43 Dinner Ideas for Just the Two of Us
As much as we love roasting a whole chicken and eating it all week, these dinner ideas for two deal in smaller, more manageable proportions. Each of these recipes is either designed to feed two or can easily be halved, so you don’t have to play Tetris to fit leftovers in the fridge.
Plenty of these easy dinner ideas would be perfect for date night. Because in our book, there’s nothing sexier than sharing a plate of creamy lemon pappardelle, Lady-and-the-Tramp-style. Many are weeknight-friendly, like better-than-takeout sheet-pan orange tofu and one-skillet Thai chicken thighs. With so many great options, you may never fight over what’s for dinner again.
No matter what’s on the table, you might as well make it look nice: Iron the tablecloth, light the candles, and queue up that mood-setting playlist (we know you have one). Any night can be date night if you put in a little extra love.
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Photography by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Christina Allen1/43Golden Chicken With Mustard and Shallots
If your New Year’s resolution was “no more dry chicken breasts,” this is the recipe for you. Bathe seared breasts in a mustard-shallot cream sauce, then finish cooking gently in the oven. It’s a fantastic dinner idea for two.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Beth Pakradooni2/43
Sesame Feta With Broccolini
Go ahead: Have a whole slab of cheese for dinner. Feta that’s coated in sesame, then seared is indisputably the star of the show here. You will need a good nonstick pan to achieve the crispiest crust.
- Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Sophie Strangio3/43
Salmon Tacos With Pineapple-Chile Salsa
Remember: Fish doesn’t require nearly as long to marinate as most cuts of meat. Rub cubed salmon with a chile-ginger-garlic paste and it’s ready to cook in just 15 minutes.
- Alex Lau4/43
Kimchi Udon With Scallions
Caramelized in butter and gochujang, kimchi brings funk and depth of flavor to these udon noodle bowls. This recipe is so beloved, it earned a spot in the Bon Appétit 56, a collection of must-make recipes from our extensive archives.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro5/43
Stuffed Poblanos With Beans and Greens
Resting on a bed of spicy tomato sauce, these stuffed peppers earn their spot in our rotation of quick, healthy dinners.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Emilie Fosnocht, prop styling by Christina Allen6/43
Roast Cod With Chorizo Crisp
This recipe for roast cod is a delight of textures: tender, flaky fish and crispy chorizo topping, plus creamy potatoes on the side. It’s a whole meal on one sheet tray.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Christina Allen7/43
Spiced Lamb and Shaved Carrots
Inspired by the flavors of Moroccan tagine, this skillet dinner features ground lamb spiced with ras-el-hanout, a blend made with cumin, cardamom, and clove. Don’t skip the salad of thinly shaved carrots on top.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Spencer Richards, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua8/43
Creamy Lemon Pappardelle With Crispy Prosciutto
Thick ribbons of lemony pappardelle, topped with crispy-crunchy shards of prosciutto, make a dinner that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat. Keep this pasta recipe on deck for a speedy, easy dinner for two.
- Photo by Heidi's Bridge, styling by Molly Baz9/43
Date Night Pork Chop
A grilled steak is nice, but a pork chop for two is a budget-friendly option that’s just as tasty. Pair this simple seared bone-in pork chop with a salad of toasted, honeyed hazelnuts, endive leaves, and thinly sliced apples.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Sue Li, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski10/43
Loaded Sweet Potatoes
Turn roasted sweet potatoes from side dish to main event by piling them high with black lentils, toasted peanuts, citrus wedges, and crumbled feta.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Taneka Morris11/43
Butteriest Black Pepper Fish
This simple, buttery pan sauce highlights the warm, leathery, fruit-like flavors of black peppercorns. The fish fillets cook in under 3 minutes, making this easy dinner idea supremely speedy.
- Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio12/43
Chicken With Mushroom Purée and Swiss Chard
Looking for an elegant, restaurant-worthy recipe to make at home? This crispy-skinned chicken breast, paired with a silky, umami-rich mushroom purée, is just it.
- Photo by Marcus Nilsson, Food Styling by Frances Boswell, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson13/43
Creamy Mushroom Pasta
This ultra-luxe pasta dish adds mushrooms to the mix for an earthy, vegetal note that complements the creamy sauce.
- 14/43
Chicken Cordon Bleu
For juicy, never-dry chicken breasts, swaddle them in ham and Gruyère and coat the whole bundle in herbed breadcrumbs. With a side of mashed potatoes and roasted carrots, it’s an elegant dinner idea for two.
- Laura Murray15/43
Shrimp Scampi
Bathe shrimp in a simple lemon-white-wine sauce for this sultry Italian classic. Serve atop a tangle of lemony linguine.
- Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Heather Greene16/43
Chicken Piccata
When it’s already 7 p.m., and you haven’t even begun to think about dinner, turn to this Italian classic. It’ll be ready in just 25 minutes—and use up that half-empty bottle of white wine in the fridge.
- Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou17/43
Sushi Rice With Miso-Caramel Glazed Salmon
Brush pan-seared salmon with a sweet-and-savory caramel-miso glaze for an impressive-looking plate that doesn’t take long to put together. Help yourself to plenty of seasoned sushi rice—it’s the sleeper star of this recipe.
- Alex Lau19/43
Seared Scallops With Brown Butter and Lemon Pan Sauce
Shellfish and butter star in this simple yet impressive seafood supper. Capers add a briny bite to the plate, and fresh chives bring freshness.
- Photo by Taylor Peden and Jen Munk / Courtesy Clarkson Potter, Random House20/43
Strip Steak au Poivre
Transform your dining room into a Parisian bistro with this elegant pepper-sauced steak—it has all the trimmings of a very romantic dinner.
- Photograph by Laura Murray, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Sophie Strangio21/43
Za’atar Chicken Cutlets With Cabbage Salad
Adding za’atar—a lot of it—to the panko breading on these chicken cutlets eliminates the need for other seasonings. But you’ll definitely want the creamy tahini sauce for dunking.
- Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell, Prop Styling by Paige Hicks22/43
Salt-and-Sugar Pork Rib Chops
Rubbing pork ribs in both salt and sugar is key to tenderizing the meat and helping it develop a caramelized, golden brown crust.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Allison Ritchie23/43
Black Bass With Preserved Lemon–Pistachio Sauce
This fish may look fancy, but it’s simple enough to make for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. The preserved lemon-pistachio sauce brightens the dish and adds pops of texture.
- Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Pearl Jones24/43
I-Can't-Believe-It's-Vegetarian Ramen
If you’re seeking comfort food, there’s nothing quite as soul-warming as a big bowl of ramen. This vegetarian version gains rich depth from mushrooms, kombu, tomato paste, and aromatics. Yes, you might have some leftovers, but we promise you’ll be happy to eat this dish again—or freeze a quart of broth for a future dinner emergency.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker25/43
Crispy Salmon With Fennel-Date Salad
Dates bring a note of sweetness to a simple fennel and olive salad, the ideal companion to a fillet of crispy-skinned salmon. Don’t skip the garlicky lemon-tahini yogurt sauce swooped beneath.
- Photograph by Heami Lee, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Nicole Louie26/43
Spiced Beef Taco Bowls
If beef taco bowls are a staple in your house, give this upgraded version a go. You’ll brown the ground beef as usual, then add an aromatic mixture of onion, jalapeño, and garlic to the pan alongside the requisite packet of taco seasoning. The extra burst of flavor goes a long way.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro27/43
Tuesday Night Meatballs
Yes, we said you wouldn’t have too many leftovers. However, who has ever complained about leftover meatballs? Tuck them into a hoagie roll, melt some mozzarella on top, and you’ve got the best lunch in all of eternity.
- Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jaime28/43
Pesto-ish Risotto
While this risotto does require some stirring, it’ll be ready in less than 30 minutes—consider it your daily workout. Shower the plate with Parmesan and a final drizzle of good olive oil for a delicious dinner.
- Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Kat Boytsova29/43
Garlic-Ginger Chicken With Cilantro and Mint
This chicken recipe calls for a lot of garlic, but every last clove is essential to supercharging could-be-bland chicken breasts with a punch of flavor. Serve with rice and cheesy charred green beans.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou30/43
Lentil Burgers
You can make these lentil patties up to four days ahead for an easy, breezy weeknight dinner; freeze the rest for future barbecues. Serve with air fryer potato wedges and our favorite everyday green salad.
- Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Sophie Strangio31/43
Saucy Tofu Noodles With Cucumbers and Chili Crisp
Noodles sauced with a one-two punch of sesame—with both sesame oil and tahini—gain pops of texture from crispy crumbled tofu. Quick-pickled cucumber slices and a drizzle of chili crisp (store-bought or homemade) bring the whole plate together.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua32/43
Saucy, Tangy Slow-Roast Sambal Salmon
Instead of pan-searing, roast a fillet of salmon in the oven for a hands-off dinner strategy that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
- Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich33/43
Margherita Pizza Beans
Simmer white beans with popped cherry tomatoes until tender before blanketing them with melted mozzarella and spooning over olive-oil-griddled toast. You can also forgo the gluten and serve this bean skillet over polenta or all on its own.
- Photograph by Heami Lee, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Nicole Louie34/43
Ginger-Garlic Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry
Fragrant with ginger, garlic, and scallion, this simple stir-fry is a weeknight wonder. We call for bok choy, snow peas, and mushrooms, but feel free to customize based on what’s in your fridge.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Gerri K Williams35/43
Udon With Stir-Fried Peppers and Onions
Tender peppers and onions lace through this sweet and spicy udon stir-fry. Any leftovers would make a great lunch the next day.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata. Food Styling by Cyd McDowell. Prop Styling by Paige Hicks36/43
Cod Arracanato
There’s only one word for this breadcrumb-crusted cod bake, complete with white-wine-plumped golden raisins: sexy. Plus, it’s pretty hard to mess up. Halve the recipe to make an ideal dinner for two.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca37/43
Green Hummus With Sizzled Dolmades
In this Mediterranean main, hummus takes center stage, with sizzled dolmades transforming it into a full meal. Pair it with fresh feta and warm pita.
- Photo by Isa Zapata, food styling by Micah Morton, prop styling by Nicole Louie38/43
Thai Roast Chicken Thighs With Coconut Rice
This budget-friendly dinner idea makes the most of bone-in chicken thighs and green cabbage. To achieve ultra-succulent meat, marinate the chicken thighs in coconut milk, lime juice, and fish sauce.
- Photo by Laura Murray, Food styling by Kat Boystova, prop styling by Allie Wist39/43
Lobster Pasta
For a special date night (maybe even a Valentine’s Day dinner), splurge on a couple of lobsters and add the meat into a silky spaghetti dish. Don’t toss those shells: Use them to infuse the cream sauce with even more lobster flavor.
- Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell, Prop Styling by Paige Hicks40/43
Adobo Mushroom Tacos
Roast chanterelle mushrooms in a punchy spice blend, then tuck them inside corn tortillas for a simple vegan entrée. This recipe comes from Edgar Castrejón’s cookbook, Provecho: 100 Vegan Mexican Recipes to Celebrate Culture and Community.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker41/43
Sheet-Pan Orange Tofu and Broccoli
For a better-than-takeout date night dinner, toss tofu in cornstarch to achieve maximum crispiness, then roast it alongside broccoli and coat it all in a glossy orange sauce.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Allison Ritchie42/43
Wedge Salad With Toasted Sesame-Seaweed Ranch
Sure, you could serve it with grilled chicken breasts, but you don’t have to: This wedge salad is absolutely the main event.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Jesse Szewczyk, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman43/43
Bangladeshi Spiced Shrimp and Green Bean Stir-Fry
Quick-cooking shrimp and fresh, snappy green beans get a kiss of fragrant spice in this staple of Bangladeshi home cooking, which makes a lovely dinner idea for two.