20 Mom-Inspired Recipes That'll Warm Your Heart (and Belly)
Momma knows best! From getting us to eat our veggies to spoiling us with delightful desserts, the delectable dishes our moms make in the kitchen hold a special place in our hearts and memories. These 20 Mom-Inspired Recipes will bring back that nostalgic feeling and will comfort you from the inside out!
1. Mom's Carrot Casserole
While most moms were trying figure out ways to sneak carrots into their kids' dinners, we were begging ours, night after night, to make Mom's Carrot Casserole as a side dish with supper! It didn't take long for us to clearly see just how delicious these sliced carrots topped with a zesty, creamy, crunchy blend of yumminess really were. Eating our veggies never was a chore thanks to Mom's Carrot Casserole! And that really made her proud!
See More2. Momma's Hummingbird Cake
Our momma believed we were made to find beauty in everything. So, she made it her goal to make even mundane things gorgeous. Momma's Hummingbird Cake is the perfect example of that. Not necessarily mundane, but an unassuming and humble cake, each moist slice is rich with sweet hints of vanilla and cinnamon, and the added textures from the crushed fruit and pecans are simply divine. She really would leave her mark with the way she would perfectly spread the creamy vanilla frosting all over and decorate it with the pecans. It is so simple, yet delightful enough to be pictured in a magazine. So, if you're searching for a little beauty in your day, make Momma's Hummingbird Cake and you'll be sure to find it!
See More3. Mom's Baked Rigatoni Pasta
When you're yearning for a nice home-cooked dinner, who knows best!? Mom's Baked Rigatoni Pasta will definitely do the trick! Rigatoni pasta surrounded by an amazing Italian sauce — that Mom knows like the back of her hand — all topped with melted mozzarella cheese, is truly the best when you need a "food-hug" from your momma! Gather your family, grab a loaf of French bread, and get Mom's Baked Rigatoni Pasta on the table, pronto!
See More4. Momma-Knows-Best Tortellini
Momma-Knows-Best Tortellini just goes to show that when it comes to pasta, Momma knows what she is talking about! Tender, cheesy tortellini have never been better than right now, as they nestle in a creamy, tangy, slow-cooked sauce with plenty of savory sausage and garden-fresh spinach! Mmm, it's not just how Momma used to make it... it might just be the perfect version of Mom's pasta dinner! Momma-Knows-Best Tortellini is the best!
See More5. Mother's Roasted Chicken
This dish will transport you back to Sunday dinners with the family; it's just like how Mom used to make it! Mother's Roasted Chicken elevates the savory chicken flavor with aromatic onion powder, rich margarine, and garden-fresh celery. Roasted to juicy perfection and with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, Mother's Roasted Chicken is a showstopper both in looks and in taste. The only problem is figuring out who gets what piece!
See More6. Mom's Cool Pork Tacos
Mom's Cool Pork Tacos, much like the woman herself, know that making a great impression doesn't require excess; just the right amount of the best stuff. And truly, this is the best stuff — extra-tender, savory pork slow-cooked with zesty, spicy Tex-Mex flavors and apple cider vinegar for tang, plus a simple, vibrant, spicy homemade salsa on warmed tortillas. That's why Mom's Cool Pork Tacos are so cool... they don't need to be flashy to be cool, they just need to taste amazing. And they do!
See More7. Momma's Gnocchi Bake
A pasta bake with one of the most luxurious pastas ever invented! Why hasn't anyone done this before? Momma's Gnocchi Bake is Mom's secret weapon for parties, potlucks, and special occasions because no one can complain when this touches down on the table! The gnocchi are pillowy and coated in a fragrant, rich, and vaguely spicy tomato sauce and then covered in creamy provolone cheese. It sounds incredible and yet it tastes even better than that! Momma's Gnocchi Bake shows just why Mom rules the kitchen!
See More8. Just-Like-Mom's Chicken Stew
Nothing can truly replicate Mom's cooking; she had a kind of magic that infused every bite of her food. But Just-Like-Mom's Chicken Stew comes pretty close! It has a charm all on its own with its tender vegetables, savory and succulent chicken, and creamy broth, which can warm you up even after the coldest days. Just-Like-Mom's Chicken Stew is a magic spell in food form, casting you back to childhood and making everything alright. Isn't that the true power of home cooking?
See More9. Mom's Chicken Orzo Salad
Just like Mom used to make! Mom’s Chicken Orzo Salad is easy and quick to make, and it makes for a perfect summer lunch, dinner, or side dish. Refreshing arugula, bright and bursting grape tomatoes, and creamy goat cheese mingle with tender orzo and juicy grilled chicken for a hearty yet light meal. Mom’s Chicken Orzo Salad is anything but boring, so make sure you make enough for everyone!
See More10. Just-Like-Mom's Noodle Casserole
What is the flavor of nostalgia? Of course, the answer will depend from person to person and from memory to memory, but Just-Like-Mom's Noodle Casserole perfectly captures that memory of a delicious hot dinner after a long day. The noodles are tender, the beef is savory and juicy, and the sauce is tangy, bright, and creamy, just like how you remember it. Just-Like-Mom's Noodle Casserole reminds you of what it was like to not have a care in the world and encourages you to bask in that memory while your tastebuds bask in the flavor.
See More11. Momma's Love Casserole
Momma always wanted us to eat our vegetables and worked for a long time to make vegetables appealing to us. What she created was a dish that we still love whenever we want to make our greens exciting: Momma's Love Casserole. This refreshing broccoli and hearty mushroom casserole is just loaded with all the things to make veggies cool: melty cheese, buttery crunchy breadcrumbs, and tender rice! Savory and scrumptious, Momma's Love Casserole really does taste like love!
See More12. Momma's Rubbed Pork
This is how Momma does it and we're positive you'll be doing it the same way before long too! Momma's Rubbed Pork is juicy, tender, and just brimming with a tangy mustard flavor and zesty seasoning all over! It's the perfect balance of savory and sweet that will have you drooling. And that's just the start, because Momma's Rubbed Pork also comes with a sauce that adds sweetness and brightness to every bite. Oh yes, this is exactly how pork should be done... Momma was right all along!
See More13. Momma's Swedish Meatballs
Is it even really a Sunday dinner without Momma's Swedish Meatballs? Goodness, we can smell these cooking in her kitchen in our dreams! The fork-tender, tasty, flavorful spheres have us wishing it were Sunday every day. And the good news is... you can technically have them every day because this recipe is easy-peasy. Your loved ones will be running home when they know that these always-delicious comforts from home, also known as, Momma's Swedish Meatballs, are on the dinner menu. Don't wait until Sunday, make some tonight!
See More14. Mother's Almond Coffee Cake
She loved to eat her greens and take long walks, but her weakness was the sweets for breakfast... and that's just one of the many things we loved about our momma! Most mornings, you'd find her at the table with a steaming cup of coffee and a piece of Mother's Almond Coffee Cake. The cinnamon-swirled, almond-filled morning munch was her favorite way to start her day and we loved the ones we got to share it with her. She taught us that life is all about balance and taking time to enjoy the things you love. That's what Mother's Almond Coffee Cake means to us and we hope you experience that with every crumble!
See More15. Just-Like-Mom's Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Sometimes the simple things in life are truly the best! And proof of that is in this straightforward, always dependable, Just-Like-Mom's Buttermilk Fried Chicken. This fried chicken hug comes at you so strong, so juicy, and coated with love, you will never want to leave it. The uncomplicated process and absolute love that Mom put into this perfectly crunchy buttermilk beauty is unmatched. So, if you are missing your momma and need a little kiss from home, try this Just-Like-Mom's Buttermilk Fried Chicken. It's simply the best!
See More16. Mom's Sheet-Pan Meatloaf
Moms are magical. They know all the tips and tricks on how to get everyone what they need while also making each experience delightful. Take Mom's Sheet-Pan Meatloaf, for example. It's ready in under an hour, makes enough to serve the whole family plus leftovers, and only gets a few dishes dirty... so, yeah. It's efficient. But that's not all! It's loaded with juicy, meaty, tangy flavors that are loved by even the pickiest of eaters. See? They always find mind-blowing ways to get things done while still going above and beyond. We will never totally understand how they do it all, but we're grateful we get to enjoy Mom's Sheet-Pan Meatloaf, nonetheless!
See More17. Momma's Favorite Mississippi Mud Pie
Momma has quite a sweet tooth, and we love that about her because we do, too! She makes so many delicious desserts, but her go-to is what she calls Momma's Favorite Mississippi Mud Pie. She loves it so much because it's not too complicated to make and it has a perfectly fluffy, creamy, and chocolatey inside that just pairs so well with the homemade, crunchy pecan crust. We love that she loves it, because that means we get to taste it rather frequently! There's a lot of love surrounding this sweet treat, so we hope you're just as delighted by Momma's Favorite Mississippi Mud Pie as we are!
See More18. Mom's Best Tiramisu
Don't you love a good surprise? Mom's Best Tiramisu delivers a surprising new twist on tiramisu, and we think you are going to love it! With some lovely lady fingers at the base, the blankets of orange liqueur-infused raspberry jam and creamy mascarpone cheese are both layered alongside fresh, juicy raspberries for lots of delicious raspberry flavor in every bite! What a delightful and refreshing dessert! Mom's Best Tiramisu will surprise you and you may never go back to the normal way again! Surprise! Mom knows good things!
See More19. Mommy Dearest Lemon Tart
Isn't the phrase "just like how Mom used to make it" the highest compliment you can get in the kitchen? Mommy Dearest Lemon Tart is more than just how Mom used to make it... it might actually be better! A rich, luscious, lemony filling, so sunny and sweet, within a nutty, zesty, buttery crust... who could ask for anything more than that? The raspberries on top just add that extra zing you'd come to expect from a summer treat. Mommy Dearest Lemon Tart might just be what you bake for your mom when you're looking to show off a little!
See More20. Momma's Pucker Cakes
Whether you're planning a quaint little garden party or your sweet tooth is rearing its sweet little head, Momma always has the perfect fix for you! In true fashion, Momma's Pucker Cakes will have you kissing your cares goodbye! These small but mighty, luscious, lemon-filled cakes topped with fresh-from-the-patch raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries are just the refresh you've been looking for! Like always, Momma knew what she was talking about with her irresistible Momma's Pucker Cakes. Pucker-up buttercup, she's always got you covered! (Sorry, we just had to say it!) Thanks, Momma!
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