25 Mother's Day Dinner Ideas for a Seasonal Celebration

Cook the best spring meal ever for the best mom ever.

By

Bridget Hallinan

Updated on May 7, 2024

Roasted Salmon Recipe | FWCooks — Photo: Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food styling by Rishon Hanners / Prop styling by Audrey Davis

Mother’s Day only happens once a year, and a homemade dinner, whether big or small, is a great way to make it feel special. Even better? It's a spring holiday, which means you can get creative with seasonal produce like asparagus, peas, and fresh herbs. We've compiled more than two dozen dishes that would make impressive additions to your table, from salads to meat, seafood, and plant-based main courses, to side dishes and desserts. You can pick and choose from the Mother's Day dinner ideas below to make a menu, or just prepare one dish and keep it simple. The gesture is meaningful all the same.

01 of 25

Little Gem Salad with Toasted Spice Vinaigrette

Little Gem Salad with Toasted Spice Vinaigrette Recipe — Eva Kolenko

The homemade sourdough croutons add an extra special touch to this pretty spring salad from cookbook author Aria Adjani, and the leftover spiced dressing can be used as a marinade for chicken or fish.

02 of 25

Broccoli Rabe and Avocado Salad with Lemon Dressing and Herby Molten Eggs

Broccoli Raab Salad Recipe | FWCooks — Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food styling by Rishon Hanners / Prop styling by Audrey Davis

Cookbook author Andrea Slonecker says this salad brings spring to life, combining warm and cold ingredients on one plate. Compose the salad with a bit of artistic flare and pour a glass of Chablis to toast to Mother's Day.

03 of 25

Farro Salad with Radishes, Snap Peas, Olives, and Pecorino

Farro Salad with Radishes, Snap Peas, Olives, and Pecorino Recipe — Eva Kolenko

Mother of two, Aria Alpert Adjani uses seasonal vegetables like radishes and sugar snap peas for this fresh, earthy starter.

04 of 25

Chilled Spring Pea Soup

Chilled Spring Pea Soup — © Quentin Bacon

Peas are a spring staple, so pea soup would definitely be a nice seasonal touch. Chef Daniel Boulud's version, pictured, is served chilled, so it’s deliciously light and clean tasting.

05 of 25

Asparagus Soup with Parmesan Shortbread Coins

Asparagus Soup with Parmesan Shortbread Coins. Photo © David Malosh — © David Malosh

You could also try TV chef Carla Hall’s creamy asparagus soup with savory Parmesan shortbread coins — both are “dead simple” to make, she says.

06 of 25

Herb Garden Matzo Ball Soup

Herb Garden Matzo Ball Soup — Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Thom Driver

For something different entirely, make a lovely, herb-forward matzo ball soup from Leah Koenig.

07 of 25

Pasta Primavera

Pasta primavera — Victor Protasio

Recipe developer Liz Mervosh’s pasta primavera is packed with vegetables — asparagus, carrots, and sugar snap peas, plus fresh herbs.

08 of 25

Broccoli Rabe Risotto with Grilled Lemon

Broccoli Rabe Risotto with Grilled Lemon — © Con Poulos

Chef Isaac Becker studs broccoli rabe risotto with fresh tarragon, parsley, and savory Parmesan cheese, then serves it with grilled lemon and mascarpone cheese.

09 of 25

Garganelli with Speck, Peas, and Scallion Cream

Garganelli with Speck Peas and Scallion Cream — Victor Protasio

Recipe developer Liz Mervosh shares how to make restaurant-quality pasta at home. In this one, sweet spring peas and garlicky sauce flood tubular garganelli, making each bite a surprise.

10 of 25

Roast Chicken with Hot Honey

Roast Chicken with Hot Honey Recipe — John Kernick

Kelsey Jane Youngman has a sweet chicken main with a play on words if mom's partner is cooking. The hot honey can be made ahead and used with a cheese plate or on pizza, too.

11 of 25

Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Strawberry–Merlot Sauce

Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Strawberry Merlot Sauce Recipe — Victor Protasio

If mom's a fan of strawberries or Merlot, prepare a pork dinner with both using this recipe from Beringer chef Alex Hrabovsky.

12 of 25

Skirt Steak and Asparagus with Salsa de Semillas

Skirt Steak and Asparagus with Salsa de Samillas Recipe — Victor Protasio

Food writer Paola Briseño González dresses up steak with spring asparagus and Mexican salsa de semillas varying flavors, colors, and textures.

13 of 25

Roasted Honey-Dijon Salmon with Spring Vegetables

Roasted Salmon Recipe | FWCooks — Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food styling by Rishon Hanners / Prop styling by Audrey Davis

Save on dishwashing and cleanup with this sheet-pan meal from cookbook author Susan Spungen, organized so that you can prep for the next step while the previous step is in motion.

14 of 25

Cod with Lemony Leeks, Snap Peas, and Herbs

Cod with Lemony Leeks, Snap Peas, and Herbs — Victor Protasio

Colu Henry quickly cooks cod in a skillet then gives the elegant upgrade mom deserves: Leeks take a quick bath in a broth composed of white wine and chicken broth; snap peas get the briefest of simmers so they maintain their fresh texture. Butter is swirled in at the end to slightly thicken up the sauce as well as some lemon juice for brightness. Pair this dish with a wine that’s equally as dignified, such as a Chablis.

15 of 25

Shrimp and Grits with Mustard Seed Chowchow

Shrimp and Grits With Mustard Seed Chowchow — Victor Protasio

New Orleans–based chef Isaac Toups makes Chowchow up to a week in advance and serves it with grilled meats or other rich dishes. Here's how to get a creamy texture and buttered popcorn flavor if shrimp and grits brings your mom comfort or nostalgia.

16 of 25

Chickpeas and Kale in Spicy Pomodoro Sauce

Chickpeas and Kale in Spicy Pomodoro Sauce — Con Poulos

This quick, simple, and eminently usable vegetable-based dish from 2010 F&W Best New Chef Missy Robbins is packed with richness and only uses one pan.

17 of 25

Honey-Glazed Sweet Potato Steaks with Brussels Sprouts

Honey Glazed Sweet Potato Steaks With Brussels Sprouts — Greg DuPree

Spike Gjerde's recipe delivers beautifully caramelized honey and well-cooked brussels sprouts to round out this plant-based main.

18 of 25

Palak "Paneer" with Pressed Fresh Ricotta

Palak "Paneer" with Pressed Ricotta — Photo by Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Kathleen Cook Varner

Fry crispy, cheesy cubes of fresh ricotta in ghee for cheese croutons that pair with this warm puree of chile-and-ginger-spiked spinach and cilantro for a meatless main.

19 of 25

Roasted Baby Artichokes with Parsley and Mint

Roasted Baby Artichokes with Parsley and Mint Recipe — Eva Kolenko

Channel Italy with this 35-minute side dish that cooks quickly.

20 of 25

Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Fried Onions and Parsley

Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Fried Onions and Parsley — Abby Hocking

Alison Roman offers tips to keep this 35-minute side dish recipe easy.

21 of 25

Roasted Asparagus and Mushrooms

Roasted Asparagus and Mushrooms — Eva Kolenko

Chicago chef Sarah Grueneberg balances the earthiness of mushrooms and slight char on asparagus here with a drizzle of syrupy aged balsamic for a lovely seasonal side.

22 of 25

Strawberries-and-Cream Gelato Cake

Strawberries-and-Cream Gelato Cake — Victor Protasio

Treat any mom to spring strawberries, gelato, and cake all at once to make their Mother's Day.

23 of 25

Ricotta-Orange Pound Cake with Prosecco Strawberries

Ricotta-Orange Pound Cake with Prosecco Strawberries — © Con Poulos

Or pair strawberries with Prosecco and a little sugar using Giada De Laurentiis's orange-infused cake.

24 of 25

Espresso Martini Pie

A slice of espresso martini pie on a plate. — Food & Wine

For the moms who have not been out sipping espresso Martinis, bring the trend to them in the form of a silky chocolate pie spiked with coffee, Kahlúa, and vodka.

25 of 25

Rocky Road Brownies

Rocky road brownies — Morgan Hunt Glaze / Prop Styling by Joshua Hoggle / Food Styling by Marianne Williams

Motherhood is a rocky road. Bake treats for everyone taking on the role with this recipe from Marianne Williams.

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