Father’s Day is a special occasion to honor and appreciate the fathers in our lives. It’s a day to express gratitude for their love, support, and guidance. And what better way to show our love than through food? Food has a unique way of bringing people together and creating lasting memories. By preparing a special meal for your dad on Father’s Day, you can create a memorable experience that will be cherished for years.
How to Plan Your Father’s Day Meal
Consider your dad’s favorite foods and preferences when planning your Father’s Day menu. Is he a meat lover? Does he enjoy seafood? Or perhaps he’s a vegetarian? By tailoring the menu to his taste, you can make him feel truly special and appreciated.
7 Menus and Recipe Ideas for a Special Father’s Day Dinner
Whether Dad craves casual BBQ, classic comfort food, or an elegant dinner, we’ve got you covered. Here are 7 mouthwatering Father’s Day menus, each complete with recipe ideas, to make your dad’s day truly unforgettable.
Menu 1: Classic Father’s Day BBQ Feast
Celebrate Dad’s special day with this all-American spread featuring our melt-in-your-mouth ribs with a tangy homemade sauce, creamy potato salad, and a refreshing Caesar salad. Remember the fluffy cornbread and a decadent cheesecake to top it all off.
Braised Baby Back Ribs with Zesty BBQ Sauce
These Braised Baby Back Ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and the Zesty BBQ Sauce is amazingly delicious! A bit sharp, a bit sweet, a bit spicy – these ribs and sauce will make your taste buds sing!
Dorothy’s Potato Salad with Egg
Bursting with fresh, vibrant ingredients, this recipe combines the humble potato with the crispy cucumbers, peppery radishes, subtle green onions, and rich hard-boiled eggs. But what truly sets this salad apart is the secret sauce, calling for tangy yellow mustard.
Caesar Dressing for Salad
This Homemade Caesar Dressing is thick, creamy and full of tangy, salty flavors. Our version of this classic dressing has been successfully prepared many times, by many people, making it both time and taste tested.
Parmesan Cornbread Recipe
This Southern-style Buttermilk Cornbread recipe from my grandmother (Nama) is an easy to make side dish that’s always a crowd pleaser. It’s a classic recipe that has been passed down for generations, and, like most traditional Southern cornbread recipes, doesn’t contain any added sugar.
Aunt DeeDee’s Cheesecake with Sour Cream Topping
There’s nothing quite like the indulgent, creamy goodness of a homemade cheesecake. And when it comes to this classic dessert, Aunt Dee-Dee’s Cheesecake with Sour Cream Topping is simply divine. With a buttery, slightly crunchy graham cracker crust and an ultra-smooth filling that’s perfectly baked in a pie dish, this cheesecake is a dream come true for any dessert lover.
Menu 2: Sizzling Steak and Summery Sides
Treat Dad to a perfectly cooked juicy steak with a flavorful sauce. Pair it with creamy corn pudding, a bright tomato and arugula salad, and a refreshing scoop of lemon almond ice cream. Brownies add the perfect finishing touch.
Grilled Ribeye Steak with Dijon Sauce
Fire up your grill and get ready to make our time-tested Grilled Ribeye Steak Recipe! Over the years, my home gourmet mom perfected the “art of the grill” and identified the optimal mix of seasonings and cooking method to deliver tender, juicy, super flavorful grilled steaks. I’ve also included the recipe for a tangy Dijon, Caper, Green Onion Sauce to serve on the side.
Easy Corn Pudding Recipe
Moist, fluffy and soufflé-like, Southern Corn Pudding is perfection in every bite. Easy to prepare, too, with fresh, available ingredients – no canned corn or boxed cornbread mix. Plus, our Corn Pudding recipe dates back generations, so it’s definitely tried and true!
Arugula and Tomato Salad with Balsamic Dressing
Tomatoes roasted with a mixture of fresh herbs and olive oil are the star in Arugula and Tomato Salad. These tantalizing beauties are served atop peppery arugula and surrounded by briny Kalamata olives and delicate fresh Mozzarella cheese. It’s all finished with a luscious, slightly sweet while still tangy Balsamic Dressing.
Lemon Almond Ice Cream
Super quick and easy, Lemon Almond Ice Cream will be your new favorite!
Chewy Chocolate Brownie Recipe With Unsweetened Chocolate
Rumored to be a favorite recipe of the legendary Katharine Hepburn, imagine deeply rich chocolate flavor, a fudgy texture that’s incredibly chewy, and a perfect balance of sweetness – all in one irresistible bite. Plus, this recipe relies on available/pantry ingredients and comes together so easily that you might just find yourself baking them every month, like me!
Menu 3: Quick and Easy Dad’s Day Treat
Short on time? No worries! This menu features a flavorful grilled chicken dish with goat cheese and tomatoes, a simple side of pasta (no recipe for this, just cook some fettuccini), a light spinach salad, and a delicious berry cobbler for dessert. Dad will love the taste and appreciate the effort (that didn’t take all day!).
Grilled Chicken with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese
This Grilled Chicken with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese recipe bursts with freshness and is ready in just 45 minutes. Perfectly grilled chicken is topped with vibrant juicy tomatoes bathed in a creamy, tangy goat cheese sauce; the result is a colorful, light, and satisfying dish.
Easy Spinach Salad Recipe with Lemon Pine Nut Dressing
This Spinach Salad with Pine Nut Dressing is an excellent side dish to have in your recipe files. sometimes you need an uncomplicated dish that will add color and flavor to the plate, but not compete with the star. This spinach salad does all that, plus it’s quick and easy to prepare. And, the Lemon Dressing is bright and fresh.
Quick Homemade Drop Biscuits – Easy Recipe!
Craving a warm, buttery biscuit straight from the oven? Our Easy Drop Biscuit Recipe is all you need! Crafted with pantry essentials and ready in less than 25 minutes, you’ll be well on your way to biscuit perfection.
Easy Berry Cobbler Recipe
A family favorite for over 40 years, this quick and easy Berry Cobbler Recipe takes only 5 minutes to prepare, with 5 ingredients. No batter mixing required!
Menu 4: Mediterranean Escape
Transport Dad to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean with this flavorful menu. Chicken simmered with Kalamata olives and tomatoes is a taste of Greece, while the lemon rice, mixed green salad with a tangy mustard vinaigrette, anise bread, and magical lemon pudding cakes complete this delightful culinary journey.
Chicken with Kalamata Olives and Tomatoes
These Italian-inspired Chicken Breasts with Tomato-Olive Sauce are quick to prepare for every day meals and elegant enough for entertaining, too. The flavor of the fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic and olives intensifies while cooking, resulting in a delicious, colorful sauce.
Easy Lemon Rice Side Dish
Lemon Rice is bright, creamy and easy enough for everyday, while elegant enough for entertaining. Long grain white rice and lemon zest are briefly sautéed in a bit of butter, then simmered in flavorful chicken broth. Five minutes before serving, lemon juice and cream are added. So easy, so delicious!
Mixed Greens with Mustard Vinaigrette
This Vinaigrette Recipe is a variation of a classic French vinaigrette, adding mustard and garlic. The resulting dressing has bold, tangy flavors that add zest to any salad. I always keep a jar in my refrigerator, making it easy to quickly create a flavorful salad with most any greens.
Anise Bread
This distinctive Anise Bread is different than any savory bread you’ve ever had. A crisp, brown crust flecked with sesame seeds surrounds a moist interior spiced with anise seeds. And no licorice flavor here; I don’t like black licorice and I love this bread!
Magic Lemon Pudding Cakes
Sweet, tangy and pillowy light, Lemon Pudding Cakes are a refreshing way to end any meal. They’re made with just one easy batter that magically forms into two layers when baked – fluffy, moist lemon cake on top with creamy lemon pudding below, resulting in a dazzling amount of luscious lemony taste. The secret to the batter forming into two layers is in how it’s baked!
Menu 5: Festive Father’s Day Dinner
Celebrate Dad in style with this elegant and impressive menu. Parmesan-crusted salmon is a showstopper, perfectly paired with tender steamed new potatoes and crisp lemon Dijon green beans. For a delightful finish, a refreshing ginger blueberry lemon tart is sure to tantalize his taste buds.
Parmesan Breaded Salmon with Herb Mayo
Charming, delightful and crowd-pleasing, Parmesan Breaded Salmon with Herb Mayo will be the star of your next gathering. I’ve been serving this timeless recipe at my dinner parties for years. Not only is it fresh, enticing, and full of flavor, it’s also easy to prepare. All the prep work can be done the day before, leaving you to enjoy your guests!
Steamed Red Potatoes with Herb Butter
Quick and easy to prepare in less than 15 minutes, steamed Red Potatoes are the perfect shortcut to a mouthwatering side dish. Cooked to perfection, all they need is melted butter, chopped parsley, and a sprinkle of salt to finish and serve.
Lemon Green Beans with Dijon Mustard
Indulge your taste buds with these oven-roasted green beans coated with a luscious blend of tangy olive oil, zesty lemon juice, and bold Dijon mustard. The pièce de résistance? Crispy caramelized shallots sprinkled on top, infusing each bite with a deeply rich sweetness and a bit of crunch.
Ginger Blueberry Lemon Tart
This show-stopping Lemon Ginger Blueberry Tart starts with a gingersnap-rum crust that’s filled with a creamy, lemon-y mixture and topped with fresh blueberries. Yum!
Menu 6: Spring Shrimp Bake, A Feta & Tomato Delight
Welcome Dad with this light and flavorful menu. Oven-baked shrimp with juicy tomatoes and briny feta cheese is paired with a simple spinach salad, while herb bread adds a touch of rustic charm. Finish the meal on a sweet note with a classic blueberry cake topped with a crumbly, buttery topping.
Oven Baked Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta
Flavorful Italian plum tomatoes, briny capers, garlicky shrimp and tangy feta cheese come together in this Oven Baked Shrimp dish. Succulent shrimp are coated in a garlic butter sauce, nestled in a seasoned tomato sauce base and topped with crumbled feta, creating a melted layer of cheesy goodness.
Easy Spinach Salad Recipe With Zesty Curry Dressing
Are you on the lookout for a simple yet sensational salad recipe? Look no further, because we have the perfect dish for you! This quick and easy spinach salad recipe features a zesty curry dressing that will elevate your salad game to new heights.
Quick Herb Bread Recipe
This quick bread recipe is a family favorite, passed down to me by my mom. It uses a combination of whole wheat and all-purpose flour to provide both fiber and structure, and cornmeal to add natural sweetness – eliminating the need for refined sugar. To finish off the flavor profile, a touch of honey is added. The dried herbs and fennel included in the recipe create an unusual and complex, yet satisfying taste in this delicious bread.
Blueberry Delight Cake with Crumb Topping
Fresh, juicy blueberries are nestled in a moist cake batter and topped with a cinnamon and nutmeg flavored topping.
Menu 7: Italian Comfort, Pappardelle with Savory Veggies
Sometimes, comfort food is the way to Dad’s heart. This menu features a hearty dish of pappardelle pasta tossed with savory eggplant and mushrooms. A refreshing spinach salad with a unique curry dressing adds a touch of intrigue. Crusty French bread and a ginger cake bursting with warm flavors round out this satisfying meal.
Quick Pappardelle with Mushrooms and Eggplant
A super easy pasta dish to prepare on a busy day, Quick Eggplant and Mushroom Pappardelle from my husband Robert is a crowd-pleaser! A bit sweet, a bit spicy, a bit earthy – it has a mouth-watering combination of flavors.
Easy Spinach Salad Recipe With Zesty Curry Dressing
Are you on the lookout for a simple yet sensational salad recipe? Look no further, because we have the perfect dish for you! This quick and easy spinach salad recipe features a zesty curry dressing that will elevate your salad game to new heights.
Sticky Ginger Cake
Intensely flavorful and super moist, Sticky Ginger Cake isn’t your typical gingerbread – and it’s super easy to prepare, too. The warm, earthy flavor of ginger is combined with molasses, cinnamon and allspice, resulting in a deeply spiced, scrumptious cake. A two-ingredient lemon-sugar glaze is the perfect finish!
Note: this post was first shared in June 2010 with only one menu. In 2024, I expanded it to include 7 menus.
