35 Date Night Dinners Easy Enough for a Weeknight

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If you plan to celebrate at home, here are 35 lovely dinners that are easy enough for a weeknight yet elegant enough for date night.

Be sure to serve my Classic Creme Brulee for Two or Avocado Chocolate Mousse for the perfect sweet ending to any of these meals!

Collage of two chicken recipes and two fish recipes.

Because Valentine’s Day falls on a weeknight this year, it may or may not be convenient for you to enjoy a dinner out with your sweetheart. My husband and I think it’s important to celebrate our relationship throughout the year, so a date on the calendar doesn’t matter to us.

These 35 lovely dinners are easy enough for a weeknight yet elegant enough for date night!

Fish and Seafood

Preparing fish and seafood at home is not as difficult as you think! Make one of these recipes for your sweetheart, and you won’t put off enjoying fish and seafood until your next restaurant visit ever again!

Mediterranean Fish and White Bean Skillet in white cast iron skillet topped with lemon slices.
5 from 2 votes

Mediterranean Fish and White Bean Skillet

This Mediterranean Fish and White Bean Skillet combines that sunny region's classic ingredients for the perfect healthy dinner! Flaky white fish and creamy cannellini beans are infused with bright flavor as they bake under fresh lemon slices, olives, and a Fresno chile in a white wine reduction. Best of all, this light and delicious dish comes together in just one skillet!
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Mediterranean Fish en Papillote opened to reveal baked fish with a piece of the fish on a fork.
4.50 from 54 votes

Mediterranean Fish Recipe en Papillote

Fish en Papillote captures all the classic flavors of the sunny region of the Mediterranean. A combination of ingredients, including juicy tomatoes, briny olives, tangy capers, fragrant garlic, olive oil, wine and refreshing lemon, is paired with fish. So much flavor all wrapped up in parchment paper parcels for a no-muss, no-fuss, healthy dinner!
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One serving of Pistachio-Crusted Fish with Lemon-Dill Aioli with roasted potatoes on black dinner plate.
4.38 from 29 votes

Pistachio Crusted Fish with Lemon Dill Aioli

Pistachio Crusted Fish with Lemon Dill Aioli is an easy restaurant-quality meal that’s perfect for date night and it’s ready in 30 minutes!
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Baked Veracruz-Style Fish in white rectangular baking dish.
4.70 from 13 votes

Baked Veracruz Fish (Pescado A La Veracruzana)

Baked Veracruz Fish (Pescado A La Veracruzana) is an easy, light, colorful and super-flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight or date night!
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Baked Tilapia with Spinach Pecan Pesto - Straight-on close-up shot of finished dish garnished with chopped pecans and lemon wedges
5 from 3 votes

Baked Tilapia with Spinach Pecan Pesto

Baked Tilapia with Spinach – Pecan Pesto is an easy recipe that makes a great, healthy weeknight dinner that's also elegant enough to serve to guests!
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Butter-Basted Halibut with Lemon-Braised Baby Vegetables in white bowl.
4.30 from 17 votes

Butter Basted Halibut with Lemon Braised Baby Vegetables

Butter-Basted Halibut with Lemon-Braised Baby Vegetables is perfect for a spring dinner for two!  It's light, fresh and the perfect way to showcase this beautiful fish!
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Blackened Halibut with Mango - Avocado Salsa on white plate with fork garnished with cilantro and lime wedge with a piece removed to show the inside of the fish.
4.52 from 37 votes

Blackened Halibut with Mango and Avocado Salsa

Try this Blackened Halibut recipe for a healthy dinner idea for two with a tropical twist! Mild, fresh halibut is coated in a homemade blackening spice mixture, seared to form a lightly charred crust, then topped with a lively mango and avocado salsa.
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Close-up photo of Prosciutto-Wrapped Halibut with Herb - Caper Butter with lemon wedges in black skillet.
4.67 from 9 votes

Prosciutto-Wrapped Halibut with Herb Caper Butter

Prosciutto-Wrapped Halibut with Herb – Caper Butter is an easy yet elegant, restaurant-quality dinner for two you'll both love! Lovely, mild, sustainable halibut is wrapped in salty, savory prosciutto, browned then draped in a lemony herb and caper compound butter.
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Indian Spiced Sea Bass with Braised Red Lentils in black bowl with fork, cilantro sprigs and lime wedges.
4.64 from 19 votes

Indian Spiced Sea Bass with Braised Red Lentils

Indian Spiced Sea Bass with Braised Red Lentils is a healthful way to spice up a date night dinner!
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Pomegranate and Orange Glazed Salmon with Stir Fried Vegetables on white plate.
5 from 4 votes

Pomegranate and Orange Glazed Salmon with Stir-Fried Vegetables

Pomegranate and Orange Glazed Salmon with Stir-Fried Vegetables is healthful, light and easy to make!  Omega-rich salmon and fresh vegetables are topped with a slightly spicy fruity glaze!
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Seared Sea Scallops with Tomato, Red Onion and Balsamic Salsa with roasted asparagus on white plate.
5 from 2 votes

Seared Sea Scallops with Tomato Red Onion and Balsamic Salsa

Seared Sea Scallops with Tomato, Red Onion and Balsamic Salsa is a light, elegant, restaurant-quality dish for two that's also super easy!
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Seared Sea Scallops with Sweet Corn Risotto and Basil Salsa Verde in white bowl.
4.78 from 9 votes

Sweet Corn Risotto with Seared Sea Scallops and Basil Salsa Verde

Sweet Corn Risotto with Seared Sea Scallops and Basil Salsa Verde is a beautiful, delicious, summery date night dinner for two! The creamy risotto pairs perfectly with the golden crust of the scallops, while the vibrant basil salsa verde adds a fresh and herbaceous finish. It's an elegant yet approachable dish sure to impress your loved one!
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One serving of Seared Sea Scallops with Smoky Sweet Corn Puree on white plate.
4.86 from 21 votes

Seared Scallops with Smoky Sweet Corn Puree

When sea scallops are done right, they’re absolutely magical—tender, buttery, and slightly sweet with that irresistible golden crust. This recipe for Seared Sea Scallops with Smoky Sweet Corn Purée is one of those simple-yet-elegant dishes that feels restaurant-worthy but is surprisingly easy to pull off at home!
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Pistachio Encrusted Scallops with Champagne Risotto and Roasted Asparagus on white plate with ornate fork.
4.46 from 11 votes

Pistachio Crusted Sea Scallops with Champagne Risotto and Roasted Asparagus

Pistachio Crusted Sea Scallops with Champagne Risotto and Roasted Asparagus is a beautiful, restaurant-quality meal that's easy to prepare at home.  Perfect for any private celebration for two!
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Seared Sea Scallops with Spicy Bacon Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce in white bowl with pasta twirled around a copper fork.
5 from 12 votes

Seared Sea Scallops with Spicy Bacon Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce

Seared Sea Scallops with Spicy Bacon Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce is easy and perfect for an Italian-inspired romantic dinner for two!
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Shrimp Scampi with Artichokes in skillet.
5 from 2 votes

Shrimp Scampi with Artichokes

If you’re craving something quick, elegant, and bursting with flavor, this Shrimp Scampi with Artichokes is the perfect dinner solution. It takes everything you love about classic scampi—garlicky butter sauce, a splash of white wine, tender shrimp—and gives it a fresh spring twist with the addition of artichokes.
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Shrimp and Corn Risotto with Bacon in white bowl with serving spoon.
4.60 from 47 votes

Shrimp and Corn Risotto with Bacon

Creamy, comforting, and packed with summery flavor, this Shrimp and Corn Risotto with Bacon is a dish you’ll want to savor all season long. Sweet, juicy shrimp and fresh corn kernels bring a light, natural sweetness that perfectly balances the richness of creamy Arborio rice and smoky, salty bacon. Each bite offers a little taste of coastal comfort with a Southern twist!
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Chicken

These easy chicken recipes are perfect for sharing with your sweetie. Some are healthy, some are spicy, and all are delicious!

Marry Me Chicken in white bowl with angel hair pasta and fork garnished with fresh basil leaves.
4.75 from 4 votes

Marry Me Chicken For Two

The classic Marry Me Chicken recipe scaled perfectly for two–the way it should be. This famous creamy chicken dish with sun-dried tomatoes is super easy to make and perfect for any date night.
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Finished 40 Clove Garlic Chicken in white enamel cast iron skillet.
4.50 from 16 votes

40 Clove Garlic Chicken

40 Clove Garlic Chicken is a classic French country chicken dish with, yes, 40 cloves of garlic! It's perfect for a weeknight dinner or your most elegant dinner party.  Paired with budget-friendly chicken thighs, all that garlic mellows into buttery goodness!
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Moroccan Chicken with Jeweled Couscous on white plate.
5 from 2 votes

Moroccan Chicken with Jeweled Couscous

Moroccan Chicken with Jeweled Couscous is like a quick culinary escape to Morrocco!  The couscous comes together quickly while the chicken bakes.  The two together make a stunning presentation!
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Chicken Bruschetta on oval white platter garnished with fresh lemons and basil.
5 from 6 votes

Bruschetta Chicken

Italian-inspired grilled Bruschetta Chicken is light, fresh, healthful, and easy as summer itself. Juicy marinated, grilled chicken breasts are topped with a vibrant mix of tomatoes, basil, garlic, and balsamic vinegar, making it a perfect dish for casual summer gatherings or simple weeknight dinners.
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One serving of Crab-Stuffed Chicken Breasts over asparagus on white marble slab.
4.45 from 70 votes

Crab Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Crab Stuffed Chicken Breasts are elegant enough for a dinner party yet easy enough for a weeknight! A perfect date night dinner for two!
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Curry Braised Chicken Thighs hero shot in pan garnished with cilantro on dark wood surface with yellow striped towel.
4.60 from 333 votes

Curry Braised Chicken Thighs

Spice up the night with your loved one with this Indian-inspired dinner for two! Serve with plenty of brown basmati rice to soak up this flavorful sauce.
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Korean Braised Chicken Thighs in cast iron skillet garnished with scallion and sesame seeds.
4.52 from 99 votes

Korean Braised Chicken Thighs

Korean Braised Chicken Thighs use the most flavorful and budget-friendly part of the chicken for a dish you’ll crave again and again!
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Chicken Pinot Noir in blue Dutch oven on blue striped towel.
4.48 from 254 votes

Chicken Pinot Noir with Wild Mushrooms and Fresh Basil

Chicken Pinot Noir with Wild Mushrooms and Fresh Basil is a dish with a European flair, blending the richness of a French-inspired wine sauce with the earthy flavors of wild mushrooms and the brightness of fresh basil.
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Two bowls Chicken in Rosa Sauce with Roasted Red Bell Pepper and Spinach in white serving bowls.
5 from 5 votes

Chicken in Creamy Tomato Sauce

You'll love the simplicity and indulgence of this Chicken in Creamy Tomato Sauce–a heartwarming blend of tender chicken in a velvety tomato base enriched with cream and Parmesan cheese. It’s a dish that can effortlessly transition from a comforting weeknight dinner to an elegant offering for guests.
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Beef, Pork, and Lamb

These beef, pork, and lamb dishes are the perfect easy and delicious indulgence for date night!

Beef Tenderloin Fillets with Spinach Cambozola Stuffed Mushrooms and Red Wine Sauce with steak knife on plate set on wood cutting board.
4.50 from 6 votes

Beef Tenderloin Fillets with Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms and Red Wine Sauce

Beef Tenderloin Fillets with Spinach Cambozola Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms and Red Wine Sauce is entree and side dish all in one.  You might call this dish seriously “over-the-top!”
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One serving of Beef Stroganoff on red plate.
4.80 from 5 votes

Lighter Beef Stroganoff

Lighter Beef Stroganoff is a healthier twist on a rich and luxurious dish that has aristocratic origins.  This lightened-up version, scaled for two servings, makes it perfect for today.
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Two servings of Spicy Tahini Pork Medallions with Harissa Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges on black plates.
4.65 from 14 votes

Spicy Tahini Pork Medallions with Harissa Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges

Spicy Tahini Pork Medallions with Harissa Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges is a super-tasty dinner for two!  You’ll enjoy making this spicy, flavorful dish for that special someone and it’s also the perfect easy dinner you can make together!  It’s so good, my husband practically licked his plate!
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Pecan-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon - Mustard Sauce on wood cutting board with pecans and fresh thyme scattered around it.
4.72 from 38 votes

Pecan-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon Mustard Sauce

Pecan-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon – Mustard Sauce is perfect for elegant entertaining!  It's easy, elegant and can be prepped ahead.
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Sicilian Stuffed Pork Chops with White Wine Caper Sauce in white dish.
4.75 from 4 votes

Sicilian Stuffed Pork Chops with White Wine and Caper Sauce

Sicilian Stuffed Pork Chops with White Wine and Caper Sauce is an elegant way to dress up a dinnertime staple–the pork chop!
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Parmesan and Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops on gray-rimmed platter.
4.46 from 24 votes

Parmesan and Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops

Parmesan and Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops are easy to prepare and perfect for a spring special occasion for two.
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Seared Lamb Chops with Anchovy Butter on patinated baking sheet.
5 from 2 votes

Pan-Seared Lamb Chops with Anchovy Butter

Here's an easy, restaurant-quality weeknight or date night dinner that's done in about 30 minutes! Seared Lamb Chops with Anchovy Butter rocks with flavor but are made from simple ingredients.
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Starters and Sides

Two oval dishes of Au Gratin Potatoes for Two with fork digging into one.
4.45 from 52 votes

Au Gratin Potatoes for Two

A delicious and simple side dish, cheesy, creamy Au Gratin Potatoes for Two is the perfect addition to your date night dinner. Pairs beautifully with so many main courses!
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French Onion Soup for Two - Close-up shot with spoon lifting out some of the soup
4.73 from 37 votes

French Onion Soup for Two

French Onion Soup is a classic that is always in season! This version is scaled perfectly for a lovely dinner for two!
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About Carol

Carol is a personal chef with 22 years of experience cooking food people want to eat! Here, you'll find expert techniques, time-saving tips, and flavor-packed dishes you'll be proud to serve family and friends.

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2 Comments

  1. Gemma @ MakeupMuddle says:

    So many delicious recipes. I’ve bookmarked three of them, and I can’t wait to try them – especially the Orange-Glazed Salmon. I feel like I can almost taste it just from your images 🙂 xo

    1. Carol says:

      Hi, Gemma, Thanks so very much and hope you enjoy!