. Utilize the crock pot to free up oven space. 
Roasted vegetables in a white serving dish.

Implementing spring produce can help make the freshest and most effective dishes. Some favorite spring fruits and veggies include:

  • Artichoke, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Carrots, Eggplant, Green Beans, Leek, Peas, Potatoes
  • Apricots, Avocados, Blueberries, Cherries, Kiwi, Lemon, Lime, Mango, Oranges, Strawberries
  • Greens like Lettuce, Spinach, Arugula & Kale
  • Fresh Herbs
Baked salmon topped with a slice of lemon, served on a white platter.

How much to serve

Pasta. Plan to serve 2-3 oz of dry pasta per person. If your recipe calls for 16 oz of pasta then the dish can serve about 6-8 guests. If it also includes veggies or protein then you will be able to serve about 8-10 guests. 

Meats. When you are serving beef, chicken, seafood, or pork as the main dish, plan to serve 8-12 oz per person. 

Casseroles. I typically cut my 9×13” casserole dishes into 20 squares. I’ll usually calculate about 1½-2 squares per person. 

Appetizers act to whet guests’ appetites as they wait for dinner to be served so you only need to have a total of 3-5 starters per person.

If you only have 5-10 people coming, plan to have 1-2 different appetizer dishes. Add another appetizer dish for every 5-8 people in attendance. 

Side dishes. In general plan about 6 oz of potatoes, 4 oz of vegetables, and 1½ rolls per person. For every 5-8 people attending add another dish to the menu.

Desserts. Plan to have enough dessert for people to have 1½  servings. 

Drinks/punch. The average person will drink 2 glasses.


Best Mother’s Day Dinner Recipes

These delicious recipes are tasty and simple. They are best loved in our home and will be sure to please that special woman in your life, and the entire family!

Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops

These Parmesan Pork Chops are so flavorful and easy to make. With less than 10 minutes of prep work, you can make the most delicious baked pork chops that everyone will love.

30 Best Pork Chop Recipe

Main Course Best Pork Chop Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 586 votes
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Creamy Swiss Chicken Bake

Delicious Creamy Swiss Chicken Bake – a simple and delicious dinner recipe that includes Swiss and Parmesan cheese.

31 Swiss Chicken Bake Recipe

Main Course Swiss Chicken Bake Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 7 minutes

Recipe Video

4.94 from 428 votes
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Lemon Chicken Pasta

Flavorful Lemon Chicken Pasta is covered in a delicious sauce made from lemons, whipping cream, cheeses, and fresh basil.

32 Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe

Main Course Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.96 from 21 votes
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Crock Pot Ribs

Juicy BBQ Crock Pot Ribs is the best and easiest dinner idea! Great for a small family, big family, or cooking for a crowd!

33 Crock Pot Ribs Recipe

Main Course Crock Pot Ribs Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
5 from 19 votes
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Easy Baked Salmon

Bake a delicious and healthy pan of salmon for the whole family! Flavored with lemon, garlic, and parsley for a tasty dinner everyone will enjoy.

34 Baked Salmon Recipe

Main Course Baked Salmon Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 17 votes
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Roasted Chicken

Simple and delicious roast chicken tastes like you spent all day cooking it! It is the the perfect go-to dinner recipe. 

35 Best Roast Chicken Recipe

Main Course Best Roast Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 14 votes
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Chicken Cacciatore

Enjoy a lean version of your favorite ‘hunter-style’ chicken in this Chicken Cacciatore with mushrooms, onions, and red bell pepper.

36 Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

Chicken cacciatore on grey plate served over pasta
Main Course Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour
4.80 from 5 votes
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Smothered Pork Chops

This creamy Lemon & Thyme Smothered Pork Chops recipe always gets rave reviews. It’s flavorful and ready in 35 minutes or less.

37 Smothered Pork Chops Recipe

Main Course Smothered Pork Chops Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 13 votes
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Parmesan Chicken Manicotti

These manicotti shells are stuffed with a cheesy chicken mixture, and topped with tasty marinara!

38 Chicken Manicotti Recipe

Main Course Chicken Manicotti Recipe
Total Time: 43 minutes
4.91 from 21 votes
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Chicken Piccata

Chicken piccata is flavorful and beyond easy to make! This tasty dish requires surprisingly few ingredients and is cooked in a lemon butter sauce topped with capers.

39 Chicken Piccata Recipe

Main Course Chicken Piccata Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 15 votes
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Garlic Prime Rib

Perfect prime rib, seasoned with garlic and cooked in the oven. A secret trick will give you the most tender and juicy meat you’ve ever made!

40 Prime Rib Recipe

Main Course Prime Rib Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 22 votes
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Oven Roasted Vegetables

Simple, flavorful, and healthy sheet pan oven roasted vegetables take less than 10 minutes of prep work! Nothing beats yummy veggies roasted in the oven!

41 Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe

Side Dish Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 30 votes
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Buttery Baked Chicken

Creamy Buttery Baked Chicken is simple and full of flavor. It is another great dinner idea for any occasion!!

42 Buttery Baked Chicken Recipe

Main Course Buttery Baked Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
5 from 48 votes
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Margherita Pizza

Margherita pizza stars fresh basil, mozzarella cheese, and the best ripe tomatoes. It’s simple, delicious, and light.

43 Margherita Pizza Recipe

Main Course Margherita Pizza Recipe
Total Time: 23 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 14 votes
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Carnitas Recipe

Carnitas pulled pork takes minutes to prep and is great in tacos, bean burritos, quesadillas, chimichangas, and more!

44 Carnitas Recipe

Main Course Carnitas Recipe
Total Time: 9 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 8 votes
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Baked parmesan crusted chicken

Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken is crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside, with the perfect hint of lemon!

45 Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe

Main Course Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 18 votes
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Chicken Scallopini

This chicken scallopini is a delicious dish of crusted chicken over lemon butter pasta. The combo is irresistible!

46 Chicken Scallopini Recipe

Main Course Chicken Scallopini Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

4.87 from 23 votes
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EASY MOTHER’S DAY DINNER Ideas

Making mom dinner may seem a bit daunting, so I’ve rounded up some simple meals for those novice chefs! These are classic, easy, and still taste delicious.

Best Steak Marinade

This is Our All-Time Favorite Steak marinade! It requires only four ingredients, and makes our steak taste SO amazing! Everyone always asks for this Easy Steak Marinade recipe perfect for the grill because it’s just that good!!

47 Steak Marinade

Main Course Steak Marinade
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 78 votes
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Strawberry Harvest Salad

Strawberry Harvest Salad – tastes just like the salad at Zupa’s! It’s topped with apples, strawberries, chicken, candied pecans, cheese and a homemade Strawberry Vinaigrette dressing.

48 Strawberry Harvest Salad Recipe

Salad Strawberry Harvest Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 13 votes
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Italian Pork Chops

These Italian Pork Chops require just a few ingredients and are baked in the oven with loads of veggies. Have it ready and on the table in just 30 minutes!

49 Italian Pork Chops Recipe

Main Course Italian Pork Chops Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 25 votes
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Chicken Pesto Pasta

This Chicken Pesto Pasta is very flavorful and simple dinner idea that is sure to please. It’s filled with bow-tie noodles, chunks of chicken, cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and pesto making it a new go-to meal recipe. 

50 Pesto Pasta recipe

Main Course Pesto Pasta recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
4.92 from 12 votes
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Lemon Garlic Chicken

This Lemon Garlic Chicken is ready in 15 minutes or less! It’s a great weeknight chicken dinner that is full of flavor and tastes great over rice!

51 Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe

Main Course Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 25 votes
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Lemon Pepper Chicken

Flavorful and tender Lemon Pepper Chicken is simple and requires just a few ingredients. Served on its own or over rice, this buttery chicken dish is perfect any night of the week for a simple, quick dinner idea.

52 Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe

Main Course Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 1 vote
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Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing

A delicious salad with tomatoes, chicken, craisins, sunflower seeds and a delicious homemade lemon poppy seed dressing. The dressing only requires 4 ingredients and takes minutes to make!

53 Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe

Salad Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

4.88 from 8 votes
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Skillet Lasagna

Skillet Lasagna is a comforting and cheesy one pot meal. It takes just 30 minutes and is perfect for dinner any night of the week!

54 Skillet Lasagna Recipe

Main Course Skillet Lasagna Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 20 votes
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Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo

Creamy and delicious crock pot chicken alfredo is an easy make ahead meal. It is filling and flavorful, perfect for busy weeknights!

55 Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo Recipe

Main Course Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
5 from 16 votes
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Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu

EASY Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe – delicious, breaded chicken filled with ham and cheese. Serve over pasta, rice, or veggies, for a delicious dinner idea. 

56 Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe

Main Course Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 6 votes
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Steak And Tortellini Salad

Delish Steak and Tortellini Salad is hearty and refreshing. Tortellini, sirloin & romaine in a creamy pesto dressing is a must-have!

57 Steak and Tortellini Salad Recipe

Salad Steak and Tortellini Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

Honey Mustard Chicken Salad is one of the heartiest, most delicious salad recipes you’ll try! With greens, fruits, nuts, and a tangy dressing, it’s a real winner.

58 Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe

Main Course Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 1 day 30 minutes
5 from 1 vote
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The perfect mother’s day dinner

Serving a meal that looks fancy, tastes fabulous, and comes together in a few easy steps is a piece of cake with these recipes. Let us know which ones you make to celebrate the Mothers in your life this year!

More Collections: Spring Dinner Ideas, Spring Salad Recipes, Cheesecake Recipes



About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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3 Comments

  1. I love the recipes and all the great ideas to insure you’ll have an amazing dinner. Makes planning so much more enjoyable.

  2. I use your steak marinade all the time!! In fact, we are using it for Mother’s Day, along with your tortellini salad!