40 Best Mother's Day Dinner Ideas to Impress Mom
She'll just be happy to have everyone around the table.
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The best Mother's Day gift you can give is spending time with Mom. Trust us, all she really wants is for the whole family to gather 'round the table to make some long-lasting memories. (Although a thoughtful DIY Mother's Day card couldn’t hurt either!) Luckily, we've rounded up the best Mother’s Day dinner ideas to make your time spent with Mom even more valuable. Here, you'll find tons of easy spring salads, grilling recipes, and comforting casseroles. Some of the ideas ahead are simple (like the oven BBQ chicken) while others are a little more luxurious and elegant (like the surf and turf and lobster mac and cheese). But no matter which direction you choose, these family dinners will make her special day complete.
This list of Mother's Day dinner ideas also includes some of Ree Drummond's family favorites, including the tomato tart that she first made with her sister Betsy. For more Pioneer Woman winners, try the lemony chicken piccata, the homemade enchiladas, or the pasta with peas that's simple, yet decadent. There are even a few recipes that you can take outdoors, like the grilled salmon, pesto pasta salad, and veggie skewers. Just don't forget to pair your meal with a Mother's Day cocktail and finish the night with something sweet—she deserves a scrumptious Mother's Day dessert.
White Chicken Enchiladas
These enchiladas are made with corn tortillas, shredded chicken, and a homemade spicy cream sauce. It's no wonder they're a Drummond family favorite. "Oh my goodness, these are good," Ree says.
Get Ree's White Chicken Enchiladas recipe.
Grilled Veggie Skewers
These colorful skewers will have everyone at the table excited about eating their veggies. That's because they're marinated with a tangy, bright mixture of balsamic vinaigrette and lemon juice.
Get the Grilled Veggie Skewers recipe.
Grill-Fried Chicken
Yes, you can make fried chicken on the grill. This fun new method is brined in buttermilk and hot sauce, then dredged in flour and seasonings. But here's the difference: You don't need to heat up a pot of oil to make it.
Get the Grill-Fried Chicken recipe.
Beef Stroganoff Stuffed Peppers
This recipe combines two classic family recipes: colorful stuffed peppers and hearty beef stroganoff. It's sure to become Mom's new favorite dish.
Get Ree's Beef Stroganoff Stuffed Peppers recipe.
Lemon-Herb Chicken Thighs with Snap Pea Salad
This zesty spring dinner is so easy. In fact, you can even get started on it the night before by marinating the chicken. Then, serve it up with quick-cooking couscous and a fresh snap pea salad.
Get Ree's Lemon-Herb Chicken Thighs with Snap Pea Salad recipe.
Surf and Turf
Bring the fancy steakhouse dinner home with this recipe for a luxurious surf and turf. The filet mignon is paired perfectly with a creamy, lemony serving of shrimp.
Get the Surf and Turf recipe.
Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is a pesto lover's dream. The green, herby sauce covers everything including the noodles, peas, arugula, and crispy prosciutto. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, steak, or even fish.
Get Ree's Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad recipe.
Portobello Mushroom Burgers
If you're taking Mother's Day outdoors, don't just make your typical burgers and hot dogs. Instead, add this meat-free burger to your menu. The savory mushrooms have a meaty texture that anyone would love.
Get the Portobello Mushroom Burgers recipe.
Oven BBQ Chicken
Jazz up your mom's favorite BBQ sauce by adding sweet peach preserves, garlic, and hot sauce to the mix. It'll be the base for this easy BBQ chicken that's made in the oven.
Get Ree's Oven BBQ Chicken recipe.
Couscous Salad
Fluffy couscous, fresh veggies, and crumbled feta cheese make this side salad an all-time favorite. You won't want to miss out on the parsley and dill, or the crunchy walnuts for that matter.
Get the Couscous Salad recipe.
Chicken Piccata
Ree's variation on this chicken and pasta dinner is covered in a luscious sauce that's made with white wine, butter, lemon juice, and heavy cream. It's bursting with bright spring flavor and dreamy decadence.
Get Ree's Chicken Piccata recipe.
Pasta with Peas
Don't be fooled by the name, this dish is so much more than just pasta with peas. It's also has a silky mascarpone cheese sauce, crispy pancetta, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. Add extra black pepper for that added kick.
Get Ree's Pasta with Peas recipe.
Avocado Dip
Smooth and creamy—this party dip is unlike anything you've ever seen before. It's a blend of avocados, Greek yogurt, basil, green onion, lemon, and spices.
Get the Avocado Dip recipe.
Homemade Chicken Burgers
These chicken patties are leaner than your average beef burger, but that doesn't make them any less flavorful. In fact, the garlic, chives, mustard, and hot sauce deliver a powerful punch, while the sour cream ensures the burgers stay nice and moist.
Get the Homemade Chicken Burgers recipe.
Lemon Pasta
This creamy, silky, lemony pasta is like a burst of sunshine on a spring day. It only takes 25 minutes to make so you can have plenty of time to spend with mom.
Get the Lemon Pasta recipe.
Coconut Shrimp
These succulent shrimp are coated in a mixture of crispy panko breadcrumbs and shredded unsweetened coconut for a crunch that's out of this world. Serve them up with a Thai sweet chili sauce for dunking.
Get the Coconut Shrimp recipe.
Cowboy Steak
Don't be fooled by the name—this steak is fit for a cowgirl, too! It's actually referring to the extra-thick-cut of the ribeye that's bone-in with some of the bone left exposed. It's meltingly tender and topped with an herby ranch butter.
Get the Cowboy Steak recipe.
Tomato Tart
Ree first made this tart with her sister years and years ago, but it's been a family favorite ever since. Between the flaky crust, the caramelized onions, and the juicy tomatoes, what's not to love?
Get Ree's Tomato Tart recipe.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Adding juicy spring strawberries to this fresh salad makes it both elegant and sweet. The fruit also pairs so well with the crunchy toasted pecans, tangy goat cheese, and lemon poppyseed dressing.
Get the Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe.
Lobster Mac and Cheese
The combination of ooey-gooey mac and cheese and fresh lobster tails is both nostalgic and comforting, yet luxurious at the same time. It's even better with a cheesy, buttery breadcrumb topping.
Get the Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe.
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