These 17 Comfort Food Recipes Are What Moms Really Want for Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day always turns into brunch and tulips like it’s a greeting card checklist. But most moms would trade the waffle tower and mimosas for sweatpants, some actual quiet, and a dinner they didn’t have to cook themselves. This year, skip the cutesy stuff and give her what she really wants. A comforting meal. Something rich, filling, and familiar that hits the spot without making her lift a finger.

Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Big mushroom caps filled with creamy cheese, spinach, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes make this one of those meatless meals that still feels hearty. It’s a great choice when Mom just wants something warm, filling, and made by someone else for a change.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Sweet Potato Noodles

These veggie noodles are tossed in a creamy Alfredo-style sauce that hits all the cozy notes of a pasta dish without feeling heavy. It’s quick, simple, and a great way to make a Mother’s Day dinner that feels comforting but a little unexpected.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Noodles

Farro Risotto

Farro gives this risotto extra texture and heartiness, and the broth and white beans make it deeply flavorful without needing much hands-on cooking. It’s exactly the kind of slow, soothing meal Mom will want someone else to stir while she puts her feet up.
Get the Recipe: Farro Risotto

Lasagna Rollups

These rollups are stuffed with chicken and spinach, then covered in a creamy butternut sauce that makes the whole dish feel rich and special. It’s a great way to give her all the comfort of lasagna without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Rollups

Sausage Stuffed Peppers

Bell peppers are filled with a cheesy mix of sausage, spinach, rice, and herbs, then finished with a parmesan topping that gives them that extra comfort factor. This is the kind of meal that tastes like someone finally took care of dinner for her.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Peppers

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Gnocchi made from sweet potatoes turns into a filling and cozy dinner when tossed with a quick bolognese sauce. It’s perfect for a day when she wants to skip the usual and still get something warm and homemade without having to lift a finger.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

With rigatoni, a rich tomato cream sauce, and fresh spinach, this meatless dinner feels like something you’d get at a good Italian spot but takes less than 30 minutes to make. Great for keeping things low effort and high comfort on Mother’s Day.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

This version of mac and cheese blends in sweet potato puree and two cheeses for a rich, creamy dish that still sneaks in spinach. It’s exactly what you want to make when Mom’s in the mood for comfort food with a little more to it.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

Chicken Sorrentino

This baked dish stacks chicken, prosciutto, eggplant, and melted cheese under a hearty tomato sauce for a meal that covers all the comfort food bases. It looks impressive, but it’s easy enough to pull off while she relaxes for once.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sorrentino

Goat Cheese Grits

Creamy grits are loaded up with goat cheese and topped with burst tomatoes, chicken, and basil for a meal that’s simple but packed with flavor. It’s one of those bowls of food that makes everything feel just a little calmer.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Grits

Chicken Apple Cheddar Chili

This white chicken chili adds apple and cheddar for a slightly sweet and creamy take that’s perfect for chilly spring nights. It’s not what she expects, but it’s exactly the kind of comforting surprise that makes the day better.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Apple Cheddar Chili

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Bucatini noodles are tossed with salty Pecorino Romano and pasta water to create a creamy sauce with only a few ingredients. It’s quick, comforting, and perfect when Mom just wants someone else to make her something simple and good.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Lamb Bolognese

Lamb gives this bolognese a deeper flavor that’s worth the extra simmer time. Toss it with wide ribbons of tagliatelle and it turns into a comfort food dinner that’s great for a Mother’s Day evening where everyone stays at the table a little longer.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Bolognese

Stuffed Chicken Marsala

This version of chicken marsala takes things up a notch with mozzarella, tomato butter, and fresh basil stuffed inside the chicken. It bakes up into something that feels restaurant-level but is actually easy to make at home.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Chicken Marsala

Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Arborio rice and mushrooms simmer together into a creamy risotto that doesn’t rely on any dairy but still feels rich and filling. It’s perfect for the mom who loves comfort food but doesn’t want anything too heavy.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Creamy Tomato Farfalle

This quick pasta uses bowtie noodles and a creamy tomato sauce, tossed with peas and topped with crispy prosciutto. It’s easy to throw together and has just enough flair to feel like something extra for the one person who always deserves it.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tomato Farfalle

Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs

These skillet meatballs are packed with zucchini and stuffed with sharp cheddar, then simmered in marinara for a cheesy, comforting meal. They’re the kind of thing you’d make to say thanks without needing a long grocery list or hours of prep.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs