20 Date Night Dinners Worth Staying In For

Cooking a meal together can be a really fun way to spend time with someone, and these special dinner recipes make that time even more enjoyable. You can find a great variety of dishes here, whether you are in the mood for something creamy and rich, a little bit spicy, or light and fresh. These meals taste fancy and impressive but are not too difficult to make, which is perfect for when you want a nice dinner without a lot of stress.

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Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo with Pasta

A plate of creamy fettuccine Alfredo topped with grilled chicken slices and garnished with fresh parsley. The dish is served on a white plate set on a light-colored napkin. — Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo with Pasta. Photo credit: Kim Schob.

Creamy alfredo sauce coats tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta in this Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo that is all made in one pot and is extra fast without sacrificing any of its restaurant quality flavor.
Get Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo with Pasta

Chicken Enchiladas Suizas

Tender chicken gets rolled in tortillas and covered with a creamy green sauce and melted cheese for these Chicken Enchiladas Suizas, where the tomatillo sauce gives a tangy kick that balances the rich flavors when baked until bubbly.
Get the Recipe: Enchiladas Suizas

Marry Me Chicken Orzo

A bowl of creamy chicken and sun-dried tomato pasta with spinach, served next to a pan with more pasta. Fresh tomatoes and a striped napkin are nearby. The dish is garnished with herbs. — Marry Me Chicken Orzo. Photo credit: The Peasant’s Daughter.

All the flavors of the famous chicken dish are in this Marry Me Chicken Orzo but with tiny orzo pasta cooked right in the creamy sauce that soaks up all the goodness while spinach adds a touch of freshness.
Get Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Orzo

Scallop Ceviche

Fresh scallops are soaked in citrus juice until they are tender and then mixed with crunchy veggies and herbs in this Scallop Ceviche, where the bright lime and lemon flavors make it a refreshing starter with chips.
Get the recipe: Scallop Ceviche

Lemon Dill Salmon

Two seasoned salmon fillets with lemon slices and dill on parchment paper, garnished with herbs and pepper, set on a marble countertop. Fresh lemon wedges and a dill sprig are placed nearby. — Lemon Dill Salmon. Photo credit: My Kitchen Serenity.

Flaky salmon gets baked with fresh lemon and dill for this Lemon Dill Salmon that is a light but flavorful main dish, and the citrus keeps it tasting fresh while the herbs add more depth of flavor.
Get Recipe: Lemon Dill Salmon

Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta

A bowl of creamy chicken chipotle pasta topped with chopped herbs is placed on a wooden cutting board. Nearby, a small bowl filled with more chopped herbs and a white and blue checkered cloth napkin are visible. — Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Tender chicken and pasta swim in a creamy sauce with a smoky chipotle pepper heat in this Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta where the spice level is just right and not too mild or overwhelming.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta

Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

A skillet filled with spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, grilled chicken cubes, and sprinkled with grated cheese. The dish is drizzled with balsamic glaze, and fresh herbs are scattered on top, resting on a wooden surface. — Bruschetta Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: The Cookin’ Chicks.

Juicy chicken and al dente pasta get tossed with fresh tomatoes, basil, and balsamic in this Bruschetta Chicken Pasta that has bright flavors you can enjoy anytime, especially with extra parmesan cheese on top.
Get Recipe: Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Garlic Shrimp)

Shrimp and rice served in a glass plate with lime slices as garnish — Camarones al Mojo de Ajo. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Plump shrimp sizzle in a garlicky butter sauce in this Camarones al Mojo de Ajo that is perfect for soaking up with bread and comes together in one pan in under thirty minutes.
Get Recipe: Camarones al Mojo de Ajo

Mushroom Pappardelle

A white bowl filled with creamy fettuccine pasta topped with sliced mushrooms and garnished with chopped parsley. A silver fork rests beside the bowl on a white surface. The dish appears rich and appetizing, with a hint of herbs and sauce. — Mushroom Pappardelle. Photo credit: Little Nonni.

Wide ribbon noodles get coated in a creamy sauce with meaty portobello mushrooms and fresh herbs in this Mushroom Pappardelle where the pasta soaks up all the rich flavors for a cozy and fancy dish.
Get Recipe: Mushroom Pappardelle

Pollo a la Mostaza (mustard chicken)

A cast iron skillet filled with creamy mustard chicken thighs, garnished with herbs. The skillet rests on a wooden cutting board. A plate with white rice is nearby, on a light-colored surface. — Pollo a la mostaza. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Chicken simmers in a creamy mustard sauce that is both tangy and rich for this Pollo a la Mostaza, and the sauce thickens as it cooks to coat each piece perfectly over rice or potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Pollo a la Mostaza

Mediterranean Shrimp Linguine

A plate of linguine pasta topped with shrimp, olives, artichokes, capers, lemon slices, and feta cheese, garnished with parsley. A side dish with spices, a bundle of pasta, and a pot are visible in the background. — Mediterranean Shrimp Linguine. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Plump shrimp cook with briny olives, artichokes, and capers in a garlicky sauce for this Mediterranean Shrimp Linguine where cherry tomatoes add sweetness and lemon brightens everything for a vacation-like taste.
Get Recipe: Mediterranean Shrimp Linguine

Paccheri Pasta

Plates of baked pasta with tomato sauce, ground meat, and melted cheese garnished with fresh basil. One plate is served with a fork, and a pan of pasta is nearby. A small dish of herbs is also visible on the side. — Paccheri Pasta. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Tube-shaped pasta bakes with a meaty Bolognese sauce and lots of melted cheese in this Paccheri Pasta where the big noodles hold all the rich flavors and get a crispy golden brown top.
Get Recipe: Paccheri Pasta

Rosemary Balsamic Pork Tenderloin Marinade Recipe

Sliced pork tenderloin topped with a dark glaze, garnished with fresh rosemary on a wooden cutting board. A striped cloth is partially visible in the background. — Rosemary Balsamic Pork Tenderloin Marinade Recipe. Photo credit: Enza’s Quail Hollow Kitchen.

Pork soaks up a sweet and savory marinade with balsamic, rosemary, and garlic before roasting for this Rosemary Balsamic Pork Tenderloin that gets caramelized on the outside and stays juicy on the inside.
Get Recipe: Rosemary Balsamic Pork Tenderloin Marinade

Spicy Shrimp Bowl Recipe with Rice and Peach Avocado Salad

A black bowl filled with white rice, grilled shrimp, and a peach-avocado salad garnished with cilantro. It is placed on a patterned plate with a white flower and chopsticks on the side. Lime wedges and herbs accompany the vibrant dish. — Spicy Shrimp Bowl Recipe with Rice and Peach Avocado Salad. Photo credit: A Latin Flair.

Seasoned shrimp sit on rice with creamy avocado and sweet peaches in this Spicy Shrimp Bowl where the mix of spicy, sweet, and creamy flavors makes every single bite interesting and indulgent.
Get Recipe: Spicy Shrimp Bowl Recipe with Rice and Peach Avocado Salad

Creamy Chicken Florentine

A white plate with chicken covered in creamy spinach sauce, garnished with parsley, on a white surface. Nearby is a pan with the same dish and a wooden spoon. A white cloth with gold stripes is in the background. — Creamy Chicken Florentine. Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

Chicken breasts cook in a creamy spinach sauce for this Creamy Chicken Florentine that is elegant but easy, and the spinach wilts down into the sauce to add color and nutrients for a date night.
Get Recipe: Creamy Chicken Florentine

Pasta with Peas and Ricotta

A plate of creamy spaghetti garnished with green peas and fresh mint leaves on a white dish. — Pasta with Peas and Ricotta. Photo credit: Spice Up The Curry.

Al dente pasta mixes with sweet peas and creamy ricotta for this Pasta with Peas and Ricotta that is a light yet satisfying dish where fresh mint and lemon juice brighten everything up.
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Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Chipotle

A roasted pork loin garnished with rosemary sprigs is displayed on a woven mat. It is accompanied by roasted potato slices, also seasoned with rosemary, in a rectangular serving dish. — Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Chipotle. Photo credit: A Latin Flair.

Juicy pork gets wrapped in crispy bacon with a smoky chipotle rub for this Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin where the bacon keeps the meat extra moist and adds tons of flavor over mashed potatoes.
Get Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Chipotle

Marry Me Chicken

A cast iron skillet filled with cooked chicken thighs in a creamy sauce, garnished with chopped herbs and sun-dried tomatoes. The dish is on a light-colored surface with a white cloth nearby. — Marry Me Chicken. Photo credit: Budget Delicious.

Chicken thighs simmer in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and crispy bacon bits for this Marry Me Chicken where the rich flavors blend together perfectly over pasta or with crusty bread.
Get Recipe: Marry Me Chicken

Bucatini Pomodoro

A bowl of spaghetti with tomato sauce, garnished with grated cheese and fresh basil, on a white plate with a fork. The plate rests on a wooden board, set against a light marble background. — Bucatini Pomodoro. Photo credit: Little Nonni.

Thick spaghetti-like noodles hold onto a simple but delicious tomato basil sauce in this Bucatini Pomodoro where a sprinkle of parmesan melts right into the hot pasta for classic Italian flavors.
Get Recipe: Bucatini Pomodoro

Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breast

Three plates of sliced chicken breast wrapped in bacon, stuffed with cheese and herbs. A fork and knife lie on one plate, resting on a light wooden table with a green cloth in the background. The dish is garnished with chopped parsley. — Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breast. Photo credit: Budget Delicious.

Chicken breasts get stuffed with gooey cheese and crispy bacon before air frying for this Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breast where the outside gets perfectly browned while the inside stays juicy and impressive.
Get Recipe: Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breast