Spice up your date night with these tasty dinner ideas, adding a dash of flavor and a lot of fun to your evening together. This collection of 40 Date Night Dinner Ideas includes recipes that are so easy to make, but feel gourmet, and are sure to elevate your next date night at home.
If you’re looking for new recipes to enjoy with your significant other, I’ve got you covered! Whether it’s for Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, or a romantic date night in, these recipes are designed to make your evening feel fun and special.
I’ve included a wide selection of dishes, such as upscale steak and seafood, healthy twists on classic favorites, and even vegan options, so there’s something for everyone!
I also made sure to include a mix of quick and easy dinner date ideas that can simmer while you relax, as well as more involved options if you want to make a night out of cooking together.
These romantic dinner ideas aren’t just about the amazing flavors, but also about the experience of making a restaurant-worthy meal together. So, feel free to add your own special touches, like nice dishes, candles, and a perfectly curated playlist.
So, grab your apron and turn your kitchen into your next date night destination! I’m sure you will have a great time with your loved one making some of these easy weeknight dinner date ideas. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- To make your date night dinner experience even more fun, I suggest preparing your favorite appetizer ahead of time to enjoy while you cook together.
- All the dishes that I included on this list are incredibly versatile, so you can switch them up based on your preferences.
- I also chose recipes that are super easy to modify, so feel free to adjust the quantities, if needed.
- I always recommend cooking with high-quality ingredients and fresh, seasonal produce. It will make your date night dinner even more delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions
All of the recipes that I included on this list are ideal for a date night dinner or weeknights dinner because they’re fun to make and irresistibly delicious, with an elevated, gourmet feel. These date night dinner ideas are also the perfect portion or easily modified to make just enough for a romantic dinner for two. Of course, you can also enjoy the leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day too!
The beauty of these date night dinner recipes is that they go great with just about anything! You can keep it light and pair them with a fresh salad or easy roasted vegetables. Or, if you want something cozy and comforting, think sides like fluffy rice or classic mashed potatoes. I also have lots of low-carb options on the blog that are just as satisfying and delicious!
No date night dinner is complete without dessert! I always love something that’s light and wholesome but feels rich and decadent, like this low-carb raspberry chocolate cake. I also have several perfectly portioned treats that would be great for two, like this mini carrot bundt cake, gluten-free chocolate mug cake, or quick and easy fruit salad.
Date Night Dinner Ideas
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Elevate any meal to a special occasion with these Bacon Wrapped Scallops! Envelop tender scallops in crispy bacon and drizzle with a delicious garlic butter sauce. Whether served as a quick and impressive appetizer or an elegant main entrée, Bacon Wrapped Scallops are sure to delight. It’s also delicious with some fun cocktails or white wine.
Lasagna Roll Ups
These delicious Lasagna Roll Ups feature three types of cheese, delicious noodles, flavorful tomato sauce, and vibrant kale. A healthy twist on a classic favorite, this recipe offers the richness of traditional lasagna while still being light and fresh. Plus, you can adjust the recipe to make as many roll-ups as you need – perfect for a date night dinner!
Air Fryer Salmon
Try this Air Fryer Salmon recipe for a date night dinner idea that’s equally easy and impressive! Thanks to the convenience of the air fryer, this 20-minute salmon is crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, and perfectly cooked every time. I love to serve it with a green salad but it’s also fantastic paired with risotto or spaghetti.
Instant Pot Sirloin Steak Strips
This is one of my favorite date night recipes. It has all the flavor without all the work. Make this one-pot recipe in under an hour, from prep to plate! The Instant Pot takes care of the cooking, delivering tender mushrooms, a tasty sauce, and flavorful sirloin steak for an effortlessly tasty date night dinner.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Savor the simplicity of these Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs – tender, saucy, and so full of flavor. They only take 10 minutes to prep, and the rest is hands-off in the slow cooker. The marinara sauce is delicious and it’s also a great versatile main dish that you can pair with each other’s favorite sides like green beans, asparagus, and even some pasta like linguine.
Grilled Shrimp Recipe
This simple Grilled Shrimp Recipe is a date night dinner staple! They’re equally delicious fired on the grill or cooked on the stovetop, and super easy to customize, so you can adjust the proportions to make as many or as few skewers as you need. Enjoy this delicious Grilled Shrimp recipe as a main dish, side, or even an appetizer!
Baked Chicken Parmesan
Baked Chicken Parmesan is a lighter variation of a date night classic. It features crunchy, breaded chicken breast with bright tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil. This recipe skips the oil for easy, oven-baked chicken that’s also tender, juicy, and delicious!
Pan Seared Steak
A picturesque, mouthwatering steak is a classic date night dinner meal. This Pan Seared Steak recipe is ready in just 15 minutes, and features grass-fed butter, fresh herbs, and hearty mushrooms. Plus, it’s paleo, keto, and Whole30 friendly, so you can enjoy a fancy, decadent dinner that still fits your dietary preferences.
Super Fresh Shrimp Tomato Salad
If you’re looking for a date night dinner idea that’s on the lighter side, try this Super Fresh Shrimp Tomato Salad. Mix together salad greens, your favorite veggies, and cooked shrimp, then toss everything in a delicious homemade vinaigrette. This salad is so quick, healthy, and endlessly customizable!
Mediterranean Chicken Recipe
This mouthwatering Mediterranean Chicken Recipe is bursting with fresh, bright flavors. It’s also tender, juicy, and comes together in just 30 minutes! This effortless one-pan dish ensures easy cleanup, making it ideal for date night.
Instant Pot Korean Beef
Instant Pot Korean Beef is quick, easy, and packed with delicious Asian flavors! The Instant Pot makes this recipe a breeze, so you get tender, perfectly cooked meat every time. Instant Pot Korean Beef is made with simple pantry staples, so you can enjoy a delicious date night dinner with ingredients you already have!
Chimichurri Chicken
This Chimichurri Chicken is an effortless meal that’s fresh, flavorful, and so easy to make. The garlic, herbs, and simple seasonings build layers of flavor that make this dish irresistible. Feel free to customize the ingredients to make this the perfect date night dinner.
Sausage and Kale Stuffed Acorn Squash
If you’re looking for a feel-good meal that will warm you up during the cold winter days, try this Sausage and Kale Stuffed Acorn Squash. It features spicy Italian sausage, fresh vegetables, and warm, cozy flavors. It’s a simple recipe that’s so easy to make and looks super impressive!
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
These Garlic Butter Steak Bites are such an easy way to elevate your date night dinner. It’s a fool-proof way to cook steak, with a little bit of sear and a whole lot of flavor in each bite. These tasty morsels are incredible on their own and equally delicious incorporated into pasta, bowls, and salads.
Skillet Chicken Fajitas Recipe
Skip the restaurant and enjoy these sizzling Skillet Chicken Fajitas right at home. This recipe is packed with healthy protein, tons of fresh veggies, and so many amazing Tex-Mex flavors. Have fun with the toppings and make your own date night fajita dinner for two!
Garlic Butter Lamb Chops
Try these Garlic Butter Lamb Chops for a simple dish that’s sure to impress! They’re pan-seared and basted with homemade garlic butter, so the flavors and textures are simply incredible. Plus, they look so fancy plated up with simple veggies and a garnish of fresh herbs.
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Air Fryer Whole Chicken comes out with a crispy exterior, juicy interior, and it’s always perfectly cooked! Just 5 minutes of prep time, and the air fryer does the rest, making it a hands-off cooking experience.
Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are also a fun and delicious date night dinner idea! It has all of the traditional flavors of taco night, with a tasty and nutritious twist. Garnish it with your favorite toppings or try making homemade salsa or guacamole together!
Dutch Oven Beef Stew
Dutch Oven Beef Stew is the perfect winter date night dinner because it’s rich, warming, and so cozy. This delicious stew features tender pieces of beef, potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms with an incredible slow-cooked flavor. It’s sure to become one of your new go-to recipes for date night or any day of the week!
Easy Cedar Plank Salmon
Enjoy a restaurant-quality date night dinner with this Easy Cedar Plank Salmon recipe. It’s slowly grilled over a soaked cedar plank that brings an unmatched smokey flavor to the fish. This recipe is especially great if you’ve never cooked salmon using this technique before – you can have fun and learn something together!
Easy Cauliflower Fried Rice
If you’re looking for a healthy, yet satisfying date night dinner, you’ll love this Easy Cauliflower Fried Rice. It’s low-carb, vegetarian, and can also easily be gluten-free or vegan! It’s equally delicious as takeout fried rice, without all of the carbs!
Baked Chicken Caprese
Baked Chicken Caprese will make your usual chicken dinner feel so elevated and fancy for date night. The chicken is tender and juicy, topped with a decadent balsamic glaze, fresh cherry tomatoes, and melted mozzarella. It’s incredibly easy to make, but impressive enough to serve for a special evening.
Ground Turkey Soup
This recipe is so awesome for a chill and hearty night with your favorite person. It’s got super-lean protein, good-for-you veggies, and a tasty savory broth. Plus, it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and you can also make it vegan if you want!
One Sheet Roasted Chicken with Vegetables
This One Sheet Roasted Chicken with Vegetables recipe is so simple, comforting, and perfect for a relaxed date night dinner. This recipe uses just one pan, so there’s minimal cleanup, especially if you use aluminum foil or parchment paper. It’s the perfect hassle-free meal for two, and you can also enjoy the leftovers for lunch the next day!
Seared Scallops
These delicious and tender Seared Scallops look fancy, but they are so easy to make and ready in just 20 minutes! Date night is also a great time to try new recipes or techniques together, like cooking scallops in a cast iron skillet! Seared Scallops are a simple dish that will instantly elevate your meal.
Instant Pot Short Ribs
These Instant Pot Short Ribs let you enjoy tender flavorful ribs without the hours of cooking time usually required. The meat is so juicy and flavorful, it falls right off the bone! This set-it-and-forget-it recipe makes it so easy to cook perfect short ribs every time.
Easy Slow Cooker Carnitas
Slow Cooker Carnitas are the perfect date night dinner idea, because they’re easy, flavorful, and can be used in so many ways! You could also toss this recipe together in the morning and have a delicious main dish ready to go for date night!
Garlic Butter Shrimp
This easy Garlic Butter Shrimp looks impressive, but it’s actually quite easy to make! In just a few minutes, you can enjoy perfectly cooked shrimp with homemade garlic butter and fresh herbs. This restaurant-quality meal requires minimal effort and pairs well with so many side dish options.
Bunless Burger Recipe
This Bunless Burger Recipe lets you Indulge in a guilt-free, low-carb version of your favorite loaded burger. The meat is perfectly seasoned, and paired with crisp bacon and fresh veggies. It’s all wrapped in crisp iceberg lettuce, so this Bunless Burger satisfies your cravings without the carbs! It’s also perfect for a gluten-free date night dinner!
Chicken And Bell Peppers Skillet
This recipe is one of those dishes that will go to your family dinner rotation because it happens to please everyone. It’s seasoned with lots of spices and so good!
Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipe
This savory Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipe is packed with kale, veggies, and protein, and also perfectly seasoned with a little kick. You can serve it with a few sides if desired, but everything you need is right there in a single pan. This recipe is healthy, so delicious, and ideal for date night.
Charcuterie Board
A stunning Charcuterie board or Cheese Platter can also be the star of your next date night! It doesn’t have to just be an appetizer either – you can certainly load it up with a mix of light snacks and hearty bites. It’s a really fun, interactive date night idea that lets you share each other’s favorite treats and snacks!
Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
For a cozy date night in, try this Slow Cooker Chili Recipe! It’s packed with veggies, protein, and so much flavor. Plus, the slow cooker does most of the work, so you can enjoy date night while dinner simmers away, making your home smell amazing!
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
These Red Wine Braised Short Ribs are such a perfect combination of easy and elegant, which is ideal for a date night dinner! They are fall-apart tender and also feature a red wine sauce infused with fresh herbs and aromatics. Braising makes this dish look fancy, but it’s actually very easy and lends a ton of flavor and tenderness to the short ribs. This is so good and one of my favorite date night dinner ideas.
Chopped Salmon Salad
This Chopped Salmon Salad is such a beautiful and colorful dish – enjoy it as the star of your date night dinner, or a satisfying side dish! It’s packed with fresh vegetables, herbs, and salmon, all tossed in a light homemade dressing. You can also easily modify the ingredients to your preference, or swap the salmon for your favorite seafood.
Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Drumsticks
These garlic butter baked chicken drumsticks are perfectly seasoned, extra juicy, and fantastically tender. They’re also so easy to whip up, making them the perfect meal for a date night dinner. Pair them with each other’s favorite veggies or sides!
Low-Carb Turkey Meatballs with Mashed Cauliflower
Low-Carb Turkey Meatballs are certainly one of the best, most versatile date night dinner ideas! They’re quick and healthy, and there’s so much that you can do with them. Serve these delicious flavor-packed meatballs with mashed cauliflower, pasta, rice, or mixed veggies – whatever type of date night dinner recipe you’re craving!
Dijon Mustard Salmon Recipe
If you love salmon, you have to try this Dijon Mustard Salmon Recipe for your next date night dinner. It’s so full of flavor and goes from oven to table in just 15 minutes. The sauce is made with simple pantry staples, and elevates the whole meal, making it so perfect for a special occasion.
Garlic Butter Pork Tenderloin
Perfectly cooked in a savory butter sauce, this Garlic Butter Pork Tenderloin recipe is easy to make but fancy enough for a nice date night dinner. It’s so tender and juicy, and seasoned to perfection. This delicious pork tenderloin will certainly have you reaching for seconds! This is one of my favorite date night dinner ideas.
Garlic Butter Pork Chops
Baked Pork Chops are juicy, tender, and so flavorful thanks to the amazing butter sauce. You need less than 20 minutes to make this pork chop recipe. It’s a great recipe to serve with a spinach salad and a delicious comfort food pasta dish.
Date Night Dinner Ideas
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Ingredients
Instructions
- Soak short wooden toothpicks in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning while cooking.
- In a skillet, cook the bacon for about 3-4 minutes per side until it’s slightly cooked but not crispy. Set it aside.
- Pat the scallops dry using paper towels and remove any side muscles.
- Season the scallops with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Carefully wrap each scallop with a half slice of partially cooked bacon, securing it with a pre-soaked toothpick. Repeat for all scallops.
- In a separate clean large skillet, heat olive oil over medium to medium-low heat.
- Cook the wrapped scallops for 3-4 minutes per side or until they reach an internal temperature of 125-130°F degrees.
- Add butter and garlic to the skillet, cooking for only 30 seconds to 1 minute. Be cautious not to burn the garlic.
- Remove the scallops from the skillet and let them rest for 5 minutes. Use a spoon to drizzle the garlic butter sauce over the scallops.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Tips
- Choose scallops that are uniform in size, so they all cook evenly.
- Pat the scallops completely dry before you cook them, as excess moisture can cause a rubbery texture.
- Use a regular cut of bacon instead of thick or thin-cut because the cook time will be different.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
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