Make Mother’s Day special with these breakfast, brunch and dinner ideas
Moms have been working harder than ever this past year so, come Mother's Day this Sunday, it's time for everyone else in the household to take the reins. To help you throw the perfect celebration, we've put together an elegant yet simple collection of springtime recipes filled with irresistible dishes you can make with plenty of ingredients you likely already have on hand.
Whether mom has a sweet tooth or loves something savory, there's a recipe here that's guaranteed to impress the most important lady in your life — plus, they're easy enough that even cooking novices of all ages can pull them off without stressing.
Here are our favorite Mother's Day recipes to try this Sunday. And don't sweat it if you're missing something here or there; there are some seriously clever substitutes for common ingredients.
Best Mother's Day breakfast and brunch ideas
Asparagus Tart by Laura Vitale
This recipe screams springtime and is fantastic for a make-ahead brunch. Assemble the night before, cover, store in the fridge and bake at the last minute before serving.
Sunday Tomato Eggs by Marcus Samuelsson
Looking for a flavorful egg breakfast? Crack eggs into a spicy tomato sauce and then serve them over toast. Marcus Samuelsson’s Sunday tomato eggs are easy to make and even easier to enjoy!
Keto Cheesy Breakfast Egg Bites by Stephanie Laska
If mom is following a low-carb plan, or you just want one mess-free egg dish to eat in bed, these keto cheesy breakfast egg bites are delicious, plus they add a pretty pop of color on the plate.
Rosemary Home Fries with Pancetta, Parmesan and Parsley by Bobby Flay
Home fries always hit the spot, but these rosemary home fries with pancetta are bursting with savory flavor and plenty of umami thanks to the addition of Parmesan.
Siri's Corned Beef Hash with Eggs by Siri Daly
Siri Daly's corned beef egg hash is a one-skillet wonder. It's full of flavor and also tastes great without corned beef if you can't find it at the store or want to make a dish without meat.
Fried Green Tomatoes by Meredith Brokaw and Ellen Wright
What would mom love more than watching the classic movie, "Fried Green Tomatoes," in bed while feasting on a homemade Fried Green Tomatoes recipe? It's all about the simple things in the life.
Anne Burrell's Avocado Toast with Poached Egg, Tomatoes and Feta by Anne Burrell
Avocados are always a win-win and this avocado toast is the perfect way to start mom's day. Anne Burrell's avocado toast is topped with a poached egg, feta and tomato for layers of flavor and different textures.
Savory breakfast and brunch recipes
Veggie Quiche with Hash-Brown Crust by Laura Vitale
This recipe combines two breakfast favorites in one: crispy hash browns and baked frittata.
Breakfast Casserole Cupcakes by Elizabeth Chambers Hammer
Is it a cupcake? Is it a casserole? It's both! Make mom a whole meal in just one little cup with this breakfast casserole cupcake recipe.
Bagel and Lox Breakfast Casserole by Siri Daly and Gretchen DeBoer
For mamas who love lox, this bagel and lox breakfast casserole recipe is a Midwestern dream. Ideal for prepping the day before and popping in the oven Sunday morning, it's a filling hot dish that can totally pass as dinner when you want leftovers.
Chorizo Breakfast Burritos by Siri Daly and Carson Daly
Carson and Siri Daly love to make spicy chorizo breakfast burritos and veggie tacos in the morning. Their recipe packs a lot of flavor into each handheld burrito, so ditch the flatware and dig right in!
Scalloped Potato and Herb Tart by Southern Living
Thinly sliced russet potatoes absorb a richly flavored custard as this dish bakes, giving this scalloped potato-and-herb tart its smooth and silky texture.
Donatella Arpaia's Steak and Eggs by Donatella Arpaia
Incredibly quick and wonderfully decadent, Donatella Arpaia's steak and eggs make a hearty breakfast or midday meal. Plus, you can use whatever type of steak cut you can find.
Sweet breakfast and brunch recipes
Sunny Citrus Sheet-Pan Pancakes by Alejandra Ramos
Mother's Day breakfast is a breeze with these sunny citrus- and maple-topped pancakes that are baked in a sheet pan so everyone can enjoy them at the same time!
Rainbow Funfetti Pancake Cake by Brandi Milloy
Is this breakfast or a dream? This rainbow Funfetti pancake cake is an eye-catching way to treat mom in the morning. Use any type of food coloring you like to make a presentation with mom's favorite colors.
Green Banana Smoothie Bowl by Sweet Potato Chronicles
Blend up something that's sweet, but still healthy, with this vegetarian green banana smoothie bowl. It gets bonus points for being ready in just a few minutes.
Chocolate-Hazelnut Bread by Elizabeth Chambers Hammer
This sweet bread is visually appealing, fun to eat and freezes beautifully. Wrap a freshly baked (or frozen) loaf in white parchment paper and tie it up with a ribbon or twine for a lovely Mother's Day surprise. You can also use the chocolate-hazelnut bread for French toast to make a totally unique breakfast dish.
Al's Lemon Vanilla Dutch Baby with Blueberry Sauce by Al Roker
Al Roker transforms one of his wife's favorite dishes, a Dutch Baby, into a luscious dessert. This lemon-vanilla Dutch Baby with blueberry sauce is a light and fluffy cross between a pancake and a popover.
Chocolate-Hazelnut Crepes with Bourbon Whipped Cream by Michael Gulotta
Start your Mother's Day meal on a sweet note with delicate chocolate-hazelnut crepes. The whipped topping really pops with the addition of fruit, like blood oranges or berries.
Sweet Potato Biscuits with Salted Maple Butter by Grace Parisi
Sweet potato biscuits with salted maple butter will help elevate any Southern-themed breakfast or brunch. Serve them with ham and brie for sandwiches, whipped cream and sautéed caramelized apples, or simply with this luscious maple butter.
Mother's Day snacks and appetizers
Deviled Eggs with Olives and Rosemary by Seamus Mullen
Upgrade this classic party snack by making deviled eggs with olives and rosemary. These eggs are loaded with vitamin E, plus plenty of healthy fats.
Baked Brie by Damaris Phillips
Baked brie is a decadent appetizer that will keep everyone snacking happily between meals. It's melty and comforting, so serve with your favorite crackers or dried fruits.
Valerie Bertinelli's Stuffed Mushrooms by Valerie Bertinelli
"I love that these irresistible party bites are not just great tasting but healthy, too," Valerie Bertinelli says about her stuffed mushrooms recipe. "The mushroom caps get stuffed with a variety of sautéed veggies, a sprinkle of cheese and crunchy breadcrumbs. You might want to make extra because they disappear fast!"
Fancy Gougères by Ashley Holt
Mommies deserve something fancy on Mother's Day. Since you probably won't be able to bring her to a lovely restaurant for Mother's Day in 2020, make her some fancy gougères instead. These delicate, peppery cheese biscuits are best served with flavored crème fraÎche, prosciutto and arugula.
Valerie Bertinelli's Roasted Asparagus Pesto Dip by Valerie Bertinelli
Asparagus is loaded with fiber, vitamins A, C, E and K, and a handful of minerals, making it one of the healthiest vegetables. This asparagus pesto dip recipe packs in all of that nutrition with sharp cheeses and crunchy panko bread crumbs.
Mini Taco Salad Bowl Appetizers by Justin Chapple
A taco salad served in a crunchy shell is always a hit. For this Mother's Day, try making these flavor-packed mini taco salad bowl appetizers.
Best Mother's Day dinner dishes
Low-and-Slow Prime-Rib Roast with Horseradish Cream Sauce by Jet Tila and Ali Tila
Home cooks are often chasing restaurant-quality prime rib and this technique ensures you'll get one. Cooking low and slow, then roasting allows you to use the oven for other dishes while you master your prime rib with horseradish sauce.
Hoda Kotb's Mom's 5-Ingredient Pesto Chicken by Sami Kotb
Hoda Kotb’s mother, Sami, livens up chicken breasts in under 30 minutes with fresh pesto, sliced tomato and gooey melted cheese. It's a five-ingredient pesto chicken recipe you'll be able to memorize.
Herb-Roasted Whole Chicken with Charred Broccoli by Seamus Mullen
This classic roast chicken recipe has plenty of savory juices with a crispy skin that's flecked with fresh herbs. It's also served with charred broccoli, which brings it to another level.
Craig Melvin's Mom's Mac and Cheese by Betty Melvin
Make mom a piping hot plate of comforting mac and cheese. Craig Melvin's mom's mac and cheese recipe is the TODAY co-anchor's favorite Southern staple.
Grilled Chicken, Vegetable and Pineapple Kebabs by Camila Alves
These grilled chicken kabobs with pineapple and vegetables can be made on a grill outside, or on a stove using a grill pan. The slightly tropical flair will transport mom to a sunny beach.
Savannah's Mom's Homestyle Fried Chicken by Nancy Guthrie
There's a reason we turn to the TODAY anchors' moms for Mother's Day recipes: They really know what they're doing. Savannah Guthrie's mom's homestyle fried chicken is juicy with just the right amount of crunch in every bite.
Easy Mother's Day recipes
Brie Pasta by Elizabeth Heiskell
This recipe comes together in a flash, but your mom will be blown away when serve this creamy, rich pasta.
Ratatouille Sheet Pan Chicken by Melissa Clark
Take mom (and her tastebuds) on a trip to France with this simple yet easy ratatouille sheet pan chicken. It's a whole meal in one pan. Bon appétit!
Pepper-Crusted Filet Mignon by Casey Barber
This easy steak dinner works as a luxurious mid-day brunch or as an evening feast. You just need four ingredients to master this beautiful filet mignon.
5-Minute Fettuccine Alfredo by Anthony Contrino
Make the creamiest, dreamiest five-minute fettuccine Alfredo in minutes with this simple trick from The Quarantine Collective co-founder and TODAY food stylist Anthony Contrino.
Easy Spaghetti Bolognese Pie by Checka Ciammaichelli
This easy spaghetti bolognese pie is a cross between the classic, meaty pasta dish and a slice of pie. This dish is hearty and so incredibly fun to make that it might just become your family's new go-to pasta dish.
Craig & Lindsay's Easy English Muffin Pizzas by Craig Melvin and Lindsay Czarniak
Get the kids cooking with the Melvin's go-to for lunch or dinner. Ready in 15 minutes (faster than ordering a pizza), Craig and Lindsay's easy English muffin pizzas will keep the little ones busy while mom relaxes.
Easy Shrimp Stir-Fry with Ginger Rice by Ayesha Curry
Beautiful colors, healthy veggies and tender shrimp make this easy shrimp stir-fry with ginger rice a gorgeous dinner for Mother's Day.
Mother's Day cocktail recipes
Rose Blackberry Sangria Cocktail by Ryan Scott
How gorgeous is this rose blackberry sangria cocktail? Send mom right to a seaside in Spain with this spin on the classic wine-based drink. It's light, floral and makes a perfect drink for any meal.
Sandra Lee's Cocktail Time Pitcher Cosmopolitan Cocktail by Sandra Lee
Get mom what she really wants this Mother's Day: A pitcher of pretty, pink cosmos! Sandra Lee's pitcher cosmopolitan cocktail is designed for a crowd but it's mom's special holiday — so nobody's judging.
Sangria Lemonade by Delish
Try another take on sangria by adding something a little more zesty. Sangria lemonade combines two of mom's favorite summer drinks in one.
This refreshing cocktail boasts just the right mix of bourbon, fresh thyme and juice. They call it the Derby Apple Cocktail, and mom will be off to the races ... even if she's just headed to the backyard to relax.
Cranberry Martini by Ina Garten
Ina Garten's cranberry martini is fit for a queen — or a real contessa. Treat mom with this sweet and tangy classic that's one of the Food Network star's favorites.
Best Mother's Day desserts
Strawberry and Vanilla Ice Cream Cookie Cake by Samantha Seneviratne
Pre-made cookies and store-bought ice cream make a lovely and easy dessert. Assemble it ahead of time and let it chill in the freezer until you're ready to dig in.
Pop Krispie Treats by Joy Bauer
What kid doesn't love making Rice Krispies Treats for an after-dinner treat? Get the whole family in the kitchen to create this four-ingredient hybrid dessert, Pop Krispie Treats. We suggest serving them for a family movie night.
Brown Sugar Peach Shortcakes by Jocelyn Delk Adams
Tell mom she's a peach with these brown sugar-peach shortcakes. They're as delicious as they are pretty!
Siri's Dark Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding by Siri Daly
Serve this decadent dish of buttery, flaky croissants drenched in melted chocolate for dessert at breakfast, brunch or even after dinner. Siri Daly's dark chocolate-croissant bread pudding is a casserole for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Lemon Velvet Cake by April Anderson and Shirley Madison
Take dessert to the next level with this magnificent lemon velvet cake. It's smooth, creamy, moist and strikes the ideal balance between sweet and tangy.
Slow-Cooker Cherry Delight by Cathy Mitchell
This slow-cooker cherry delight tastes just like cherry pie but it's a lot easier to make since the slow cooker does most of the heavy lifting.
Need even more Mother's Day brunch ideas? Try these!
Ensure Mother's Day breakfast in bed is seamless with these mess-free recipes.
Plan a make-ahead Mother's Day brunch menu so you can have more time to spend with mom on Sunday.
If mom requests something a little less decadent, impress her with these healthy Mother's Day breakfast recipes.
Turn any home celebration into a more elegant affair with these simple yet adorable Mother’s Day brunch menus and name cards.
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