It’s said that if a couple can successfully collaborate in the kitchen, then it’s meant to be. So, if you have a romantic dinner idea for two at home, you may as well invite your date over a little earlier to prepare the meals together and see if that special someone makes a good sous chef. Or, if you’re looking to plan a fun at-home date night, put your partner’s culinary skills to the test and bond while making a simple yet delicious meal. 

From hearty, comforting dishes to vegan and healthy alternatives, these date-night recipes make staying in worthwhile. Grab a knife, put on your apron, and whip up these easy date-night recipes to create a fine-dining experience in the comfort of your home. 

Fun Date-Night Recipes To Make Together

Loaded Cauliflower Broccoli Casserole

Elevate your date-night dinner with a keto-friendly cauliflower broccoli casserole from Ev’s Eats. The dish is loaded with bacon, cheddar cheese, and sour cream—you’d almost think you’re having a loaded baked potato. It’s one of the most delicious date-night recipes to make together.   

Ingredients

8 strips bacon
½ large head cauliflower, cut into florets
½ large head broccoli, cut into florets
½ cup sour cream
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon heavy cream
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 
1 cup Colby and Monterey Jack cheese, shredded 
6 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped and divided

Easy Sausage and Cabbage Dinner

Low Carb Maven’s easy sausage and cabbage dinner puts nearly every other date-night dinner idea to shame. The classic combination of flavors is loved by everyone—it’s simple, satisfying, and yummy. If you’re still looking for dinner date ideas at home, this is it.   

Ingredients

1 pound Italian sausage links 
4 strips bacon
2 ounces onion, sliced thinly
1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped
1 pound cabbage, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper, to taste

Healthy Date-Night Recipes That Taste Delicious

Avocado Buddha Bowl

Are you really from California if you don’t like avocados? Kirbie’s Cravings brought us this healthy date night recipe to make all of our avocado-centric dreams come true. 

Ingredients

2 cups cooked quinoa
1 cup spinach leaves, boiled or sautéed until cooked
1 carrot, thinly shaved into ribbons
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
1 large ripe avocado, pitted, peeled, and sliced
1 teaspoon toasted black sesame seeds
Basil leaves (optional)

For the avocado dressing

1 large ripe avocado, pitted, peeled, and cubed
1 cup fresh basil leaves 
½ cup plain yogurt
¼ cup olive oil
1 garlic clove
3 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Picadillo

Looking for a flavorsome dinner date idea that’ll make your partner fall head over heels for you? A Cozy Kitchen’s exquisite Cuban picadillo recipe is guaranteed to make everybody swoon.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons neutral oil
1 russet potato, peeled and cubed
½ large yellow onion, peeled and diced
1 green or red bell pepper, diced
6 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1½ pounds ground beef 
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground coriander
2 dried bay leaves
½ cup tomato paste
1 cup beef broth or water
¼ cup golden raisins
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
½ cup green olives
2 large eggs, boiled and diced

Vegetarian Date-Night Recipes For Two

Cheese Tortellini In Garlic-Butter Sauce

Who needs a Valentine’s Day gift when you can prepare the most enticing vegetarian date-night recipe in the world? We owe our lives to Culinary Hill for sharing this heavenly date-night meal that makes our hearts melt. 

Ingredients

32 ounces chicken or vegetable broth, divided
1 package frozen cheese tortellini 
2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 teaspoons dried basil
¼ cup Parmesan, for garnish
Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)

The Celery Conversation

You’d think nobody would be having a conversation about celery, but Amy’s Healthy Baking got us all talking about this vegetarian date-night recipe.

Ingredients

1 cup kale, shredded
1–2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
4 medium strawberries, sliced and divided
2 stalks celery, sliced thinly and divided
2 teaspoon crumbled feta cheese

Simple Date-Night Pasta Recipes

Vegetarian Bolognese

If you’re looking for the ideal lockdown date-night recipe, this vegetarian bolognese by Detoxinista is a perfect choice. Not only is it easy to prepare, but it’s also an excellent source of plant-based protein. 

Ingredients

1 jar marinara sauce 
¾ cup red lentils
½ cup water
Salt and pepper (to taste)
Spiralized zucchini noodles or cooked pasta, for serving

Lemon-Parmesan Pasta With Snap Peas

You can never go wrong with a date-night pasta recipe. Happy Healthy Life has the best recipe yet for your date—and no, it doesn’t have marinara sauce.

Ingredients

5 ounces pasta, any variety
2 cups snap peas
3–4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3–4 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
4 tablespoons vegan Parmesan, plus more for garnish
1 cup baby kale, chopped
¼ cup fresh lemon juice, plus a pinch of zest
1 vegan sausage, browned and sliced

Fresh Lasagna With Walnut Pesto

Thanks to The Kitchy Kitchen, we can revel in a delectable lasagna recipe without having to eat meat. This vegan date-night recipe replaces the pasta with zucchini and is full of surprisingly delicious flavors. 

Ingredients

1½ cups cherry tomatoes
Olive oil
1 large zucchini or summer squash, thinly sliced into about 9 pieces (about the thickness of lasagna noodles)
1–2 tomatoes, sliced about a ¼-inch thick and cut in half
¼ cup basil, roughly chopped

For the walnut pesto

⅓ cup walnuts
2 medium-sized garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

Vegan Date-Night Recipes You’ll Love

Summery Sauté Dinner with Basil Sauce

This veggie sauté by Jessie May tastes like summer in a bowl. Light, nutritious, and bursting with flavors—this healthy date night recipe for couples is a must-try.

Ingredients

The sauté:

1 medium zucchini
1 medium summer squash
10 cherry tomatoes
¼ teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 garlic minced)
Sea salt to taste
½–¾ cup vegetable broth

Basil sauce:

1 cup cashews (soaked 4 hours)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Sea salt to taste
1 lightly packed cup of fresh basil leaves 

To serve:

Cooked millet
Crispy tofu cubes
Lemon juice
Chopped cilantro
Freshly cracked black pepper

Maple Syrup Roasted Brussels Sprouts 

Not everyone is a fan of brussels sprouts, but once they try A Side of Sweet’s maple syrup roasted brussels sprouts recipe, they’ll convert to the other side. This sweet and refreshing vegan date-night recipe is also perfect for the holiday season. 

Ingredients:

1½ pounds brussels sprouts
½ cup pecans, coarsely chopped
¼ cup olive oil
¾ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup maple syrup