Show mom how much you care with a Mother's Day menu catered to her tastes: classic, elegant or healthy. Each menu takes you from appetizers to dessert with recipes that let her signature style shine.
3 Mother’s Day Menus to Cater to Her Tastes
Updated on Sep. 13, 2024
Classic Mother’s Day Menu
Full of tried-and-true favorites, this classic Mother’s Day menu is for moms who don’t mess with a good thing. These dishes are pulled straight from mom’s recipe book and are made with comforting and familiar ingredients. Before you sit down to eat, gift your mom with a lovely DIY flower arrangement.
1/18
Cucumber Party Sandwiches
This is one of my favorite appetizers. We have lots of pig roasts here in Kentucky, and these small sandwiches are perfect to serve while the pig is roasting. —Rebecca Rose, Mount Washington, Kentucky
2/18
3/18
Classic Cobb Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Making this salad is a lot like putting in a garden. I “plant” everything in nice, neat sections, just as I do with seedlings. —Patricia Kile, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 260 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 148mg cholesterol, 586mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 2 fat.
4/18
Party Potatoes
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandpa, who gave me this recipe, liked the way the cream cheese and onion dip created a wonderful velvety texture. I often assemble these potatoes the night before, then pop them in the oven the next day. —Mary Kay Elert, St. Paul Park, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 181 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 316mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.
5/18
Roasted Beef Tenderloin
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
An overnight marinade provides a savory seasoning for this tenderloin. I’ve served this simple elegant roast on many special occasions. —Schelby Thompson, Camden Wyoming, Delaware
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked beef: 193 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 257mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
6/18
Dill & Chive Peas
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Growing my own vegetables and herbs helps keep things fresh in the kitchen, but frozen peas make this side is a breeze to prepare. —Tanna Richard, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 113 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 346mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
Elegant Mother’s Day Menu
This menu is for moms who enjoy the finer things in life! This elevated menu features restaurant-worthy dishes that are still easy enough to put together without a full kitchen staff. Complete the meal with a chic table setting and a specialty cocktail or Champagne bar.
7/18
8/18
Watermelon Cups
Total Time
25 min
Servings
16 pieces
From the Recipe Creator:
This lovely appetizer is almost too pretty to eat! Sweet watermelon cubes hold a refreshing topping that showcases cucumber, red onion and fresh herbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 7 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
9/18
Honeydew & Prosciutto Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For parties, I turn melon and prosciutto into an easy salad with a honey mustard dressing. To add zip, stir in fresh basil and mint. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 186 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 294mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 vegetable, 1 medium-fat meat, 1 fat.
10/18
Portobello Risotto with Mascarpone
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Portobello mushrooms add a beefy flavor to this creamy classic. Each serving is topped with soft, buttery mascarpone cheese, which makes it extra special. —Carmella Ryan, Rockville Centre, New York
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup risotto mixture with 1 heaping tablespoon marscarpone cheese: 350 calories, 21g fat (10g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 393mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
11/18
Spinach Pork Tenderloin
Total Time
50 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Stuffed with fresh spinach and artichoke hearts, these pork slices look fancy enough for guests. —Linda Rae Lee of San Francisco, California.
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 259 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 485mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein.
12/18
Raspberry Chocolate Puffs
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This chocolaty, flaky dessert is one of my favorite show-off recipes because
it makes a spectacular presentation. The best part? It’s actually surprisingly easy and quick to make. —Anneliese Deising, Plymouth, Michigan
it makes a spectacular presentation. The best part? It’s actually surprisingly easy and quick to make. —Anneliese Deising, Plymouth, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 699 calories, 39g fat (13g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 238mg sodium, 81g carbohydrate (40g sugars, 7g fiber), 9g protein.
Healthy Mother’s Day Menu
Just because your mom is on a health kick doesn’t mean you can’t treat her to a fabulous meal. These health-conscience dishes are packed with fresh, seasonal ingredients that are as colorful as they are delicious. Don’t forget to pick up one of these Mother’s Day gifts she’ll actually want, too!
13/18
14/18
The Best Hummus
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Hummus is my go-to appetizer when I need something quick, easy and impressive. Over the years I’ve picked up a number of tricks that make this the best hummus recipe you’ll ever have. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 250 calories, 19g fat (3g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 361mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 5g fiber), 7g protein.
15/18
Kale Slaw Spring Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My parents and in-laws are retired and like to spend winters in Florida. This tangy spring salad welcomes the snowbirds back for our Easter celebration! —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 192 calories, 15g fat (3g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 140mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 1 starch.
16/18
Roasted Carrots with Thyme
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These roasted carrots are so simple but always a hit. Cutting the carrots lengthwise makes this dish look extra pretty.—Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 73 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 226mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
17/18
Grilled Salmon Fillet
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Growing up on a family-owned resort, I was expected to help around the kitchen. This grilled salmon fillet recipe became my specialty. —Paul Noetzel, Grafton, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked salmon: 193 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 163mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat.
18/18
Grilled Stone Fruits with Balsamic Syrup
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Get ready to experience another side of stone fruits. Hot off the rack, these grilled nectarines practically melt in your mouth. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 114 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 10mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fruit.
