Our Best Date Night Recipes
Whether you’re planning a quiet evening at home or a quick bite before you head out the door, these recipes for two will help you plan the perfect date-night dinner.
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Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©Copyright 2015
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Photo By: Stephen Johnson ©2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©Copyright 2015
Photo By: Julie Wampler ©2015 Julie Wampler (Table for Two)
Chicken Piccata
A quick lemon-butter sauce and a sprinkle of fresh parsley turn simple breaded chicken cutlets into an impressive dinner for two — in just 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata
Steakhouse Sheet Pan Dinner for Two
Date night just got simpler. Here's a traditional surf-and-turf dinner with all the sides, but without any of the complicated prep. Using just one sheet pan makes it a quick cleanup, too.
Get the Recipe: Steakhouse Sheet Pan Dinner for Two
Cheesecake for Two
Treat your special someone to something sweet — this recipe makes just enough cheesecake for two, thanks to a jumbo muffin tin and scaled-down ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Cheesecake for Two
Kung Pao Cauliflower
Why order takeout when you can make Ree’s spicy cauliflower for two in just 16 minutes?
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Cauliflower
Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Mojo
Fish cooks up in a flash which makes it the perfect choice if you're heading out for a show or movie after dinner. Best of all, this mahi features a simple sauce that will make your quick, homemade meal taste like a restaurant-worthy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Mojo
Limoncello Fizz
The flavors of lemon and thyme are the perfect complement to Chardonnay in this frothy, easy-to-sip cocktail.
Get the Recipe: Limoncello Fizz
Pan-Fried T-Bone Steak
Good-quality steak needs very little to become a date night-worthy dinner. Just brush it with a little oil and season generously with salt and pepper before giving it a good sear in a cast-iron skillet.
Get the Recipe: Pan-Fried T-Bone Steak
Risotto with Lemon and Shrimp for Two
This risotto with lemon and shrimp has simple yet elegant flavors. Traditionally, risotto is made in large batches to feed a crowd, but this recipe breaks that tradition and makes just enough for exactly two people!
Get the Recipe: Risotto with Lemon and Shrimp for Two
Pan-Roasted Chicken with Mushrooms and Rosemary
Double up on ingredients and you'll have enough of this rich, savory chicken dinner for two. Serve simply with your favorite grain or sautéed string beans and you've got a meal worth adding to your date night repertoire!
Get the Recipe: Pan-Roasted Chicken with Mushrooms and Rosemary
Individual Strawberry Trifles
Giada mixes fresh strawberries with savory balsamic vinegar to create a layered dessert that's unlike any other.
Get the Recipe: Individual Strawberry Trifles
Heart-Shaped Pizza for Two
With a few little tricks, you can transform a regular pepperoni pizza into a special heart-shaped treat. We take a few shortcuts, like store-bought pizza dough and sauce, so that it comes together quickly, but don't worry, we won't tell anyone it wasn't a labor of love.
Get the Recipe: Heart-Shaped Pizza for Two
Pasta Pomodoro for Two
You won't believe how much flavor this quick and easy pasta dish has. The secret is a few special ingredients: sweet Italian San Marzano tomatoes, spicy red pepper flakes and a chiffonade of fresh, aromatic basil.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Pomodoro for Two
Southside Cocktail
This classy, gin-based cocktail looks absolutely amazing with nothing more than a sprig of fresh mint. Go ahead, impress that special someone.
Get the Recipe: Southside Cocktail
Chicken Under a Brick
This roasted chicken takes a little bit of extra work and planning — but it's sure to impress. The bones are removed from a small chicken to flatten it and help it cook evenly. It's then air-chilled overnight to ensure the skin gets golden and crispy. Cooking it doesn't take a ton of babysitting — just check it every once in a while and adjust your heat as necessary.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Under a Brick
Pancetta and Leek Risotto for Two
You can't improve upon the classic stovetop risotto technique for a perfect hearty meal for two. We loaded this dish with tender leeks, crispy pancetta and baby spinach, giving this bowl a familiar flavor yet extra special appeal.
Get the Recipe: Pancetta and Leek Risotto for Two
Shrimp, White Bean and Feta Skillet
Keep it simple on date night. This meal is ready in just under 30 minutes — and there's only one pan to clean up afterwards.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp, White Bean and Feta Skillet
Chocolate Cake for Two
One thin layer of chocolate cake becomes a decadent dessert for two in this easy recipe. Serve with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream for a creamy and delicious slice of layer cake.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cake for Two
Steakhouse Steaks
Ina always makes the best meals for Jeffrey so you know you can trust her with your date night plans. Case in point? This decadent filet mignon for two.
Get the Recipe: Steakhouse Steaks
Pork Ragout with Pappardelle Pasta
The secret ingredient in this recipe is time (although there's thyme too). Letting the pork slowly braise in the tomato sauce builds a deep and rich flavor. We loved this served over pappardelle but it's great with cavatelli too. Make it for four or serve just two for a special dinner and you'll have some much appreciated leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Pork Ragout with Pappardelle Pasta
Rosemary Julep
Smooth, sweet bourbon stands up perfectly to the piney, aromatic nature of fresh rosemary. Combine the two in this drink for a cocktail you’re sure to make again and again.
Get the Recipe: Rosemary Julep
Apple Cobbler for Two
You won't have days and days of leftover cobbler with this perfectly scaled-down recipe. It makes just enough for two!
Get the Recipe: Apple Cobbler for Two
Pasta Alle Vongole
If you’re intimidated by seafood, don’t be. This classic dish is simple to make at home (and guaranteed to impress your date). Just be sure to scrub the clams well to remove any sand before cooking.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Alle Vongole
Surf and Turf Dinner for Two
Date night just got a lot easier — and less expensive. Here's a traditional surf and turf dinner with a juicy steak, buttery shrimp scampi and creamy scalloped potatoes, but without the restaurant mark-up or complicated prep. Plus, using just one sheet pan means clean-up is a breeze!
Get the Recipe: Surf and Turf Dinner for Two
Amaretto Tiramisu for Two
Instead of making a whole pan of dessert, this Tiramisu recipe calls for just enough ingredients to make two glasses of delicious, layered cream, cocoa powder and ladyfingers.
Get the Recipe: Amaretto Tiramisu for Two
Lemon and Herb Chicken with Asparagus and Roasted Red Potatoes for Two
This lemon-and-herb chicken dish is a trifecta of everything you and your other half need for a well-balanced meal. The best part of all? It really does come together in no time. While you have the potatoes roasting, you work on the chicken and asparagus. The dish is practically done by the time the potatoes are ready, and you can sit down to a fulfilling meal that doesn't suck the energy out of you.
Get the Recipe: Lemon and Herb Chicken with Asparagus and Roasted Red Potatoes for Two
Black Forest Cake For Two
Have your cake — without having to feel guilty about eating leftover slices for days on end! Ree’s recipe cleverly turns a quarter sheet pan of cake into a layered masterpiece that’s perfect for two.
Get the Recipe: Black Forest Cake For Two
