30 Mother’s Day Dinner Ideas

Grilled Lamb with Mint-Pepper Jelly

I used zippy jalapeno pepper jelly to make the predictable duo of lamb and mint a little more exciting, and it paid off big time. This is my surefire way of getting people who aren’t typically fans of lamb to enjoy it. —Lori Stefanishion, Drumheller, AB

Looking for a way to finish off a great Mother’s Day dinner? Try these tempting desserts.

Favorite Mediterranean Salad

Got a crowd coming over for a backyard barbecue? This crisp, big-batch Mediterranean salad recipe makes a great accompaniment to any main dish you fix on the grill. —Pat Stevens, Granbury, Texas

Try these recipes for Mother’s Day brunch.

Spanish Rice and Chicken

My mother has always been an avid cook, and my sister, two brothers and I were raised on this Spanish Chicken and Rice dish. When I polled our family to see which recipe I should share, this fresh-tasting, well-seasoned casserole came out on the top of the list. I know you’ll enjoy it as much as we do. —Cindy Clark, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

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Citrus-Herb Roast Chicken

This dish is one of my all-time favorites. The flavorful, juicy chicken combines with the aromas of spring in fresh herbs, lemon and onions to form the perfect one-pot meal. I make the gravy right in the pan. —Megan Fordyce, Fairchance, Pennsylvania

Prosciutto Pasta Toss

I love quick, simple dishes, and this pasta with prosciutto and peas is one of my favorites. I prepare a tossed green salad while the pasta cooks and serve up a lovely light supper in minutes! —Laura Murphy-Ogden, Charlotte, North Carolina

Five Spice Plum-Glazed Ham

Baked ham is one of my favorite dishes, and this plum-baked ham recipe adds something a little bit different to the classic. The plum goes really well with the ham and the Asian spices! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Tra Vigne Green Beans

The title of this recipe translates to among the vines in Italian. I was inspired by a restaurant in the Napa Valley called, yes you guessed it, Tra Vigne. The flavors in this dish to me represent the essence of its title.—Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

Asian Barbecued Short Ribs

Here in beef country, we find all sorts of different ways to serve beef. A former boss of mine, who owned a midwestern meat plant, gave me this recipe. It was an immediate hit with my family! —Connie McDowell, Lincoln, Nebraska

Kale Caesar Salad

I love Caesar salad recipes, so I created this kale Caesar salad. It’s perfect paired with chicken or steak for a light weeknight meal. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Discover more Mother’s Day recipes your mom will love.

Lemon Herbed Salmon

We sometimes send our delicious Washington salmon all the way to Michigan for my sister to use in this family-favorite dish! The tasty topping can be used on other types of fish, too. Fresh thyme from your garden really sparks the flavor.
—Perlene Hoekema
Lynden, Washington

Key West Flank Steak

My husband, Jason, is the cook in our family. This is his recipe, inspired by his Colombian roots and our visits to Key West. Sometimes we grill extra lime and onion slices alongside. Serve with sides of rice and fried plantains. —Gretchen Ospina, Columbia Heights, Minnesota

Golden Sourdough Biscuits

I obtained this recipe from a friend when we were exchanging sourdough recipes a few years ago. These soft biscuits are best enjoyed straight from the oven. — Stephanie Church, Delaware, Ohio

Spanish-Style Paella

If you enjoy cooking ethnic foods, this Spanish paella recipe will be a favorite. It’s brimming with generous chunks of sausage, shrimp and veggies.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Roasted Lime Chicken

The subtle citrus flavor infused throughout this moist and baked lime chicken makes it a frequent request for family dinners. It's the ideal way to use fresh herbs such as rosemary, sage, thyme and parsley. —Kathy Lewis-Martinez, Spring Valley, California

Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Vegetables

I appreciate this recipe because it includes a side dish of roasted potatoes, brussels sprouts and carrots, giving me one less dish to think about!
—Janet Tucker, Bellevue, Ohio

Dijon Roasted Asparagus

Asparagus is a natural side dish to serve at Easter. In this mouthwatering recipe, Dijon mustard, cayenne pepper and Asiago cheese provide big, bold flavor. —Jamie Brown-Miller, Napa, California

Salmon with Vegetable Salsa

This recipe is delightful. You can pair the salsa with grilled chicken breasts or barbecued shrimp kabobs, too. The only fresh ingredient not available in my son’s garden was the avocado! Make a double batch of the salsa to serve with crisp tortilla chips. —Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida

Buttery Crescent Rolls

I always have to double this buttery, homemade crescent roll recipe because they never last long. You can shape them any way you’d like, but to me, a crescent shape is so pretty. —Kelly Kirby, Westville, Nova Scotia

Margarita Chicken

Marinated in flavors of garlic and lime, this tangy margarita chicken is ready to go whenever the coals are hot! Serve with roasted corn on the cob and lemonade. —Kelly Bruneman, Cedar Park, Texas

Spicy Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo

I make this spicy shrimp pasta a lot because it’s a something my family never seems to get tired of. The sauce is so fast to make I can get it done while the fettuccine is cooking. In the past, I have added red peppers and spinach, but who’s to say you could not add mushrooms or more or less spice. —Stephanie Beluk, Sharpsburg, Georgia

Simple Herbed Scallops

Living in Kansas, fresh seafood can be hard to come by. Luckily, frozen scallops aren’t. This dish offers coastal flavor to those of us in the Midwest. —Sarah Befort, Hays, Kansas

Sauteed Tarragon Radishes

Who says radishes only belong in salads? These sauteed radishes are cooked in wine and tarragon, and may just change the way you look at radishes forever. They can be served on their own, or added to your favorite au gratin recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Rosemary Turkey Breast

I season turkey with a blend of rosemary, garlic and paprika. Because I rub half of the mixture directly on the meat under the skin, I can remove the skin before serving and not lose any of the flavor. The result is an entree that’s lower in fat, yet delicious—the perfect centerpiece for holiday meals. —Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas

Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes

These creamy garlic mashed potatoes are so good, you can serve them plain—no butter or gravy is needed. This is one of our favorite red potato recipes. —Valerie Mitchell, Olathe, Kansas

Dijon-Rubbed Pork with Rhubarb Sauce

This tender pork loin roast served with a rhubarb-orange sauce is simply delicious! Here’s an excellent choice for company—it makes a memorable meal. —Marilyn Rodriguez, Sparks, Nevada

Grilled Romaine Salad

For a great-tasting salad, try this recipe on the grill! It’s equally good with any dressing of your choice.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Citrus Coconut Steamed Cod

I love to make this fusion meal on weeknights when I am short on time but want something big in flavor. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

Herb-Stuffed Roasted Cornish Hens

If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance to your dinner table, we suggest this moist Cornish game hen recipe. A blend of sage, lemon, onion and garlic give this entree outstanding flavor. —Taste of Home Cooking School

Slow-Cooker Citrus Carrots

These carrots are yummy and so simple. The recipe is from my mom, who tweaked it a bit to suit her tastes. You can make this dish a day in advance and refrigerate it until needed. Then just reheat it before the party! —Julie Puderbaugh, Berwick, Pennsylvania

Asparagus ‘n’ Shrimp with Angel Hair

We’ve all heard that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so when I plan a romantic dinner, this shrimp asparagus pasta with angel hair is one dish I like to serve. It’s easy on the budget and turns out perfectly for two. —Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland