26 Affordable Recipes for Your Next Date In

Let’s be honest: Dating is expensive! Going out to restaurants is often a splurge, and even staying in to cook can be a challenge. The good news is, there are plenty of ways to save money while preparing dishes that feel special. You don’t need to shell out for expensive wine, filet mignon or truffle oil; with a little bit of care, humble ingredients like chicken thighs, canned tomatoes and potatoes can go a long way. We've rounded up recipes that rely on basic ingredients you likely already have on hand – like flour, sugar, milk, eggs, butter and lemons – to make elegant and fun meals.

This 6-Ingredient Orecchiette is a great example of using a few key ingredients to maximize flavor. Anchovy fillets amp up the umami, while broccoli rabe is boiled with the pasta to take the edge off its bitterness.

It’s date night — literally! Sweet, chopped dates and tangy caramelized lemon slices finish this dish beautifully. Using chicken thighs instead of breast saves a bit of money and amps up flavor, while pantry ingredients such as canned chickpeas, tomato paste, ground spices and couscous add flavor and heartiness.

Homemade gnocchi is great to make on a budget. All you need for the dough is potatoes, flour, an egg and a pinch of salt. The process is a labor of love, but that makes it especially fun to cook with your date! Toss the finished gnocchi in whatever sauce you want. It’s equally delicious with browned butter and sage, your favorite jarred sauce or grated cheese. This recipe is portioned for four, but if you can’t finish the whole batch, you can pop the leftover cut gnocchi into the freezer for another day.

Chicken thighs give more bang for your buck than breast in this rich curry. Canned whole tomatoes help thicken the creamy, tangy sauce.