Dinners That Make Mom Feel Special All Day

Published 02/19/2020

Show Mom that her hard work doesn’t go unnoticed with these simple-but-impressive special-occasion dinners.

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Whether you’re experienced in the kitchen or you’re challenging yourself with something outside of your comfort zone, these Mother’s Day dinner ideas are perfect for any skill level and are guaranteed to put a smile on Mom’s face.

Slow-Cooker Bolognese
4.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 2 reviews.
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 8 hr 25 min
Ingredients: 15
Servings: 10
This slow-cooker dinner is like a grown-up version of spaghetti and meatballs. Italian sausage, savory ground beef and plenty of fresh, aromatic veggies are mixed into a flavorful Bolognese that simmers to perfection all day long—so not only will you make a special dinner for Mom, you’ll also make the house smell absolutely delicious.
Lemon-Herb Roast Chicken Dinner
4.3 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 7 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 1 hr 25 min
Ingredients: 11
Servings: 4
If you’re looking for a meal that will really impress, this one-and-done chicken dinner is it. All you need is your handy 13x9 dish, some basic vegetables like potatoes and carrots, and a few fresh herbs to turn a whole chicken into a special-occasion dinner.
Slow-Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 7 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 40 min
Total time: 3 hr 10 min
Ingredients: 15
Servings: 6
Skip takeout and give Mom what she really wants this Mother’s Day: a homecooked meal straight from the heart. This restaurant-quality dinner is easy to make and is packed-full of mouthwatering, juicy flavors thanks to a homemade peanut sauce infused with curry paste, coconut milk and fresh ginger. It’s all slow cooked with tender chicken thighs before being served over rice for an outstanding meal that will rise above and beyond all expectations.
Slow-Cooker Short-Rib Goulash
4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 4 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 45 min
Total time: 8 hr 45 min
Ingredients: 13
Servings: 8
Delicate, fall-off-the-bone short-ribs are flavored with garlic, smoked paprika and red pepper for an outstanding dinner you can feel proud serving. The ribs are slow-cooked all day long, which allows them to soak up all of the rich flavors in the recipe while becoming soft and tender with time. Serve them with sour cream and egg noodles for an exquisite dinner that’s perfect for a celebration.
Lemon-Dijon Chicken Skillet
4.8 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 10 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 13
Servings: 6
Thank Mom for all she does with a scratch recipe made with love. This lemon-Dijon-infused chicken dinner will get all of the oohs and aahs with its fresh and tangy flavor and its lovely presentation. All you need is 25 minutes of prep time and a little bit of patience to craft this compliment-worthy dish.
Sheet-Pan General Tso's Chicken
0.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 0 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 14
Servings: 4
This sweet and spicy dinner has all of the flavor of General Tso’s chicken without any frying or breading involved. This makes the dish easily achievable for cooks of any skill level, and makes cleanup a breeze, too! (Because the last thing Mom wants to deal with is a messy kitchen.)
Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi Skillet
4.6 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 11 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 11
Servings: 6
Whether you save this dish for Mother’s Day, or you keep the recipe on hand for a weeknight dinner, this gnocchi skillet is guaranteed to please pasta enthusiasts and picky eaters alike. Tender gnocchi are smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce with additions of garlic, spinach and tomatoes to add an extra pop of color and delicious flavor to the dish. Crunchy, buttery breadcrumbs are sprinkled on top along with shredded Parmesan cheese for the ultimate final touches.
Easy Butter-Chicken Casserole
3.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 25 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 1 hr 10 min
Ingredients: 13
Servings: 6
We should probably warn you that if you make this delicious Butter-Chicken Casserole for Mother’s Day, it’s very likely that you’ll be asked to make it on the regular. The Indian-inspired casserole is warmly spiced, but not too spicy so even those who don’t like a lot of heat can enjoy. Aromatic seasonings like garam masala, ground ginger and red pepper give the dish a one-of-a-kind flavor that will impress the entire family.
Garlic-Butter Orzo Chicken Casserole
4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 42 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 1 hr 35 min
Ingredients: 14
Servings: 4
Inspired by mozzarella and tomato-basil caprese salads, this delicious chicken casserole is a dream for garlic-lovers. Simple Italian seasonings, crushed red pepper flakes, shredded mozzarella and fresh basil leaves season juicy chicken breasts and sit atop a bed of garlic-butter-infused orzo for a savory and scrumptious dish that Mom is guaranteed to love.
Sheet-Pan Salmon Niçoise
5.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 5 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 14
Servings: 4
If baked salmon is a frequently requested treasure in your house, this flavorful version inspired by a classic French salad should definitely be on your list of special-occasion recipes. A white wine-thyme vinaigrette makes this dish sophisticated enough for a celebration, but its simple recipe steps make it easy enough that the kids can help, too! So, you can put a zingy dinner on the table that the whole family will devour.
Slow-Cooker Pork Ragu
3.9 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 9 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 40 min
Total time: 8 hr 40 min
Ingredients: 13
Servings: 8
Ditch the premade sauce and whip up this extra-flavorful pork ragu for a spaghetti night plus-up. Smoked bacon and tender pork shoulder give this sauce a savory taste, while oregano, garlic and fresh veggies fill the kitchen with delicious aromas. All of the hearty ingredients simmer together in the slow cooker for a mouthwatering dinner that everyone will love.
Carbonara Pasta Bake
3.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 1 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 1 hr 10 min
Ingredients: 15
Servings: 8
Mom, if you’re reading this, you’re going to want to point your family in the direction of this cheesy recipe. This dinner is simple enough that anyone can make it, but fancy enough that it’s bound to make any mother feel special. A rich combination of ricotta, Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses melt together for a creamy base that’s filled with crumbled bacon, tender pasta noodles and colorful peas. The 13x9 bake is topped with crispy breadcrumbs to add a little extra crunch.
Skillet Chicken Thighs with Green Beans and Mushrooms
4.7 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 47 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 45 min
Total time: 1 hr 5 min
Ingredients: 12
Servings: 4
Try something new this Mother’s Day with a creamy chicken, mushroom and green bean dinner. This scrumptious skillet offers a one-of-a-kind warm and bubbly flavor thanks to a cream cheese base and aromatic herbs. The savory ingredients are perfect for a cozy Mother’s Day dinner, but this dish also makes a great recipe to whip up on any weekday, too!
Do-Ahead Ravioli Sausage Lasagna
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 43 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 9 hr 30 min
Ingredients: 5
Servings: 8
What does Mom really want on Mother’s Day? To spend time with you and her loved ones, of course! That’s why this Do-Ahead Ravioli Sausage Lasagna is perfect for her special day. You can prep everything the day before and spend your treasured time together with her. When it’s time for dinner, just pop it in the oven and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal.
Fettuccine Alfredo
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 358 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 7
Servings: 4
Skip the lines and reservations and reach for this homemade Fettuccine Alfredo. The dreamy sauce is made easy with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese and butter all mixed together and tossed with fettuccine noodles for a compliment-worthy dinner that’s guaranteed to make Mom smile.
Hamburger Stroganoff Casserole
3.9 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 32 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 1 hr 5 min
Ingredients: 10
Servings: 6
This extra-easy stroganoff recipe is simple to make and tastes amazing. A pinch of nutmeg brings out all of the savory notes from the beef gravy and fresh mushrooms for an enhanced flavor in every comforting bite. Mom won’t be the only one reaching for seconds, the whole family will want you to make it again and again!
Cheesy Ground Beef Manicotti
4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 11 reviews.
Prep time: 40 min
Total time: 1 hr 35 min
Ingredients: 13
Servings: 7
A restaurant-quality meal doesn’t have to be complicated. This irresistible recipe for stuffed manicotti will impress Mom and make you feel proud without being a pain to make. The saucy, cheese and spinach-filled manicotti shells taste absolutely divine with a ground beef and onion-packed pasta sauce and additional cheese blanketed on top of the dish. It all bubbles up to a celebration-worthy, family-style meal you’ll want to repeat next year.
20-Garlic Pork and Potatoes Skillet
5.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 2 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 8
Servings: 4
Between running the kids from one activity to the next, keeping up with the daily to-dos and being a rock star through it all, being a Mom is no easy task—but that doesn’t mean dinner shouldn’t be! When Mom just wants to relax and enjoy a simple meal, reach for this garlic-loaded pork and potatoes skillet. A buttery thyme-seasoned rub flavors a savory pork tenderloin while baby red potatoes and whole garlic cloves are cooked tender alongside it. The result is a quick-prep dinner that’s bursting with flavor and is extra-easy to make.
Cream Cheese-Stuffed Everything Bagel-Seasoned Chicken
3.8 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 5 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 1 hr 5 min
Ingredients: 7
Servings: 4
This elegant-but-crave-worthy dish transforms boring chicken breasts into a cream cheese-filled, breadcrumb-topped, special-occasion dinner. A creamy chive-filled center gives each bite a luxurious flavor, while a breadcrumb and everything bagel seasoning mixture creates a crispy and delicious exterior. Serve with your favorite veggies for the ultimate Mother’s Day meal.
Slow-Cooker Lemon-Pepper Chicken with Green Olives and Potatoes
4.6 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 5 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 35 min
Total time: 5 hr 35 min
Ingredients: 14
Servings: 6
This bright and springy dinner will bring some sunshine to Mom’s special day. Fresh lemon and fragrant herbs bring some extra zest to the dish, while hearty potatoes and buttery olives fill each bite with a comforting taste. All of the ingredients fuse together in the slow cooker for a harmonious aroma and exquisite flavor.

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Dinners That Make Mom Feel Special All Day

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