These Date Night Dinner Ideas are perfect for a cozy night in! When you want to skip the restaurant and make something special at home to save money, there’s nothing quite like whipping up your favourite romantic dinner recipe. Whether you’re looking for elegant main dishes, light and flavourful salads, comforting pasta dishes, or decadent desserts, we’ve DEFINITELY got the date night dinner recipe you’re looking for!
- Keep it Simple but Special: Choose recipes that feel elevated but are still easy to make — think roasted chicken or creamy pasta. You want to spend your night enjoying each other’s company, not stressing in the kitchen.
- Complimentary Recipes: Plan a balanced meal with a variety of flavours and textures – a savoury main with a fresh salad or a rich pasta with a light side. Pick recipes that pair well together.
- Make it Together: Cooking on date night can be part of the fun! Choose recipes you can make together – like building poke bowls, assembling a charcuterie board, or tossing salads with homemade dressing.
- Set the Mood: Create the right atmosphere by lighting a few candles, pour a glass of wine, and serve your meal on real plates. Even a simple dinner feels romantic with the right ambiance.
- Plan Ahead: Prep what you can in advance – marinate proteins, chop veggies, or make sauces earlier in the day. That way, dinner feels effortless and relaxed when it’s time to cook.
1
Marry Me Chicken
The BEST date-night main dish, this Marry Me Chicken features tender chicken in a simple sun-dried tomato cream sauce, ready in under 30 minutes.
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2
Cast Iron Steak
The ultimate guide to the perfect medium rare steak, this Cast Iron Steak recipe is the best easy restaurant-quality steak made with basic ingredients in 25 minutes or less!
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3
Olive Garden Salad
This Olive Garden Salad recipe is exactly like the restaurant house salad – with classic creamy Italian dressing & fresh Parmesan cheese!
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4
White Wine and Herb Marinated Grilled Chicken
This White Wine and Herb Marinated Grilled Chicken is a juicy and flavourful grilled chicken recipe made with simple ingredients!
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5
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Learn how to make Chocolate Covered Strawberries with this easy tutorial for chocolate dipped strawberries – perfect for Valentine's day! Make your own chocolate strawberries with melted chocolate and fresh fruit.
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6
Chocolate Cheesecake
The BEST creamy baked chocolate cheesecake with chocolate ganache, this Chocolate Cheesecake recipe is easy to make with PRO tips!
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7
Apple Walnut Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
This Apple Walnut Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing is a delicious winter salad recipe that’s packed with healthy greens, fruit, nuts, sweet onions, sharp blue cheese and buttery goat cheese, all topped with a sweet balsamic salad dressing!
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8
Air Fryer Steak
Restaurant-quality steak that's ready in minutes! This Air Fryer Steak recipe makes perfectly cooked juicy steak every single time.
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9
Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Parmesan
These Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Parmesan are fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and flavoured with garlic, herbs, & parmesan!
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10
One Pan Teriyaki Glazed Salmon
Teriyaki Glazed Salmon is a delicious meal of flaky salmon with sweet teriyaki glaze. Make this easy teriyaki salmon in one pan in 20 minutes!
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11
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is an easy 25-minute one-pan meal. Seasoned chicken breasts & pasta in a simple creamy garlic Parmesan sauce.
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12
Easy 20-Minute Tomato Asparagus Carbonara Pasta
This Easy 20-Minute Tomato Asparagus Carbonara Pasta is the perfect spring-inspired dinner recipe with fresh tomatoes, asparagus & light, creamy sauce.
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13
Best Mashed Potatoes
Ultra creamy and smooth with no lumps, this Best Mashed Potatoes recipe is the ultimate guide to homemade restaurant-quality mashed potatoes made the easy way!
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14
Chocolate Mousse
The BEST authentic French Mousse au Chocolat made with only 4 simple ingredients, this easy Chocolate Mousse recipe is ultra light & decadent!
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15
One Pan Chicken Alfredo Pasta
This One Pan Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a delicious and easy weeknight meal with chicken breast, fettuccine, and the easiest Alfredo sauce ever!
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16
Poke Bowls
This Poke Bowl Recipe is the perfect fresh and healthy Hawaiian-style meal! Made with veggies, crispy salmon or tofu, & brown rice.
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17
Chocolate Layer Cake
This Chocolate Cake Recipe is ultra moist, decadent & frosted with fluffy chocolate buttercream frosting. Easy to make with a secret ingredient!
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18
Easy Pasta Carbonara
Learn how to make classic Italian Carbonara with this Easy Pasta Carbonara recipe. Made with basic ingredients, it's ultra rich and creamy, and it's on the table in under 30 minutes!
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19
Healthy Winter Citrus Spinach Arugula Salad
Spinach arugula salad is the perfect holiday side dish. Make this recipe with healthy greens, citrus fruit, pecans and maple balsamic dressing!
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20
Chicken Milanese with Roasted Tomatoes and Spinach
This easy weeknight dinner recipe for Chicken Milanese creates a flavour-packed meal! Breaded, pan fried chicken breast with roasted tomatoes and spinach.
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21
Easy Charcuterie Board
This Easy Charcuterie Board is the perfect simple appetizer featuring a variety of cured meats, cheeses, crackers, fruit, nuts & olives!
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22
Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice
This Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice recipe is an easy meal that's fresh & full of flavour! An easy Greek chicken recipe with lemon rice, made in one pan!
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23
Baked Balsamic Bruschetta Chicken
This Baked Balsamic Bruschetta Chicken is a delicious low carb main dish made in one pan in under 30 minutes! Juicy chicken breasts, fresh tomatoes, parmesan, and balsamic glaze.
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24
Easy Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Spinach
Stuffed shells with spinach are the perfect vegetarian weeknight meal. Make this easy pasta recipe ahead and bake it to cheesy perfection in under 30 minutes!
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25
Baked Ricotta and Spinach Cannelloni
This Baked Ricotta and Spinach Cannelloni is made with three delicious cheeses and it’s the perfect easy comfort food recipe that’s also vegetarian! It’s a pasta lover’s dream recipe!
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