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The Passport Kitchen

30 Easy Dinners for Date Nights That Beat a Fancy Restaurant Every Time

January 12, 2025 by Donna Dizon Leave a Comment

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Date nights are super important, and sometimes, heading to a restaurant is not in the cards. These easy date night dinners are way better than a restaurant meal.

These easy date night dinners are easy to make for two people, and you can have a great romantic dinner at home for a fraction of the price. Enjoy!

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin With Chipotle

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Chipotle + Air Fryer.

Image Credit: A Latin Flair.

Crispy on the outside, juicy and tender inside, fantastic flavors, and a little heat kick from Chipotle! It’s made with simple ingredients and finished in under 45 minutes or less. 
This Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Chipotle Dry Rub should become a must-have in your recipe repertoire!  

Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Chipotle 

 

Incredible Chicken Piccata Pasta

Incredible Chicken Piccata Pasta.

Image Credit: The Cookin’ Chicks.

This Chicken Piccata Pasta is a light, zesty pasta dish made with lemon juice, capers, and cream. It’s the perfect romantic easy dinner date recipe. 

Get the Recipe: Incredible Chicken Piccata Pasta

 

Beef Carbonara

Beef Carbonara.

Image Credit: Chocolates and Chai.

This beef carbonara recipe is a twist on classic Italian Carbonara Pasta, made using pancetta. This pork-free version makes for a quick and roamntic dinner. Ready in 30 minutes or less! It’s perfect if your not an experienced cook. 

Get the recipe: Beef Carbonara

 

Easy Hibachi Steak and Shrimp Recipe With Fried Rice

Easy Hibachi Steak and Shrimp Recipe with Fried Rice.

Image Credit: The Freesh Cooky.

Enjoy this Easy Hibachi Steak and Shrimp Recipe. Buttery shrimp and tender hibachi steak in a quick marinade are accompanied by crisp hibachi vegetables, served on perfectly fried rice, and topped with creamy Yum Yum sauce!

Get the Recipe: Easy Hibachi Steak and Shrimp Recipe with Fried Rice

 

Baked Crab Legs

Baked Crab Legs.

Image Credit: A Full Living.

These Baked Crab Legs are among the best ways to fulfill your seafood cravings! With a delicious garlic butter sauce, this one-pan recipe is an easy dinner ready in 30 minutes, with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor! This is a great intro to preparing crab legs, even for those new to seafood.

Get the Recipe: Baked Crab Legs

 

Tortellini With Chicken Sausage & Asparagus

Trader Joe’s Tortellini with Chicken Sausage & Asparagus.

Image Credit: The Perks of Being Us.

This tortellini is a quick dish to make! With numerous tortellini flavors available, we chose the spinach type for this particular recipe. The four cheese tortellini from Trader Joe’s is also worth a try.

Get the Recipe: Tortellini with Chicken Sausage & Asparagus

 

Pan-Fried Rockfish With Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce

Pan-Fried Rockfish with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce.

Image Credit: Garlic All Day.

Make this easy rockfish fillet recipe in one pan with a simple garlic butter sauce and a splash of lemon. Rockfish is a mild-tasting white fish, so it’s a great family-friendly seafood option. Our Pan-Fried Rockfish is a quick weeknight entrée with minimal prep.

Get the Recipe: Pan-Fried Rockfish with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce

 

Vegan Jajangmyeon for Two (Korean Black Bean Noodles)

Vegan Jajangmyeon for Two (Korean Black Bean Noodles).

Image Credit: Earth to Veg.

Vegan Jajangmyeon is a Korean noodle dish spelled with two J’s as in Jjajangmyeon. The dramatic black color comes from a fermented black bean paste called chunjang, which gives these noodles a uniquely sweet and savory flavor. It’s perfect for a dinner date.

Get the Recipe: Vegan Jajangmyeon for Two (Korean Black Bean Noodles)

 

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta.

Image Credit: The Savory Cipolla.

I love pasta, and once you taste this Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta, it will be your first choice, too. This quick, creamy vegetarian pasta recipe uses sun-dried tomato pesto and bursts with rich garlic, basil, and cheese! It is conveniently customizable with any veggies to create your favorite version.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

 

Chimichurri Steak Bites

Chimichurri Steak Bites.

Image Credit: The Forked Spoon.

Juicy, mouthwatering, and perfectly bite-size, these Chimichurri Steak Bites are made with pan-seared sirloin steak and topped with an easy 5-minute Chimichurri Sauce. Enjoy these Steak bites with Chimichurri for an easy, low-carb snack or with your favorite sides for a fast and romantic dinner.

Get the Recipe: Chimichurri Steak Bites

 

Marry Me Chicken

Marry Me Chicken.

Image Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This easy chicken recipe combines tender chicken breasts, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil. You might be already married but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this Marry-Me Chicken!

Get the Recipe: Chimichurri Steak Bites

 

Pasta With Truffles and Mascarpone Cream

Pasta with Truffles and Mascarpone Cream.

Image Credit: The Pasta Project.

Nothing makes an Italian meal more decadent than including a truffle or two. And this tagliolini pasta with truffles and mascarpone cream is probably the most luxurious truffle pasta you will ever eat! This 5-star, restaurant-worthy dish needs only 4 ingredients apart from the pasta and takes just 30 minutes to prepare! It’s perfect for special occasions like Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, and birthdays or just a regular date night. 

Get the Recipe: Pasta with Truffles and Mascarpone Cream

 

Oysters Rockefeller Recipe

Oysters Rockefeller Recipe.

Image Credit: Binky’s Culinary Carnival.

Step into culinary excellence with Oysters Rockefeller, an enduring dish that has delighted food enthusiasts for generations. Born in the vibrant New Orleans restaurant scene, this classic creation continues to captivate palates worldwide. Oysters are the epitome of a romantic meal. 

Get the Recipe: Oysters Rockefeller Recipe

 

Vegan Risotto

Vegan Risotto (Rice Cooker).

Image Credit: Plant Power Couple.

You can get the creamiest Vegan Risotto without standing over the stove constantly stirring! This simple recipe yields the best possible results with the most minimal effort. This creamy risotto is great for a simple version of a fancy meal. 

Get the Recipe: Vegan Risotto 

 

Argentine Red Shrimp Recipe

Argentine Red Shrimp Recipe.

Image Credit: Organically Addison.

This Argentine red shrimp recipe is quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful! It takes only 20 minutes from start to finish. This healthy recipe is low carb, no sugar, high protein, and a lot of flavor. It is perfect for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions!

Get the Recipe: Argentine Red Shrimp Recipe

 

Air Fryer Mahi Mahi

Air Fryer Mahi Mahi.

Image Credit: 100 Days of Real Food.

Looking for a delicious, healthy, and easy way to prepare mahi mahi? Look no further than this air fryer mahi mahi recipe! This recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights, offering perfectly cooked fish in a fraction of the time it takes on the stovetop. Serve with these crispy Potato Wedges for a full romantic and yummy meal. 

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mahi Mahi

 

Tuscan Chicken

Tuscan Chicken.

Image Credit: Living Chirpy.

Tuscan Chicken is an easy chicken dinner that has tons of flavor. This dish captures everything great about the classic Tuscan taste, with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and parmesan. It’s great to have a delicious recipe that is so easy to make and can be made in less than 30 minutes! 

Get the Recipe: Tuscan Chicken

 

Baked Garlic Balsamic Steak

Baked Garlic Balsamic Steak.

Image Credit: Kitchen Divas.

Are you ready for a steak that’s so tender and flavorful that it will make your taste buds dance? Look no further than this delicious Baked Garlic Balsamic Steak! This is perfect for a real steak dinner without having to go to a steak house. 

Get the Recipe: Baked Garlic Balsamic Steak

 

Four Cheese Pasta Recipe

The Best Four Cheese Pasta Cheesecake Factory Copycat Recipe.

Image Credit: Laid Back Bites.

Inspired by a menu item at The Cheesecake Factory, this pasta dish features four cheeses and a simple tomato sauce. It’s creamy and bright and super comforting for lunch or dinner any day of the week.

Get the Recipe:  Four Cheese Pasta Recipe

 

Chicken Aglio Olio

Chicken Aglio Olio | Easy Dinner Ideas.

Image Credit: Motions and Emotions.

This Chicken Aglio Olio is the easiest and most delicious pasta recipe for weeknight meals. Spaghetti aglio oliio is an Italian dish that means spaghetti with garlic and oil. This pasta dish requires only a few ingredients and can be prepared in under 30 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Aglio Olio 

 

Bucatini Pomodoro

Bucatini Pomodoro.

Image Credit: Little Nonni.

Bucatini Pomodoro is bursting with bright flavors. The pasta is coated in a classic Italian sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes and fresh basil. It’s perfect for a special date night meal!

Get the Recipe: Bucatini Pomodoro

 

Rose Veal Scallopini With Lemon and Capers

Rose Veal Scallopini with Lemon and Capers.

Image Credit: Krumpli.

Veal scallopini are thin escalopes of meat fried in butter before being finished in a beautiful white wine, parsley, lemon, and caper sauce.

Get the Recipe: Rose Veal Scallopini with Lemon and Capers

 

Lemon Pepper Pasta

Lemon Pepper Pasta.

Image Credit: My Pure Plants.

This lemon pepper pasta is a delicious, comforting dish with bright, zesty flavors. The tangy lemon juice-based sauce is light, refreshing, and buttery, making it the perfect quick and easy meal. Add asparagus or spinach to make it more filling!

Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Pasta

 

Stovetop Arugula Frittata With Tomatoes

Stovetop Arugula Frittata With Tomatoes.

Image Credit: Eat Your Beets.

This Stovetop Arugula Frittata with Tomatoes is packed with fresh, wholesome ingredients like peppery arugula, sweet carrots, juicy tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella. It is the perfect combination of hearty, vibrant, and satisfying—it can be for breakfast, but it’s also the perfect light dinner recipe. 

Get the Recipe: Stovetop Arugula Frittata With Tomatoes

 

Oven-Baked Lobster Cakes Recipe 

Oven-Baked Lobster Cakes Recipe (Gluten-Free).

Image Credit: Rebecca Taig.

These delicious baked Lobster Cakes combine the flavors of fresh lobster meat, zesty lemon juice, parsley, and scallions. They have very little filler and are baked in a hot oven, keeping the texture light and delicate. Serve these lobster cakes as a main course or appetizer for any special event.

Get the Recipe: Oven-Baked Lobster Cakes Recipe 

 

Delicious & Easy Ginger Beef

Delicious & Easy Ginger Beef.

Image Credit: Wok Your World.

This quick and easy Ginger Beef Recipe is going to rock your world. It’s made up of crispy, deep-fried beef, crunchy vegetables, and a delectable sauce. This yummy dish makes for a perfect lunch or dinner. 

Get the Recipe: Delicious & Easy Ginger Beef

 

Crispy Parmesan Crusted Baked Cod Recipe

Crispy Parmesan Crusted Baked Cod Recipe.

Image Credit: Cooking With Wine.

Crusting cod with a lemony herb Parmesan and breadcrumb mixture and baking yields a delicious and healthy meal that is inexpensive and easy to make any day of the week! 

Get the Recipe: Crispy Parmesan Crusted Baked Cod Recipe

 

Halibut Seafood Oscar

Halibut Seafood Oscar.

Image Credit: Art of Natural Living.

Halibut Seafood Oscar is a perfect date night entrée–easy, elegant, and delicious. If you top a nice fish steak with crab, asparagus, and hollandaise, wouldn’t it have to be amazing? Well, it is. 

Get the Recipe: Halibut Seafood Oscar

 

Thai Sweet Chili Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Thai Sweet Chili Air Fryer Salmon Bites.

Image Credit: Killing Thyme.

These sweet, spicy, and savory Thai Sweet Chili Air Fryer Salmon Bites are incredibly addicting and ready in less than 30 minutes!

Get the Recipe: Thai Sweet Chili Air Fryer Salmon Bites

 

Shrimp Curry for Two

Valentine’s Day Electric Skillet Shrimp Curry For Two.

Image Credit: In The Kitch.

Looking for the perfect dinner for two? This aromatic electric skillet shrimp curry will impress your significant other for a dinner date. Why go to an overcrowded restaurant when you can create a delectable yet fancy shrimp curry dish at home? Bring a 5-star curry restaurant dish to your kitchen with this recipe.

Get the Recipe:  Shrimp Curry For Two

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