21 Homemade Date Night Dinners Better Than Takeout

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21 Homemade Date Night Dinners Better Than Takeout

Homemade date night dinners are the way to go if you’re looking to keep it special without resorting to takeout. It’s all about enjoying your evening together with meals that are easy to whip up and sure to impress to turn your own dining room into the best spot in town. These 21 recipes aren’t just about cutting costs; it’s about building something great together in the kitchen, no matter your cooking skills.

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

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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

Whip up Creamy Tuscan Chicken in just 40 minutes. It’s a mix of chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a creamy sauce. A delicious alternative to takeout on date night.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

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

Make Creamy Italian Sausage Soup in 30 minutes. It’s a mix of Italian sausage, tomatoes, and cream cheese. Better than takeout and perfect for a cozy date night.
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.

Forget takeout; Creamy Dijon Chicken is ready in 30 minutes. Chicken, spinach, and bacon in a creamy sauce make for a delicious dinner. A solid choice for any date night.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

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.

This Roasted Butternut Squash and Cauliflower with Bacon is a hearty dinner option that’s quick to make. It’s perfect for busy nights, proving that homemade meals beat takeout any day. Fast, homemade cooking at its best.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

A skillet of chicken with creamy mushroom sauce with a wooden spoon.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Whip up this Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce in just 30 minutes for a cozy dinner at home. It features juicy chicken thighs covered in a creamy mushroom sauce. A clear win over ordering out on those nights when you want something good without spending ages in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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.

Try this Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup for a meal ready in under an hour. It’s simple yet warming, perfect for easy dinner times. A reminder that you can enjoy a comforting and simple meal at home without ordering out.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Sausage Curry

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

This Sausage Curry is a flavorful change to your dinner lineup, all made in one pan. It’s easy and adds variety to weeknight meals. Great for when you want a homemade meal that’s simple to make, memorable, and exciting.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

A pan full of shrimp, tomatoes and spinach.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach is your go-to for a quick, 30-minute dinner. Forget food delivery apps; just grab one pan and throw in shrimp, tomatoes, spinach, and coconut milk. It’s perfect for date nights when you want something fast and delicious right at home. Serve it on its own or with a side of white rice or cauliflower rice.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

A spoon is serving Hungarian mushroom soup into a bowl.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Whip up some Hungarian Mushroom Soup in 45 minutes with just one pot. It’s the perfect pick-me-up for cooler evenings, providing comfort and great flavor with minimal work. This soup is your go-to for a homemade meal that feels special without all the effort. It’s a great alternative to the usual takeout routine.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Spinach Chicken Bake

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

Dive into Spinach Chicken Bake for an easy win on busy nights. It’s a simple mix of chicken, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella, all thrown together in one pan and ready in 30 minutes. Perfect for when you’re tempted to order out during date nights but want something better and homemade.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Cheesy twice baked potato casserole in a white dish with a wooden spoon.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Twice Baked Potato Casserole brings comfort to your dinner table with bacon, potatoes, sour cream, and cheddar cheese. It’s fun to make and even better to eat, showing that great home-cooked meals can be easy and nourishing. Skip takeout and whip this up instead; you won’t regret it.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

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

Make date night special at home with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites, a recipe that tops takeout any day. In just 20 minutes, you get juicy chicken in a rich garlic butter sauce, perfect for a laid-back evening. It’s straightforward and quick, turning simple ingredients into a meal that’s sure to impress without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

A casserole dish filled with broccoli and cheese.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole makes your dinner decisions easy. Ready in 30 minutes, it packs broccoli, cauliflower, cheesy sauce, and bacon into a hearty meal. This casserole is a solid reason to cook at home and forget about takeout.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

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.

In just 30 minutes, Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts come to life. It’s a quick yet flavorful dinner option, perfect for tight schedules. If you’re looking for a good reason to skip ordering out during date nights, this is it.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

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

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken brings a burst of flavor to your table in just 30 minutes, mixing chicken with a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. It’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner but also has that something special for when you’ve got company. A fantastic way to enjoy a great meal during date nights without falling back on takeout.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Keto Zuppa Toscana

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

Get a taste of Olive Garden at home with this Keto Zuppa Toscana, ready in about an hour. Packed with sausage, radishes, and cream, it’s the perfect warm-up for chilly nights. This soup shows how home-cooked meals can easily outshine the convenience of ordering out.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole, ready in 45 minutes, is a game-changer for easy dinners. It’s simple, filling, and brings all the flavors of stuffed peppers without a lot of work. Perfect for those days when you want a hearty meal without the hassle, this casserole makes cooking at home feel like the obvious choice.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Cabbage and Sausage

Cabbage and sausage in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cabbage and Sausage is always a great go-to for a quick, filling dinner, all done in one pan in less than 30 minutes. It’s the perfect pick for those nights when you want something good to eat but can’t deal with a lot of cooking. This dish proves that a great meal doesn’t need to be complicated, giving you a comforting alternative to takeout on any date night.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

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 brings dinner to life in 30 minutes flat, using just one pan to combine seasoned chicken breasts with cream cheese, mini sweet peppers, and mozzarella. This recipe is all about cozy dinners at home without the extra work. Perfect for those craving a homemade meal on a date night over takeout.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white dish with chicken breasts in a creamy garlic sauce.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For a quick dinner that doesn’t skimp on taste, try this Creamy Garlic Chicken. It’s all about chicken in a rich, creamy garlic sauce, easy to make and loaded with flavor. Perfect for those hectic nights, it’s a delicious choice for skipping takeout and enjoying a comforting homemade dish.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

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.

Dive into this Philly Cheese Steak Casserole for a less-than-an-hour treat that’s packed with sirloin steak, bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions. It’s a hearty, easy-to-make dish that brings those delicious Philly cheese steak flavors right to your dinner table. Skip takeout and enjoy this homemade meal instead during a date night.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheese Steak Casserole

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