Is your mom a salad gal, or does she go big with a spicy burrito? Will she choose delicate little sandwiches and iced tea or a slice of greasy pizza and a cold beer? Maybe you’re having a few mom friends over to celebrate, or maybe you just want to show your own mom you love her. Either way, it needs to be as special as she is! Lunch is always a great option for moms, and if you’re feeding a crowd, you can fill your table with some amazing, colorful dishes that everyone will love. I’ve collected 30 sensational Mother’s Day lunch ideas from fruity salads and garlic shrimp to grilled cheese and chicken and dumplings. There’s so much here to choose from; we should just dive right in!
1. Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad with Chicken and Lemon Honey Ginger Dressing
If your mom’s a salad lover, why not go above and beyond with this incredible crunchy, sweet, zesty masterpiece? Loaded with chicken strips, juicy mandarin slices, almonds, and a whole slew of veggies, this Asian-inspired dish is a sure-fire winner.
2. Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Pecans, Feta, and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Not an orange lover? This strawberry and feta salad is the next best thing. It’s always such a surprise that strawberries and balsamic work, and when you add in the creamy, salty feta, and lovely toasted pecans, mom will be reaching for seconds!
3. Mexican Buddha Bowl
Buddha bowls have blown up on socials this last year, and for good reason. They’re gorgeous, fast, and pretty healthy to boot. They usually consist of some kind of grain, beans, veggies, and a dressing to really wow! This recipe includes avocado and chicken for something super filling.
4. Easy Tuna Melts
Why not give your mom a taste of nostalgia? Since we all undoubtedly grew up on these, I’m sure it will make her smile to have the tables turned. Of course, these will be a little more elevated, using thick tomato slices and cheese that doesn’t come pre-sliced.
5. Lobster Bisque Recipe
Unfortunately, we don’t all live in sunny California, and many of us won’t see the sun shining on Mother’s Day. With that in mind, why not make something creamy, dreamy, and wonderfully warming? Lobster is the epitome of luxury, and I know she’ll just love being spoiled.
6. Easy Quiche Recipe
Quiche is a fantastic little lunch that would pair super well with one of those salads from above. I like mine full of salty bacon and smoky cheese, but you can easily make it your own. Use a store-bought pie crust to cut your prep time down, and don’t be shy with the cheese.
7. Butternut Squash Soup
This is one of my favorites! I love it warm and smooth with lots of fresh crusty bread. You’ll make this with carrots and potatoes, too, for added depth and color. If you want to impress, try roasting the carrots and squash beforehand.
8. Fresh Tomato Salad
If you’re a farmer’s market lover, no doubt you’ve been seeing all those stunning and colorful cherry tomatoes coming out. Buy them up and make this fantastic and simple salad! The colors will make this so much more appealing, though it’s already super tasty and hard to resist.
9. Grandma’s Macaroni Salad (Quick & Easy)
If it’s coming from Grandma, you know it’s gonna be good! Macaroni salad is also a family fave, and I’m sure you’ll have the kids and grown-ups alike reaching for a second spoonful.
10. Best Egg Salad Recipe
Though there’s no wrong way to make egg salad, there is a very right way – and this is it. For the creamiest, most flavorful egg salad you’ve ever tried, you have to remove the yolks and blend them with mayonnaise. It will make such a difference, I promise.
11. Apple, Cheddar & Turkey Panini
Does your mom always suggest a trip to Panera Bread? If so, she’ll love these crisp and tasty paninis. Use whatever apples you have on hand, but it’s a good idea to cut them relatively thin. As for the cheese, I prefer something strong, but any cheddar will do the trick.
12. Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
Looking for something last minute that looks like a million bucks? How about this super simple, 20-minute garlic shrimp pasta dish? This only takes so long because you’re waiting for the pasta to cook. Once it’s ready, you’ll just need a few minutes in a hot pan to get your shrimp perfectly pink and tasty.
13. 15 Bean Soup
Besides the ham, celery, onions, garlic, herbs, and seasonings, this soup contains 15 kinds of melt-in-your-mouth beans. If that sounds extreme, don’t worry! You can buy the 15-bean mix at the store, and all you’ll need to do is soak it overnight. So easy!
14. Croque-Monsieur
Is this just a grilled cheese with a fancy name? Oh no! It’s so much more than that! If you’re a grilled cheese lover, this is a must-make. Not only do you get smoky, salty ham and heavenly Gruyère cheese, you’ll also make a creamy bechamel for added indulgence. Top tip: make double! You’ll need it!
15. Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
Would you believe me if I told you this needs just 5 minutes of prep? It’s true, and after less than 30 minutes, you’ll have one creamy and delicious pasta dish. I like to use fire-roasted canned tomatoes for added flavor, but you could also use cherry tomatoes if you want it sweeter. When adding the cream cheese, be sure to cut it into cubes so it will melt. Or, if you want something extra special, try adding some brie to the mix!
16. Chick-fil-A Chicken Tortilla Soup
Does Chick-fil-A do soup? You bet! And just like their sandwiches, it’s pretty impressive. This is more or less a kind of chicken chili, which means you can throw in everything from corn and beans to lots of chilies if you like things spicy.
17. Greek Salad
Spend any time with a group of moms, and you’ll soon learn that Greek salad is a big deal! I don’t know if it’s the feta, the tangy dressing, or the olives; they just can’t seem to get enough. The best part is, it only needs a handful of ingredients and is great to make ahead.
18. Julia Child’s French Onion Soup
French onion soup is the stuff of dreams. Between the deep and rich beef-based onions and the salty cheese on top, I dare say it’s perfect. When making this, you ideally want individual portions. I like to serve mine in these incredible mini-casserole dishes.
19. Black Pepper Balsamic Strawberry Pasta Salad
If you liked that strawberry and balsamic salad from above but felt it wasn’t filling enough, this one’s for you. You get all those same fantastic flavors with the added substance of pasta, making it much more filling. When it comes to the black pepper, freshly cracked is a must for the best finish.
20. Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
Do you like it with white bread or whole wheat? Brioche or sourdough? The bread you pick can make all the difference in a grilled cheese, just like the cheese can. I prefer sourdough for a bit of tang, but there’s something pretty special about a slice of thick buttery brioche! I know that those pre-sliced cheeses are quick, but for the best results, shred or slice your own.
21. Caprese Salad
This salad is light, fresh, and super satisfying. Balsamic is a must for this, and you can buy it pretty much anywhere – if you find it too tangy, try this sweetened version. This will look just as great with freshly torn mozzarella as with little cheese balls, and so long as they’re ripe, use whatever tomatoes you have.
22. Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
Loaded with veggies, chicken, and cream, this Olive Garden recipe will delight your Mom. If you’ve never had gnocchi before, you’re in for a real treat. It has such a soft and tender texture, and it makes a nice change from potatoes or pasta.
23. Spinach Avocado Shrimp Salad
Why use a lackluster iceberg when you could use nutrient-rich spinach in your salad? Not to mention, the darker color makes all those tasty extras really pop. The creamy honey-mustard dressing brings everything together so well, and you’ll only need half a dozen simple ingredients. I’ll bet you have them already.
24. Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
This one’s for the southern mamas and those looking for something warm, home-grown, and impossible to resist. I don’t think there’s anything more comforting than chicken and dumplings. If you’re making them, you have to try this Cracker Barrel recipe. They know their southern food, and it won’t disappoint.
25. Strawberry Basil Bruschetta
These might look like they just jumped out of a food magazine, but they’re actually pretty easy to whip up at home. The recipe calls for Greek yogurt to be spread over the bread, but you could use cream cheese or mascarpone too, if you have it and want something creamier. When it comes to the fruit, be sure to wash and dry the berries and try to cut them nice and thick.
26. Easy Potato Salad
There are a few key ingredients that will make your potato salad the best: waxy potatoes that hold their shape, mustard, and smoky paprika to garnish. You won’t want potatoes that will turn to mush, so go for new potatoes or Yukon golds if possible. I like to use whole grain mustard for extra flavor, and all you need is a gentle dusting of paprika for lovely color and subtle warmth.
27. Buffalo Chicken Wraps
I’m a massive fan of buffalo chicken, but it can get overwhelming. That’s not an issue in this wrap since the chicken is mixed with bacon, tomatoes, and creamy ranch dressing. The cool ranch is just what you need to mellow out the spicy buffalo, though you could leave it out if your mom is a hot-sauce aficionado!
28. Caprese Pizza
I love making my own pizza because sometimes, I don’t want heavy tomato sauce and heaps of toppings. This pizza is the perfect little lunch, using tomatoes for freshness instead of thick sauce and plenty of fresh mozzarella.
29. Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe
When you’re in a rush, there’s no better thing to have than a rotisserie chicken. It’s so flavorful and juicy, and it goes with so many things! There aren’t too many ingredients here – just eight – but there’s a lot going on. You have tasty chicken, sweet, crisp grapes, crunchy almonds, and a lovely light dressing. The only thing missing is a sprinkling of bacon bits over the top.
30. Cheesy Leftover Mashed Potato Waffles
Let’s say your mom is coming last minute, and you look in the fridge to see nothing but leftovers. Disaster! Or is it? These mashed potato waffles are such a joy! They’re tender, cheesy, and full of flavor. Your mom won’t know they only took 10 minutes to make! But if you wanted to dress them up a little, why not try some Cracker Barrel fried chicken? Click on a star to rate it!
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