This year, Mother's Day is coming on fast, so lets gets our plan in place. These recipes are ideal for smaller celebrations but can easily scale up to any amounts needed—no need for a week of leftovers.
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I have my plan is in place, starting with Baked Blueberry Pancakes and some Oven Baked Sausage or Oven Bacon. The day's main attraction will be Oven Baked Filet Mignon with oven roasted baby potatoes. I need to choose a dessert soon.
😊 Smaller Breakfast Recipes
Start the day right with a great breakfast.
Small French Toast Casserole (Easy Recipe from 2 to a Crowd)
An easy small French toast casserole—custardy inside with a crispy top, baked overnight in an 8x8 pan for 4. Scales from two servings to a family brunch.
Small French Toast Casserole
Baked Blueberry Pancakes (Easy Any Size Oven Recipe)
Baked blueberry pancakes made from scratch and baked all at once in the oven. Easy to make as a small skillet batch or a sheet pan for a crowd.
Baked Blueberry Pancake Recipe
Small Cinnamon Coffee Cake
With the great taste of Cinnabon cinnamon rolls, this quick and easy Cinnamon Coffee Cake recipe has it all, from buttery and tender cinnamon-swirled cake with caramelized streusel topping and a sweet glaze. An 8X8 small batch recipe that is simple to make smaller or bigger.
Recipe for Cinnamon Coffee Cake
How to Cook Breakfast Sausage in the Oven (Patties or Links)
Bake breakfast sausage patties or links in the oven for evenly browned, juicy results in about 15 minutes—no splatter and easy cleanup. Larger sausages like Italian or brats cook the same way with a longer time.
How to Bake Breakfast Sausage
Oven-Baked Bacon (Crispy, Easy, and No Mess)
Cook crispy bacon in the oven in about 20 minutes—no splatter, no flipping, and works with convection or any oven type. Use your favorite bacon for perfect results every time.
Convection Oven Bacon
🐄 Steak Recipes
We are a beef family (yes, I know...).
Grilled Filet Mignon (Best Way on Any Grill)
The best way to grill filet mignon with simple temps, timing, and doneness guides. Juicy, tender steak on a gas or any grill in about 10 minutes.
Grilling Filet Mignon
Filet Mignon in the Oven (Pan-Seared & Oven-Baked Method)
Juicy filet mignon cooked in the oven with a pan-sear for a perfect crust and tender center. Ready in about 20 minutes with simple steps.
Oven Filet Mignon
Grilled Ribeye Steak (Easy Gas Grill Method)
Grill ribeye steak on a gas grill with this easy method. Simple seasoning, hot heat, and the right timing give you juicy, flavorful steak every time.
Grilled Ribeye
Pan Seared New York Strip Steak (Oven Finish Method)
Pan sear New York strip steaks for a crisp crust, then finish in the oven for juicy, tender results. Simple timing and temperature guide.
Baked Strip Steaks
Grilled Porterhouse Steak (Gas or Charcoal Grill)
Juicy, tender Porterhouse steak grilled to perfection with a crisp sear and simple seasoning. Works for T-bone steak too — ready in under 20 minutes on a gas or charcoal grill.
Grilled T-Bones
Add some steak enhancements to make it memorable.
Easy Steak Marinade
This Easy Steak Marinade recipe is quick to make and use. Perfectly balanced acid and savory flavors make this the best homemade steak marinade. While we use it mainly for New York Strip steaks, it is excellent with any beef steak cooked on the grill or stove.
Easy Steak Marinade
Blue Cheese Butter Recipe (Easy Compound Butter for Steak)
Easy blue cheese butter with garlic and herbs. A simple compound butter that melts over steak, burgers, veggies, or baked potatoes for bold flavor.
Blue Cheese Compound Butter
🐓 Chicken and Pork Recipes
Grilled Chicken Breasts on a Gas Grill (Juicy Step-by-Step Method)
Juicy grilled chicken breasts on a gas grill using a simple step-by-step method. Cook with the right heat to a safe 165°F for tender, reliable results in about 25 minutes.
Grilling Chicken Breasts on a Gas Grill
Mayo Parmesan Chicken (Easy Baked Chicken Breast)
Juicy baked chicken breasts coated with seasoned mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, and a light Panko topping. An easy, reliable chicken dinner ready in about an hour.
Mayo Parmesan Chicken
How to Grill Pork Tenderloin on a Gas Grill
Grilling pork tenderloin on a gas grill is easy and fast. With simple prep and the right temperature, you’ll cook a juicy pork tenderloin in about 25 minutes — no marinades or fancy setups needed.
Grilling Pork Tenderloin
👍 Side Dishes Recipes Mom will Love
Crispy Roasted Baby Red Potatoes
Bake until golden and fork-tender, about 30 minutes for small or baby red potatoes. Simple, crispy, and reliable.
Oven Roasted Red Potatoes
Roasted Asparagus (Easy Oven Recipe)
Learn how to roast asparagus in the oven for crisp-tender results in about 15 minutes. Simple seasoning with optional Parmesan.
How to Bake Asparagus
Microwave Corn on the Cob in the Husk (Easy, No Shucking Needed)
Microwave corn on the cob in the husk for a fast, mess-free way to enjoy summer sweet corn. No peeling, no boiling—just juicy, fresh corn in minutes.
How to Microwave Corn on the Cob
Baked Green Beans with Bacon
Baked Green Beans with Bacon are the perfect side dish with any meal—an easy green bean recipe with brown sugar, garlic, bacon, and tender green beans.
Baked Green Beans with Bacon
Parmesan Baked Potatoes
Quick and easy Parmesan Baked Potatoes halves have a creamy center and a crispy Parmesan cheese crust with butter and garlic.
Parmesan Baked Potatoes Halves
😊 Smaller Dessert Recipes
Great meals deserve great endings, and you made it yourself.
Blueberry Crisp for Two or More (Fresh or Frozen Berries)
A small-batch blueberry crisp made with any fresh or frozen berries. Bakes in ramekins or a small dish with a buttery oat topping. Quick, flexible, and easy to make gluten-free.
Berry Crisp for Two
Easy Cheesecake Bars
These Easy Cheesecake Bars are creamy and delicious with a Graham cracker crust and lemon—the quick small-batch recipe you need with great tasting cheesecake bars.
Lemon Bar Recipe
Apple Berry Crumble
A fast, old-fashioned Apple Berry Crumble that combines apples and berries with a buttery streusel crumb topping. Use fresh berries and apples, or make it "semi-homemade" with frozen berries and a can of apple pie filling. So easy, so good.
Semi-Homemade Apple Berry Crumble
Lemon Squares
Easy lemon bars are delicious and simple to make in under an hour. These homemade lemon squares are a perfect dessert treat with a crispy, buttery shortbread crust and tangy and sweet lemon filling—a small batch 8X8 recipe you can scale to your needs.
Lemon Bar Recipe
Have a great holiday.
From Wifo, Molly, Lilly, and DrDan
Editors note: This is a yearly recurring post. This version was created on May 8, 2019, and will be updated yearly.
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k says
Love that last picture of Molly and Lilly. The expressions on their faces made me smile. Thank you for publishing your wonderful recipes and your wonderful photographs of your two adorable girls.
Kathy Franklin says
I am so thankful that this is your hobby!
I enjoy your site and all the DETAILS you give and have had great success with your recipes! We can’t believe how great the steak seared, and then finished in the oven is. Great alternative when weather doesn’t work to grill outside.
Frances Robinson says
I saw your recipe for Oven Baked Blueberry Pancakes and Oven Baked Sausage about a week ago. Got the ingredients and made both today. This breakfast was really a treat and both my husband and I enjoyed it. Both recipes are keepers! I'm a new subscriber and look forward to trying more of your recipes.
Linda Mcclellan says
I wish you had a book
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Linda,
Welcome to the blog.
You are the second one today with that. But, this is just a hobby that grown. I do get publishing offers (mostly spammy ones). But I'm retired and totally enjoy doing this but a book is like real work. Also, the frequently suggest restaurant is so not what I ever want to do.
So thanks for the comment but it will not happen.
Have a great Mother's Day and stay safe.
Dan