40 Easy And Delicious Date Night Dinner Ideas

With these quick, five-star date-night dinner recipes, you'll save money and focus on what matters about date night—each other.

Let us guess—it's been way too long since your last date night. Life has a knack for getting in the way. It can take forever to get reservations at the new restaurant downtown, and who has time to get all dolled up for date night when there are kids dirty from soccer practice running around the house? We get it. But there is still a way to plan a romantic date night. It's time to clear your schedule for a few hours to enjoy an at-home dinner together.

With these amazing date-night dinner ideas, you won't even realize you're not at a fancy restaurant. And staying in doesn't just save your schedule some hassle, but it's also much more budget-friendly than eating out. Even if you're trying to save up, you can still treat yourself to one of our affordable date ideas. These fun dinner recipes take pantry staples and weeknight favorites like pasta, chicken thighs, and pork chops and dress them up for an adults-only dinner. With these five-star suppertime superstars, you'll save money and get to focus on what matters about date night—each other. No reservation required.

Roasted Beef Tenderloin

If your date night go-to is a steakhouse, you'll love to serve a beautiful roasted beef tenderloin at home. Cooking a rare roast only takes about 20 minutes. Make it special with a Vidalia Onion-and-Vinegar Sauce you can drizzle on your beef and mashed potatoes.

Pasta With Burst Tomatoes And Mascarpone

This pasta recipe might look restaurant-worthy, but it starts with frozen ravioli and ends with a handful of pantry staples. Char the tomatoes under the broiler, then stir with butter, herbs, and the cooked ravioli. Dollops of mascarpone cheese add the final touch.

Best-Ever Crab Cakes With Green Tomato Slaw

You might think of crab cakes as a dish you only order at restaurants, but once you see how easy they are to make at home, they'll be on your at-home date night rotation. Make the Green Tomato Slaw while the crab mixture is chilling in the fridge.

Grilled Curried Chicken Thighs With Charred-Vegetable Rice

On date night, you don't want an ordinary chicken dinner. Curry powder brings bright color and flavor to these chicken thighs, which cook beautifully on the grill. The charred vegetables also spice up your rice.

Pasta With Shrimp And Tomato Cream Sauce

This simple but stunning pasta is only missing a glass of wine on the side. The tarragon gives a nice note of anise to the sauce, but you can substitute basil. Look for bold flavored and sweet cherry tomatoes like yellow-orange Sun Gold or deep purple Black Cherry.

Tomato-Basil Lasagna Roll Ups

This recipe has all the flavor and comfort of classic lasagna with an elevated presentation that was made for date night. Artichokes are the star of this meatless dish, or you can substitute spinach. Cook the pasta until it's just al dente so it will stay firm in the oven.

Seared Scallops With Fresh Tomato-Basil Sauce and Orzo

Treat yourself to jumbo scallops for a romantic evening. This summery pasta recipe looks restaurant-worthy, but it only requires 10 minutes of hands-on time. A simple tomato, basil, and garlic sauce dresses up the meal.

Cast-Iron Cowboy Steak

Enjoy a steakhouse-quality ribeye or porterhouse from the comfort of your own home—and without smoking up the kitchen. Fire up the gas grill and place a cast-iron skillet over the heat. After you get a nice crust on your steak, briefly cook a few sprigs of herbs to release their aroma.

Chicken Alouette

We keep turning to this trusty vintage recipe for dinner parties and holidays, and for good reason. Chicken breasts are baked in puff pastry with a smear of garlic Alouette cheese. A pastry braid makes this simple recipe even more elegant.

Crab-And-Bacon Linguine

You'll feel like you're at a white tablecloth-restaurant with this elegant pasta on your plate. White wine, heavy cream, and bacon combine to make a delicious pan sauce that pairs wonderfully with buttery jumbo lump crab. Serve immediately after cooking, along with the rest of the wine bottle.

Creamy Rice With Scallops

Scallops feel dressy enough for date night, but this 30-minute recipe is easy enough that you can actually relax and enjoy your night in. The charred corn and sweet scallops cook in bacon grease for an extra indulgence. For a golden brown sear, ensure the pan is very hot and pat the scallops dry with a paper towel first.

Slow-Cooker Ginger, Sweet Tea, And Whiskey Short Ribs

These slow-cooker short ribs are easy to prepare, but the bright, tangy sauce they're paired with feels so sophisticated. The fresh flavor makes the dish equally good in summer or winter. Serve it with potato salad in the warm season or mashed potatoes when it's cold out.

Fresh Salmon Cakes With Buttermilk Dressing

For date night, you want fresh salmon, not the salty and fishy canned salmon from your childhood. Chop the salmon by hand to maintain a delicate texture. The tangy buttermilk dressing is delicious on the salmon cakes and a side salad.

Cast-Iron Chicken Piccata

You can make restaurant-worthy chicken piccata in a flash thanks to your loyal cast-iron skillet. The cutlets only take a few minutes to cook through once you pound them to 1/4-inch thick. Serve over whatever noodles you have on hand and dinner is done.

Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole

You probably don't picture a casserole when you think "date night," but this pretty dish is presentable enough to fit the bill—with all the ease you love about casseroles. You'll love the mingling flavors of broth, butter, and sherry.

Skillet Orzo With Fish And Herbs

This one-dish recipe is easy to prepare as a weeknight family dinner, but we wouldn't blame you saving it for date night. The orzo prepares on the stove like a paella, soaking up the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Then the fish bakes right on top.

Cast-Iron Pork Cacciatore

You're just 30 minutes away from putting this impressive dinner on the table—no joke. Select 1-inch-thick pork chops for this variation on hunter's chicken. Use buttery green Castelvetrano olives if you can find them.

Eggplant Rollups

Maybe you're doing date night at home to cut out the extra calories that come with eating out. This low-carb version of eggplant rollups doesn't skimp on the comfort of indulging in classic Italian food. The eggplant is softened in the oven and then filled with a simple blend of herbs and ricotta.

Baked Chicken Roulade

This recipe elevates budget-friendly chicken to a fancy French meal. Bake chicken stuffed with asparagus and spinach, then spoon a nice pan sauce over top. Serve with roasted potatoes or another favorite side.

One-Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo

Step away from the jarred Alfredo sauce: This recipe is the easiest way to make it at home for a fun new recipe for you two to try together. The noodles cook right in the spicy Alfredo, and the minimal cleanup means more time to enjoy each other's company.

Molasses-Soy Glazed Salmon And Vegetables

Salmon entrees can get pricey at restaurants, so why not make it at home. In only 35 minutes, you'll have salmon and sugar snap peas in a sticky, Asian-inspired glaze. Sprinkle with chopped scallions and a squeeze of lime.

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

In case you didn't already know, everything is better with bacon. This versatile recipe requires just three ingredients, so it's sure to become a favorite. Pair it with your favorite rice or potatoes.

Lemony Baked Cod, Potatoes, And Artichokes In Parchment

This sophisticated seafood supper is sure to wow your sweetheart. The cod is flaky, tender, and buttery when steamed in parchment, just like they do it at your favorite French bistro. Wrap the whole meal together and let the oven do the work.

Easy Shrimp Scampi With Basil

The silky garlic-wine sauce of this scampi coats the linguine, which is topped with garlicky shrimp and torn basil. Pair this simple, succulent pasta dish with some crusty bread, a starter salad, and a glass of white wine, and you've got an incredible date night ahead of you.

Fettuccine-And-Asparagus Al Burro

This gorgeous pasta uses a handful of humble ingredients and requires just 30 minutes of your time. Lighter than an Alfredo but still indulgent, you'll both love this simple and authentic fettucini recipe.

Almond-Crusted Tilapia

This recipe looks and sounds formal, but it only takes a few ingredients to put together. Serve with lemon slices for squeezing and any side dishes you like. We like a light and summery sautéed squash.

Mini Mushroom-And-Parsnip Pot Pies

These savory pot pies cook in small 6-inch skillets so you each get your own picture-perfect serving. A touch of Worcestershire sauce ups the sweet umami flavor of the vegetable filling, which is baked under a puff pastry crust until golden brown.

Pan-Seared Flank Steak With Herb Sauce

Turn pan-seared flank steak into something special. Our herb sauce is inspired by chimichurri, the popular steak sauce from Argentina. It's easy to make your own in the food processor with parsley, cilantro, shallot, vinegar, and garlic.

Orange-Rosemary Roast Chicken

Briny, nutty, bright, and sweet, this simple sheet pan roast results in the most tender, beautiful chicken. Yes, you do have to brown the thighs first, but it's worth it for a crispy skin (and it is date night, after all). At the end, everything gets drizzled in a sweet and tangy orange sauce.

Chipotle-Maple Chicken Thighs With Candied Acorn Squash

In the fall, we like to warm up our dishes with a bit of spice. Here, chicken nestles alongside tender, sweet acorn squash and caramelizes with maple syrup and chipotle spices. Even better, this gourmet-looking dish only requires 15 minutes of assembly.

Marry Me Chicken

Who can resist committing to a dish with a name like this? The creamy sun-dried tomato sauce is tantalizing, though we're not quite sure where the recipe came from. Serve with crusty garlic bread for soaking up the sauce.

Crispy Prosciutto, Strawberry, And Burrata Salad With Maple-Balsamic Vinaigrette

This incredible salad is a meal all on its own. Spicy greens and sweet strawberries make it bright and zesty; while crispy prosciutto, creamy burrata, and toasted walnuts pack in the protein. Once you've crisped the prosciutto and blended the dressing, all you have to do is toss the salad.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken Cutlets With Haricots Verts

This easy recipe elevates quick-cooking chicken cutlets by slathering them with tangy Dijon mustard and sprinkling them with herbs, then wrapping the chicken in salty prosciutto. The haricots verts (long, slender green beans) sauté in under five minutes. We also recommend sugar snap peas as a side when they're in season.

Smothered Steaks With Mushroom Sauce

Everyone loves a good steak, but sometimes it's the sauce that's the star attraction. Wild mushrooms simmer in butter, cream, and herbs so you can ooh and aah over every bite of beef. This recipe also includes a side of Roasted Cheddar Broccoli.

Spaghetti With Marinated Tomatoes And Mozzarella

This light, refreshing pasta celebrates the best that summer has to offer and looks pretty doing it. Prepare the Mouthwatering Marinated Tomatoes a couple of hours before dinner, then toss them in a bowl of spaghetti along with fresh mozzarella balls. That's all there is to this elegant dinner.

Grilled Grouper

Before your date night, stop by the local fish market for fresh grouper, which cooks in an instant on the grill. A special lemon, caper, and herb sauce will have you thinking you're eating at your favorite seafood restaurant. Serve it with fluffy white rice or roasted potatoes.

Winter Vegetables And Gnocchi

This grown-up blend of butternut squash, pearl onions, and mushrooms will delight you and your date. For this 30-minute meal, the vegetables roast in the oven first to bring out their natural sweetness. Soften the gnocchi in a skillet with the veggies, adding a large pat of butter and Parmesan.

Spring Onion Grilled Pizza

Pizza may seem like a standard kids' meal, but it also offers the opportunity to play with fresh seasonal produce and the best charcuterie and cheeses. Plus, this recipe is an adventure, since you'll cook it outside together on the grill. We've provided precise instructions so you can enjoy those beautiful grill marks.

Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce

If Italian is one of your go-to cuisines for a date night on the town, replicate it with a fun at-home date night that's just as delicious but much more budget-friendly. This slow-cooker recipe makes enough for 12, so the kids can eat the leftovers the next night.

Braised Lamb Shanks With Parmesan-Chive Grits

Prepare restaurant-quality lamb in the slow cooker with a mixture of tomatoes, vegetables, and dry red wine. After a quick sear and  sauté, your favorite kitchen appliance will do most of the work. The Parmesan-Chive Grits make a lovely base to soak up all the flavorful juices.

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