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  4. Make Every Night Date Night with These Romantic Dinner Ideas for Two

Make Every Night Date Night with These Romantic Dinner Ideas for Two

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors Updated July 29, 2022
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Lemony Baked Cod, Potatoes, and Artichokes in Parchment
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

When you think of date night, the image that comes to mind probably involves a low-lit restaurant, sleek white plates, and tasteful candles. While we always love a night out, spending date night at home can be just as special. In fact, we believe that there's no date more special than cooking together, and we're making it easy with these simple dinner recipes for two. From Cowboy Steak to Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing, these recipes are built to impress—and best of all, you won't be spending hours in the kitchen preparing. We've got one-pot wonders and slow-cooker hacks so you can share an excellent meal with your loved one any night of the week. These dishes are built to be balanced main courses, with proteins matching vegetables, starches, and grains.

Pair these entrées with a shareable appetizer—homemade Pimiento Cheese, anyone?—and a decadent dessert, like individually-portioned Molten Red Velvet Cakes, because sometimes you just can't share everything. Every night can be date night with these easy, delicious dinners for two.

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Cast-Iron Cowboy Steak

Cast-Iron Cowboy Steak
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cast-Iron Cowboy Steak

If you're celebrating a special occasion, split this indulgent cowboy steak with a loved one. There probably won't be any leftovers.

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One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice

One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice

Hot honey brings the heat and the sweet to this easy one-pot chicken-and-rice dinner.

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Easy Shrimp Scampi with Basil

Easy Shrimp Scampi with Basil
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Easy Shrimp Scampi with Basil

Shrimp is such a quick-cooking shellfish, it's easy to accomplish for a weeknight dinner. Use the shrimp to top a dish of linguine and you've got a sophisticated dinner for two.

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Easy Catfish Tacos with Slaw

Easy Catfish Tacos with Slaw
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Easy Catfish Tacos with Slaw

We'll never stop raving about the combination of crispy oven-fried fish with cool, acidic cabbage slaw, all wrapped up in a corn tortilla blanket.

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Shrimp Boil Vegetable Bowls

Shrimp Boil Vegetable Bowls
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Shrimp Boil Vegetable Bowls

If you grew up spending your summers around picnic tables, selecting your dinner from a big pot of Cajun-seasoned seafood, these easy shrimp boils are a great way to indulge in your nostalgia.

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Teriyaki Salmon Bowls with Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Teriyaki Salmon Bowls with Crispy Brussels Sprouts
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Teriyaki Salmon Bowls with Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Cook this salmon in your slow cooker for a fuss-free date night dinner that checks all the food group boxes.

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Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing

Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing
Credit: Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing

Fresh salmon fillets may be good, but these salmon cakes channel the spirit of crab cakes in a beautiful way. Serve with a generous spoonful of buttermilk dressing to add a creamy tang.

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Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheddar Cheese

Roasted Tomato-Cheddar Soup
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheddar Cheese

You can never go wrong with this oh-so-comforting childhood staple. Serve with a grilled cheese and save the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

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One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards

One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards
Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards

This elegant pasta comes together in one pan, seriously minimizing the clean-up. Use that extra time to whip up something for dessert.

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Honey-Mustard Salmon with Vegetables

Honey-Mustard Salmon with Vegetables
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Honey-Mustard Salmon with Vegetables

We bake our honey-mustard salmon with baby red potatoes and sugar snap peas, but you can swap out the sides for anything you'd like.

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Chicken a la King

Chicken a la King
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Chicken a la King

Spoon this chicken-pot-pie-esque mixture over fresh biscuits for a comforting entrée. Anything left over from these deconstructed pot pies can be easily saved.

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Chicken-Tortellini Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Chicken Tortellini Salad
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Chicken-Tortellini Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Tossed with arugula and shredded chicken, this tortellini salad is best served cold—and may even taste better the next day.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Crank up the slow cooker in the morning and return home to fragrant pulled chicken ready for taco assembly.

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Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs are some of the easiest parts to cook, and they develop a beautiful golden crust in the Instant Pot.

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Baked Caprese Chicken With Green Beans and Corn

Baked Caprese Chicken with Green Beans and Corn
Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner

Recipe: Baked Caprese Chicken With Green Beans and Corn

This recipe delivers a beautiful upgrade to boring chicken breasts. Plus, the whole meal comes together on one sheet tray.

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One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Orzo

One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Orzo
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Orzo

The shrimp cooks right along with the buttery, garlicky orzo for a scrumptious one-pot meal that even novice cooks can pull off.

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Sheet Pan Flank Steak, Greens, and Yukon Gold Fries

Sheet Pan Flank Steak, Greens, and Yukon Gold Fries
Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Sheet Pan Flank Steak, Greens, and Yukon Gold Fries

Steak supper, but make it simple. This sheet pan version is a great starter recipe for those who aren't so confident grilling meat.

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Shrimp Étouffée

Shrimp Étouffée
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Shrimp Étouffée

This elegant Louisiana classic is sure to wow your sweetheart.

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Seared Scallops with Lemon-Herb Rice

Seared Scallops with Lemon-Herb Rice
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Seared Scallops with Lemon-Herb Rice

Making you this elegant scallop dish might just be the most romantic thing your partner does all year.

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Lemony Baked Cod, Potatoes, and Artichokes in Parchment

Lemony Baked Cod, Potatoes, and Artichokes in Parchment
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Lemony Baked Cod, Potatoes, and Artichokes in Parchment

Visit a fancy French bistro from the comfort of your own home with this elegant fish dish.

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    1 of 20 Cast-Iron Cowboy Steak
    2 of 20 One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice
    3 of 20 Easy Shrimp Scampi with Basil
    4 of 20 Easy Catfish Tacos with Slaw
    5 of 20 Shrimp Boil Vegetable Bowls
    6 of 20 Teriyaki Salmon Bowls with Crispy Brussels Sprouts
    7 of 20 Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing
    8 of 20 Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheddar Cheese
    9 of 20 One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards
    10 of 20 Honey-Mustard Salmon with Vegetables
    11 of 20 Chicken a la King
    12 of 20 Chicken-Tortellini Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
    13 of 20 Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
    14 of 20 Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
    15 of 20 Baked Caprese Chicken With Green Beans and Corn
    16 of 20 One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Orzo
    17 of 20 Sheet Pan Flank Steak, Greens, and Yukon Gold Fries
    18 of 20 Shrimp Étouffée
    19 of 20 Seared Scallops with Lemon-Herb Rice
    20 of 20 Lemony Baked Cod, Potatoes, and Artichokes in Parchment

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