47 Romantic Dinner Recipes to Make Your Date Fall Even More in Love With You
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Okay, how many date nights have you spent ordering takeout, sitting on the couch, Netflixing, chilling, and so on and so forth? Yeah, it's time to switch it up a bit. Hear me out: What if the date was the dinner-making process, and you used it as an opportunity to roleplay as Carmy and Syd from The Bear in the most romantic way possible? Or what if you surprised your S.O. with a meal you made from the heart, even though they've never seen you cook before in your life?
Now, no one's saying you have to attempt a beef bourguignon and chocolate soufflé—I don't know anyone who has the attention span for that. But hey, what about a sushi bowl situation, a simple steak, or a classic pasta dish? Delicious dinners that taste as good as they look DO exist, and we've got the right recipes to make your date night amazing, no matter your chef skills.
Just take a breath, throw on an apron, and scroll through this list of romantic dinner ideas. Our menu tonight includes vegan options, lots of Italian entrées (because damn, they know what they're doing over there), a Korean barbecue bowl, some cozy soups, a buncha chicken dishes, and so much more. Go ahead and pick the one you and your date will like the best—I believe in you!
French Onion Chicken
If you're the kind of couple that shares a bowl of French onion soup every time it's on the menu, this dish is for you. It's basically what would happen if your favorite soup and the best chicken of your life had a baby, and you need it on your table, stat.
Get the recipe at The Modern Proper.
Vegetable Pad Thai
Thai takeout in front of the TV, hold the takeout. This yummy vegetarian Pad Thai comes together in just 15 minutes, meaning you can spend more time cuddling with chopsticks and less time sweating in front of your stove.
Get the recipe at Rosalynn Daniels.
Chili Lime Chicken Street Corn Pizza
If you don't think "pizza" and "romance" are synonymous...I think we need to redefine things for you. These crispy, cheesy slices will spice up any date night—and not just because of the jalapeños. It's a blast to make as a pair, so pour out some flour (and maybe a few glasses of wine) and prepare to get corny.
Get the recipe at How Sweet Eats.
Salmon Sushi Bowls
Going out for sushi? Expensive. Making sushi bowls at home? Way cheaper, and way more fun. Don't forget the smashed cucumber salad on the side!
Get the recipe at Minimalist Baker.
Marry Me Chicken
I meannn, the name says it all. Sun-dried tomatoes, chicken thighs, and a creamy sauce—that's pretty much all ya need to crush date night.
Get the recipe at Delish.
Pasta With Savory Jack Sausage and Parmesan
If you've never had orecchiette, tonight's the night. And in a sage butter sauce? Swoon. Plus, you'd never know the "sausage" is actually made from jackfruit (yay, vegan swaps!).
Get the recipe at Jack & Annie's.
Seared Scallops and Mushroom Risotto
You're about to be eating good tonight. This scallop risotto recipe tastes like something you'd get at a restaurant for your anniversary. But how much more satisfying is it knowing you whipped it up at home?
Get the recipe at Blue Apron.
Linguine With Clams
Cook this together and you will be transported to the Italian Riviera by smell alone. It looks intimidating to make, but it's actually so not.
Get the recipe at Delish.
Butter-Basted Sirloin Steak
Steak is the go-to dish for a romantic dinner, everyone knows that. This elevated take (which melts in your mouth thanks to the butter basting) is a great way to level up your night.
Get the recipe at HelloFresh.
Truffle Pizza
Making pizza from scratch looks super impressive, and it’s a fun activity to do together. Kind of like grown-up arts and crafts. Try this recipe for straightforward ingredients and instructions...and because truffle oil makes everything better.
Get the recipe at A Couple Cooks.
Refried Butternut Tacos
These butternut tacos not only taste amazing, but they're also an awesome plant-based option for anyone who doesn’t eat meat. 100-percent vegan 🤝 100-percent delicious.
Get the recipe at Purple Carrot.
Sirloin Tip Roast
It takes a little confidence to cook something that needs a thermometer to tell you it's done, and nothing's sexier than confidence. So, prepare to turn your dinner guest on when you pull out this perfectly cooked roast.
Get the recipe at Weekend at the Cottage.
Lemon Rosemary Chicken
This isn't your weeknight chicken recipe. It looks impressive, and it's packed with flavor (zesty citrus and fresh herbs, specifically) that'll make your eyes roll back in your head in the best way.
Get the recipe at Nourish and Fete.
Honey Glazed Salmon
Salmon can often feel like an intimidating fish to make, but in reality, it’s so easy to master. This recipe's honey glaze has just a few ingredients, too, so it’s almost impossible to screw up, trust me.
Get the recipe at Dinner at the Zoo.
Four-Cheese Roasted Garlic Alfredo Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash has been popular for years now, but this Alfredo-inspired take on the gourd will bring some extra excitement to dinner. It's also perf if you have a vegetarian guest.
Get the recipe at Half-Baked Harvest.
Classic Lasagna
While trying something new can be fun, sometimes it’s best to stick to a classic. Lasagna is also impossible to not get right—just keep layering the noodles and cheese, friends.
Get the recipe at Delish.
Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
This plant-based dish only requires 15 minutes of prep, and the roasted red peppers add a sweet and smoky kick. Swap in gluten-free spaghetti if you and/or your date can't take the wheat (heh).
Get the recipe at Minimalist Baker.
Coconut Milk Braised Chicken
Perfect over rice with sweet potatoes on the side, this Thai-Indian fusion dish is sure to tantalize any date. The best part? It only takes 30 minutes to prep and cook.
Get the recipe at Half Baked Harvest.
Turkey Piccata
Delicious turkey dishes don't have to be limited to the holiday season. Try this recipe out for a creamy, lean protein option.
Get the recipe from Andie Mitchell.
Vegetarian Bolognese Cauliflower Gnocchi
If you've got a million bags of Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi in your freezer, this one's for you. It's a meatless take on spaghetti bolognese, and comes together in just a half hour.
Get the recipe at A Cozy Kitchen.
Spaghetti Carbonara
These noods are sure to get your S.O. hot and heavy. Andf you've got cheese, bacon, carbs, and 20 minutes, you've got what it takes to make this easy dish.
Get the recipe at Delish.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken
Sure, this meal might be what we like to call "project cooking"—aka it takes more effort than throwing together your fave frozen meal—but if you can wrap a present, this will be a piece of cake. Especially when you've got a PIC (partner in cooking, that is) by your side.
Get the recipe at HelloFresh.
Japanese Bento Box With Teriyaki Pineapple and Speckled Rice
For when you both want a little taste of everything, this Japanese-inspired, restaurant-worthy meal takes less than 30 minutes to make. More time to couch rot and watch Severance!
Get the recipe at Purple Carrot.
Lemon Garlic Pasta
It's hard to mess up pasta, and this one has the advantage of being delicious without calling for a sauce that'll ruin that white tablecloth you've always been too afraid to use.
Get the recipe at Wonky Wonderful.
Baked Chicken With Tomatoes and Garlic
The last thing anyone wants to do after a romantic dinner? Wash dishes. This one-skillet baked chicken is delightful and keeps the washing to a minimum.
Get the recipe at Brooklyn Supper.
French Bread Pizza
Italian + French = the ultimate romance language pairing. That's why this homemade 'za—made by plopping cheese, sauce, and toppings on a slice of French bread—is as romantic of a meal as it gets.
Get the recipe at Delish.
Korean Barbecue Beef Bowls
So much flavor, so little time. Garnish each bowl with a fried egg and some sesame seeds so your din din is truly Instagrammable.
Get the recipe at Simply Scratch.
Lobster Risotto
This ultra-creamy, ultra-impressive risotto? Two claws up. Especially when paired with a bottle of white wine.
Get the recipe at Delish.
Beet Heart Ravioli With Ricotta and Thyme
Pasta may be the way to their heart, but heart-shaped pasta? That's the sort of cooking flex that's going to win you some extra credit, believe me.
Get the recipe at Pina Bresciani.
Soup Dumplings
You know when it gets really cold and all you wanna do is curl up with your S.O. and binge The Bachelor? This is the sort of meal to eat while watching all the drama unfold at the mansion.
Get the recipe at Delish.
Mushroom-Spinach Stuffed Shells
Any kind of stuffed pasta recipe will give you an A for effort. And this extra-cheesy version is an A+.
Get the recipe at The Food Network.
Greek Chicken
Take date night to new heights by cooking up this chicken dish. You probably already have all of the ingredients on hand, so no need to put on real pants and hit up the grocery store for last-minute ingredients. You're welcome!
Get the recipe at Delish.
Baked Pineapple Salmon
This salmon recipe will make your mouth water, causing your significant other to fall even more in love with you after this meal. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Get the recipe at Delish.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Okay, I have nothing but pure, loud love for this chicken pot pie remix. It's gluten- and dairy-free (for all the duos with dietary restrictions out there), and the savory soup format is a delish spin on the OG dish.
Get the recipe at Minimalist Baker.
Mac and Cheese With Greens
A hearty, tasty meal if I ever did see one. This classic calls for alllll the cheese (three kinds, to be exact), so you better get to grating...
Get the recipe at Brooklyn Supper.
Lobster Ravioli
One of you craving Italian, and the other in the mood for some seafood? Gotchu with this lobster ravioli.
Get the recipe at Chisel and Fork.
Creamy Salmon Pasta
This creamy and indulgent salmon dish can come together in under half an hour. That means you can start an episode of The Office to play in the background, and dinner will be ready by the end.
Get the recipe at Midwest Foodie Blog
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e pepe is forever fun to say (unless you're Kris Jenner, IYKYK). It also only calls for five ingredients. So it's kind of a major win all around.
Get the recipe at Chisel and Fork.
Butternut Squash Risotto
Hello, rich autumnal vibes. We meet again. This entrée is perfect for when the weather outside is frightful, and the two of you just want a cozy night in front of your radiator.
Get the recipe at Preppy Kitchen.
Creamy Crab Soup
All you need is one pot and 30 minutes to bring this comforting soup to life. You might feel like you're enjoying a chilly day in Cape Cod by the time you're done.
Get the recipe at Midwest Foodie Blog.
Thai Yellow Chicken Curry With Potatoes
The prospect of creating the perfect curry can be a bit daunting, but this easy-to-follow recipe will leave you with a restaurant-level dish in no time.
Get the recipe at Pinch of Yum.
Broccoli Pesto Pasta
Gotta get your greens in? This is one actually delicious way to do it. It utilizes every green ingredient you can think of: Broccoli! Pesto! Olives! Pretty much all the greatest hits in the green food category.
Get the recipe at Cookie and Kate.
Spicy Vodka Pasta
Whether you refer to it by its original name, or prefer to call it the "Gigi Hadid Pasta," it's safe to say that this peppery meal is a certified classic.
Get the recipe at Jawn Is Cooked.
Ratatouille Sheet Pan Dinner With Sausage
This recipe basically just goes: chop, season, bake. It's so effortless, in fact, that you can probably pull it off without assistance from a rodent in your chef's hat. No shade to Remy, but that was a horrifically unsanitary concept, and I'm still not over it.
Get the recipe at The Modern Proper.
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
Why yes, ribs can be a romantic date night meal. As long as they're the kinda ribs that have been caramelized to peak perfection, and that you eat with a fork and knife for, you know, table etiquette reasons.
Get the recipe from Damn Delicious.
10-Shallot Braised Chicken Thighs
We all overuse shallots in the kitchen anyway, so why not do it in a by-the-books sort of way? The star of the show/dish, however, is the bacon, which is always welcome in my book.
Get the recipe from The Kitchn.
Garlic Butter Clams With White Cream Sauce
Are you salivating yet? Because I am. Clams are CLASS. Plus, this white cream sauce is bowl-lickin'-level good.
Get the recipe from Damn Delicious.
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