The winter months can make it tough to get out for a romantic date night. Not to mention the cost that can quickly add up. Between food, booze, and entertainment (And we haven’t even gotten to Uber costs!) a night out on the town is $$$.
That is why an at-home date night is sometimes a must. We’re not saying all the time. But once in a while, a night at home making a delicious date night recipe is a genius idea.
We’ve broken these date night dinner ideas into appetizers, entrees, and (scroll to the very bottom) you’ll find desserts. So, regardless of whether you are the cook or dishwasher, here are some date night dinner ideas and recipes to get your creative (and romantic) juices flowing.
Date Night dinner recipes: Appetizers
Grilled oysters with white wine and butter sauce
Oysters are a natural aphrodisiac, and this dish with white wine and butter sauce will start the night strong. It could be a fun idea to grill these oysters with your partner on the BBQ.
Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil Bread Dip
Not into making complicated appetizers but still looking for something unique and delicious to start your meal off with? An easy bread dip paired with a tasty store-bought loaf is just what the romantic called for.
Valentine’s Day deviled eggs
I didn’t know you could put so much love into such a small starter! These romantic deviled eggs are perfect for date night because they scream love with a capital L.
Restaurant-Style Crab Rangoon
Date night meets takeout? This crab rangoon has all the necessary ingredients, from crab to cream cheese. Use real crab to take these appetizers to the next level.
Crostini with balsamic strawberries and ricotta
This dish is perfect for novice cooks as you don’t need to prepare much, but you still have a classy-looking offering to end the night. It can be served for dessert but is also a great picnic idea along with some wine.
Fried Mac and Cheese Bites
Maybe mac and cheese isn’t the most romantic idea, but delicious us delicious, right?
Cajun Boiled Peanuts
Spicy and savory and a perfect snacking appetizer to cuddle up with while your main course is still in the oven.
Date Night dinner recipes: Entrees
Surf and turf for two
You don’t need to go to a fancy restaurant to wow your partner this Valentine’s Day. This scallop and filet mignon surf and turf for two is an elegant way to do so.
Seasoned Pork Loin With Roasted Vegetables
Don’t have enough time to prep for date night this time? Throw it all in a pot, season it, and impress your significant other. There’s no need to tell them how easy it was!
Cacio e Pepe pasta
This recipe for Cacio e Pepe pasta only requires 5 ingredients and will be ready in 20 minutes. The recipe advises using Gran Padano or Pecorino cheese or mixing the two. It’s great for dates but is also in my weeknight dinner rotation.
Grilled salmon with avocado salsa
Salmon and avocado is such a great combination as it tastes delicious and looks pretty. On the nutritional side, this grilled salmon and creamy avocado salsa offers a great dosage of healthy fats.
Chicken parmesan for two
You can never really go wrong with comfort food on date night. I highly advise using Panko bread crumbs for this recipe with boneless chicken breast and fettuccine.
Pan-seared steak in butter sauce
If your partner is a big meat eater, this pan-seared flank steak in butter and Dijon mustard sauce may put a smile on their face. And it takes 10 minutes to prepare.
Sweet potato gnocchi
This sweet potato gnocchi recipe only requires 3 ingredients, and it’s the perfect date night meal for a vegan partner. Don’t these fluffy little potato treats make you want to dive right in?
Lemon butter scallops
These scallops are soaked in a lemon butter sauce with parsley and red pepper flakes to add a little kick. Personally, I prefer to omit garlic on date night.
Bearnaise strip steak for two
This Bearnaise New York strip steak with tarragon and white wine sauce is served with fingerling potatoes and vegetables. I can see you carnivores salivating already.
Rigatoni with sausage and kale
The pepper flakes on this rigatoni pasta will add a little spice on date night. It’s creamy, it’s comforting, and it’s delicious. I couldn’t ask for more.
Beef Wellington
With its beautiful shiny coating, beef Wellington is an upscale dish that will wow your partner on date night. It pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts.
Steakhouse sheet pan dinner for two
I love the idea of using one sheet pan for this shrimp and steak surf and turf. Just make sure that your date isn’t vegan or vegetarian, or the night might not turn out to plan.
Tapas for two
Take your partner on a multi-course trip to Spain this date night by preparing these beautiful little tapas. They are great for date night as they can be eaten slowly, with some chat and a bottle of wine.
Creamy peanut noodles
If your partner loves food full of spice and flavor, this vegan and gluten-free dish could make their night a little more special. The unique sauce with peanut butter, soy sauce, sriracha, maple syrup and rice vinegar is a delightful mix of sweet and sour.
Wild mushroom risotto for two
There’s something about Italian cuisine that makes it just so great for dates. It’s comforting and full of fresh ingredients, just like this wild mushroom risotto.
Spaghetti with lemon chicken piccata for two
This chicken piccata with lemon and capers is served on a bed of spaghetti, and this looks like a restaurant-quality dish. It’s not difficult to prepare. You just have to make sure that the spaghetti is ready at the same time as your bird.
Heart-shaped pepperoni pizza
You can get extra creative this Valentine’s Day and try out this festive heart-shaped pepperoni pizza. Well, perhaps you should practice at least once before putting it on the menu.
Pork ragout with pappardelle pasta
If you’ve got time on your hands, why not have a go at this delicious recipe for pork ragout with pappardelle? It’s one of my favorite romantic dinner ideas. The secret is letting your pork sit in that tomato sauce for a while to get that strong flavor you’re after.
Yellow curry mussels
If your date is a seafood lover, you can’t go wrong with the yellow curry mussels. Personally, I like serving it with a side of crusty bread to dip into that rich, creamy sauce.
Herb-crusted rack of lamb
A rack of lamb is always something to be celebrated. And the herbs and mint yoghurt sauce in this recipe complement the lamb beautifully. It’s definitely one of the most impressive date night recipes.
Loaded Potato Soup
One of our favorite winter go-to meals is a rich hearty soup and our sweet creamy cornbread. When I discovered Idahoan® Steakhouse® Soups a few months ago, I was instantly hooked. They give you the flavorful, slow-cooked taste of restaurant-quality soup at home, in literally just five minutes. With FOUR different flavors to choose from (Loaded Potato, Creamy Potato, Cheddar Broccoli and Cheddar Potato) we never get bored of the same thing.
Spending quality time with your SOUP-er significant other is an important part of any relationship. Sometimes finding the time can be a bit challenging, but it is still very important. Planning a nice romantic date night in doesn’t have to be over the top or extravagant, as long as you are together and strengthening the bond that you have for one another.
Setting The Mood
Start your night off with the right atmosphere. A romantic table can set just the right mood. This doesn’t have to be extreme, just use what you have already around the house. Mix and match things that will go together as a theme. This could be a color pallet or an actual theme night. I decided to go with black white and red since that is what I think of when I think of a romantic evening.
Add Some Accessories
Set the mood with a few accessories. Add some flowers and a few candles for a romantic touch. I used red paper cupcake liners filled with coarse salt to hold these cute little votives. As always, never leave a burning candle unattended, especially one in a paper liner. Pick up a few chocolate roses while you are at the store. They will add some fun color to the table, and you have a sweet treat for after dinner.
Just look at how creamy and thick this Loaded Potato Soup is. You can actually see the chunks of real Idaho® potatoes. Can you believe you just add water to this soup and it comes out this fabulous in only FIVE minutes?
Creamy Cornbread Muffins
Serve up some warm sweet creamy cornbread muffins and your meal is complete. I have included the recipe for the delicious cornbread muffins at the bottom of this post. They pair perfectly with all of the Idahoan Steakhouse Soups.
The next time you are planning your Romantic Date Night In, consider a simple yet hearty meal like these fantastic Idahoan Steakhouse Soups, a great movie, and the company of your Soup-er significant other. That is all you need for the perfect date night in!
Sweet Creamy Cornbread {Romantic Date Night In Made Easy}
Ingredients
- 2 boxes Cornbread mix
- 1 box Yellow cake mix
- 1 can Can whole kernel corn – drained
- Ingredients used for cornbread mix
- Ingredients used for cake mix
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease and lightly flour muffin tins or 9×13 baking pan (24 muffins or 1 9×13 pan)
- In two separate bowls, mix together the cornbread and yellow cake mix according to the package directions.
- Combine the two batters together.
- Add in the whole kernel corn.
- Pour batter into muffin tins 3/4 of the way full. These will rise pretty good.
- Bake in a 350-degree oven for 8 – 10 minutes
- Until the edges are golden brown, or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Nutrition
Sweet Date Night dinner ideas
Red velvet cake pops
What better way to make your partner’s heart melt than with these gorgeous little red velvet cake pops? They’re simply irresistible!
Cranberry cream cheese bites
This vegan appetizer with cranberry, cream cheese and hazelnuts is a treat to the eyes. It’s an elegant, tasteful way to begin the night.
Mini Cannoli Cups
If a cannoli and a tart had a baby? Sorta. These cute little cannolis are super easy to make, no piping is necessary!
Mini cheesecakes for two
Show your sweet side this Valentine’s Day with these cute little mini cheesecakes with raspberry coulis. If you don’t have a date, it will probably be eaten all by yourself. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
Heart-Shaped Rice Krispies Treats
A classic and romantic twist on a traditional (no fail) and delicious recipe.
Creme brulee for two
This creme brulee recipe is so simple to make and could be fun to prepare with your partner on date night. The cracked top is much easier to achieve than it looks!
Olive Garden Tiramisu
This tiramisu recipe is so simple – it’s ready in half an hour! Unfortunately, mascarpone cheese is quite expensive, but you can substitute it with cream cheese.
Sweet and Creamy Irish Coffee
If you’re looking for dessert but not willing to commit to baking, this sweet and creamy Irish coffee is a perfect recipe to finish the meal.
Peppermint Mocha Fudge
If you’ve never made fudge, you’ll be surprised at how easily it comes together. Not a peppermint fan? That’s ok. Add whatever topping that strikes your fancy.
Easy French Apple Tart
What says romance more than French apple tart? With just 9 ingredients, this is the easiest tart you’ll ever make.
Ice Cream Quick Bread
Ice cream meets bread might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But this sweet bread comes together in just minutes. So it’s worth a try 😉
Raspberry Nutella mirror glaze cheesecake
I never liked the combination of fruit and chocolate before, but this raspberry Nutella glaze cheesecake recipe won me over! With this beautiful glaze, your date won’t believe you prepared this at home!
Have questions or suggestions about these date night dinner recipes? Leave them in the comments below.
