45 Mother's Day Lunch Recipes to Celebrate Mama
Celebrate all the moms in your life this Mother's Day with a homemade meal that she doesn't have to lift a finger to prepare. Let her sit back and enjoy the day as you get busy preparing any of these delicious, yet fairly simple, recipes.
Whether you prefer a one-dish recipe or want to make a full lunch spread, we are sure Mama will love any of these Mother's Day lunch ideas. From fresh salads, like our Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing, to decadent dishes, like our Creamy Rice with Scallops, these spring favorites are bursting with color and flavor, and are sure to be a hit. After you've indulged and pampered Mama to the best lunch in town, make sure to complete your celebration with a beautiful Mother's Day cake that is almost as sweet as she is. Nothing says "I Love You" more than a freshly prepared meal made with love.
Egg Salad Sandwiches
Recipe: Egg Salad Sandwiches
If you'll have a large crowd gathering to celebrate Mama, this big-batch recipe is perfect for the occasion.
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Ham Biscuits
Recipe: Ham Biscuits
There's nothing more comforting than a fluffy buttermilk biscuit with ham.
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Tarragon Chicken Salad
Recipe: Tarragon Chicken Salad
Crunchy, zesty, and creamy, this chicken salad recipe has it all.
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Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos with Fresh Tomato Salsa
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos with Fresh Tomato Salsa
Fresh tomato salsa — made with tomato, red onion, lime juice, jalapeño, and salt — is sprinkled on top of these pork tacos.
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Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad
Recipe: Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad
These light and airy puffs are made even better when tangy ham salad is sandwiched between them.
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Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes
Recipe: Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes
This one-dish meal is flavorful and filling. Serve with crusty French bread to soak up the sauce.
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Hot Chicken Salad
Recipe: Hot Chicken Salad
An upgraded version of a Southern classic lunch recipe.
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Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing
Recipe: Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing
Ready in just 30 minutes.
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Fried Chicken Sliders with Pimiento Cheese
Recipe: Fried Chicken Sliders with Pimiento Cheese
We love fried chicken and pimiento cheese separately, so these sliders that put them together are a Southern dream.
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Sheet Pan Chicken with Dressing
Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken with Dressing
A lighter version of a classic supper recipe.
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Pork Chops with Tomato-Bacon Gravy
Recipe: Pork Chops with Tomato-Bacon Gravy
Mama will be sold at "tomato-bacon gravy."
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Oven-Fried Chicken with Spring Salad
Recipe: Oven-Fried Chicken with Spring Salad
Make fried chicken without all the messy hassle with our oven-frying method.
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Skillet Pot Pie with Chicken and Spring Vegetables
Recipe: Skillet Pot Pie with Chicken and Spring Vegetables
Frozen puff pastry sheets elevate the look of this classic dish.
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Spaghetti Casserole
Recipe: Spaghetti Casserole
Your go-to pasta recipe transformed into a casserole.
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Mama's Fried Chicken
Recipe: Mama's Fried Chicken
Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
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Cheesy Beef-and-Spinach Ravioli
Recipe: Cheesy Beef-and-Spinach Ravioli
Substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef if Mama prefers.
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Strawberry-Spinach Salad
Recipe: Strawberry-Spinach Salad
There's nothing that feels more springy than a strawberry and spinach salad.
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Heirloom Tomato Pie
Recipe: Heirloom Tomato Pie
Roasting the tomatoes before the pie goes in the oven adds flavor and keeps them from getting soggy.
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Crab-and-Bacon Linguine
Recipe: Crab-and-Bacon Linguine
This seafood pasta is everything you want in a holiday dish—elegant, easy, and delicious.
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Sautéed Radishes with Bacon
Recipe: Sautéed Radishes with Bacon
This simple but flavorful spring side dish will prove radishes were meant for more than crudité platters.
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Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas with Orange Zest and Buttery Almonds
Recipe: Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas with Orange Zest and Buttery Almonds
Instead of old-school green bean casserole, serve this lightened up, modern side this Mother's Day.
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Orzo Salad with Shrimp and Lemon Dressing
Recipe: Orzo Salad with Shrimp and Lemon Dressing
This seasonal salad is delicious served chilled or at room temperature, so it's perfect for hosting.
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Warm Asparagus, Radish, and New Potato Salad with Herb Dressing
Recipe: Warm Asparagus, Radish, and New Potato Salad with Herb Dressing
Swap your old-school potato salad for this fresher version this Mother's Day.
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Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad
Recipe: Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad
If Mama appreciates a pretty table, impress her with this gorgeously colorful salad.
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Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
Recipe: Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
This casserole is easy to transport and easier to enjoy.
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Chilled Radish-and-Avocado Soup
Recipe: Chilled Radish-and-Avocado Soup
Start of the meal with a refreshing spring soup.
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Shrimp and Grits Casserole
Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Casserole
We turned Mama's favorite shrimp and grits into a one-dish casserole that's easy for you to make and serve.
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Strawberry-Rhubarb Salad
Recipe: Strawberry-Rhubarb Salad
Fresh strawberries and rhubarb are a beautiful match for a tangy dressing.
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Easy Egg Salad
Recipe: Easy Egg Salad
This go-to egg salad recipe looks beautiful for Mother's Day on tea sandwiches.
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Shrimp Cobb Salad with Bacon Dressing
Recipe: Shrimp Cobb Salad with Bacon Dressing
This colorful twist on a classic Cobb feels indulgent when drizzled with bacon dressing.
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Ham and Noodle Casserole
Recipe: Ham and Noodle Casserole
Hosting is easy when lunch is ready to go from the freezer with a family-friendly casserole recipe.
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Asparagus Quiche
Recipe: Asparagus Quiche
Mama will be so impressed with your braided crust on this easy and fresh quiche recipe.
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Creamy Rice with Scallops
Recipe: Creamy Rice with Scallops
Smoky bacon is balanced by sweet corn in this creamy seafood special.
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Brie, Fig, and Arugula Grilled Cheese
Recipe: Brie, Fig, and Arugula Grilled Cheese
Consider this recipe a gourmet version of classic grilled cheese. Trust us, you won't regret it.
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Sheet Pan Pizza with Corn, Tomatoes, and Sausage
Recipe: Sheet Pan Pizza with Corn, Tomatoes, and Sausage
Fresh corn, bell peppers, plum tomatoes, and hot Italian sausage add loads of flavor to this bright dish.
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Shrimp-Okra-and-Sausage Kebabs
Recipe: Shrimp-Okra-and-Sausage Kebabs
These kebabs are cooked in mere minutes. The key to cooking these right is to make sure the grill is very hot before adding the kebabs.
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Grilled Shrimp Po'Boys with Quick Rémoulade Sauce
Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Po'Boys with Quick Rémoulade Sauce
A fun twist on a Louisiana classic, our Po'Boys are made with grilled shrimp on a bed of creamy-dressed romaine lettuce stuffed inside a hoagie roll and cooked on the grill.
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Shrimp and Bacon Salad Sliders
Recipe: Shrimp and Bacon Salad Sliders
A few new additions to this classic shrimp salad give it a delicious upgrade that we know Mama will love.
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Tangy Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder
Recipe: Tangy Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder
For a laid-back Mother's Day backyard barbecue, serve this slow-cooked pork shoulder with potato salad, baked beans, and plenty of extra sauce.
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Roasted Chicken Caesar Salad
Recipe: Roasted Chicken Caesar Salad
Elevate Caesar salad by roasting the lettuce to caramelize it for extra flavor.
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Shrimp and Peas with Farfalle
Recipe: Shrimp and Peas with Farfalle
Lemony breadcrumbs are an easy upgrade to add some extra crunch.
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Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Onions
Recipe: Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Onions
This hearty dish comes with a side and a sauce all-in-one.
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King Ranch Chicken Casserole
Recipe: King Ranch Chicken Casserole
This comforting casserole is a great use for leftover cooked chicken (or Thanksgiving turkey), or you can use a large, shredded rotisserie chicken. The recipe also calls for canned tomatoes with diced green chiles, which adds a good amount of tanginess and heat to balance out this rich and creamy dish.
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Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole
Recipe: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole
Can be prepared ahead and frozen for up to 1 month.
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Creamy Spring Pasta Bake
Recipe: Creamy Spring Pasta Bake
Make this fan-favorite pasta ahead for a no-fuss Mother's Day lunch.
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Mix 'n' Match Spring Pasta Toss
Recipe: Mix 'n' Match Spring Pasta Toss
This fresh dish gives you plenty of veggies while satisfying your pasta cravings, too.