27 Date Night Dinners To Make at Home Instead of Ordering Takeout

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27 Date Night Dinners To Make at Home Instead of Ordering Takeout

Looking to impress your significant other with date night dinners to make at home? Skip the takeout menus and get ready to cook up some love right in your own kitchen. With these 27 great recipes, you’ll find the perfect dish to show off your skills and create a memorable evening. So tie on that apron, and let’s get cooking — because nothing says “I care” quite like a meal made from scratch.

Chicken with spinach and cream sauce in a skillet.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

A pan with shrimp, tomatoes and spinach in it.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach dish is a smart pick for an easy date night dinner that anyone can make. You only need one pan and 30 minutes to create a meal that combines shrimp, tomatoes, and spinach in a creamy coconut milk sauce. It’s a hassle-free way to make a special night feel effortless, focusing on quality time rather than complex cooking steps.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon

A white bowl of asparagus noodles with bacon and sauce.
Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Make your date night exciting with Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon, a dish that’s ready in 30 minutes. By using asparagus as noodles and adding creamy Alfredo and crispy bacon on top, you get a playful yet elegant meal. This recipe is great for those seeking to make the evening memorable without spending all night in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon

Lemon Garlic Scallops

Scallops with parsley and garlic in a skillet.
Lemon Garlic Scallops. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Choose Lemon Garlic Scallops for a date night that’s both quick and luxurious. In less than 30 minutes, you can serve a one-pan meal that stars scallops with a vibrant lemon garlic flavor. This choice is perfect for creating a special atmosphere with minimal effort, allowing you to impress your date and enjoy an amazing meal together.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

A pot of soup with parmesan cheese and parsley.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup is your go-to for a cozy and easy date night dinner. You can whip up this one-pot meal in just 30 minutes, featuring Italian sausage, cream cheese, and tomatoes. It’s the perfect soup to make your evening both special and comforting, without requiring too much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan with chicken, spinach and bacon in it.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Enjoy a relaxed date night with Creamy Dijon Chicken, a dish that promises flavor without the hassle. This 30-minute, one-pan meal combines chicken with a rich Dijon sauce, spinach, and bacon. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to spend less time cooking and more time enjoying a great meal together.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Sausage Curry

A bowl of rice and sausage curry on a table.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sausage Curry is the perfect dish to add some spice to your date night. It’s an effortless one-pan recipe that brings together sausages and vegetables in a rich curry sauce. Ready quickly, it allows you to enjoy a flavorful dinner without spending all night in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Roasted sweet potatoes and spinach with sour cream.
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Make this Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon for an impressive date night meal. This dish is simple to prepare, combining oven-baked squash, cauliflower, and bacon for a hearty and nutritious meal. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking an easy yet cozy dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Chicken with spinach and cream sauce in a skillet.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken makes any date night special with minimal prep work. Ready in 40 minutes, this one-pan meal features chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a creamy sauce. It’s a fantastic pick for an impressive yet simple dinner, perfect for a night in.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Thai meatballs in a skillet with a wooden spoon.
Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ready in just 30 minutes, these meatballs are bursting with rich flavors yet require little effort to make. This recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy a great-tasting meal quickly, making your date night both special and stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Spinach Chicken Bake

Cheesy spinach and chicken casserole.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Enjoy a laid-back date night with this Spinach Chicken Bake. Ready in 30 minutes, this dish combines chicken, spinach, and cheese into a comforting casserole. It’s an excellent choice for anyone wanting a simple yet hearty meal that makes the evening feel special without requiring too much work.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Curry Salmon with Coconut Milk and Bok Choy

A pan with curry salmon and bok choy in a sauce.
Curry Salmon with Coconut Milk and Bok Choy. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Curry Salmon with Coconut Milk and Bok Choy is an excellent choice for a flavor-packed date night dinner that’s also easy to prepare. This 30-minute, one-pan dish brings together a homemade curry sauce, salmon, and bok choy, creating a richly flavored meal that’s perfect for making your evening special without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Curry Salmon with Coconut Milk and Bok Choy

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Chicken thighs with sun dried tomatoes in a white bowl.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Choose Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken for a hassle-free date night. This 30-minute, one-pan meal includes chicken in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, delivering a delicious meal that’s surprisingly easy to prepare. It’s perfect for those looking to impress with a special meal without the complex cooking steps.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Keto Zuppa Toscana

Two bowls of soup with bacon and kale.
Keto Zuppa Toscana. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

For a hearty date night dinner, this Keto Zuppa Toscana is always a top choice. This version, ready in about an hour, is inspired by Olive Garden’s classic soup but tailored for a lifestyle with minimal carbs. The recipe combines bacon, ground mild Italian sausage, and radishes in a savory chicken broth, thickened with heavy whipping cream and flavored with garlic, sage, and black pepper. It’s easy to prepare so you can make and serve a special meal without the stress, perfect for a cozy night in.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

A pan filled with chicken in a creamy sauce with artichoke hearts.
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Try Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts for an easy date night meal. It’s ready in 30 minutes and mixes tender chicken with artichokes in a rich sauce. It’s a simple way to create a filling and impressive dinner in no time.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A bowl of cauliflower rice with creamy garlic chicken.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For an easy yet impressive date night, Creamy Garlic Chicken is the way to go. Begin by seasoning the chicken with garlic powder, pepper, and salt for full flavor. Heat oil in a large pan and cook the chicken in batches until golden. Added with chicken stock to deglaze the pan, followed by heavy whipping cream and Parmesan cheese to create a rich, creamy garlic sauce. This 30-minute meal combines the tender chicken with a luxurious sauce for a dinner that comes together quickly but feels special and filling.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

A bowl of butter chicken with cauliflower rice on a white plate.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken is a flavorful, easy choice for date night. It comes together in under 40 minutes and has a rich taste that makes the meal feel special. This recipe is great for enjoying a delicious dinner without spending all night cooking.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

A bowl of Hungarian mushroom soup with a spoon.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Choose Hungarian Mushroom Soup for a relaxed date night. This one-pot soup is ready in 45 minutes and is super simple to make. It’s a great choice for a laid-back evening, perfect for a delicious meal without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

A pan with chicken in a creamy sauce.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a fantastic option for an uncomplicated date night. This 30-minute meal is cooked in one pan and is easy to make. It’s a great way to enjoy a special evening together without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Philly Cheese Steak Casserole

A fork is being used to take a piece of Philly cheese steak casserole out of a dish.
Philly Cheese Steak Casserole. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

This Philly Cheese Steak Casserole is a fantastic dish for spicing up your dinner plans. It takes less than an hour to prepare and is loaded with steak, peppers, onions, mushrooms, and a generous amount of cheese. This dish is both easy to make and filling, making it perfect for a cozy date night at home.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheese Steak Casserole

Fajita Baked Chicken

Fajita baked chicken in a baking dish with salsa and sour cream.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fajita Baked Chicken is a fun and simple option for a relaxing date night. This recipe involves seasoned chicken breasts layered with cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella, all baked until perfectly melted and delicious. It’s an effortless dish that’s sure to make your evening pleasant.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

A white bowl with chicken and cauliflower rice in it.
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo is a delicious Filipino addition to your date night menu. Ready in just 40 minutes, this dish features chicken cooked in a rich, flavorful sauce, making it incredibly easy to prepare and perfect for a simple yet special dinner.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Pollo Asado

Pollo asado on a white plate with lime wedges.
Pollo Asado. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Pollo Asado serves a flavorful and easy option for date night. Whether you grill or bake the marinated chicken thighs, the result is always delicious. It’s a basic recipe that guarantees a relaxing and pleasant evening without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Pollo Asado

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Chicken bites with garlic butter sauce and herbs on a plate.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are a great pick for a quick and delicious date night. In just 20 minutes, you can enjoy these juicy chicken bites coated in a rich garlic butter sauce. This dish is perfect for a stress-free evening where you want to spend less time cooking and more time relaxing.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Two bowls of sweet potato and red pepper soup with sour cream and parsley.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Opt for Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup for a simple, one-pot meal that’s ready in 60 minutes. It’s an easy recipe that produces a rich and flavorful soup, making any night a bit more special. This dish is a great option for anyone looking for an easy meal that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Twice baked potato casserole with bacon and green onions.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For an easygoing date night, Twice Baked Potato Casserole hits the spot. Featuring bacon, potatoes, sour cream, and cheddar cheese, it’s easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time. This dish is an excellent choice for a laid-back evening, allowing you to enjoy your time together without the last-minute rush.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken pot pie soup with peas and carrots in a bowl.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup is a one-pot wonder that combines the heartiness of a classic dish with the comfort of a soup that’ll make you feel toasty all over. It’s simple to make with simple ingredients and delivers a cozy meal perfect for a date night, ready in just an hour. This soup is excellent for a night when you want the comfort of homemade cooking without too much work.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

A bowl of wild rice mushroom soup.
Wild Rice Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For your next date night, try the Wild Rice Mushroom Soup for a hearty and rich meal. It’s a hassle-free recipe where the wild rice cooks right with the other ingredients for a convenient prep. This soup is a flavorful meal that’s perfect for making your evening special.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

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