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Knowing some romantic dinner ideas for couples can help you spice up your special day. Both partners will cherish a romantic dinner on celebratory occasions such as an anniversary, birthday, or a date night, with a simple home-cooked dinner. You may also have a sumptuous meal and a creamy dessert and fine wine, rather than going to a fancy restaurant or a movie and night out. You can enjoy the evening and have a good dinner date night with simple ideas. Plunge into this post for some dinner ideas for couples that will add spice to your romantic date.
55 Romantic Dinner Ideas For Two
1. Creamy Parmesan risotto with roasted shrimp
It contains creamy risotto, salty Parmesan, and sweet, juicy roasted shrimp, making it a flavorful yet comforting dish. Since many of us order risotto at a restaurant and do not cook much at home, it adds a restaurant-like flair to the meal. Moreover, it involves slow cooking, giving you enough time to open a bottle of wine and enjoy a drink while cooking.
2. White wine coq au vin
It is not as complicated as its name but an easy one-pot dish for a romantic night. It is a classic French country-style chicken stew cooked in wine and immersed in a delectable sauce. In this dish, chicken is braised in a smooth wine sauce and topped with butter to make the perfect sauce.
3. Smoked salmon potato cakes with herbed crème fraîche
This dish comes with a twist for seafood lovers—smoked salmon trout. The potato cakes made with oil-rich smoked fish do not need additional seasoning and are yet creamy and moist. The crispiness of fried panko and herb-flavored crème fraîche adds an extra zing to this simple dish.
4. Mexican beef tacos
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Fancy a Mexican delight for your date night? These smoky beef tacos are loaded with sliced radish, pineapple, cabbage, and pickled jalapeños. You can spice these playful tacos with sour cream, lemon wedges, and cilantro.
5. Hoisin chicken with charred peas
If you and your partner are fans of Asian food and like a nice charred flavor in your food, then this dish is perfect for you. Garnished with charred snow peas and cilantro, the sweet and salty chicken dish can be served with rice. Besides, this meal for two is simple and quick to cook.
6. Mango and grilled scallop salad
This tropical-flavor inspired salad will bring the freshness to your table on busy nights. This quick recipe is made of fresh, charred scallops and mango, avocado, and lettuce and drizzled with a delectable dressing, making it a great meal to transport you to the beaches.
7. Pomegranate-citrus glazed duck breast
Although duck breast may sound like a fancy restaurant meal, it is special and different. It has a juicy richness like a steak but is light. The tangy glaze of pomegranate molasses, fresh citrus, and spices adds a characteristic flavor to the dish, making it perfect for a celebratory meal for two.
8. Cajun chicken pasta
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This pasta packs quite a punch with bold flavors from the seasoned chicken and cajun seasoning. The creamy white sauce, with bell peppers, green onions, and mushrooms, brings balance to this dish. This hearty dish goes best with crispy garlic bread.
9. Mediterrinean veggie pizza
One can never go wrong with this pizza—it is a fun yet filling meal. This homemade pizza for veggie lovers is also quick to make. The combination of artichokes, red onions, sun-dried tomatoes, and kalamata olives is a classic one, but you can get creative and add seasonings of your choice.
10. Rib-eye steak with crispy potatoes
A pan-seared rib-eye steak is a classic yet special meal for two. After your steak is cooked to perfection, you can use the rich leftover beef fat to prepare paprika-seasoned, smashed, crispy potatoes. This savory golden dish goes well with a green sauce.
11. Coconut curry with basmati rice
This dish is loaded with chickpeas and vegetables, including carrots, sweet potato, broccoli, and spring onions. The luxurious vegan curry blends Indian and Thai flavors with the addition of lemongrass, curry powder, and coconut milk. You can serve it with fragrant basmati rice.
12. Greek stuffed peppers
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This dish is not only delicious but also enjoyable to make as you can add your additional ingredients. You can use cauliflower rice or long white rice, grounded turkey or beef, zucchini, and other vegetables to make this fragrant and colorful Greek dish.
13. Lamb shoulder with citrus-fennel salad
You may think that this dish involves a lot of work, but it does not. You can roast the lamb one day in advance and gently reheat an hour before serving. The bold flavors of garlic, rosemary, red pepper flakes, and grated zest are complemented by the accompanying simple citrus-fennel salad.
14. Pork Chops with port wine sauce
The main ingredient of this recipe is the delectable port wine sauce. This dish is best served over rice or polenta that helps absorb all flavors of this sauce. The spice-rubbed pork and the sweet sauce complement each other very well. You can also serve baked potatoes on the side.
15. Winter squash lasagna
This family-style meal is perfect for a cozy night. It is quite different from your regular lasagna. It is loaded with three kinds of cheese—mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta—squash puree, no-boil noodles, and flavorful nutmeg, making this dish unique, yet easy to cook. You may pair it with a green salad.
16. Herbes de Provence shrimp with couscous
Shrimp is one of the best options for a dinner date as it is not only easy and quick to cook, but also yummy and sophisticated. This dish is packed with flavors of Herbes de Provence—marjoram, oregano, savory, lavender, and tarragon. It is best served with peas and basil couscous with a sprinkle of lemon zest.
17. Seared salmon with gingery snap pea slaw
Who said a date night dinner cannot be lean and healthy? This dish is a healthy and delectable option for your date night. You can serve the seared salmon with a gingery bowl of snap peas, scallions, red jalapeño, and fresh cilantro to add the zing to this simple dish.
18. Creamy zucchini casserole
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This dish is not only healthy but also delicious. A simple zucchini gratin recipe, it is a low-carb, baked cheesy zucchini casserole that will tantalize your taste buds.
19. Asian tuna stack
This flavorful Asian dinner dish comes packed with hot chili sesame oil, Sriracha, and rice wine vinegar. Once the baked tuna is decked with fresh veggies and sweet mango, the low-carb tuna stacks are transformed into an elegant dish. Moreover, this is much simpler than making sushi.
20. Stuffed eggplant Parmesan
A rendition of the classic Italian dish, this eggplant Parmesan can be easily cooked at home while retaining its authenticity. Basil, thyme, chopped onions, and tomatoes bring fresh and rich flavor to this dish, and it is best served with crusty garlic bread. You can even use bottled pasta sauce to reduce the cooking time.
21. Beef bourguignon
It is a classic French beef stew that is cooked slowly until the beef is soft and tender. The rich aroma and layer of flavors from pearl onions, slow-cooked beef, mushrooms, and red wine elevate this dish for a romantic dinner on a cold night. It is best served with pasta or mashed potatoes.
22. Cheesy stuffed shells
This Italian-baked comfort food is a perfect meal for two. It is topped with the freshness of broccoli and spinach and creaminess of mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta. You can’t go wrong with these cheesy shells and homemade marinara sauce.
23. Chicken tagine with apricots, almonds, and chickpeas
A Moroccan dish, it is not only aromatic (your house will surely get fragrant!), but also brims with flavors of the spiced sauce, jammy apricots, chickpeas, ginger, and crunchy almonds. While serving, the chicken pieces are spread over cooked couscous for a perfect meal.
24. Pan-seared cod in white wine, basil, and tomato sauce
If you both enjoy a lovely cod-fish dish, this recipe is perfect for a romantic dinner at home. The dry white wine, basil, and cherry tomato sauce add an extra zing to the seared cod. Rice or zucchini noodles complement the flavors well. Moreover, it is quick to cook.
25. Cowboy steak
One can never say no to a well-cooked, restaurant-style steak. You may think that it may be quite difficult to cook steak at home. However, with a cast-iron skillet, you can bring that sear and crust. A dash of herbs like rosemary, oregano, and thyme and flavorful garlic further elevates the steak’s flavors.
26. Crumbed asparagus with saffron yogurt
What makes this dish special is that the asparagus is crumbed instead of battered, keeping the flavor intact. Moreover, the saffron yogurt, a rendition of an aïoli, brings alive the Middle Eastern flavors and aromas.
27. Dijon herb crusted lamb
This show-stopping rack of lamb is juicy and tender. If you have been a big fan of cooking steak at home, put your skills to the test with this recipe. Herbed breadcrumbs and tangy Dijon mustard balances the flavor of this elegant rack of lamb.
28. Teriyaki salmon bowl
It is a colorful one-bowl meal for two. In this dish, a tender salmon fillet is poached slowly. It is then served in a bowl with brown rice, crispy Brussels sprouts, and shitake mushrooms for a delectable, hearty, yet healthy dinner.
29. Scallops with brown butter and lemon sauce
This dish can be cooked easily and quickly in a pan. The seared scallops pair very well with brown butter and lemon pan sauce. You can garnish the dish with capers and chives to give it an irresistible appeal for a romantic dinner date.
30. Lamb meatballs with raisin pesto
Here is a real hit, aromatic, spiced meatballs for a cozy dinner date at home. For this recipe, you can prepare pesto and meatballs beforehand to avoid last-minute hassles. A tempting dish is created when lamb meatballs are paired with cool yogurt and a dash of mint raisin pesto.
31. Roasted chicken with fennel and tomatoes
This roasted chicken on a bed of vegetables is flavorful and yet easy to prepare. Rub the spice mix made of fennel seed, coriander, and lemon zest on the chicken to give it an alluring flavor. It is best served with crusty sourdough bread on a bed of vegetables, including grape tomato, olive, and baby spinach.
32. Hoisin-glazed pork tenderloin with rice salad
The sweet and spicy flavor of the pork tenderloin from the hoisin sauce in this Asian-inspired dinner meal is irresistible. The juicy roasted pork is best paired with delectable rice salad adorned with cucumber, beans, peanuts, cilantro, and sesame seeds.
33. Grilled clams with herbs and white wine
If you both are seafood aficionados, then this recipe is perfect for an al fresco dinner date. Flavorful grilled clams, when served with a salad bowl, grilled bread, and white wine, make for a sumptuous meal for two.
34. Pasta with eggplant, burrata, and mint
This unique and surprisingly flavorful dish can transport you to an Italian castle. Although the dish may look simple, when paired with chilled wine, it makes for a delightful dinner. Burrata cheese with a dash of cream, sautéed sweet eggplant, red pepper, garlic, lemon juice, and fresh mint balance the bold flavors and bring this dish together.
35. Roasted salmon with harissa
Slow-roasting is a tried and tested technique that assures tender and flaky salmon almost always. The low heat and olive oil make it almost impossible to overcook the seasoned salmon. When rubbed with harissa paste and lemon juice and garnished with herbs, the flavorful salmon just melts in your mouth.
36. French onion soup with toasty bread
Who said classic French onion soup cannot be a complete meal for a dinner date? Easy-to-make as a one-pot meal, it can be served with toasty baguette bread. The caramelized onions, gruyere or fontina melting cheese, two types of wines, beef broth, and spices take this comfort food to a whole other level.
37. Butter chicken with flatbread or basmati rice
A very popular Indian cuisine, butter chicken is packed with rich flavors. The spices, aroma, and bright color of this dish make you feel like you are getting a warm hug. The buttery and creamy gravy is silky smooth and can be made less or more spicy, depending on your preference. You can pair it with garlic or plain naan or fragrant basmati rice.
38. Filet mignon with rosemary potatoes and creamed spinach
This dish is a steakhouse dinner for two at home and will take around half an hour for perfect execution. Roasted rosemary potatoes, creamy spinach with blue cheese, and seared filet mignon will surely deliver the best flavors for a romantic dinner date.
39. Gnocchi with chicken sausage and tomatoes
You can never go wrong with gnocchi as a summertime meal. The fresh and vibrant tomatoes and herbs deliver a blast of summery flavors. Gnocchi on a skillet with blistered cherry tomatoes, chicken sausages, and a sprinkle of basil completes this Italian-inspired dish.
40. Turkey taco bowls
You can enjoy this taco bowl with a glass of wine for a perfect date night. This delicious dish is crafted with taco-seasoned ground turkey and loaded with radish, corn, and onion. Simple to prepare, these taco bowls can be topped with avocado cilantro crema and cilantro leaves for an enhanced, fresh flavor. With the spare time left after preparation, you can enjoy the rest of the evening eating and enjoying a dessert.
41. Cacio e pepe
Pasta is one of the best dishes for a romantic dinner. This Italian dish is a classic and elevates the simple flavors of cheese and pepper. The elegant bucatini recipe is rich in flavors of Pecorino Romano, and Parmesan cheese. You can make it more exciting by adding Parmesan frico, a crispy cheese cracker.
42. Red wine-braised short ribs
This short-ribs dish is both rich and flavorful for your planned dinner date at home. With aromatic flavors of red wine, beef broth, bay leaf, tomatoes, and thyme, these ribs are drenched with juicy tenderness. These are best paired with vegetables on top of egg noodles.
43. Crispy-skinned fish topped with green sauce
It is not as difficult as it sounds to cook a crispy-skinned fish—when done right, this will be as crunchy as a chip. This elegant dish is a great choice for a romantic date and needs no special culinary skills. Green herb sauce made with anchovies, garlic, herbs, pickles, and lemon juice complements the flavor of crispy and soft fish.
44. Shrimp pad Thai
This Thai-inspired dish comes with exotic flavors and is stir-fried in a single pan. It features some of the authentic Thai ingredients, including tamarind paste, Asian fish sauce, dry-roasted peanuts, and flat rice noodles. This dish is served hot with bean sprouts and small bowls of fish sauce, sugar, and crushed red pepper for additional flavors.
45. Pot roast
A perfect pot roast is a homely, warm dish for a cozy dinner night. The bold and fragrant flavors of fennel, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf with tender seared roast make it a lovely reminder of family meals. You can create your preferred variation of pot roast using any of these alcoholic beverages—red wine, hard cider, or a heavy beer.
46. Black bean and sweet potato enchiladas
This dish is a no-roll veggie enchilada casserole packed with flavors of sweet potatoes, black beans, corn, tortillas, cheese, and homemade smoky enchilada sauce. Sweet, savory, and spicy, this recipe is perfect for a romantic dinner night.
47. Lobster fra diavolo
Lobster recipes can be daunting for some, but this dish is simply perfection and worth the time. The succulent, sweet, and smoky lobster is placed over pasta and drizzled with spicy fra diavolo sauce to make an elegant, restaurant-style meal for two.
48. Hot honey chicken and rice
This is a winning dish for a candle-lit date night at home. A one-pot meal, it is a hot and sweet combination with a burst of flavors on the palette. The spicy, golden brown, and crisp chicken thighs dressed with honey-chili sauce are served on a bed of rice and aromatic vegetables.
49. Garlic orzo Tuscan shrimp
This light and creamy shrimp dish is drenched in Parmesan cheese sauce filled with garlic, onion, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and baby bella mushrooms. The impressive meal for two is cooked in a single pan and is easy and quick to prepare.
50. Rigatoni with chicken and broccoli Bolognese
This pasta recipe gets a twist with chicken and broccoli cooked in a delectable, rich sauce. With a dash of lemon zest, Parmesan, and herbs, this simple dish is lusciously flavorful and perfect for a relaxed dinner date at home.
51. Potato, goat cheese, and spring onion pies
These veggie potato pies are small yet packed with the bold flavor of soft goat cheese. You can use puff pastry sheets to make this delicious recipe in a short time. These pies pair well with sweet, savory mango chutney.
52. Hanger steak with charred scallion sauce
Pan-seared steak with charred scallions, toasted walnuts, garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil is a perfect rendition of the classic French dish, leeks vinaigrette. The flavorful condiments on the steak balance well with the charred scallion sauce in this quick dinner meal for two.
53. Spicy maple glazed salmon
It is a great option for seafood lovers on a weekend dinner night. Salmon seasoned with maple syrup, soy sauce, tangy dijon mustard, cayenne pepper, and garlic brings out a spicy flavor. It pairs best with sweet potato fries and veggies or kale and Brussels sprouts salad.
54. Roasted squash with goat cheese and poached cranberries
This comforting dish is always welcomed as a side dish. However, with handpicked ingredients, this can become a perfect meal for two on a date night. You may think it’s a standard roasted squash, but with the addition of goat cheese, poached cranberries, and pepitas, the dish is elevated to a higher level.
55. Stuffed pork chops
These Italian-inspired stuffed pork chops are succulent. Filled with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese and seared till golden brown, this dish is an easy yet delectable dish. You can pair this dish with mashed potatoes or roasted broccoli for a perfect plating.
In this fast-paced life, couples need to take a break and do something different that spices up their romantic life. However, you need not go to a restaurant to create special memories. Setting up a special dinner at home can work equally amazing. Pick up some romantic dinner ideas for couples to make your simple days extraordinary. You may experiment with winter squash lasagna, Asian tuna stack, cheesy stuffed shells, and more dinner options. Try a hearty meal by setting the ambiance, adding a glass of wine, and letting your partner appreciate your love and care.
Infographic: Romantic Dinner Decoration Ideas At Home
If you are planning to have a romantic dinner at home, choosing the right decoration can help increase excitement and joy. Setting the perfect ambiance is vital for a romantic dinner and helps make it memorable. Check out the infographic below for some wonderful decoration ideas for a romantic dinner at home. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- At times, a home-cooked dinner can be the best way to celebrate your special days as a couple.
- You can plan a spicy chicken recipe or a creamy parmesan risotto to suit your palate.
- Check out the coconut curry with basmati rice, lamb shoulder with citrus-fennel salad, crumbed asparagus with saffron yogurt, and a lot more options that we suggest here.
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