Make Date Night Extra Special with an Easy Dinner for Two
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Whether we're celebrating Valentine's Day, or a weekly date night, we love to do it with one of these homemade romantic dinners for two.
Making a meal from scratch is an easy and sweet way to let your special someone know just how special they are. And the truth is, it doesn't need to be that much work! Some of these recipes will burble happily on the stove while you decorate the table, light some candles, and put on a little mood music. Others can be tossed together in as little as ten minutes — but all of them are tasty enough that you'd easily find them at a white-linen tablecloth restaurant.
Pair the meal with one of our romantic desserts to make it extra special!
Creole Shrimp Caesar Salad with Cheesy Croutons
When a light dinner is just what you're looking for, this flavorful shrimp salad is just the thing. Serve it with a glass of white wine and biscuits for an elegant dinner for two.
Get the recipe for Creole Shrimp Caesar Salad with Cheesy Croutons.
Apple Cider Fondue
There's something wonderfully fun and intimate about fondue for two. Break out your vintage fondue set and enjoy a snacky array of fruit and bread dipped in a tasty cider cheese sauce! We do recommend cutting the recipe back at least by half, if you're just serving two!
Get the recipe for Apple Cider Fondue.
Beef Stroganoff
This comfort-food stew is rich and tasty — but also surprisingly easy to make. If you want to make a romantic dinner that's also hearty, give it a whirl.
Get the recipe for Beef Stroganoff.
Chicken and Snap Pea Pasta
If you're looking for a fast, veggie-forward pasta dish that doesn't involve red sauce, then look no further.
Get the recipe for Chicken and Snap Pea Pasta.
Baked Halibut with Gremolata
If you're looking to eat a fancy seafood dinner, halibut is a first-rate choice. Like other quality ingredients—steak, or lobster—it doesn't need a whole lot to make it taste great.
Get the recipe for Baked Halibut with Gremolata.
Pecan-Crusted Chicken with Honey-Mustard Sauce
This upgrade on basic baked chicken is an absolute must-try. Finely chopped pecans add rich, nutty flavor that will surprise and delight.
Get the recipe for Pecan-Crusted Chicken.
Chicken Parmesan
Crispy, cheesy, and comforting, chicken Parmesan is a classic restaurant dish. But it's sneakily easy to make at home.
Get the recipe for Chicken Parmesan.
Zucchini Galette
This rustic savory pie has a light, flaky crust filled with sweet summer squash and a rich melange of olives, cheese, and sautéed onions. It's ideal with a glass of wine and a side salad.
Get the recipe for Zucchini Galette.
Cajun Coq au Vin
Got a partner who really loves French cooking, and Cajun cuisine? Give them a taste of this rich, delicious stew!
Get the recipe for Cajun Coq au Vin.
Gnocchi with Creamed Spinach
Served with a glass of wine and this 10-minute meal is a fancy dinner for two that tastes like it took a lot more work than it actually did.
Get the recipe for Gnocchi with Creamed Spinach.
Pork Chops with Roasted Maple-Bacon Radishes
Pan seared chops, crispy and tender, are especially delicious with tender roasted radishes and a quick, delicious pan sauce.
Get the recipe for Pork Chops with Roasted Maple-Bacon Radishes.
Buttered Leek and Gruyère Galette
This savory, country-style pie is just the thing to share with a special someone, while splitting a bottle of wine.
Get the recipe for Buttered Leek and Gruyère Galette.
Baked Deviled Crab
What could be more intimate than delicately baked crab in its own shell? These pretty bites make a fine appetizer, or serve a couple of them alongside a salad for a light, sweet, dinner treat.
Get the recipe for Baked Deviled Crab.
Asparagus Frittata with Burrata and Herb Pesto
What is it about breakfast for dinner that we find so romantic? It's simple, but sweet. This flavorful eggy dish is sure to leave a smile on their face.
Get the recipe for Asparagus Frittata with Burrata and Herb Pesto.
Roast Chicken with Tarragon-Braised Fennel
Romantic doesn't need to me complicated. This warming chicken dish is best served with crusty bread for sopping up all the pan juices.
Get the recipe for Roast Chicken with Tarragon-Braised Fennel.
Butter Baked Salmon with Cast-Iron Hasselback Potatoes
Nothing says love like oodles of butter.
Get the recipe for Butter Baked Salmon with Cast-Iron Hasselback Potatoes.
Shrimp Scampi Pasta
This spicy, buttery, citrusy dish is an old-school classic. It's great for a fancy dinner, but equally good when you're pressed for time.
Get the recipe for Shrimp Scampi Pasta.
Strip Steak with Lemon Mashed Potatoes
Whip up this dinner using premium ingredients, and it'll feel like you went out to the fanciest steakhouse.
Get the recipe for Strip Steak with Lemon Mashed Potatoes.
Classic French Onion Soup
One whiff of this rich soup, and you'll feel like you're ducking into a little bistro right off the river Seine.
Get the recipe for French Onion Soup.
French Onion Flatbread
Evoke a romantic picnic for two with this riff on the classic soup, made into a savory flatbread!
Get the recipe for French Onion Flatbread.
Easy Chicken Marsala
The classic creamy, savory sauce is easy to make and so good you'll want to drizzle it over everything.
Get the recipe for Chicken Marsala.
Smothered Pork Chops with Broccoli and Mushrooms
This version of the classic dish, made with white wine, crème fraîche, and a bit of Dijon, is not too heavy, so you can enjoy the meal and still have room for dessert.
Get the recipe for Smothered Pork Chops with Broccoli and Mushrooms.
Herbes de Provence Shrimp with Couscous
Shrimp are an ideal romantic dinner main dish: They're fast and easy to cook, but look (and taste) oh-so elegant.
Get the recipe for Herbes de Provence Shrimp with Couscous.
White Wine Coq Au Vin
This French country recipe has it all: bright flavors, a to-die-for sauce, and the ease of being able to make it all in one pot. Halve the recipe for two hearty portions—or make the whole thing and have lunch for the next couple days.
Get the recipe for White Wine Coq Au Vin.
Roasted Mushroom and Bacon Dutch Baby
A Dutch baby—essentially a giant savory pancake—makes for an elegant and impressive dinner. Serve with a simple side salad and a nice bottle of wine.
Get the recipe for Roasted Mushroom and Bacon Dutch Baby.
Roasted Chicken with Fennel and Tomatoes
There's just something about roast chicken on a bed of vegetables, isn't there? This recipe yields juicy, flavorful meat and surprisingly delicious veggies.
Get the recipe for Roasted Chicken with Fennel and Tomatoes.
Stovetop Chicken Pot Pie
Prepare dinner for two in a flash with this easy, homemade chicken pot pie dish, which can be served in individual ramekins.
Get the recipe for Stovetop Chicken Pot Pie.
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Seared Chicken
This sweet and savory pasta dish get be made in a jiffy (and they'll never know you used store-bought ravioli).
Get the recipe for Butternut Squash Ravioli with Seared Chicken.
Salt-and-Pepper Chicken with Spring Quinoa Pilaf
Date night can be both healthy and tasty with this home-cooked meal.
Get the recipe for Salt-and-Pepper Chicken with Spring Quinoa Pilaf.
Grilled Cumin-Rubbed Hanger Steak
A simple steak meal is elevated with smashed minty peas and grilled bread.
Get the recipe for Grilled Hanger Steak.
Seared Salmon with Gingery Snap Pea Slaw
Thanks to fresh jalapeño, cilantro, and ginger, this zesty slaw will wake up your senses and tastebuds.
Get the recipe for Seared Salmon with Gingery Snap Pea Slaw.
Easy, Peasy Fettuccini Alfredo
This elegant-enough-for-a-date dinner only has four main ingredients: pasta, butter, cream, and Parm!
Get the recipe for Easy, Peasy Fettuccini Alfredo.
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Pine Nut Gremolata
This creamy pasta is elegant and easy to make, and the sweet, nutty flavor is everything you want.
Get the recipe for Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Pine Nut Gremolata.
California Roasted Broccolini and Fresh Mozzarella Pizza
Fresh veggies, sliced prosciutto, and a to-die-for dough make this far from your ordinary pizza night fare.
Get the recipe for California Roasted Broccolini and Fresh Mozzarella Pizza.
Grilled Sea Scallops with Parsley-Shallot-Honey Sauce
This sweet, delicate nibble is perfect for a romantic date.
Get the recipe for Grilled Sea Scallops with Parsley-Shallot-Honey Sauce.
Pear, Prosciutto, and Goat Cheese Pizza with Arugula
This elegant, easy white pizza is surprisingly scrumptious.
Get the recipe for Pear, Prosciutto, and Goat Cheese Pizza with Arugula.
Tomato Bisque with Cheddar & Chutney Grilled Cheese
Sometimes the most romantic dinners are the simplest. Take a page from Ina Garten (who knows a thing or two about romance) and make your beloved this soup and sandwich combo.
Get the recipe for Tomato Bisque.
Get the recipe for Cheddar & Chutney Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.
Steak with Creamy Mushrooms and Spinach
The creamed spinach in this dish makes our hearts thump a little faster just thinking about it.
Get the recipe for Steak with Creamy Mushrooms and Spinach.
Cowboy Steaks and Potatoes with Broccoli and Cheddar-Scallion Spread
Sear up these big bone-in steaks for the cowboy in your life.
Get the recipe for Cowboy Steaks and Potatoes.
Three-Cheese Fondue with Cable-Knit Breadsticks
We can almost smell the wood fire in the ski lodge fireplace...
Get the recipe for Three-Cheese Fondue.
Get the recipe for Cable-Knit Breadsticks.
Croque Madames
This knife-and-fork sandwich is a French bistro classic. Pair it with a side of bistro fries, and maybe a viewing of Beauty and the Beast.
Get the recipe for Croque Madames.
Southwest Shrimp & Grits
It's sweet Southern fare at its finest!
Get the recipe for Southwest Shrimp & Grits.
Lamb Chops with Roasted Potatoes and Radishes
Want to do something a little different than steak? This mint and feta dusted lamb chop dish is to die for.
Get the recipe for Lamb Chops with Roasted Potatoes and Radishes.
Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Asparagus
Chili-garlic sauce gives this easy chicken dinner a nice kick.
Get the recipe for Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Asparagus.
Seared Salmon, Watercress, and Potato Salad with Olive Dressing
Some say salmon's an aphrodisiac. Either way this healthy dinner won't slow you down, so you'll have plenty of energy later. 😉
Get the recipe for Seared Salmon, Watercress, and Potato Salad.
Cider-Braised Chicken-and-Fennel Panzanella
Apple cider and white wine keep this chicken dinner tender and moist.
Get the recipe for Cider-Braised Chicken-and-Fennel Panzanella.
Lamb Chops and Lemony Couscous Salad
Put hearty lamb chops with a citrusy couscous salad on this year's holiday menu.
Get the recipe for Lamb Chops and Lemony Couscous Salad.
Chicken and Arugula Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e Pepe—elegantly simple pasta with pepper and cheese—is all the rage. We amp it up a bit with some chicken and spicy arugula.
Get the recipe for Chicken and Arugula Cacio e Pepe.
Lamb Chops with Smashed Peas and Red Onion Vinaigrette
Don't sleep on the vinaigrette, which transforms the flavor of both the chops and the peas.
Get the recipe for Lamb Chops with Smashed Peas and Red Onion Vinaigrette.
Cauliflower Bisque with Brown Butter Croutons
This creamy bisque gets pops of flavor from pomegranate seeds.
Get the recipe for Cauliflower Bisque with Brown Butter Croutons.
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