Mother’s Day is a time to show you care, and few acts of service are more thoughtful than a good home-cooked meal. A long, relaxed brunch is another classic Mother’s Day tradition, but there’s no law saying you can’t cook the brunch yourself!
Whether you want to bake a dessert from scratch to gift Mom or you want to host a full three-course meal, there are endless ways to show you care, both large and small. Over the years, we have come up with countless recipes for cooks of all skill levels. Pasta, soups, steaks, desserts — no matter the occasion or your loved one’s tastes, there’s the perfect recipe for you.
Baked goods are a traditional gift for a reason. Few things express “I love you and am thinking about you” like a surprise sweet gift. No matter your Mother’s Day plans, these mini berry galettes would be a great choice. If you are already planning on cooking brunch yourself, they are a great dessert that won’t add a bunch of cooking time — or stress — on the day. If you are celebrating with a day on the town, they are a portable gift that still gives the holiday a personal touch.
These mini berry galettes are also beginner-friendly. They’re even easier to bake than chocolate chip cookies! They are a quick and delicious treat any fruit or pastry lover will appreciate. They also are easy to bake in batches, so you will get to keep a few for yourself. Nobody said you couldn’t reward yourself for Mother’s Day, too!
Mother’s Day lands right at the turning of the seasons. If your mother loves spring — who doesn’t — you can celebrate the season together with some spring pasta with ramps and morels.
It is a perfect choice if you want to make a brunch that still feels fancy while being simple. Most of the recipe is as easy as tossing the pasta in a pot and letting it boil. Aside from that, you just have to pan-fry a few leaves and mushrooms. You will need a blender or food processor for one step, though. Be sure you have the proper equipment before getting started.
Pasta isn’t the only dish you can whip up in a flash. Depending on your loved one’s tastes, they may prefer these ground-meat lettuce wraps. For those looking for an easy and simple recipe, this is as good as it gets. Practically all you need to do is cook some ground beef in a pan, then add a little seasoning. If you’ve done Taco Night, you can do this! If your loved one is a fan of Asian cuisines, or just prefers meat to salads, this dish will be a hit.
Our friends over at The Bread Gal shared this secret, decadent breakfast recipe with us: white chocolate-infused French Toast. We’ve loved making it ever since! If you want to cook a chill Mother’s Day brunch, or you just want to surprise your wife with breakfast in bed, this is the perfect dish for you.
The Bread Gal has already done the hard part for you, baking the white chocolate right into a loaf of delightfully thick toast. Everything after that is just like cooking normal french toast. Dip it in eggs, let it fry, and top it with your favorite syrups, fruits, and creams.
Holidays are happy occasions that call for a celebratory drink. While mimosas tend to be the brunch drink of choice, margaritas can be similarly bright and fruity. Cocktail lovers will appreciate the personal touch of a drink mixed by a family member. Or, if you are one of the many people who use Mother’s Day as an excuse to treat your significant other, a homemade margarita may be a perfect touch to a romantic afternoon.
If that is the case, then let this list of three margarita ideas inspire you! Though written for Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day is only a few days later. Many of the same seasonal considerations, such as taking advantage of the start of the rosé season, still apply.
Cake is a classic for special occasions, and this strawberry tres leches cake is an easy one you can make from scratch. It’s also light and fluffy, making it a great dessert for brunch. If you think it’s important to do the work yourself but are a baking novice, this is a great pick that won’t make you feel lost or overwhelmed. Tres leches cakes are made with simple ingredients that only require basic prep. They are the cake version of a one-pan meal.
It’s also a great way to learn the fundamentals of baking if you have ever been curious. A lot of bakes can require extreme precision, but tres leches cakes are relatively forgiving. If the sponge cake is accidentally a little overdone, it will feel moist anyway after it gets soaked under all that milk.
If you want to give Mom a meal that screams cozy and heartwarming, you want beef bourguignon stew. It’s the dining equivalent of a big, warm hug. Comfort foods have always summoned memories of warm blankets, relaxation, and quiet times with loved ones. Those are great vibes to hit for Mother’s Day.
It’s also giving her a bit of her own medicine: How many times was Mom the one to cook you a comforting, favorite meal when you were growing up? If Mother’s Day is about giving back, then this is a perfect way to express exactly that.
It’s a bit heavier than most brunch options, but still captures the relaxed, warm and fuzzy vibe of a midday meal. As a bonus, you’re almost guaranteed to have enough leftovers to send some home with Mom and still treat yourself the next day.
If you really want to give Mom the five-star treatment, the classic go-to is a steak. You probably already know whether steak is an option or not: Does your loved one like steak? Do you like steak? Enough that you have opinions on how to get the perfect sear? If you are knowingly nodding along, this might be a great chance to show off your skills and show how much you care at the same time.
If you want to make it extra special, you can try one of these five steak sauces, from fancy, garlic-infused butter to a rich red-wine-based sauce. There is a sauce to match almost any taste or mood. You’re sure to find at least one that will spark your interest.
Speaking of fancy meals, one of the fanciest meals out there is this roast leg of lamb recipe. This is a hard-core choice, on the same level as volunteering to cook the Thanksgiving or Easter roast. But if you want a special meal worth pulling out the good plates for, Mother’s Day is a perfect excuse. Few choices will make for a better centerpiece. If you truly want to go all-out, this recipe will walk you through exactly how to cook your first lamb roast.
A proper meal is usually more than just a steak. You need the potatoes, too! If you are planning to cook a full meal for your loved one this Mother’s Day, you can lean on this list of simple, stress-free sides that won’t turn meal prep into a three-hour affair. Think of it as a vision board for your meal, with tons of free ideas for how to complement your main course.
Didn’t find exactly what you wanted? Need recipes focused on a specific cuisine? There are endless recipes for you to explore, no matter what you need. Keep your bookmarks handy. You are bound to find a few tempting dishes you’ll want to try on your own along the way!
