Serve Mom her choice of the classic soup, salad, and sandwich combo. These easy Mother’s Day Recipes will make your mama happy and be easy on your budget.
Mother’s Day lunch.
Does it bring up visions of being crammed in a cafe foyer with hoards of other people, your legs sticking to the cheap vinyl bench seat, while children — maybe yours, but you’re not claiming them — dance about, smacking the balloons tied to the hostess’ podium?
Not exactly your ideal Sunday, is it?
You love your mama. You do.
And you want to treat her on Mother’s Day, even though every one knows it’s a Hallmark holiday.
Still.
Can you handle another afternoon at Chili’s, Mimi’s, or Applebee’s? Ahem.
While these dining establishments may be great for certain crowds and situations, they might not have your favorite foods. Your kids might not be able to handle the atmosphere. Or you just might not be able to foot the bill.
Let’s face it, no matter the restaurant, dining out can add up, especially if you’re treating. And Mother’s Day spending racks up!
Chances are, the mom in your life will enjoy a home cooked meal even more than lunch at a restaurant. Trust me, if she doesn’t have to cook or wash dishes, you get major points right there!
Save her from waiting an hour, pretending those kids are not her progeny? Ten point bonus.
Serve up a meal of her favorite soup-salad-combo, and well, you’ve just hit the Mother’s Day Jackpot!
What should I make for Mother’s Day?
Good question! Think about what Mom tends to choose when dining out. That’s a pretty good clue. She’s either choosing her favorite foods or foods that she enjoys that she might not make for herself at home.
The combo of a soup, salad, and sandwich is popular because few women are going to make all three for themselves in one meal. Getting a taste of three favorites at once is a treat.
Lucky for you, this soup, salad, and sandwich combo is pretty easy to make at home. In fact, it makes a perfect Mother’s Day luncheon.
Scroll down for some Good Cheap Eats favorite recipes to choose from!
How to plan a menu for Mother’s Day
- Choose one soup, preferably one that can be kept warm for awhile. You want to be able to make the soup in advance so you’re not scrambling come meal time. Choose soups that get better as they sit. This would include pureed soups, those prepped in the Instant Pot or slow cooker, and those that don’t include pasta which might get too soft if it simmers too long.
- Choose one salad. Salads are great for making ahead, just be sure to store the dressing separate from the salad fixings in the fridge. Dress the salad just before serving or serve the dressing on the side.
- Choose one type of sandwich. If you’re serving a sandwich bar, then you can open up the filling options, but for sandwiches you’re going to prep yourself, stick with one kind of sandwich for simplicity’s sake. To prevent soggy sandwiches, you can leave any spreads and wet ingredients, like tomatoes, on the side for folks to add for themselves.
- Watch store sales for specials on fresh fruit and flowers. These make nice additions to your table as does a veggie tray. A prepared fruit tray is nice, too.
- Include a simple, but special dessert. Dessert is always a nice touch, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. It could be something as easy as cupcakes with tags that spell out, “We heart Mom”.
You can serve this cafe experience at home quite easily. Prepare a pot of soup, a big salad, and a platter of sandwiches. Offer pitchers of ice water, tea, coffee, and juice. You’ll be all set for a fantastic feast!
Check out the recipes below and choose a few to make this Mother’s Day. I’d love to see what you prepare! Would you share it on Instagram and tag me @jessicafisher?
We heart Mom Cupcake Toppers
Mother's Day Recipes to Make Your Mama Happy
Serve Mom her choice of the classic soup, salad, and sandwich combo. These easy Mother's Day Recipes will make your mama happy and be easy on your budget.
Spring Vegetable Soup Recipe
Spring has arrived! With it comes a variety of spring vegetables to toss into the soup pot. Enjoy this Spring Vegetable Soup for a deliciously elegant soup.
Chunky Potato Soup with Bacon & Tarragon
Enjoy a hot and hearty supper tonight with this Chunky Potato Soup. Seasoned with bacon and tarragon, this soup is perfect comfort food.
Velvety Vegetable Soup
Homemade blended soups can be a delicious and economical way to get enough vegetables in your diet. They are also a great way to use up leftover vegetables. Bonus: they look so elegant!
Roasted Vegetable Soup with Fresh Oregano
Roasting vegetables in the oven caramelizes their flavors. Blend them with herbs and seasonings into this lovely Roasted Vegetable Soup.
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Get cozy this season with a bowl of this Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup. It comes together quickly with just five basic ingredients.
Super Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup
Enjoy your favorite cafe-style easy Broccoli Cheese Soup at home for less money. I’ll show you how easy it is to make with both stovetop and Instant Pot directions!
Vegetable Cheddar Cheese Soup
This recipe for Cheddar Cheese Soup is creamy and comforting. Filled with bits of zucchini, broccoli, and carrots, it’s healthy comfort food.
Kale Salad with Red Grapes, Almonds, and Scallions
Celebrate the season with a festive Kale Salad with Red Grapes, Almonds, and Scallions. It’s quick and easy to pull together.
Greek Salad with Chicken
Enjoy fresh spinach and veggies, tender chicken, and great flavor in this Greek Salad with Chicken.
Chef's Salad with a Garlicky Anchovy Vinaigrette
A typical chef’s salad boasts hard-boiled eggs, cucumbers, tomatoes, cheese, and meat on a bed of dressed greens. This garlicky anchovy vinaigrette adds some punch to the mix.
Spinach Salad with Chicken and Strawberries
This spinach salad will make you happy. It’s easy to make and the chicken, strawberries, and other fruit just make it sing.
Italian Salad with Crispy Prosciutto
Freshen up this season with dinner salads. Try this Italian Salad loaded with vegetables and topped with crispy prosciutto.
Submarine Salad: You Won't Miss the Bread!
The best part of a sub sandwich is the meat and veggies and abundant Italian dressing. You have all those in this tasty Submarine Salad, so good you won’t miss the bread!
Asian Cabbage Salad with Chicken and Mandarin Oranges
Keep your cool with this easy Asian Cabbage Salad with Chicken and Mandarin Oranges. It’s delicious as well as very make-ahead!
Picnic Sandwich Recipe
Enjoy eating in the great outdoors with this easy, make-ahead picnic sandwich. Meatless and packed with lots of fresh veggies, it’ll do your picnic good.
Egg Salad BLT Sandwich
Can’t decide between an egg salad sandwich and a BLT? You don’t have to! This Egg Salad BLT sandwich combines them both into one fantastic meal.
Chicken Caesar Sandwiches for a Quick & Simple Meal
This Chicken Caesar Sandwich Recipe is just what you expect – quick and simple deliciousness tucked into French bread. They are a fun, portable twist on a vintage classic.
Chicken Salad Club Sandwiches
Make your meal something super special when you top creamy chicken salad with bacon in these Chicken Salad Club Sandwiches.
The Spring Street Club Sandwich
This stacked classic club sandwich is jam packed with tender meats, fresh veggies, and tangy cheeses. Make sure you've got frilly toothpicks!
Turkey Pesto Panini
Turkey Pesto Panini are super fun sandwiches to make. They’re uber-comforting, freezer-friendly, AND even great for serving a crowd.
Need a little more help?
Not sure you can swing that whole Mother’s Day luncheon? Don’t have time to figure out the logistics? No problem.
The Instant Garden Party provides everything you need: menu, recipes, grocery list, and party checklist. All the planning is done for you! Just shop, cook, and party down.
This party menu is perfect for Mother’s Day as well as baby showers and wedding parties.
Grab the instant download here: https://fishmama.com/product/instant-garden-party-kit/
LydiaF says
Great idea and lovely selection of recipes. Gonna pass this on to my daughter 🙂