20 Mother's Day Lunch Ideas

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My mom is my superhero, my wonder woman who never ceases to amaze me.

How can you NOT be impressed by a woman who juggles so many things at once?

That’s why I believe it’s time we show more of our love and gratitude to our moms, starting with Mother’s Day!

A fantastic way to do that is to give her a well-deserved break from all the work she does every day.

Instead of her in the kitchen whipping up her delicious homemade meals, it’s time you wear the apron and surprise her with a scrumptious feast!

A homecooked meal (just like how mom makes it) is a pleasant surprise that will melt any mother’s heart.

I’ll be sharing lunch and brunch ideas on Mother’s Day that anyone can create, whether a total newbie or a seasoned cook in the kitchen.

Save this pin to your Pinterest board so you can come back to these amazing lunch ideas for Mother’s Day!

1. Healthy Caprese Breakfast Sandwiches

Photo by Cookie and Kate

This is one of the healthy breakfast sandwiches I love turning to when feeling fancy.

It’s the sandwich version of the simple yet elegant Caprese salad.

If you’re thinking of surprising your mom with a picnic or sumptuous brunch at home, these sandwiches are the way to go!

2. Healthy Crockpot Quinoa Chicken

Photo by Clean Eating Kitchen

Looking for healthy chicken Crockpot recipes for moms?

If you don’t have much time to cook, this is an easy, nutritious dish that will leave your family impressed.

If you’ve got a full day of activities lined up for mom, the protein from chicken and quinoa will surely give any mom enough energy for them!

3. Kale and Mushroom Quiche

Photo by The Littlest Crumb

Planning to go meatless with mom? This vegetarian recipe will be a delight to serve!

The quiche is loaded with kale and mushroom which are high in potassium, vitamins A, C, and B12!

Perfect for the health-conscious mom who still deserves a mouthwatering lunch from her loving child.

4. Healthy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Photo by Healthy Fitness Meals

Make pasta healthy with zoodles tossed in a light pasta sauce with olive oil, shrimp, and zesty lemons!

Lessen the carb count while still enjoying a heaping bowl of pasta by making noodles out of zucchini, which are high in fiber and vitamins A, B, and C.

After tasting this dish, your mom will be hounding you for more healthy noodle and pasta recipes!

5. Gluten-Free General Tso’s Chicken

Photo by The Foodie Physician

Try something new and make healthy Chinese recipes that can trump Chinese food takeout any day.

It’s made healthier and gluten-free thanks to your handy dandy air fryer and the use of tamari over soy sauce.

6. Cream of Asparagus Soup

Photo by Ahead of Thyme

This cream of asparagus soup is actually creamless, yet has a rich consistency thanks to potatoes!

It’s so good that you’ll probably be adding it to your list of meatless Monday recipes.

Enjoy it on its own with sourdough bread or tell mom to ready her stomach for more!

7. Salmon Burrito Bowl

Photo by All the Healthy Things

This easy and healthy Mexican-inspired burrito bowl replaces the typical meats used in burrito bowls for heart-healthy salmon.

The salmon spice rub packs on a bit of heat, though the fresh veggies and rice balance this out.

Top your bowl with Greek yogurt for a balance of consistency plus an added protein boost!

8. Healthy Turkey Instant Pot

08-instant-pot-turkey-lentil-chili-recipe

Photo by 365 Days of Crockpot

I had no idea what my mom and I were missing out on before the invention of Instant Pot. There are tons of fantastic Instant Pot recipes like this hearty turkey chili.

For those short on time, dump the ingredients in your trusty Instant Pot and let it cook while preparing for the rest of your Mother’s Day festivities to surprise mom!

9. Baja Fish Tacos with Avocado

Photo by Cooking for My Soul

Feature the rich, bold flavors from the delectable Mexican cuisine with these Baja fish tacos!

The crispiness of beer-battered cod and the creaminess of avocado crema will ignite your tastebuds.

10. Low-Carb Cauliflower Casseroles

Photo by Green and Keto

One of my favorite things to do with cauliflower is to make it the star of this tasty low-carb casserole dish.

Just prepare for your mom to ask for the secret ingredient in this recipe.

11. Healthy Crockpot Pad Thai Chicken

Photo by The Real Food Dietitians

Surprise mom with an Asian-themed lunch for a gastronomic experience!

This is a cheap Crockpot freezer dump meal so you won’t have to hassle yourself with meal prep or a budget.

I recommend serving this creamy, nutty chicken dish over hot rice or noodles.

If you’re going low-carb, then make lettuce wraps with it!

12. Greek Pesto Pasta Salad

Photo by Feasting at Home

This pesto pasta salad marries colorful veggies with a rich pesto dressing without a high-calorie count.

The dressing takes the spotlight, with earthy, nutty flavors exploding in your mouth!

13. Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa

Photo by Pinch of Swirl

As Bubba from Forrest Gump said, “Shrimp is the fruit of the sea.” There are so many ways to enjoy shrimp, including these loaded tacos.

There will be a kick of spice but not to worry, as the tanginess of your mango salad will counteract.

14. Shrimp Étouffée

Photo by African Bites

Sounds like a fancy recipe but don’t be fooled!

This is simply your classic Louisiana stew, the ultimate comfort food that would send a ton of people back to their childhood.

It translates to “smothered shrimp,” holding true to its name as it’s covered with layers of flavor in a rich, creamy stew.

15. Instant Pot Pasta Fagioli

Photo by Cafe Delites

This tomato-based pasta and bean soup is almost effortless to make, just leave your ingredients to cook while preparing other activities or focusing on quality time with the woman of the day.