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25 Dinner Ideas for Two for Any Occasion

Cooking for two can be a delightful yet challenging task. It’s not just about deciding on a meal that both of you will enjoy; many recipes are designed for larger groups, requiring more ingredients and effort than necessary for a smaller dinner.

Whether you’re preparing a meal for a date night, a dinner with a roommate, or simply cooking for someone special, here are some dinner ideas that are perfect for two. These recipes are designed to be easy and not overly time-consuming, allowing you to enjoy your evening without spending too much time in the kitchen. While most of these recipes serve four, you can easily halve the ingredients or save the leftovers for another meal.

1. Mini Calzones

dinner ideas for two mini calzonesCaitlin Bensel

Get Ree’s Mini Calzones recipe.

2. Pasta Puttanesca

dinner ideas for two pasta puttanescaWill Dickey

Get Ree’s Pasta Puttanesca recipe.

3. Chicken Teriyaki

dinner ideas for two chicken teriyakiCaitlin Bensel

Get the Chicken Teriyaki recipe.

4. Surf and Turf

dinner ideas for two surf and turfDanielle Daly

Get the Surf and Turf recipe.

5. Mini Bundt Cakes

dinner ideas for two mini bundt cakesCaitlin Bensel

Get the Mini Bundt Cakes recipes.

6. Creamy One-Pot Sausage Gnocchi

dinner ideas for two creamy one pot sausage gnocchiStacy Allen

Get the Creamy One-Pot Sausage Gnocchi recipe.

7. Fryer Salmon

dinner ideas for two air fryer salmonCaitlin Bensel

Get the Air Fryer Salmon recipe.

8. Chicken Tortellini Soup

dinner ideas for two chicken tortellini soupHector Sanchez

Get the Chicken Tortellini Soup recipe.

9. Shrimp Po’Boy

dinner ideas for two shrimp poboyCaitlin Bensel

Get the Shrimp Po’Boy recipe.

10. Cast-Iron Pizza

dinner ideas for two cast iron pizzaCaitlin Bensel

Get the Cast-Iron Pizza recipe.

11. Seasoned Tilapia Fillets

Seasoned Tilapia Fillets
Taste of Home

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12. Chicken Curry for Two

Chicken Curry For Two Exps Cf219 41628 C12 14 1b 3

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13. Mexican Meat Loaf

Mexican Meat Loaves Exps Ft21 26806 F 1119 1

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14. Spicy Chicken Enchiladas

Spicy Chicken Enchiladas
Taste of Home

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15. Spicy Turkey Tenderloin

Spicy Turkey Tenderloin Exps Cf2bz19 30402 C12 19 2b 2

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16. Spicy Turkey Stir-Fry with Noodles

Spicy Turkey Stir Fry With Noodles Exps Toham20 191520 B11 13 3b 19

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17. Steak and Fries Salad

Steak N Fries Salad Exps Sdfm18 31750 D10 10 3b 3

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18. Stuffed Peppers for Two

Stuffed Peppers for Two

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19. Tropical BBQ Chicken

Tropical Bbq Chicken Exps Cf2bz19 42994 C01 03 5b 5

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20. Ground Beef Taco Salad

Ground Beef Taco Salad

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21. Deviled Chicken Thighs

Deviled Chicken Thighs

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22. Stir-Fried Scallops

Stir Fried Scallops Exps Sdon18 21785 C06 19 2b 10

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23. Brownie in a Mug

dinner ideas for two brownie in a mugCaitlin Bensel

Get the Brownie in a Mug recipe.

24. Instant Pot Chicken Breast

dinner ideas for two instant pot chicken breastWill Dickey

Get the Instant Pot Chicken Breast recipe.

25. Nicoise-Inspired Summer Salad

Get the Recipe

dinner ideas for two