20 Special Dinners to Cook for a Romantic Night In

Making a great dinner doesn’t have to be hard or take all day. These recipes show you how to cook impressive meals with simple steps and clear instructions. You can find creamy pastas, juicy roasted meats, and flavorful seafood dishes that are easier than they look. They are perfect for when you have company over or just want to make a regular night feel a little more special with a really delicious homemade meal.

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Vegan Gnocchi with Sausage and Sage

A white ceramic bowl on a dark wooden table holds a serving of gnocchi dish garnished with fresh sage leaves. The gnocchi is mixed with what appears to be a creamy sauce, cooked sausage, and wilted spinach. A metal fork rests on the edge of the bowl. — Vegan Gnocci with Sausage and Sage. Photo credit: Resplendent Kitchen.

Soft, pillowy gnocchi is combined with tasty vegan sausage and the warm flavor of fresh sage. This Vegan Gnocchi with Sausage and Sage is the definition of plant-based comfort food.
Get the recipe: Vegan Gnocchi with Sausage and Sage

Scallop Ceviche

Fresh, raw scallops in a zesty lime juice mixture is filled with chopped tomatoes and onions. This Scallop Ceviche is a light and refreshing Mexican seafood appetizer bursting with bright flavors.
Get the recipe: Scallop Ceviche

Caramelized Pear & Gorgonzola Pasta

Sweet, soft caramelized pears are paired with the tangy taste of gorgonzola cheese in a simple pasta sauce. This Caramelized Pear & Gorgonzola Pasta can be ready in under thirty minutes.
Get the recipe: Caramelized Pear & Gorgonzola Pasta

Chiles en Nogada (Stuffed Poblanod in Walnut Sauce)

Chile en nogada served on a traditional Mexican clay plate, covered with Mexican crema, sprinkled with pomegranate seeds and minced parsley. — Chiles en Nogada. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

This classic dish features poblano chiles stuffed with a flavorful meat mixture. Chiles en Nogada is a traditional Mexican recipe known for its beautiful colors and amazing mix of sweet and savory tastes.
Get the recipe: Chiles en Nogada

Chicken Limone

A plate of lemon herb chicken breasts garnished with freshly chopped parsley. The chicken is seasoned with pepper and served with thin slices of lemon on the side, all placed on a white plate with a gold rim. The background is a white marble surface. — Chicken Limone. Photo credit: Little Nonni.

Thin chicken cutlets are cooked in a bright and zesty sauce made from fresh lemon juice and butter. Chicken Limone is a popular Italian restaurant-style dish you can easily make at home.
Get the recipe: Chicken Limone

Shrimp Chile Rellenos

A roasted poblano pepper is filled with a tasty mix of juicy shrimp and melted cheese. These Shrimp Chile Rellenos combine classic Mexican flavors for a really delicious main course.
Get the recipe: Shrimp Chile Rellenos

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

The shrimp in this recipe are cooked in a simple sauce made with butter and fresh garlic. Camarones al Mojo de Ajo is a popular Mexican seafood dish packed with amazing flavor.
Get Recipe: Camarones al Mojo de Ajo

Vegan Polenta with Roasted Mushrooms

A white plate with mashed potatoes topped with a piece of chicken breast smothered in a creamy mushroom sauce. A metal fork rests on the right side of the plate, and a small bowl containing a garnish, possibly herbs, is partially visible to the left. — Vegan Polenta with Roasted Mushrooms. Photo credit: Flavor of the Moments.

Creamy, smooth polenta is served underneath a pile of savory roasted mushrooms full of earthy flavor. This Vegan Polenta with Roasted Mushrooms is a wonderful plant-based comfort food.
Get the recipe: Vegan Polenta with Roasted Mushrooms

Cassoulet Recipe

A top view of a hearty meal featuring a bowl of cassoulet, including duck leg confit, white beans, and pieces of sausage. Two metal spoons rest on the edge of the bowl, and slices of rustic bread are visible on the table next to a striped napkin. — Cassoulet Recipe. Photo credit: The Forked Spoon.

This is a classic French stew slow-cooked with different kinds of meat and white beans. A Cassoulet is a very rich and hearty meal perfect for a cozy family dinner.
Get the recipe: Cassoulet Recipe

Anchovies and Shrimp Pasta

The anchovies melt into the sauce to give it a deep, savory flavor that pairs with sweet shrimp. This Anchovies and Shrimp Pasta is a quick thirty-minute meal that tastes impressive.
Get the recipe: Anchovies and Shrimp Pasta

Easy Zucchini Lasagna

Thin slices of fresh zucchini are used in place of pasta noodles in this lighter version of lasagna. The Easy Zucchini Lasagna has all the cheesy, layered goodness of the classic dish.
Get the recipe: Easy Zucchini Lasagna

Gochujang Salmon

Salmon fillets are glazed with a spicy and slightly sweet Korean chili paste for a big burst of flavor. This Gochujang Salmon cooks in under ten minutes for a perfect fast dinner.
Get the recipe: Gochujang Salmon

Lemon Fettuccine with Garlic Shrimps

A plate of fettuccine pasta topped with shrimp, green peas, and basil leaves is served on a table. A fork rests on the plate's edge. In the background, there are a small bowl of olive oil, a fabric napkin, and more basil leaves. The setting has a rustic feel. — Lemon Fettuccine with Garlic Shrimps. Photo credit: Chocolates & Chai.

The wide fettuccine noodles are coated in a light, refreshing sauce with a bright lemon flavor. This Lemon Fettuccine with Garlic Shrimps is a quick meal that feels both simple and a little bit fancy.
Get the recipe: Lemon Fettuccine with Garlic Shrimps

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, silky pappardelle noodles are tossed with earthy mushrooms in a rich and creamy sauce. This Mushroom Pappardelle is a perfect choice for a simple and incredibly comforting pasta dinner.
Get the recipe: Mushroom Pappardelle

The Best Slow-Braised Lamb Ragu Recipe

A bowl of pasta with a rich meat sauce topped with a dollop of ricotta cheese and garnished with fresh parsley. Gold-colored utensils rest in the bowl. Surrounding the bowl are a cup of red wine, a bowl of ricotta cheese, and a small dish of chopped herbs. — The Best Slow-Braised Lamb Ragu Recipe. Photo credit: Home Cooking Collective.

Tender pieces of lamb are cooked low and slow until they fall apart in a rich tomato sauce. This Slow-Braised Lamb Ragu is a wonderful comfort food served over pasta or polenta.
Get the recipe: The Best Slow-Braised Lamb Ragu Recipe

Best Prime Rib Roast Recipe

Close-up of a perfectly cooked and seasoned roast beef rib eye with a herb crust, displayed on a wooden cutting board. In the background, a side dish of steamed Brussels sprouts is slightly visible. Garlic cloves and fresh thyme garnish the scene. — Best Prime Rib Roast Recipe. Photo credit: Savory Experiments.

A large prime rib roast is coated in a flavorful mix of herbs and roasted until perfectly juicy. This Best Prime Rib Roast is an impressive dish for a holiday or special celebration.
Get the recipe: Best Prime Rib Roast Recipe

Lemon Roasted Chicken

A close-up of sliced roasted chicken garnished with fresh herbs on a white plate. The chicken has a golden-brown, crispy skin and juicy, tender meat. Sprigs of rosemary and parsley are scattered around, adding color and a touch of freshness to the dish. — Lemon Roasted Chicken. Photo credit: Beyond the Chicken Coop.

A whole chicken is roasted with fresh lemon, butter, and herbs until the skin is golden brown. This Lemon Roasted Chicken is a classic, simple dinner that is always a crowd-pleaser.
Get the recipe: Lemon Roasted Chicken

Pasta Alla Salmone

A plate of creamy pasta topped with chopped parsley. The pasta dish features penne, a white Alfredo sauce, and chunks of salmon. The plate is placed on a light wooden surface. — Pasta Alla Salmone. Photo credit: Simple and Fraiche.

Tender pieces of salmon and penne pasta are combined in a rich and creamy sauce. Pasta Alla Salmone is a luxurious-tasting dish that can be ready to eat in about thirty minutes.
Get the recipe: Pasta Alla Salmone

Sous Vide Chilean Sea Bass

A seared fish fillet with crispy skin sits on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, topped with wilted spinach, all drizzled with an orange-colored sauce in a black bowl. The dish appears well-cooked, with a golden-brown exterior on the fish. — Sous Vide Chilean Sea Bass. Photo credit: Chicken Fried Kitchen.

The Chilean sea bass is cooked using the sous vide method, which makes it incredibly tender. This Sous Vide Chilean Sea Bass is a restaurant-quality meal you can make at home.
Get the recipe: Sous Vide Chilean Sea Bass

Spanish Pesto Chicken Thighs

Two black bowls filled with chicken thighs covered in green sauce rest on a white surface. Both bowls also contain a side of white rice, garnished with fresh parsley. To the right, a pot with additional chicken thighs in green sauce and a wooden spoon is visible. — Spanish Pesto Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: My Chef’s Apron.

Juicy chicken thighs are pan-seared until crispy and then topped with a quick, herby pesto sauce. These Spanish Pesto Chicken Thighs are a simple way to get bold taste onto your dinner table.
Get the recipe: Spanish Pesto Chicken Thighs