50 Easy (and Romantic!) Dinner Recipes That Beat Dining Out (2024)

Home Recipes Meal Types Dinner

Uh oh! You forgot to make a reservation at your favorite restaurant! Let's remedy that with some easy, romantic dinner recipes that don't need a lot of planning to pull off.

1/49

Feta Shrimp Skillet

My husband and I tried a dish similar to this on our honeymoon in Greece. I re-created the flavors in this recipe when we got home. When I make it now, it brings back wonderful memories. —Sonali Ruder, New York, New York

2/49

Marry Me Chicken

This indulgent recipe for “marry me chicken” may just land you a proposal. The sauce is that good!

It’s love at first bite with these romantic Valentine’s Day dinners. Elegant scallops, flavorful steaks, and more impressive meals will have your sweetheart swooning in no time.

3/49

You won't miss the marinara sauce once you taste this pasta dish flavored with chicken broth and Italian sausage. The sauce simmers away on its own, without much work on your part. My husband likes it so much that I make it twice a week. —Daphine Smith, Baytown, Texas

4/49

Lemon and Rosemary Chicken

This baked rosemary chicken with a tangy lemon sauce is my husband's favorite, and my sister always wants it for her birthday dinner. —Laurel Dalzell, Manteca, California

5/49

Marry Me Pasta

The dish, which is a darling of TikTok, has many of the same, super flavorful ingredients as Marry Me Chicken. However, it’s a filling, one-pot meal of pasta, chicken strips and a creamy sauce that’s quick and easy to pull together.

6/49

Weekday Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken cooked “cacciatore” means a dish prepared “hunter-style” with tomatoes, mushrooms, onions and seasonings. We add a touch of white wine to make ours northern Italian-style. —Lisa Bynum, Brandon, Missouri. If you enjoyed this recipe, you’ve got to try our favorite marry me chicken recipe.

7/49

Basil-Butter Steaks with Roasted Potatoes

A few ingredients and 30 minutes are all you’ll need for this incredibly satisfying meal. A simple basil butter gives these steaks a very special taste. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

8/49

Swiss Mushroom Chicken

Everyone enjoys these golden chicken breasts topped with ham, melted Swiss cheese and fresh mushrooms. The entree is easy to prepare but looks and tastes special enough for company. —Jan Baxter, Humarock, Massachusetts

9/49

I was short on time but wanted to make an elegant dinner for my husband and me. That night, we ate this simple pasta starring spicy sausage and our homegrown kale. —Angela Lemoine, Howell, New Jersery

10/49

Merlot Filet Mignon

Although this is such a simple recipe, you can feel confident serving it to any guests. The rich sauce adds a touch of elegance. Just add a salad and rolls. —Jauneen Hosking, Waterford, Wisconsin

11/49

Cheesy Chicken Parmigiana

My husband used to order chicken parmigiana at restaurants. Then I found this recipe in our local newspaper, adjusted it for two and began making the beloved dish at home. After more than 50 years of marriage, I still enjoy preparing his favorite recipes. —Iola Butler, Sun City, California

12/49

Glazed Rosemary Pork

A honey-rosemary glaze delicately seasons pork tenderloin in this delightful entree. As elegant as it is easy, the main course is ideal for weekend dinner parties and weeknight suppers alike. —Barbara Sistrunk, Fultondale, Alabama

13/49

Ham It Up Primavera

I adapted this recipe from a cookbook my husband and I received when we got married. We love all the veggies, especially the fresh asparagus. —Angelia Holland, Plano, Texas

14/49

Mushroom Steak Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette

When I want to serve a romantic dinner for my husband and me, I fix this elegant yet easy salad. I just add crusty French bread and a glass of wine. —Candace McMenamin, Lexington, South Carolina

15/49

Turkey Club Roulades

Weeknights turn elegant when these short-prep roulades with familiar ingredients are on the menu. Not a fan of turkey? Substitute lightly pounded chicken breasts. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

16/49

Parmesan Risotto

Risotto is a creamy Italian rice dish. In this version, the rice is briefly sauteed, then slowly cooked in wine and seasonings. Watch for that magic moment when the risotto transforms from just rice in liquid to creamy, tender deliciousness. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

17/49

Salmon Steaks

After our children were married and gone, I prepared salmon steaks often for my husband and myself, especially on our anniversary. It was one of our favorites. We found that one of the nicest ways to enjoy each other’s company was to have a lovely meal together. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana

18/49

My husband was completely bowled over by this on-a-whim goat cheese and chicken skillet meal. I can’t wait to make it again very soon! —Ericka Barber, Eureka, California

19/49

Puff Pastry Chicken Bundles

Inside these golden puff pastry "packages", chicken breasts rolled with spinach, herbed cream cheese and walnuts are a savory surprise. I like to serve this elegant entree when we have guests or are celebrating a holiday or special occasion.-Brad Moritz, Limerick, Pennsylvania

20/49

Honey-Pecan Chicken Breasts

We love to entertain, this is one of my favorite 'special' recipes to welcome dinner guests. The nuts add an elegant touch, and it fills the house with a great aroma. —Penny Davis, Newman Lake, Washington

21/49

Creamy Herb Grilled Salmon

I have a huge herb garden and love using herbs in almost everything I cook. Living in the Pacific Northwest, we eat a lot of wild-caught salmon, so I use fresh herbs in this moist and delicious grilled recipe. On cooler days, bake it instead. —Michelle Glassmeyer Wunsch, Bothell, Washington

22/49

Beef Tenderloin in Mushroom Sauce

When our kids are visiting Grandma, I make this recipe for just my husband and myself. It's a recipe my mother-in-law has been using for more than 30 years. I especially look forward to preparing it as part of a special Valentine's Day menu. —Denise McNab, Warminster, Pennsylvania

23/49

Split-Second Shrimp

I use my microwave to hurry along the prep of this super fast shrimp scampi. It’s deliciously buttery and full of garlic flavor. We love it as a main dish, but it makes an excellent appetizer, too. — Jalayne Luckett, Marion, Illinois

24/49

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup

Not only is creamy tuscan chicken soup easy to make and filling, it also has a combination of Italian flavors so famously delicious that one bite results in spontaneous cries of “Marry me!”

25/49

My husband, Oscar, is a Southerner at heart. This salmon with garlicky beans and spinach won him over at first bite. —Mary Ellen Hofstetter, Brentwood, Tennessee

26/49

Artichoke Blue Cheese Fettuccine

Store-bought Alfredo sauce speeds along this flavorful, meatless entree. I use dry pasta, but you can use refrigerated fettuccine to make this recipe even faster. —Jolanthe Erb, Harrisonburg, Virginia

27/49

Tenderloin with Herb Sauce

Tender pork is treated to a rich and creamy sauce with a slight red pepper kick. This hearty dish is very simple to prepare and is always a dinnertime winner at my home. —Monica Shipley, Tulare, California

28/49

Ina Garten's Shrimp Scampi

Scampi is commonly served in garlic butter and dry white wine with pasta or crusty bread. The Ina Garten Shrimp Scampi recipe is unique because it doesn’t include wine. Instead, Ina uses a generous amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice.

29/49

Lemon Mushroom Chicken

There’s a lot of flavor in this dish. The best part? It doesn’t seem light at all! —Carrie Palmquist, Canova, South Dakota

30/49

Baked Balsamic Chicken

As far as roast chicken ideas go, this baked balsamic chicken recipe is one of our favorites. When the aroma from this dish fills your house, your spouse will think you spent all day cooking. But this elegant Sunday-special roast chicken, flavored with rosemary, wine and balsamic vinegar, is surprisingly simple to make. —Tracy Tylkowski, Omaha, Nebraska

31/49

Beef Filets with Portobello Sauce

These tasty steaks seem special, but they are fast enough for an everyday dinner. We enjoy the mushroom-topped filets with crusty French bread, a mixed salad and a light lemon dessert. —Christel Stein, Tampa, Florida

32/49

I created this tempting seafood pasta for my wife. It’s a terrific meal served with crusty sourdough. If you don't like spice, skip the red pepper flakes. —George Levinthal, Goleta, California

33/49

Chicken with Florentine Sauce

Here is my very favorite chicken Florentine recipe. A creamy topping and pretty presentation make it elegant enough for company, but it’s also fast to fix on busy weeknights! —Julie Fitzgerald, St Louis, Missouri

34/49

Lemon-Caper Pork Medallions

For an elegant but easy dinner you can put together in a twinkling for guests or unexpected visitors, these lightly breaded medallions are truly something special! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

35/49

Smothered Chicken Breasts

After trying a similar chicken dish in a restaurant, I decided to re-create it at home. Topped with bacon, caramelized onions and shredded cheese, this savory dish comes together in no time, and uses ingredients that I usually have on hand. And since it cooks in one skillet, it’s a cinch to clean up! —Brenda Carpenter, Warrensburg, Missouri

36/49

Pork Scallopini with Mushrooms

This is a great at-home date night recipe. I use reduced-sodium chicken broth because I add salt to season the meat and mushrooms. —Lana Dramstad, Havre, Montana

37/49

Chicken Caesar Florentine

I adapted this dish from my favorite chicken Caesar salad recipe. It has many of the same ingredients as the salad: croutons, grated Parmesan, chicken, and creamy Caesar dressing. This makes the perfect comforting meal on a busy weeknight. —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio

38/49

Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

With their creamy filling and delightful crispy crust, these elegant spinach-stuffed chicken breasts are easy enough for weeknights, yet special enough for company, too. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

39/49

Bow Ties with Gorgonzola Sauce

The name may sound fancy, but this pasta dish is comforting and simple to prepare. Add a mixed green salad to make it a complete meal for any occasion. —Nadine Mesch, Mount Healthy, Ohio

40/49

Ina Garten’s Engagement Chicken

If you make Ina Garten’s engagement chicken for someone you love, you may be rewarded with a proposal! It’s a beautiful roast flavored with onions, lemons and garlic, served with a simple pan gravy made from the drippings and white wine.

41/49

Lemon Cream Chicken

If you want an entree that's quick, easy and elegant, you can't beat this one. The lemon cream sauce is what makes it irresistible. It goes so nicely with the chicken and mushrooms. —Mary Anne McWhirter, Pearland, Texas

42/49

Blushing Penne Pasta

I reworked this recipe from an original that called for vodka and heavy whipping cream. My loved ones had a hard time believing a sauce this rich, flavorful and creamy could be light. —Margaret Wilson, Hemet, California

43/49

Seared Scallops with Citrus Herb Sauce

Be sure to pat the scallops with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This helps create that perfectly browned and flavorful scallop your better half will love. —April Lane, Greeneville, Tennessee

44/49

Easy Chicken Piccata

Easy chicken recipes are my go-to dinner choice. My chicken piccata pasta dish is ready to serve in a half hour. It takes just a few minutes in the oven to bake to tender perfection. —Hannah Williams, Malibu, California

45/49

Asparagus 'n' Shrimp with Angel Hair

We’ve all heard that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so when I plan a romantic dinner, this shrimp asparagus pasta with angel hair is one dish I like to serve. It is easy on the budget and turns out perfectly for two. —Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland

46/49

Chicken with Rosemary Butter Sauce

This elegant rosemary chicken requires minimal effort but will win you major compliments. You’ll love the mellow sauce! —Connie McDowell, Greenwood, Delaware

47/49

Pork Chops with Honey-Balsamic Glaze

My husband loves pork chops, so I try to find new ways to use them. He calls this version "restaurant quality!" —Nicole Clayton, Prescott, Arizona

48/49

Spinach and Mushroom Smothered Chicken

Chicken breasts stay nice and moist tucked under a blanket of melted cheese. It’s extra special to serve but is not tricky to make. —Katrina Wagner, Grain Valley, Missouri

49/49

Elegant Pork Marsala

Wine and mushrooms lend elegance to this oh-so-simple pork dish. Use pre-sliced mushrooms and minced garlic to save time. Cleanup is one-pan easy. —Kim Gillis, High Falls, New York

Alyssa has been with Taste of Home for just over a year, but has been in food and lifestyle publishing since 2018. As an associate editor, she writes and edits recipe collections and runs several newsletters, including Top 10, Slow Cooker & Casseroles, Quick Dinners and Balanced Plate.When she's not planning her next trip overseas, you can find Alyssa trying out new Chicago restaurants or watching a movie.