21 Easy Date Night Dinners You Can Make Without Any Fancy Ingredients
You don’t need fancy ingredients to make a great date night meal. Easy date night dinners can be just as impressive without the extra cost or effort. A simple, well-made dish can turn an ordinary evening into something special. These recipes keep things stress-free so you can focus on the company instead of the cooking. Whether it’s a weeknight or a special occasion, a good meal and a little time together are all you really need.
Caprese Chicken
This easy date night dinner brings together juicy chicken, sweet cherry tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella. Fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze make it feel a little fancy without any extra effort. It’s a simple way to turn a regular weeknight into something special.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Chicken
Horseradish Crusted Beef
A crispy horseradish crust gives this beef filet a bold kick, while the butter keeps it unbelievably tender. It’s an easy date night dinner that looks impressive but comes together with minimal effort. Serve it with a glass of wine, and you’ve got a meal that feels straight out of a steakhouse.
Get the Recipe: Horseradish Crusted Beef
Ruth's Chris Stuffed Chicken Copycat
Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, this stuffed chicken is a restaurant-worthy meal made right at home. It’s the perfect easy date night dinner when you want something a little extra without spending hours in the kitchen. Serve it with roasted veggies or mashed potatoes for a meal that feels indulgent but is surprisingly simple.
Get the Recipe: Ruth's Chris Stuffed Chicken Copycat
Pasta Alla Salmone
Rich and creamy, this pasta dish combines tender salmon with a velvety white wine sauce. It’s a quick and easy date night dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes but still feels like something you’d order at a nice restaurant. Pair it with a crisp salad, and you’re all set.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Alla Salmone
Salmon Meunière
Crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside, this salmon is topped with a buttery lemon sauce that keeps it light and fresh. It’s an easy date night dinner that tastes elegant but takes very little time to prepare. Serve it with roasted veggies or rice for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Meunière
Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce for Lobster Ravioli
Silky, rich, and bursting with bright lemon flavor, this sauce is the perfect match for lobster ravioli. It turns a simple pasta dish into an easy date night dinner that feels a little luxurious. Add a glass of white wine, and you’re all set for a cozy night in.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce for Lobster Ravioli
Marry Me Chicken Pasta
A creamy, sun-dried tomato sauce coats tender chicken and pasta in this simple yet bold dish. It’s an easy date night dinner that delivers big flavor without requiring a ton of effort. Whether you serve it with garlic bread or a side salad, it’s a meal that’s sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
This steak is wrapped in crispy bacon and seared to perfection, making it the ultimate easy date night dinner. With just a handful of ingredients, it turns an ordinary evening into something special. Serve it with mashed potatoes or roasted asparagus for a meal that feels straight out of a steakhouse.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
Hibachi Steak
Bring the fun of a Japanese steakhouse to your own kitchen with this sizzling hibachi steak. It’s an easy date night dinner that’s packed with bold flavors from soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil. Pair it with fried rice and sautéed vegetables for a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Get the Recipe: Hibachi Steak
Chimichurri Steak Bites
These juicy steak bites are coated in a garlicky chimichurri sauce that adds just the right amount of freshness. Perfect for an easy date night dinner, they come together in just 15 minutes. Serve them with a side of roasted potatoes or a simple salad for a meal that’s quick but full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chimichurri Steak Bites
Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups
These lasagna roll-ups bring layers of creamy cheese, tender spinach, and rich tomato sauce, all baked to perfection. Since they’re easy to portion and serve, they’re great for easy date night dinners when you want something homemade without the hassle. Just roll, bake, and enjoy a cozy meal together.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups
Easy Air Fryer Delmonico Steak Recipe
This air fryer Delmonico steak delivers a perfectly cooked, juicy bite with minimal effort. It’s an easy date night dinner that feels like a steakhouse meal without the wait. Pair it with your favorite sides for a simple yet impressive dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Delmonico Steak Recipe
Shrimp Scampi
Garlicky, buttery shrimp come together with white wine and fresh lemon juice for a dish that’s as rich as it is quick. Whether served over pasta or with crusty bread, it’s an easy date night dinner that feels fancy without extra effort. Big flavor, little time, and barely any cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi
Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Surf and Turf
This dish brings together tender steak, juicy shrimp, and a creamy sauce loaded with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan. It’s a great pick for easy date night dinners when you want something indulgent but don’t want to juggle multiple pots and pans. Just one pan and 30 minutes stand between you and a meal worth remembering.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Surf and Turf
Creamy Steak Pasta Recipe
Tender steak, creamy sauce, and hearty pasta make this dish both comforting and easy to pull together. It’s one of those easy date night dinners that looks impressive but doesn’t take all night to cook. Serve it with a glass of wine for a relaxed night in.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Steak Pasta Recipe
One Pan Caprese Chicken
Juicy chicken, melted mozzarella, and a balsamic glaze make this dish fresh and full of flavor. Since it all comes together in one pan, it’s a great choice for easy date night dinners when you want something impressive without extra cleanup. Serve it with pasta, bread, or roasted veggies for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: One Pan Caprese Chicken
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steaks
Let your slow cooker handle dinner while you enjoy a laid-back evening. These Salisbury steaks are tender, smothered in rich brown gravy, and perfect for easy date night dinners when you want comfort food without standing over the stove. Just set it, forget it, and serve when you're ready.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Salisbury Steaks
Chicken Piccata Meatballs
These chicken meatballs simmer in a buttery lemon sauce with briny capers for just the right balance of richness and brightness. They’re perfect for easy date night dinners when you want something comforting but still a little fancy. Serve them over pasta or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata Meatballs
Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta
This pasta brings bold flavor with a creamy, spicy sauce that coats every bite of shrimp and noodles. It’s a fun pick for easy date night dinners when you want something with a little heat and a lot of flavor. Plus, it comes together in no time.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta
One-Pot Easy Vegan Pasta Bake
This baked pasta is loaded with plant-based goodness and creamy, rich flavors, all without extra dishes to wash. Since everything cooks in one pot, it’s perfect for easy date night dinners when you want something hearty without the mess. Just bake, serve, and enjoy a relaxed evening.
Get the Recipe: One-Pot Easy Vegan Pasta Bake
Slow Cooker Creamy Mushroom Pot Roast
This slow-cooked pot roast is fall-apart tender and smothered in a rich, creamy mushroom sauce. It’s the kind of easy date night dinner that fills your home with amazing aromas while you kick back and relax. Serve it over mashed potatoes or buttered noodles for the ultimate cozy meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Mushroom Pot Roast
