50 Healthy Dinner Ideas for Two Perfect for Date Night
These quick and easy meals are nutritious and delicious!
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Cooking a healthy dinner for a quick meal or a fun date night at home might seem like a tall order. After all, many want to impress their date with delicious and impressive dishes without too much hassle. So why not rely on these healthy dishes for two that capitalize on flavor and serve up some serious nutrients, and will leave you feeling full and satisfied? And did we mention they’re downright delicious?
Whether you’re hungry for a vegetarian recipe that is still high in protein (try sticky tofu bowls!) or one that’s loaded with lean protein like roasted salmon or chicken breast, these healthy dinner recipes are sure to hit the spot. Wondering what healthy really means? Good Housekeeping's Nutrition Director Stefani Sassos suggests eating a well-rounded meal with a variety of ingredients: "The best healthy low-calorie meals are packed with a combination of produce, filling fiber, lean protein and healthy fats to keep the body fueled and satisfied." And trust us, these dishes are far from boring.
While these easy dinner ideas (most ready in under 30 minutes!) can be easily halved for two servings, the leftovers are perfect the next day (hello, make ahead meals!). So roll up your sleeves and get cooking (why not together?) for an epic date night dinner. And don’t forget to leave room for a sweet treat (fresh fruit dessert, anyone?).
Quinoa-Stuffed Honeynut Squash
Creamy, earthy-sweet honeynut squash filled with lemony herbed tri-color quinoa and drizzled with a creamy buttermilk dressing makes for a stunning seasonal dish that’s hearty enough to be a fork-and-knife vegetarian main.
Roasted Mediterranean Shrimp Bowl
This healthy bowl is full of veggies and protein-rich shrimp.
Get the Roasted Mediterranean Shrimp Bowl recipe.
RELATED: 30 Seriously Easy Shrimp Recipes
Green Soup with Crispy Tofu
This creamy soup owes its striking hue to broccoli (both stems and florets), spinach, and cilantro that’s pureed together after the broccoli simmers in a flavorful coconut milk broth.
Get the Green Soup with Crispy Tofu recipe.
RELATED: 40 Easy Tofu Recipes That Make the Perfect Vegetarian Meal
Chicken with Stewed Peppers and Tomatoes
This one-pan meal boasts flavor and prime nutrients (thanks to plenty of veg and protein). And it makes for amazing leftovers. Bonus!
Get the Chicken with Stewed Peppers and Tomatoes recipe.
RELATED: 60 Best Healthy Chicken Recipes That Are Easy to Make for Dinner
Falafel Chopped Salad
Vegan dinners for two have never been so easy, or so delicious, with this easy chickpea fritter salad.
Get the Falafel Chopped Salad recipe.
Air Fryer Salmon and Swiss Chard
Air-fry the onion, add the chard, then cook the salmon fillets until the skin crisps up (our favorite part). Serve with a drizzle of chili oil for a touch of richness and heat.
Get the Air Fryer Salmon and Swiss Chard recipe.
RELATED: 55 Easy Air Fryer Recipes That You Absolutely Need to Try
Summer Rolls
Make dinner for two interactive with these build-your-own rolls packed with veggies and healthy protein.
Get the Summer Rolls recipe.
Grilled Lemony Chicken and Kale
Capitalize on your grill to char the chicken, lemon and kale in this elegant salad.
Lentil Spaghetti Bolognese
This take on the classic pasta sauce cuts down on ground beef by swapping in tender, protein-packed lentils.
Get the Lentil Spaghetti Bolognese recipe.
RELATED: 30 Healthy Pasta Recipes That Will Keep You Full All Night
Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
Set out an array of toppings for a fun, hand-held dinner for two.
Get the Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Wraps recipe.
RELATED: 37 Delicious Healthy Salads That Are Fresh and Filling
Sesame-Crusted Salmon with Miso-Roasted Radishes
Roast radishes with umami-rich miso for a fast side that delivers on flavor.
Get the Sesame-Crusted Salmon With Miso-Roasted Radishes recipe.
Green Goddess Sandwiches
Whole-grain bread is the perfect vehicle for ALL the veggies, along with protein-rich eggs. Prep extra ingredients to build a delicious breakfast in the morning.
Get the Green Goddess Sandwiches recipe.
RELATED: 36 Quick and Easy Breakfast Ideas for Your Busiest Mornings
Grilled Chicken with Sunflower Seed Satay Sauce
For a nut-free twist on satay sauce, we swap in sunflower butter for the usual peanut butter. Serve the savory-sweet sauce with grilled chicken, rice noodles and fresh vegetables for a stunning platter that allows your date to build their own meal.
Get the Grilled Chicken with Sunflower Seed Satay Sauce recipe.
Sticky Tofu Bowls
Roast tofu with soy sauce, dark brown sugar, and chili garlic sauce for an irresistible sweet-salty flavor.
Get the Sticky Tofu Bowls recipe.
Find more delectable recipes, like cranberry pork chops and spinach, in this tested-til-perfection cookbook, full of so many delectable recipes. Dive in for date night and beyond!
Chicken and Broccoli Parchment Packets
Cooking chicken in parchment is not only an easy, less-mess method, but it also helps keep the chicken juicy and delicious. Winner, winner!
Seared Salmon with Charred Green Beans
You only need five ingredients to whip up this elegant meal.
Balsamic-Glazed Pork with Roasted Butternut Squash
Make a quick pan sauce of balsamic vinegar, honey and fresh thyme to top off juicy pork tenderloin.
Get the Balsamic-Glazed Pork with Roasted Butternut Squash recipe.
Grilled Ratatouille Linguine
Fresh vegetables star in this stunning dinner that takes 25 minutes flat. And at under 500 calories, this is a pasta dinner you'll dream about.
Sautéed Chicken and Tomatoes with Roasted Artichokes
Saucy tomatoes and sweet caramelized artichokes are the perfect pairing for roasted chicken (which serves up a whopping 40 g protein per serving!).
Get the Sautéed Chicken and Tomatoes With Roasted Artichokes recipe.
50 Healthier Chicken Recipes We Love
75 Family Dinner Ideas for Any Day of the Week
32 High-Protein Vegetarian Meals
50 Flavorful and Filling Low-Calorie Meals
