When you're looking for romantic dinner recipes to cook at home, these easy ideas have you covered, whether it's Valentine's Day, a birthday or anniversary, or just a cozy date night.
Let's stay home and cook a romantic meal! It's cheaper, it's fun, and you can do it together while you dance and drink wine (and cook with wine) in the kitchen. What could be better?
You'll find everything from simple chicken dishes, to quick pasta recipes, to seafood and lamb. These ideas might seem fancy, and some of them are, but they are all easy. I promise. I wouldn't steer you wrong, especially on date night!
Looking for dessert ideas? Try these decadent easy chocolate recipes!
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Romantic chicken dinner recipes
Chicken recipes are a go-to for homemade romantic dinners because it's easy to cook, affordable and so versatile! Try one of these ideas for a low-stress meal.
Simple Roast Chicken
The simplicity of this 2-ingredient roast chicken will keep things easy so you have more time to focus on romance!
One Pan Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms and White Wine
This easy one-pan meal has a luscious white wine and butter sauce with a kiss of Dijon mustard. It cooks quickly, in about 40 minutes, and saves time on cleanup because you can serve it right from the pan!
Sheet Pan Harissa Chicken and Potatoes
Cook your main dish and your side dish in one, and spice up your romantic dinner—literally! Chicken thighs get crispy as they roast, coated with a smoky, spicy harissa sauce.
Tarragon Roast Chicken
The possibilities for roast chicken are endless, so let's use some tarragon and lemon for bright and herbaceous flavor. Spatchcock the chicken (remove the backbone) for a quicker cooking time.
Chicken in Red Wine with Dried Plums
Dried plums absorb a simple red wine sauce and transform into a soft and tender pop of flavor that contrasts with the crispy chicken. Unique and fun!
Beef, pork, and lamb recipe ideas
When you're thinking about cooking at home for date night, beef, pork and lamb recipes are a great choice because they are so much cheaper than ordering it at a restaurant.
Cast Iron Skillet Steak
Once you learn how to pan sear a steak in a cast iron skillet, you'll never pay for a steakhouse again. It's really easy, then butter-baste it before serving with rosemary garlic butter.
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
Braise short ribs in red wine until they are falling off the bone, then top with pomegranate seeds for a pop of red (the color of love!) and a light sweetness that balances the richness of the short ribs.
Pan Seared Lamb Chops
Here's a romantic dinner recipe to cook at home that seems fancy, but it's really easy! Cook them quickly in a skillet, then make a rosemary lemon butter sauce to drizzle over the top for a restaurant quality meal in about 25 minutes! And before you ask, I've got lots of ideas for What to Serve with Lamb Chops, too!
Pork Tenderloin with Golden Beets and Apricot Mint Sauce
Make your side dish and your main dish at the same time. Now, this is a recipe that needs a little more attention as it cooks over the course of an hour, but that means you can enjoy a glass of wine together in the kitchen while you stir and chop!
Spicy Lemongrass Grilled Short Ribs
Who says you can't grill on date night? Use flanken cut short ribs that are thin for a quick-cooking romantic dinner idea with Asian flavors.
Red Wine Braised Lamb Shanks
Lamb shanks may be the pinnacle of gourmet romantic dinner recipes, but they're surprisingly simple. Cook them in the oven, on the stovetop or even in the slow cooker. A splash of red wine vinegar keeps the earthy, herby sauce light and vibrant.
Pork Stew with White Wine and Sage
Some romantic dinner recipes call for cozy ideas, not fancy ones. This pork stew offers a bit of both, there's a whole bottle of white wine in it! It's ideal for snuggling up by the fire on a cold date night at home.
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Romantic pasta dinner ideas
Is there a more romantic dinner to cook at home than pasta recipes? I don't think so. The Italians really know what they're doing. These ideas will keep the romance going.
Red Wine Pasta
Let's cook pasta then toss it in a buttery sauce that has a whole entire bottle of red wine in it! Now THAT'S romantic! Crushed red pepper, garlic, and parmesan cheese round out the flavors.
Gorgonzola Pasta
Gorgonzola cheese seems so special and elegant, which makes it an outstanding ingredient for a romantic dinner recipe. This sauce is creamy-dreamy, and you only need 4 ingredients to make the entire dish.
Cherry Tomato Pasta
Loads of tiny tomatoes full of sweet pops of flavor, with garlic and fresh basil! It tastes great for a date night dinner any time of year and it's ready in 15 minutes.
Cheesy Baked Pasta with Radicchio and Caramelized Onions
VERY adult mac 'n' cheese, made with Gruyère, goat cheese, and fontina in a creamy bechamel sauce. The bitter radicchio is balanced with the sweetness of the caramelized onions. It's the height of indulgence, which is exactly what you want in a romantic dinner recipe.
Penne all'Arrabbiata
The spicy, 4-ingredient sauce can be made ahead of time, so all you have to do is cook up the pasta and pour a glass of wine.
Seafood recipes for romantic dinners
Seafood is special and fancy, and it's also easy to cook at home, so don't be afraid of making these simple recipes for romantic dinners no matter the occasion.
Shrimp Scampi
Tender shrimp slathered in a white wine garlic-butter sauce sounds pretty romantic to me! The 10-minute cook time is an added bonus.
Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce
Make baked salmon something extra special with a rich, creamy dill sauce that's brightened up with fresh lemon zest and juice. Ready in about 30 minutes.
Salt Baked Whole Fish
Make this when you're really trying to impress on date night, no one has to know how easy it is! This technique works with any size fish, so it's perfect for dinner for two.
Trout Amandine
Crispy trout topped with toasted almonds in a brown butter sauce is a French classic, but you barely have to lift a finger to make it. It's fancy and fast, ready in 15 minutes.
Tequila Lime Shrimp
What do you think of when I say tequila butter? Yum? Then make this twist on scampi, made with tequila, cilantro, and lime for a fun and flavorful romantic dinner idea.
Mussels in White Wine Sauce
Mussels are one of my favorite things to cook at home because they are so CHEAP compared to what you pay in a restaurant. Saving money is romantic!
Pan Seared Fish with Lemon, Butter, Caper Sauce
Looks like it came from a restaurant, yet it's so simple. Made in one pan in under 30 minutes!
Vegetarian romantic dinner recipes
These vegetarian recipe ideas are not missing a thing! Savor and indulge while you let those veggies shine!
Asparagus Risotto
Asparagus is one of those so-called fancy vegetables which makes it a high-class choice for your date night at home. No stock needed, you'll use the water from blanching the asparagus for extra flavor!
Eggplant Lasagna
No pasta here. Just layers of tender, roasted eggplant and gooey cheese that really satisfies. Make it a day ahead so you're ready for a romantic dinner at a moment's notice with no cleanup.
Tomato Tart
For summer date nights during tomato season, store-bought puff pastry is your best friend topped with juicy, sweet tomatoes that caramelize as the tart bakes.
Butternut Squash Salad
No need to peel the squash so prep is a breeze, and we're also roasting the seeds for added crunch so there's no waste. Avocado slices add a creamy note in this 5-ingredient salad that you can really sink your teeth into.
Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Brie
Brie is the epitome of elegance, and shouldn't be relegated to the cheese board all the time. Make this rich and delicious soup in 30 minutes, then let the brie melt decadently on top!
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