Plan your next date night dinner at home with these easy-to-make, yet impressive recipes. You’ll find a collection of pasta date night recipes, seafood recipes, vegetarian recipes, and a few drinks and desserts to complete your feast!
When it comes to connecting with your significant other, there’s nothing better than a date night at home. Whether you’re in the mood for a completely vegetarian menu, are ready to Lady and Tramp it over pasta recipes, or are craving a fancy seafood date night in, we’ve got you covered.
This collection of romantic dinner ideas includes super fun things to make together for date night – whatever you’re hungry for. Picture it: staying in, turning up the music, pouring a glass of your favorite red, and dancing the night away while chopping, stirring, and taste testing.
Making a romantic date night meal together is sure to heighten your senses and bring the ultimate connection. No more mediocre takeout or frozen pizza nights. Try one (or more!) of these easy and approachable, yet totally impressive recipes instead.
And nothing says “date night” better than sharing a dessert at the end of your meal. Definitely be sure to check out some yummy, indulgent sweet-tooth recipe ideas, too!
Pasta Recipes
Whether you decide to make a quick 30-minute pasta dish for a weeknight date, or a more elaborate homemade pasta dinner that you can linger over for hours, you’ll find it here!
Do note there are several seafood pasta recipes in this category (and not included under seafood).
Or make homemade fresh ravioli together and add your own filling! There are endless options!
Seafood Recipes
There’s just something about seafood recipes that feels extra elegant for a romantic date night. Take note that there are several seafood pasta recipes above in the pasta recipes section.
Date Night Desserts
Cooking for a date has got to include dessert! Make it as romantic as you want with classic options like creme brulee (or add Nutella) or keep it comforting with a fresh out-of-the-oven, warm brownie skillet.
All desesrt ideas lead to something sweet that you can easily share with two spoons. Oh the fun!
Drink Recipes
Enjoy a fun and creative adult beverage to start the evening, or enjoy as a nightcap. Either way, one of these cocktail recipes will be just the thing date night needs!
How to Have the Best Date Night at Home
Here are a few of my favorite tips for making sure you and your partner have a super fun, stress-free, and totally romantic date night at home!
- Plan a Theme. While not essential, it’s fun to have a theme for date night. It helps you plan the menu and cocktails, and you can take it a step further with on-theme outfits, too! Think: date night on the beach, sidewalk cafe in Paris, hibernating in the cold (ok, that one just might be real in MN).
- Handle the Prep Work Together. The best part about date night dinner at home is enjoying the entire process of cooking together. Have fun chopping, stirring, and preparing the meal together.
- Turn up the music! Keep it as part of the theme, find a classic kitchen mix, or shuffle your favorite play.
- Set the mood ahead of time. Set the table and include candles for the ultimate romantic setting. Arranging plates, tableware, and the ambiance before you start cooking means you can quickly transition into savoring.
- Will you need activities? One of my most favorite things to do is linger around the table after having had enjoyed a delightful dinner and talk. It’s helpful to have some activities on hand to keep the date night going. I really like these question cards to encourage conversation you might not otherwise have, or a deck of playing cards for simple games.
Having a movie date night? Make a big batch of homemade popcorn together and enjoy it with a variety of popcorn seasonings!
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!
32+ Date Night Recipe Ideas: Fettuccine Alfredo for Two
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz. fettuccine noodles, high quality recommended
- 5 Tablespoon unsalted butter, divided
- 6-8 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup half-and-half, room temperature*
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt, more or less to taste
- 1/4-1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, more depending on the sauce
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large stockpot with water and a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and add fettuccine noodles, cooking a few minutes under package directions.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter on low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently so it doesn't burn. Keep the heat low!
- Increase the heat to medium and whisk in the half-and-half; add half of the salt and pepper. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, then add 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Add the grated parmesan cheese and the remaining butter, whisking until smooth and combined. Test the sauce for salt levels, adding more as needed.
- Add the pasta into the sauce and toss to combine. Let the pasta simmer for 1-2 minutes until al dente. If the sauce is too thick (which may be the case especially if you used heavy cream), add additional pasta water 1-2 tablespoons at a time to loosen, stirring between each addition.
- Serve immediately. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley as desired.
Notes
- Forgot to take your half-and-half out of the fridge when you started cooking? Put it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. You want it to be lukewarm/room temperature so it doesn’t shock up when you put it in the skillet.
- Reheating? I don’t recommend it, but if you need to, I recommend reserving a bit of the pasta water and reheating it with 2-4 tablespoons of the pasta water on the stove over low-medium heat until heated through and the sauce has loosened.
- Possible add-ins: chicken, shrimp, or broccoli. See the blog post for more ideas!
Nutrition
Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided for this recipe is only an estimate. The accuracy of the facts listed is not and cannot be guaranteed.