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
Caitlin Bensel
Get Ree’s Mini Calzones recipe.
2. Pasta Puttanesca
Will Dickey
Get Ree’s Pasta Puttanesca recipe.
3. Chicken Teriyaki
Caitlin Bensel
Get the Chicken Teriyaki recipe.
4. Surf and Turf
Danielle Daly
Get the Surf and Turf recipe.
5. Mini Bundt Cakes
Caitlin Bensel
Get the Mini Bundt Cakes recipes.
6. Creamy One-Pot Sausage Gnocchi
Stacy Allen
Get the Creamy One-Pot Sausage Gnocchi recipe.
7. Fryer Salmon
Caitlin Bensel
Get the Air Fryer Salmon recipe.
8. Chicken Tortellini Soup
Hector Sanchez
Get the Chicken Tortellini Soup recipe.
9. Shrimp Po’Boy
Caitlin Bensel
Get the Shrimp Po’Boy recipe.
10. Cast-Iron Pizza
Caitlin Bensel
Get the Cast-Iron Pizza recipe.
11. Seasoned Tilapia Fillets
12. Chicken Curry for Two
13. Mexican Meat Loaf
14. Spicy Chicken Enchiladas
15. Spicy Turkey Tenderloin
16. Spicy Turkey Stir-Fry with Noodles
17. Steak and Fries Salad
18. Stuffed Peppers for Two
19. Tropical BBQ Chicken
20. Ground Beef Taco Salad
21. Deviled Chicken Thighs
22. Stir-Fried Scallops
23. Brownie in a Mug
Caitlin Bensel
Get the Brownie in a Mug recipe.
24. Instant Pot Chicken Breast
Will Dickey
Get the Instant Pot Chicken Breast recipe.