"Let’s be honest here: once the kids are finally asleep, the last thing you want to do is spend forever in the kitchen concocting an elaborate meal—but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice enjoying a hearty homemade dinner. Choosing something you can simply simmer on the stove or bake in the oven while putting your little ones to bed is one way to solve this dilemma. Fortunately, we’ve found some delicious dinner recipes for two that fit the bill and that you’ll want to try ASAP.
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These recipes are perfect for enjoying a peaceful dinner with your partner without needing to spend a ton of extra time cooking at the end of a long day. From comforting classics to unique must-tries, we have something to suit every taste and mood. So kick back, relax, and let us take care of dinner tonight. Below, we’re sharing 40+ easy-to-make dinner recipes for two that you can whip up after the bedtime routine is complete.
Chicken Dinner Recipes
1. French Onion Chicken Skillet
French onion soup is a favorite starter for some. However, when it comes to a late-night dinner for two, the soup alone just might not hit the spot. That’s where this French onion chicken skillet comes into play, where soup and chicken marry to give you full satisfaction… before dessert, of course.
2. One-Pot Chicken Tomato Tortellini Soup
This delicious recipe uses super simple ingredients and is perfect to keep simmering on the stove while you take care of your nightly bedtime duties.
3. Orange Sesame Chicken
This orange sesame chicken is a household favorite. It’s definitely a repeat, and my kiddo would probably be upset that I’m suggesting to have this without him. Good thing I always double up the recipe for leftovers, so he won’t completely miss out. My favorite part? The burst of the tangy orange flavor.
4. Red Chicken Enchiladas with Veggies
Enchiladas are a 10/10 go-to meal for something you can quickly throw together and toss in the oven. Plus, they always make for amazing leftovers—I know we’re talking dinner recipes for two, but who doesn’t love delicious leftovers?
5. Greek Sheet Pan Chicken
Kick your oven-baked chicken up a notch with this one-pan Greek-inspired recipe that pairs perfectly with a glass of red wine for a divine dinner for two.
6. Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is absolutely delicious, and this effortless Instant Pot recipe will allow you to make it in no time at all. Bonus tip: serve it with Trader Joe’s frozen naan!
7. Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry
With nothing more than a single pan and a couple stirs here and there, this recipe will satisfy that take-out craving you have after a long day.
8. Easy Lemon Chicken Piccata
Simple and elegant, this lemon chicken piccata comes together in just 30 minutes. The recipe can be easily halved to feed two, or you can save the extras for leftovers later in the week.
9. Quick Chicken Noodle Soup
If you and your partner are craving the quintessential comfort meal, you can’t go wrong with a classic chicken noodle soup that requires nothing more than a handful of ingredients and a good long simmer.
10. Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
You had me at “butter” and “garlic.” I’m guilty—but not so guilty—of always adding a pinch more of butter or garlic that’s “suggested” in a recipe. Cook this quick dinner with just six ingredients in under twenty minutes. You might just have time to end date night with a movie and popcorn, too.
Beef & Pork Dinner Recipes
11. Pan Seared Lamb Chops
Looking for a high-end dinner for two but one that’s still easy to whip out after a long day? Make juicy, pan-seared lamb chops right off the stove. Maybe pair it with wine and clink your glasses together for ending a long day with a restaurant-esque meal—without having to leave the house.
12. One-Pot Roasted Red Pepper and Sausage Alfredo
If you and your partner are in the mood for Italian, try out this recipe that’s ready to go after just 30 minutes of stovetop simmering.
13. 5-Ingredient Beef Satays
Some finger foods can infuse just the right flair of romance to an otherwise everyday meal—and these sliced flank steak satays will do just that! Bathed in a delectable marinade, pair them with rice, soba noodles, some easy egg rolls, and you’re all set!
14. One-Pan Pork Tenderloin with Veggies
We absolutely love the simplicity of a one-pan meal, and this to-die-for pork tenderloin and veggies recipe keeps things easy with a 25-minute cook time.
15. Philly Cheese Steak Pizza
This is a pizza with personality that will no doubt liven up your after-hours meal together. The toppings are a tasty blend of Philly cheese steak-inspired flavors, and you can make it extra easy by skipping the homemade pizza dough and grabbing a premade crust instead.
16. Skirt Steak Salad with Blue Cheese
Trying to go low-carb or simply incorporate more daily greens as a couple? This salad pairs the sophistication of a tasty skirt steak with fresh arugula, cherry tomatoes, crumbled blue cheese, and a drizzle of honey dijon vinaigrette. Plus it can be prepped and assembled in a breeze!
17. Crockpot Honey Teriyaki Meatballs
With a couple hours, some frozen meatballs, and a few simple ingredients for the glaze, you can have a sweet and tangy entree ready to serve with any side of your choosing.
18. Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Shells
Tacos and pasta? Yes, please. You’ll love this funky pasta recipe that practically cooks itself in your Instant Pot.
19. Pork and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Ginger
Have you ever thought that because something smells SO good, it probably takes hours to make? It’s not always the case, especially with stir-fry. I absolutely love stir-fry, and the aroma that fills the house always has me closing my eyes and saying, “mmmm.” But don’t be fooled. The cook time for this recipe only takes a little over 10 minutes to make.
Seafood Dinner Recipes
20. One Pan Salmon & Orzo
One-pot and one-pan meals are definitely a hack when it comes to cooking. If you’re looking for something gluten-free, try this salmon and orzo dish. Don’t forget to top it with lemon juice and chopped parsley for an extra burst of flavor!
21. Cilantro Pistachio Pesto Shrimp Pasta
The name pretty much says it all: a lovely shrimp pasta dish for the ultimate dinner date night in! Using cilantro rather than basil and pistachio rather than pine nuts for the pesto brings vibrant new flavors to the forefront for a meal to remember, too.
22. Honey Mustard Balsamic Roasted Salmon
Toss this tasty salmon in the oven and pair with the accompanying couscous salad for an easy dinner you and your partner are sure to enjoy.
23. Herby Pan Seared Scallops
Scallops give off “luxury” vibes, but getting them on the table is so easy. The key to making scallops tasty is dressing them up with butter and your favorite herbs. This recipe calls for garlic, thyme, capers, parsley, and lemon juice.
24. One-Pot Seafood Alfredo
Turn the elegance up a notch with this special pasta recipe. Creamy Alfredo sauce marries tender sautéed shrimp and lump crab meat resulting in a yummy final dish.
25. Pistachio Crusted Baked Salmon
Soft, succulent salmon meets a gently crunchy pistachio panko parmesan crust in this top-notch recipe that can seamlessly be built for two.
26. Red Curry Shrimp with Coconut
If you’re looking for some bright and bold flavors, try out this one-pot curry that practically does all the cooking for you. Pro tip: use frozen shrimp to make it even easier!
27. Mojo Salmon Bowls
Make it a tropical night with these Cuban-inspired salmon bowls loaded with grilled pineapple and plantains, avocado, black beans, fresh seasonings, and, of course, its zesty-wonderful mojo sauce. If you’re feeling extra carefree for the night, sip on a mojito or daiquiri while you’re at it!
28. Shrimp Stir Fry with Ramen Noodles
This festive stir fry satisfies all the criteria: it’s easy to make; it’s packed with protein, grains, and fresh veggies. And it’s got a homemade stir fry sauce that’s delish!
29. One-Pot Easy Shrimp and Chicken Gumbo
Comforting, flavorful, and hassle-free, there’s no better way to end your day than with this one-pot gumbo that will definitely become a new go-to in your household.
Vegetarian Dinner Recipes
30. Creamy Lemon Cacio e Pepe
Simple, satisfying, and brimming with romantic Italian dinner vibes, this creamy cacio e pepe recipe with a lemon kick is a vegetarian-friendly fave. If you know you’ll both be arriving to dinner with an appetite after an especially busy day, you can always add your favorite protein to bulk it up a bit more.
31. Vegan Spring Rolls
Spring rolls can take some time to roll up and put together. Make it fun by incorporating the process into your date night. There’s nothing better than when quality time is paired with a delicious meal.
32. Easy Tofu Pad Thai
Feeling creative? Try your hand at this traditional Thai noodle dish, ready in 30 minutes or less. Full of warm spices and a nourishing combo of tofu, bean sprouts, sesame oil, and rice noodles, you might not be inclined to go back to your takeout version ever again!
33. One-Pot Pasta Primavera
This healthy and unique pasta dish only takes about 10 minutes to cook and can sit on a low-heat stove to keep warm so it’s ready to eat when you’re done putting the kiddos to bed.
34. Gluten-Free Baked Cauliflower Parmesan
This is a fun vegetarian option that’s much easier to make than it may seem, with a super easy prep process and the ability to quickly pop it into the oven.
35. Zucchini and Cannellini Tomato Stew
All you have to do for this tasty one-pot stew is let the ingredients cook for about 20 minutes, then toss in your spinach and serve.
36. Potato Curry
Toss this recipe’s completely plant-based ingredients in a pot and turn on your rice cooker to have a fragrant, healthy, and hearty dinner waiting for you once the kids are asleep.
37. Baked Feta Pasta
This recipe went viral on TikTok for good reason. By tossing just a handful of ingredients in the oven, you’ll have a rich and savory dish that’s sure to become a dinnertime go-to for you and partner.
38. Stovetop Mac and Cheese (with Two Secret Ingredients!)
Elevate mac and cheese with a unique twist. Of course, you’ll have to check out the recipe itself to discover the secret to what makes this mac and cheese extra delicious—and easy to throw together!
39. Caramelized Shiitake Mushroom Risotto
Take classy mushroom risotto to the next level with this 30-minute recipe that not only shows you how to perfectly caramelize the mushrooms, but how to make the dish entirely plant-based as well. It’s a couple’s dinner that’s healthy, comforting, and romantic Italian dinner-inspired to boot.
40. Vegan Meatloaf
Meatless meatloaf? It may sound unusual, but don’t knock it ’til you try it. For anyone following a plant-based diet, this recipe is a great pick for a quick and easy hearty meal.
41. Roasted Sweet Potato Soup
Soup is the perfect dish to let cook as you’re tucking the kiddos into bed, and this roasted sweet potato recipe is ideal as an effortlessly tasty weeknight dinner for two.
Dessert
42. Chocolate Lava Mug Cake
We can’t forget about dessert. Don’t stress over it either. End the night with a sweet treat of chocolate lava mug cake that takes less than five minutes to make.
43. Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
If a recipe says it is “easy” and “delicious,” the probability of making it is high. And when it says to “dump” or throw everything in at once, then the chances are even higher. Bake a cherry pineapple dump cake with only four ingredients: crushed pineapple, cake mix, butter, and cherry pie filling. Yummy!
44. Ooey Gooey Bars
A dessert like this would definitely be kid approved, but they can always try it the next day. This time and these “Ooey Gooey Bars” are for you and your partner.
McKenna Pringle, Branded Content Editorial Assistant
Ever since she began her editorial work and interned for The Everymom during college, McKenna’s dedication to this field and drive to gain as much knowledge as possible has only continued to grow day by day. She draws from her experiences as a nanny and passion for topical conversations to write thoughtful pieces on news, entertainment, culture, and lifestyle.
Patty Schepel, Editorial Assistant
As the editorial assistant, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.