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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 Stupid Simple Meal Ideas That Will Still Make Mom Feel Special

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 7, 2025, updated April 28, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking for mom doesn't have to be complicated to show you care. Here are 19 easy meal ideas that are simple to prepare but still feel special. Whether she prefers cheesy pasta or perfectly cooked pork chops, these dishes will make her feel appreciated without the stress.

    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is super easy to prepare with just four ingredients and some ready-made items. You can have it ready in 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This easy meal comes together with just 8 ingredients, perfect for a tasty dinner any night. Featuring soft gnocchi, crispy bacon, earthy mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it's a dish that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole

    Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This tortellini casserole is perfect for anyone who loves cheese and pasta. It features two kinds of cheese, a zesty kick from Gorgonzola, and a satisfying crunch from walnuts, all ready in under 40 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Pork with Mushrooms and Peas

    Pork with Mushrooms and Peas
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipes.

    A one-pot dinner can be a real lifesaver, and this pork with mushrooms and peas fits the bill perfectly. A hearty bone-in pork chop is cooked in a tasty white wine mushroom broth, then topped off with peas and parsley.

    Get the recipe

    Pineapple Fried Rice

    Pineapple Fried Rice
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Pineapple rice combines sweet and savory flavors with veggies, crispy bacon, roasted cashews, and crushed pineapple. This is a quick and easy dinner that can be ready in under 20 minutes, and serving it in a fresh pineapple adds a fun touch!

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Shrimp Carbonara is a quick and tasty take on the classic Italian pasta dish. It combines the creamy goodness of traditional Carbonara with perfectly cooked shrimp, making it a satisfying meal for seafood and pasta lovers.

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    French Onion Pork Chops

    French onion pork chops.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Juicy and tender boneless pork chops can be made easily in the air fryer, paired with a quick and tasty pan sauce on the stove. This dish is perfect for a special meal without a lot of work.

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    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

    15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This 15-minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts is a quick and easy dish that packs a lot of flavor. It's great on its own, but adding some mozzarella or burrata cheese takes it to the next level.

    Get the recipe

    New Orleans BBQ Shrimp

    Easy New Orleans Bbq Shrimp
    Photo credit: Coley Cooks.

    This Cajun shrimp dish is rich and tasty, and you can whip it up in just 20 minutes. The shrimp are cooked in a delicious sauce with garlic, beer, Worcestershire sauce, Creole spices, and lots of butter.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Chicken Pasta with Red Wine & Mushrooms

    Red wine chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Creamy Chicken Pasta is ready in just 30 minutes and is always a hit. With rich flavors from red wine, mushrooms, and thyme, it's a simple dinner that also makes a great lunch the next day.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Cornish Hens

    A cornish hen on a plate.
    Image credit: Sarah Cook.

    Air fryer cornish hens are a quick and tasty option for dinner. They look fancy but are easy to prepare, making them great for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Vodka Pasta

    spicy vodka pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Vodka Pasta is rich and creamy, packed with flavor that everyone will enjoy. You can even whip it up without using any vodka at all.

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    Pork Chops with Red Wine & Mushrooms

    Cast iron skillet pork chops.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These Cast Iron Pork Chops are quick to prepare and ready in just 25 minutes, offering a tasty dinner option. With garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, they are seared and simmered in red wine for incredibly juicy chops.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Salmon

    Air Fryer Salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 20 minutes, you can have flavorful skin-on salmon cooked in your air fryer, perfect for a quick meal any night. Seasoned with lemon juice and lemon pepper, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Matsutake Pasta with Miso Butter

    Matsutake Pasta with Miso Butter.
    Photo credit: The Sage Apron.

    This recipe features Matsutake mushrooms, which are also called pine mushrooms, and it only requires five easy ingredients. It's a straightforward dish that showcases the unique flavor of these mushrooms.

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    Cheesy Beef & Rice Casserole

    Cheesy Beef & Rice Casserole.
    Photo credit: Dominican Cooking.

    Pastelón de arroz is a cheesy beef and rice casserole that turns leftover rice into a delicious meal. This easy-to-make dish is packed with flavor and vegetables, making it a great choice for gatherings.

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    Salmon Asparagus Pasta Salad

    SALMON ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD.
    Photo credit: Maple + Mango.

    This dish combines fresh asparagus, salmon, hard-boiled eggs, and pasta, all mixed in a creamy lemon dill dressing. It's simple to prepare and perfect for enjoying during the spring and summer months.

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    Herb Marinated Pork Chops with Apple Chutney

    Herb Marinated Pork Chops with Apple Chutney
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Savory pork chops are a great choice when you're in the mood for something filling and tasty. A simple marinade gives them plenty of flavor, and the apple chutney adds a nice sweet and tangy touch.

    Get the recipe

    Black Bean Tacos with Feta Cheese & Pico de Gallo

    Vegetarian Tacos with Black Beans, Feta Cheese & Pico de Gallo
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These Vegetarian Tacos are packed with refried black beans and crumbled feta cheese, all topped with fresh homemade pico de gallo. It's a simple and delicious meal that you'll want to enjoy again and again!

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Antipasti pasta salad.
      21 Vibrant Summer Salads That Are Perfect for Dinner
    • Sheet pan chicken fajitas.
      28 Dump-And-Bake Recipes That Will Feed a Crowd
    • Lemongrass grilled chicken.
      Memorial Day BBQ: 24 Recipes That Will Make You the Grill Master
    • Feta stuffed chicken.
      19 Simple Sunday Night Dinners Your Whole Family Will Love

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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