46 Date Night Dinner Ideas that Beat a Fancy Restaurant (2024)

Who needs a fancy restaurant for date night? Why not have a blast at home with these incredible dinner ideas? From a mouthwatering smoked rack of lamb to delicious Chinese duck or sauteed sea bass, the options are limitless. Whether you’re up for a culinary adventure or prefer a speedy recipe, we’ve got you covered with these date night dinner ideas. And you’ll have all the time you need to get dressed up and cherish each other’s company!

Pan Roasted Beef Tenderloin Medallions

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The delicious flavours of cayenne, garlic, chilies, horseradish and more, these seared beef medallions with tomato relish sauce are sure to tantalize your taste buds with this 30 minute meal.
Get the Recipe: Pan Roasted Beef Tenderloin Medallions

Reverse Seared New York Strip Steak

Take your basic NY strip steak to another level by reverse searing it. Pan seared steak makes a wonderful dinner and this reverse seared New York strip steak always comes out beautifully.
Get the Recipe: Reverse Seared New York Strip Steak

Beef Stewed with Mushrooms, Red Wine and Bacon

Boeuf bourguignon is one of the best French recipes with beef. This flavourful beef recipe combines the meat with red wine and herbs for an exquisite dish. This dish is sometimes called beef burgundy, because the traditional wine used is from France’s Burgundy region.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stewed with Mushrooms, Red Wine and Bacon

Garlic Tomato Shrimp Scampi

Many easy garlic tomato shrimp scampi recipes call for wine, but do you really need to add it? Is there a wine substitute you can add to this seafood pasta dinner recipe instead? The following recipe proves you don’t need to add wine for a delicious shrimp and tomato dish served with pappardelle pasta.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Tomato Shrimp Scampi

Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Taco stuffed zucchini boats offer a little of everything – nutrition, meat, veggies, a pop of Mexican seasoning, and of course a tasty meal!
Get the Recipe: Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

Perfectly tender chicken is always a winning option and you can’t go wrong with this simple, eight ingredient grilled chicken recipe. This chicken and pineapple recipe offers such wonderful tropical flavors, as well as blending the sweet, tangy and savoury elements for a mouthwatering result.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

Teriyaki Flank Steak with Veggies

Teriyaki flank steak boasts sweet, spicy and savoury flavours in every mouthful. Some of the ingredients in the sauce help tenderize the meat. This means you can expect the flank steak on a cast iron skillet to come out juicy and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Flank Steak with Veggies

Ricotta Beef Stuffed Pasta Shells

This is a stuffed shells recipe with meat you’ll want to make more than once. Everything from the melty cheese to the hearty meat sauce and al dente pasta shells makes this mouthwatering dish really impressive!
Get the Recipe: Ricotta Beef Stuffed Pasta Shells

Smoked Tomahawk Steaks

Indulge in a rich and meaty smoked tomahawk steak, perfect for any special occasion and sure to satisfy any beef lover’s cravings. This reverse-seared cowboy steak recipe is easy to make with just a bone-in ribeye steak, seasonings, and your smoker.
Recipe here:Smoked Tomahawk Steaks

Orange BBQ Salmon

Orange BBQ salmon is so good! It’s a foil packet garlic soy vegetables recipe and a simple 30 minute salmon meal. Everyone is going to love how fresh and tangy this summer grilled salmon recipe is.
Get the Recipe: Orange BBQ Salmon with Foil Packet Garlic Soy Vegetables

Potstickers – Pork Dumplings with Sesame Sauce

Potstickers are such a wonderful treat! These bite-sized pork dumplings are simple to prepare, and they come with a delicious sesame dipping sauce.
Get the Recipe: Potstickers – Pork Dumplings with Sesame Sauce

Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce

Indulge in a delicious homemade Italian pasta dinner with pesto fettuccini and Bolognese sauce, bursting with fresh veggies in every bite. This hearty dish, featuring a homemade beef Bolognese meat sauce and fettuccine pasta, will satisfy your cravings for a flavorful Italian meal.
Get the Recipe:Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce

Smoked Rack of Lamb

Impress your guests with this flavorful smoked rack of lamb or lamb chops recipe that combines the rich taste of lamb with wine, fresh herbs, and shallot, along with the magic of smoke. Pair it with some delicious side dishes to make it the perfect meal for any occasion!
Recipe here:Smoked Rack of Lamb

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Transform traditional Italian comfort food with this homemade sweet potato gnocchi recipe with roasted garlic sauce. The perfect vegetarian main course or flavorful side dish, this dish is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of patience. Add this to your list of dinner ideas!
Get the Recipe:Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Smoked Blackened Salmon Sliders

Add this smoked blackened salmon sliders recipe to your must-make list for a flavourful summer BBQ dish. Featuring pickled red onions and wasabi mayo, these salmon burgers can be made in a pellet grill or Traeger.
Recipe here:Smoked Blackened Salmon Sliders

American Chop Suey (American Goulash)

American chop suey is a delicious dish that’s popular in the New England region. Also known as American goulash, this dish is meaty and tasty.
Get the Recipe: American Chop Suey

Beef Yaki Udon Noodle Stir Fry

Beef yaki udon is a tasty noodle stir fry that you can make in less than 30 minutes. Try this easy udon recipe if you’re looking for a simple Japanese dish to make with beef and noodles.
Get the Recipe: Beef Yaki Udon Noodle Stir Fry

Mushroom Ragu

Elevate your pasta game with this delicious and flavorful mushroom ragu vegan pasta sauce, made with garlic, wine, herbs, and a variety of fresh vegetables. This homemade spaghetti sauce is perfect for vegans or anyone who loves a hearty and healthy meal, and is sure to become your new favorite meatless ragu recipe.
Get the Recipe:Mushroom Ragu

Italian Penne Rosa Pasta

If you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, try making this one-pot Penne Rosa Pasta with a creamy tomato sauce. This comforting and filling Italian dish is both tasty and satisfying, and perfect for those who love a little spice in their meal.
Get the Recipe:Italian Penne Rosa Pasta

Smoked Turkey Breast

This smoked turkey breast recipe is perfect for holiday dinners, and learning how to smoke it over wood chips or pellets will make you a pro. With juicy and flavorful results, your family will love it, so fire up your Traeger grill or pellet smoker!
Recipe here:Smoked Turkey Breast

Black Pepper Chicken

Make restaurant-style black pepper chicken at home in 30 minutes with this delicious copycat Panda Express recipe. Satisfy your Asian food cravings with this easy and flavorful stir-fry.
Get the Recipe:Black Pepper Chicken

Roasted Cauliflower Carbonara

This delicious Italian recipe is ideal for any pasta lover, combining roasted cauliflower florets with a creamy sauce that includes bacon, pancetta, and parmesan cheese. It comes out of the oven perfectly golden brown and caramelized and is sure to impress.
Get the Recipe:Roasted Cauliflower Carbonara

General Tso Shrimp Stir Fry

General Tso shrimp is an easy Chinese shrimp dish which you can rustle up in less than 30 minutes. It offers sweet, tangy and savoury flavours, along with a hint of spice.
Get the Recipe: Easy General Tso Shrimp Stir Fry

Salmon and Fresh Vegetables with a Creamy White Wine Sauce

This is when fresh vegetables are in every food market and this easy salmon recipe is light, fresh and tasty. Just the thing for an al fresco spring evening meal if it’s warm enough outside! Learn how to cook salmon for dinner with this easy salmon recipe.
Get the Recipe: Salmon and Fresh Vegetables with a Creamy White Wine Sauce

Blackened Mahi Mahi

Consider adding Cajun seasoned fish to the menu tonight, like blackened mahi mahi with homemade seasoning. It’s simple to prepare and cook in a cast iron skillet, with flavors that are perfectly balanced and ingredients that are likely already in your pantry.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Mahi Mahi

Mushroom Olive and Burrata Pizza

This homemade pizza is so much better than what you can get delivered. Make this with burrata cheese and meaty olives. I know you will love every bite of this pizza!
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Olive and Burrata Pizza

Kimchi Shrimp Stir Fry

This simple yet satisfying stir fry makes for a perfect date night dish. It has succulent shrimp and the salty, slightly sour flavor of kimchi to make a memorable meal.
Get the Recipe: Kimchi Shrimp Stir Fry

Lemon Shrimp Asparagus Pasta

This pasta dish has everything! Lemon and shrimp, with tender asparagus. Top this with almonds for an elegant meal that is incredibly easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Shrimp Asparagus Pasta

Filet Mignon with Garlic Herb Butter

No need to take your sweetie out for a great meal. You can make a juicy and flavorful filet mignon at home with this easy to follow recipe. You are going to love the way the garlic butter compliments the meat.
Get the Recipe: Filet Mignon with Garlic Herb Butter

Lemon, Olives and Salami Spaghetti

This spaghetti is unique and has so much flavor! It has olives, salami and lemon to give you a change from tomato based sauces.
Get the Recipe: Lemon, Olives and Salami Spaghetti

Sauteed Sea Bass With Romesco Sauce

Sea bass makes for such a nice at home meal! This recipe uses a delicious tomato based romesco sauce that pairs wonderfully with a glass of white wine.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Sea Bass With Romesco Sauce

Vegan Portobello Mushrooms

These hearty stuffed mushrooms are meaty, but totally vegan. You will love these on a date night at home, and your dinner companion is sure to be impressed with your efforts.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Portobello Mushrooms

Pesto Risotto

Risotto is such a romantic option for a dinner for two. Make this for someone special who loves pesto for a delicious and cozy meal.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Risotto

Marry Me Chicken

Have you had this creamy and dreamy chicken dish yet? It is so good you it could inspire a proposal, and if not, it will leave everyone deliciously stuffed after the meal has ended.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken

Lobster Ravioli

Serving lobster is one way to make an impression on your date. This dish combines the finest seafood with comforting pasta to make a meal that feels extremely elegant and is well worth the effort.
Get the Recipe: Lobster Ravioli

Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu

You can get a decadent dinner on the table to share with someone special, even if you have to work! This slow cooker recipe makes the best lamb ragu, hands down. You will love the flavor of this fuss free meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu

Apaghetti Aglio e Olio

This authentic dish is simple but has such a tasty kick of red peppers. Garlic and olive oil set the flavors off perfectly for a date night dinner that rivals a trendy restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Apaghetti Aglio e Olio

Rosemary Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

This roasted pork tenderloin is tender, flavorful and easy to make. You will love this easy marinade recipe that packs so much herby flavor into each bite.
Get the Recipe: Rosemary Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

Creamy Prawn Linguine

Creamy linguine with succulent prawns makes for an epic yet easy date night dinner. Make this to share with someone special on a night in.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Prawn Linguine

Squid Ink Risotto

If you want to serve a dramatic dish that is extremely delicious, look no further than this squid ink risotto. It will definitely be a memorable meal in taste and appearance.
Get the Recipe: Squid Ink Risotto

Garlic and Herb Lamb Chops

These tasty lamb chops are easy enough to make any night, but are perfect to serve on a date night. I know you will love this affordable cut of meat
Get the Recipe: Garlic and Herb Lamb Chops

Carmelized Onion and Mushroom Pasta

If you love the flavor of carmelized onions, then this pasta dish will have your attention. It has meaty mushrooms and sweet onions with tender pasta for an easy meal that has so much flavor.
Get the Recipe: Carmelized Onion and Mushroom Pasta

5 Spice Peking Duck

Roasted duck sounds like quite a meal to serve someone special. This recipe makes it very easy to roast peking duck at home. You are sure to wow your date with your cooking skills if you prepare this dish.
Get the Recipe: 5 Spice Peking Duck

Baked Cornish Game Hens

Cornish game hens make a perfect portion of food to serve on a date night in. Serve these game hens with butter potatoes and carrots for a great meal that is not complicated to make and always hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cornish Game Hens

Japanese Chicken Tempura

Light, crispy and perfect for date night! This recipe for tempura chicken is fun to make at home and share with your sweetie.
Get the Recipe: Japanese Chicken Tempura

Pasta with Truffle and Mascarpone Cream

Pasta is usually pretty straightforward; sauce and noodles. If you want an elegant meal that has earthy vibes and a luxurious flavor, then try this pasta dish. It has a rich cream sauce and black truffles for a dish worthy of your hottest date.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Truffle and Mascarpone Cream