17 Portable Dishes to Bring Mom on Mother's Day

Quiche a la Benedict

Just keep this eggs Benedict-inspired quiche in the pie dish it bakes in and cover it with foil or a reusable bowl cover for an extra easy dish to transport. Bring Mom a side of hollandaise sauce to top it off.

Pesto Penne Primavera

Mom can choose whether she'd rather eat our Pesto Penne Primavera hot or cold. And at eight servings, she'll have enough to share, freeze, or dine on as leftovers. Adding grilled chicken will help stretch it.

Chicken, Feta Cheese, and Sun-Dried Tomato Wraps

While this is technically a summertime treat, it still is a great portable lunch to serve to mom on her special day. Each whole wheat tortilla wrap contains grilled chicken, fresh spinach, sun-dried tomato dressing, and crumbled feta cheese.

Creamy Chocolate Cupcakes

If you've ever uncovered a batch of cupcakes to find the frosting smushed, you won't have to worry about it happening again with a recipe that replaces frosting with a filling. Case in point: these cream cheese-stuffed Creamy Chocolate Cupcakes. "The best cupcakes I have ever made. It doesn't need icing," home cook Linda Evon says.

Coconut Oil Sugar Cookies

These cookies are so delicious that once mom takes a bite, you'll become her new favorite. Plus, read what recipe creator Kristonia said, "This is a variation on a sugar cookie made with coconut oil. It tastes similar to a shortbread cookie, but they are very moist and delicious."

Kevin's Sea Shells

Pasta shells stuffed with shrimp, sour cream, and Swiss cheese cook in a baking dish, which you can chill in the fridge before bringing over to Mom. "I think the leftovers reheated the next day may have been even better," home cook commonsense101 says. "A fairly inexpensive meal fit for a king." Make that queen.

Lemon-Blueberry Scones with Blueberry Glaze

"Definitely not your traditional scone," Allrecipes Allstar Kim says. "These scones have a bit of whole wheat flour, a bit of Greek yogurt, a touch of cardamom and ginger — and a nice lemon-blueberry flavor that gets amped up by the addition of a blueberry glaze."

Dijon Chicken Salad

This chicken salad averages five star reviews thanks to a honey, mustard, and mayonnaise dressing that sets it apart from traditional recipes. Bring it to Mom with a bag of store-bought croissants for a quick, easy meal.

Orange, Walnut, Gorgonzola and Mixed Greens Salad with Fresh Citrus Vinaigrette

Keep the orange vinaigrette in a jar until Mom is ready to pour it. Assemble this sweet, refreshing salad before storing it in the fridge. It will hold up well.

Ninety Minute Cinnamon Rolls

Who wouldn't want to start Mother's Day with a batch of homemade cinnamon rolls? If 90 minutes sounds daunting, note that about half the time is hands off as you let the dough rest then rise. All Mom has to do is bake them for 20 minutes.

Strawberry Rhubarb Custard Pie

You can't go wrong with in-season rhubarb or a mom-approved recipe. "One of the most delicious and easiest pie recipes I know," Chef John says. "I got this wonderful recipe from my mother, Pauline, who I believe got it from my Aunt Angela. I love all their pies, but this might be my favorite."

Balsamic and Herb Quinoa Salad

When it comes to portable meals, a cold salad is always a win because, first, you've already assembled it and, second, you can transport it in one container. And though it's only May, ripe tomatoes give this recipe a taste of summer.

Wine and Cheese Strata

"Fantastic, crowd-pleasing brunch dish we have made for everything from Christmas morning to Mother's Day brunch with mimosas," recipe contributor kayhayes26 says. While you do have to refrigerate the strata a day before cooking it, bringing it to Mom fully cooked will spare her from the final step of topping it with sour cream and Parmesan while it's cooking.

Smiling Caprese Salad

"No doubt is the easiest Caprese salad I have ever made," says recipe contributor Cajun Girl, who shares this tip: "Add all ingredients to a large resealable plastic bag. Mix and then pour into your serving bowls." Make the salad ahead of time, let it chill, and transport it to Mom in that same bag.

Strawberry, Kiwi, and Spinach Salad

Raspberry vinaigrette, strawberries, and kiwi sweeten this spinach salad and add a subtle tartness that's just right for spring. Home cooks recommend finishing it off with feta or blue cheese.

Cheesecake in a Jar

These no-bake cheesecakes turn out light and fluffy, and preparing them in jars ensures that you can easily transport them. The recipe serves six, so even if you make it for Mom, you and yours can enjoy it, too.

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Tangy and full of fresh produce, this Mediterranean Orzo Salad is substantial enough to enjoy as a meal but light enough to save some room for dessert. If you're planning for Mom to have leftovers, here's a tip from Allstar Kim's Cooking Now: "If you make this in advance, reserve a bit of the dressing to add right before serving, as the pasta has a tendency to soak up the dressing as it sits over time."

More Inspiration

• 20 Recipes for a Special Mother's Day Dinner
• Mother's Day Breakfasts That Will Make You Mom's Favorite
• A Day's Worth of Menu Ideas for Mother's Day