36 Mother's Day Dinner Ideas to Surprise Mom With This Year

Recipe: Grilled Lemon Chicken with Herb Couscous

Marinating chicken in a garlic-lemon mixture before grilling will give it plenty of flavor and moisture. 

Recipe: Herb-Crusted Beef Tenderloin

Treat Mama to an elegant Mother's Day dinner by serving classic beef tenderloin as the main dish. 

Recipe: Orange-Rosemary Roast Chicken

A cast-iron skillet helps crisp the skin before you place the chicken on the sheet pan. 

Recipe: Chicken-and-Broccoli Skillet Pasta

This 30-minute meal is a one-dish dinner that will please the whole family, which means Mama will be happy. 

Recipe: Sheet Pan Hanger Steak and Vegetables

A flavored butter compound elevates this sheet pan supper. 

Recipe: Chicken Scallopini

This pretty dish comes together in just 30 minutes. Serve over noodles for a complete meal in no time. 

Recipe: Homemade Shake-and-Bake Pork Chops with Mustard Sauce

Remember when you helped your mom shake it and bake it? Show her how well you learned to cook with this fresh twist on that childhood favorite.

Recipe: Lemony Slow-Cooked Salmon with Potatoes and Fennel

No one will have to spend all day in the kitchen thanks to this slow-cooker recipe. 

Recipe: Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Get the flavor of chicken Parmesan without any frying required with this Italian-inspired casserole.

Recipe: Pork Chops with Spring Onions, Farro, and Asparagus

Serve up protein, whole grains, and veggies all in one dish for a well-rounded plate. 

Recipe: Skillet Shrimp Destin with Orzo

This shrimp recipe proves that an easy meal with a short ingredient list can still be a showstopper. 

Recipe: Crispy Breaded Pork Cutlets

Boneless cutlets have a short cook time that allows them to be browned without being overcooked. 

Recipe: Smoked-Pork-Stuffed Pasta Shells

Smoked pork from your favorite BBQ joint makes a tasty (and easy) filling for jumbo pasta shells. 

Recipe: Creamy Pesto-and-Shrimp Penne with Peas

Convenience items like pre-peeled shrimp, frozen peas, and store-bought pesto will lend a helping hand so you can serve Mama a delicious homemade meal in 25 minutes. 

Recipe: Cast-Iron Pork Cacciatore

We bet you'd never guess that this hearty dish comes together in just 30 minutes. 

Recipe: Chicken Divan

Celebrate Mama with our take on the 1950s dinner party favorite. 

Recipe: Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

Make a traditional Italian dinner with the help of your slow cooker (Mama doesn't have to know).

Recipe: Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast

Roast is always a staple for family dinner and we guarantee this recipe will become an instant favorite. 

Recipe: Honey-Mustard Baked Salmon with Vegetables

Panko breadcrumbs give salmon a nice, crunchy finish. Choose filets that are similar in size so the cook time will be the same. 

Recipe: Pork Tenderloin with Shaved Vegetable Salad

Pork tenderloin won't break the bank, but with a picture-perfect spring vegetable salad and your prettiest serving dish, it's Mother's Day ready.

Recipe: Roasted Spatchcock Chicken

When in doubt, take a page from Ina Garten's book: A roasted chicken is always a good idea.

Recipe: Pasta with Shrimp and Tomato Cream Sauce

This pasta dish is so easy to make but feels fancier than any usual weeknight dinner.

Recipe: Roasted Beef Tenderloin

Beef tenderloin is the ultimate holiday main dish and Mama will be so honored you went all out for her day.

Recipe: Chicken à la King

Get all the comfort of a chicken pot pie in neat little packages that were made for holiday serving.

Recipe: Chicken Alouette

This old-school dinner makes for pretty presentation that's affordable too.

Recipe: Shrimp and Peas with Farfalle

Mom is sure to be impressed with the tasty shrimp dinner. Add a loaf of crusty bread for good measure.

Recipe: Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole

This one-dish dinner makes budget-friendly, comforting chicken-and-rice casserole into an elevated dinner worthy of Mama's day.

Recipe: Chicken-and-Artichoke Penne

You don't need to be a master chef to fix Mom a delicious dinner. This easy chicken and pasta dish comes together in just 30 minutes.

Recipe: Asparagus with Cheese Sauce and Herb Breadcrumbs

Spring's favorite veggie is only made more delicious with a stress-free cheese sauce that won't overpower it.

Recipe: Seared Scallops with Fresh Tomato-Basil Sauce and Orzo

This restaurant-worthy dinner is ready in just 30 minutes, but it sure doesn't look like it.

Recipe: Lasagna Roll Ups

Make Mama's favorite lasagna with a prettier presentation that's ready for a holiday with this recipe.

Recipe: Best-Ever Crab Cakes with Green Tomato Slaw

Crab cakes feel so decadent, but don't tell Mama how easy they were to make.

Recipe: Braised Lamb Shanks with Parmesan-Chive Grits

Would you believe this gorgeous dinner was made with help from the slow cooker? Mama might not.

Recipe: Creamy Rice with Scallops

Bacon makes everything better, and it definitely contributes to this dreamy dinner.

Recipe: Strawberry-Spinach Salad

This springy salad makes use of abundant strawberries from the farmers' market.

Recipe: Grilled Steak Salad with Walnut Dressing

In just 30 minutes you can serve your mom a well-seasoned grilled steak and green salad.