From classic rock to bumpin' new pop songs, here's a curated list of crowd-pleasers.
Updated Mar 06, 202522 Date Night Recipes to Whip Up for Your Partner
From super simple one-pan dishes to meals that you two will love making together.
Photo: Stocksy
Some argue there's a sixth language of love—one rooted in nourishment, comfort and perhaps a little indulgence. We're talking about food, of course. While hitting a local restaurant is always fun, there's something undeniably intimate and heartfelt about a home-cooked meal. Date night recipes range from beginner-friendly to gourmet, but all promise the reward of an incredible meal to share with your partner at the end.
Whether you're whipping up a tasty surprise for bae or cooking a delicious meal side by side, we're positive you'll find a dish that satisfies your taste buds in our roundup of date night dinner ideas for two.
1. Classic New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwich
Sandwiches for an at-home date night dinner? You betcha—as long as it feels elevated! This recipe for a classic muffuletta sandwich delivers. It's made with a homemade olive salad, thinly sliced Italian cold cuts and cheese. Elevate it further by serving with homemade fries. We love this idea for a cute picnic date, too!
2. Damn Good Salmon Taco Bowls For Two
How can you say no to a taco bowl—especially if it's loaded with healthy protein and tons of flavor? This one uses a homemade sofrito and also teaches you how to make your own taco seasoning. Did someone say professional chefs? Have fun with toppings, like Greek yogurt, your fave hot sauce and diced avocado.
3. One Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Orzo
A one-pot meal means less cleanup and more time to enjoy each other's company (and some tasty food). While your shrimp marinates, prepare the orzo with butter, garlic and stock, then add the shrimp in the last 10 minutes. Pair this one with some steamed broccoli for a healthy veggie option
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
4. Ina Garten's Engagement Chicken
Chicken comes in so many delicious forms, but for a truly special treat, you have to add Ina Garten's famous engagement chicken to your list. The "engagement" story dates back to the 1980s at Glamour Magazine, when an editor made the dish and her husband proposed a month later. The idea is that the chicken is so good it makes your partner want to lock it in.
5. Pan-Seared, Butter-Basted Thick-Cut Steak Recipe
Few things say romantic date than a couple of perfectly-cooked steaks! This date night steak dinner idea keeps things simple. Choose your preferred cut (ribeye, tenderloin, New York strip or T-Bone) and opt for a prime versus a choice cut. From there, you'll just need some butter, vegetable oil, fresh herbs and finely sliced shallots. This pairs nicely with an at-home wine tasting!
6. Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
For a healthy date night recipe, whip up these yummy chicken lettuce wraps infused with Thai flavor. It features lean protein via chicken, lots of veggies, and a homemade sweet and savory sauce. Serve with some coconut rice or chow mein.
7. The Best Smothered Pork Chops
If you're craving pork chops, go ahead and give this foolproof, one-pan pork chop recipe a go. It turns out tender, juicy chops and the rich and creamy onion gravy is everything. Serve with dinner rolls, Brussels sprouts, corn pudding, and/or a fresh salad with sliced apples.
8. The Best Healthy Turkey Chili
This dinner date night idea is perfect for cold weather or blustery, rainy days when all you want is some delicious comfort food. A chili recipe hits the spot every time, and this one has a few tricks up its sleeve to create a scrumptious result. Don't forget some cornbread! (Not a meat eater? Swap in a plant-based alternative to make this a vegetarian date night recipe.)
9. Kung Pao Cauliflower
Calling all non-meat eaters. This vegan date night recipe spotlights the garden's trendiest vegetable—that'd be cauliflower—and dresses it up with a ton of flavor. The sauce, made from scratch, features sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, honey (substitute maple syrup), chili paste, ginger and garlic. It's paired with other veggies, including bell pepper and zucchini, for a complete meal.
10. Cacio e Pepe
You order it all the time at restaurants, so why not give it a go with bae in your own kitchen? Ready in 30 minutes, all you need is some thick pasta (like bucatini), butter, black pepper and Pecorino-Romano cheese. Serve with a salad and some garlic bread to tie it all together.
FOR YOU
75 Anniversary Date Ideas Better Than Just Dinner
Let's think outside the box for your special day, shall we?
Long Distance Date Ideas for When FaceTime Gets Stale
These activities will help build your bond even while apart.
Expert Advice for Dating a Coworker
To date or not to date a coworker, that is the question.
11. Honey-Gochujang Shrimp Bowls
If you're game for trying new foods, this Korean rice bowl is an easy and approachable introduction to Asian cuisine. While your rice is cooking and cucumbers are pickling in rice vinegar, you simply whip up a quick gochujang sauce to drizzle over shrimp. The avocado and sesame seeds pack lots of flavor and texture, too.
12. Cornish Hens With Lemon and Herbs
Feeling fancy? Channel your inner country cottage vibes and make Cornish hens for dinner. You'll need two Cornish hens sourced from the butcher, fresh thyme and parsley, and plenty of butter, salt and lemon. Keep with the theme by serving this with potatoes (mashed, smashed or roasted) or other root vegetables. Talk about a fantastic presentation!
13. Veggie Burgers
Photo: Rachel Vanni,
Food styling: Taylor Ann Spencer for Delish
Another sandwich option you can't go wrong with is burgers. This veggie burger recipe teaches you how to make a proper veggie patty from scratch with black beans, nuts, panko and veggies. Serve it with homemade potato salad, chips, and obviously a juicy dill pickle!
14. Baked Bucatini with Vodka Sauce
On the hunt for the perfect date night pasta recipes? This decadent recipe has you make your own vodka sauce from scratch (versus a jarred option) and the results are mouth-wateringly delicious. After whipping up the meal, you top it with cheese and bake it in the oven for 20 minutes, which is a great time to whip up a Caesar salad.
15. Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
This filling one-sheet recipe with sausage and a spectrum of veggies is your hero. All you need to do is dice all your veggies and smoked sausage and toss them in olive oil, salt, pepper and some seasoning. Cook for about 30 minutes—tossing about halfway through—then top with grated parmesan. It pairs nicely with quinoa.
16. Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Mojo
Anytime you've got some extra mojo on the horizon, it's a good thing. The perfect spring and summer date night dinner idea, this grilled mahi-mahi keeps things fresh and light and is drizzled in a scrumptious, bright and garlicky mojo sauce that brings it all together.
17. One Pan Caramelized Onion Pasta
The heavenly smells coming out of your oven while this dish bakes should be illegal! The hero ingredient here is caramelized onions, which are combined with sundried tomatoes, coconut milk, seasonings and farfalle pasta. It goes perfectly with a bright salad to cut through the richness.
18. Mediterranean Salmon in Parchment Paper
Did you know that artichokes are considered an aphrodisiac? You'll find them in this salmon recipe with a Mediterranean spin, along with kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and pesto sauce. Serve with roasted vegetables, a quinoa salad, or hummus and pita.
19. Seared Scallops
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply want to go the extra mile, seared scallops will definitely impress. They're not as hard to make as you may think—it's all about timing it right and sourcing delicious, fresh scallops. Serve with French green beans, fresh bread and/or roasted veggies.
20. One-Pot Baked Risotto With Blistered Tomatoes & Burrata
No date night dinner idea list is complete without some risotto! This recipe makes it easy by combining everything in a simple pot and loading it up with delicious flavor. It feels like an extra-elevated spin on the viral TikTok pasta.
21. Beef Miso Ramen
Forget everything you know about the cheap at-home ramen and take things to the next level with this easy date night dinner recipe. It's made with real sirloin steak and traditional ingredients like miso and sesame oil. Customize it to your liking with different toppings, like egg, avocado, mushrooms and veggies.
22. Homemade Pizza
You could order pizza for the zillionth time, or you and your partner could make some fun memories (and a mean pie) together! And the beauty of homemade pizza is that you have full control over the toppings. Get creative with it! This is also a fun recipe to learn in a cooking class.
