21 Easy, Romantic Dinner Ideas for Two to Make Tonight
These easy date-night dinner ideas will make it worth eating in.
Coming up with dinner ideas for two (or four, or more) is often the most challenging part of cooking. Even seasoned professionals find themselves asking “what should I cook for dinner tonight?”
Whether you’re looking for ideas for healthy weeknight meals or a something a little more elegant for a special occasion, these easy date night recipes are all either perfect for two or can be easily divided. Or if you’re a fan of leftovers, make the full recipe and you’ll be all set for dinner another day.
If you want fun things you can cook together on a date or just recipes to get a 30-minute meal on the table for you and your BFF, we’ve got you covered. Whether a hearty pork ragu pasta or a grilled chicken with a take-me-to-the-tropics coconut lime slaw, this selection of recipes can get you out of the dinnertime rut or transform a normal night into something special. You might even have time to whip up an impressive dessert!
Strip Steak With Hasselback Potatoes and Garlicky Spinach
Dinner ideas for two don't get any better than this show-stopping steakhouse-style meal. It won't take you more than an hour (really!) and is so much more special when you make it yourself.
Get the recipe for New York Strip »
Roasted Feta Shrimp and Polenta
This shrimp and polenta recipe with oregano, garlic, red peppers, capers and white wine looks elegant but is easy enough to make on a weeknight.
Creamy Broccolini Pasta With Chile Breadcrumbs
An easy vegetarian weeknight dinner that combines crispy breadcrumbs with a creamy sauce for double the texture. Even if you make half the recipe, you may want to make all the breadcrumbs!
Get the recipe for Creamy Broccolini Pasta With Chile Breadcrumbs »
Pan-Fried Chicken With Lemony Roasted Broccoli
This lemony chicken dinner for you and your plus one combines simple ingredients with complex flavor for a healthy option you’ll both crave.
Get the recipe for Pan-Fried Chicken With Lemony Roasted Broccoli »
Salmon With Grilled Eggplant and Chickpea Croutons
A special recipe for that special someone — toasty croutons and zesty yogurt dressing is the best way to win them over.
Get the recipe for Salmon With Grilled Eggplant and Chickpea Croutons »
Steak With Grilled Green Beans, Fennel & Farro
Nothing caps off a steak dinner for two like a fresh take on a green salad with smoky, spiced veg.
Get the recipe for Steak With Grilled Green Beans, Fennel & Farro »
Pork Tenderloin With Quinoa Pilaf
Pork tenderloin is lean and luscious — especially with a sweet and savory mustard-marmalade glaze.
Radicchio Salad With Roasted Fennel and Shrimp
Bright colors and bold flavors (did we mention the bacon?) create this knockout that comes together fast.
Get the recipe for Radicchio Salad With Roasted Fennel and Shrimp »
Grilled Tequila Steak Tacos
Consider this dinner and drinks all in one. Taco party for two, anyone?
Grilled Chicken With Coconut-Lime Slaw
A quick weeknight dinner for you plus one, this sweet and zesty chicken recipe will fill you up and save you time.
Charred Shrimp, Leek, and Asparagus Skewers
Stacked skewers with a spicy sauce? The perfect weeknight dinner for two because, trust us, you want to share it with someone special.
Get the recipe for Charred Shrimp, Leek, and Asparagus Skewers »
Warm Wild Mushroom and Lentil Salad
A fast dinner that doubles as a power lunch later in the week. Topped with creamy blue cheese, it’s a not-too-virtuous weeknight meal option.
Pork Chops With Bloody Mary Tomato Salad
Share a pork chop with your plus one - this easy dinner is just the thing to spice things up on a weeknight.
Get the recipe for Pork Chops With Bloody Mary Tomato Salad »
Sausage and Broccoli Quinoa Bowl
For when you and yours want a healthy-ish weeknight dinner that’s not chicken. Roasted sausage, crispy broccoli, and a dollop of lemony yogurt isn’t your typical health-food fare.
Supercarb Loaded Sweet Potatoes
For a fast vegetarian dinner that’s perfect for two, we loaded these baked sweet potatoes with black beans, veggies, and of course, plenty of cheese.
Creamy Chicken Potpies
This classic comfort food recipe from actress Tiffani Thiessen combines a creamy, gooey filling with a flaky, buttery crust — all in personal pie servings. This recipe makes enough for 6, and while you can cut the filling down to make only 2 pies, we suggest you make the full recipe for the crust and freeze the remaining to have on hand.
Pork Ragu Rigatoni
If ever there was an official date night pasta — this would be it. A luxurious sauce spiked with white wine and capped with creamy ricotta salata is the best way to say I love you.
Cheesy Tex-Mex Stuffed Chicken
A weeknight dinner for two that turns up the heat! The spicy jalapeño cheese stuffing brings fire and flavor to a simple chicken breast.
Mushroom-Quinoa Burger
This healthy vegetarian recipe reimagines what’s best between buns. Hearty mushroom patties topped with creamy rosemary mayo stand up to beef any day.
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