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Home / Best Recipes

18 Date Night Dinner Recipes That’ll Make Your Night Extra Special

Erren Hart

|

last Updated:

01/21/2026

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Make your next date night unforgettable with these 18 elegant dinner recipes that bring restaurant-quality meals to your table. From perfectly grilled filet mignon and creamy tagliatelle with mushrooms to flavorful dishes like chicken Marsala and shrimp Alfredo, this collection has something for every romantic occasion. Whether you prefer tender braised short ribs, pan-seared pork chops, or delicate broiled scallops, these recipes will set the perfect mood for a cozy night in with your loved one.

Chicken Marsala

Golden-brown Chicken Marsala cutlets topped with a creamy mushroom and bacon sauce, garnished with chopped parsley, served on a white plate with a spoon lifting one piece.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This restaurant-worthy Chicken Marsala recipe transforms your kitchen into a little slice of Italy. Get ready to ditch takeout and savor the taste of homemade magic!

Get The Recipe: Chicken Marsala

Pan Fried Steak

A wooden board on a marble surface with perfectly pan-fried steak, with three medium-rare slices.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Discover the art of crafting the perfect pan-seared steak using this straightforward tutorial. Just a handful of ingredients are all it takes to create your ultimate steak.

Get The Recipe: Pan Fried Steak

Fish Piccata

A plate of Fish Piccata garnished lemon and capers.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This dish presents crispy pan-fried fish fillets, lightly coated in flour. It’s highlighted by a tantalizing sauce made of zesty lemon, aromatic garlic, and savory white wine, and finished with briny capers for a burst of flavor.

Get The Recipe: Fish Piccata

Creamy Crab Gnocchi

Creamy gnocchi dish topped with chopped herbs, cracked black pepper, and shredded chicken in a rich white sauce—a standout among pasta recipes. The gnocchi are evenly coated and garnished, creating a fresh and appetizing look.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this creamy crab gnocchi! Rich and buttery, it’s packed with sweet, tender crab meat, soft pillowy gnocchi, fragrant fresh herbs, and a zesty pop of lemon to bring every bite to life. Luxurious and irresistible!

Get The Recipe: Creamy Crab Gnocchi

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

A close up image of a pan of Creamy Tuscan Chicken with mushrooms, spinach and sundried tomatoes.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe is your weeknight hero! It delivers restaurant-quality flavors without the fuss. Tender chicken is simmered in a silky sauce, creating a versatile dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Serve it over pasta, rice, or polenta for a complete and satisfying meal.

Get The Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Pork Rib Roast with Garlic Herb Crust

A roasted rack of pork, seasoned with herbs and finished with a garlic herb crust, sits on a white platter garnished with fresh sage and thyme. The brined pork rib roast is golden brown with a crispy crust, and several bones are exposed at the top.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This is the pork roast of your dreams: juicy, tender, and downright irresistible. Brined to perfection, slathered in tangy mustard, and crowned with a golden, crispy garlic-herb crust. It’s savory, foolproof, and guaranteed to impress—like something straight out of a gourmet restaurant.

Get The Recipe: Brined Pork Rib Roast with Garlic Herb Crust

Creamy Tagliatelle and Mushrooms

A close-up photo of a white plate overflowing with creamy tagliatelle pasta and sliced cremini mushrooms. A silver fork rests on the side of the plate.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Whip up a restaurant-worthy meal in just 25 minutes! This creamy tagliatelle and mushrooms recipe combines fresh ingredients like parsley, white wine, garlic, and butter for a flavor explosion.

Get The Recipe: Creamy Tagliatelle and Mushrooms

Beef Wellington

A sliced beef Wellington with golden puff pastry, revealing medium-rare beef and a mushroom duxelles layer, garnished with fresh thyme on a white platter—a festive main dish perfect for Christmas. A vintage fork rests nearby, alongside a white napkin.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Unlock the secrets to the perfect Beef Wellington with this easy-to-follow recipe! Impress your guests with a dish that’s as elegant as it is delicious—perfect for any occasion and way simpler than you’d imagine!

Get The Recipe: Beef Wellington

Spinach Mushroom Pasta

A close up image of pasta in a creamy sauce with mushrooms and spinach.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Creamy Parmesan Spinach Mushroom Pasta recipe is delicious and can be ready in less than 30 minutes!

Get The Recipe: Spinach Mushroom Pasta

Pan Seared Pork Chops

Juicy pan seared pork chops garnished with fresh thyme on a white plate. The chops have a golden-brown crust and are glistening with sauce, highlighting their tenderness and rich flavor.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Savor the delightful crunch of these juicy Pan Seared Pork Chops! Crispy on the outside and bursting with flavor, they’re incredibly easy to whip up and guaranteed to impress every time.

Get The Recipe: Pan Seared Brined Pork Chops

Chicken Francaise

a close up image of Chicken Francaise in a black pan.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Pan-fried golden brown, and finished in a vibrant lemon white wine sauce. It’s surprisingly easy to prepare and delivers a restaurant-worthy meal you can enjoy at home.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Francaise

White Clam Sauce

a plate of spaghetti with white clam sauce with clams in the shell and a fork twirling spaghetti
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Flavorful clams and robust pasta unite in a delightful white wine sauce, enhanced by zesty lemon and a dash of parsley. This dish adds a celebratory flair to any meal.

Get The Recipe: Clam Sauce

Pasta Alla Norma

A close-up of a plate of penne pasta topped with a rich red tomato sauce, reminiscent of Pasta Alla Norma. The pasta is garnished with fresh chopped basil and grated cheese, creating a visually appetizing dish. The background is a white marble surface, providing a clean and elegant setting.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This isn’t just a recipe – it’s your passport to Italian culinary adventures! Our beginner-friendly guide to Pasta Alla Norma walks you through the process step-by-step, offering valuable pro tips along the way. The result? A delicious and authentic Italian dish that’s easier to make than you think.

Get The Recipe: Pasta Alla Norma

Boneless Prime Rib

A festive plate of sliced roast beef and creamy mashed potatoes, garnished with chopped green onions and parsley, is perfect for your Christmas table. This delightful addition to your holiday recipes sits invitingly on a light-colored tablecloth.
Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This juicy, tender Ribeye Roast (also known as Boneless Prime Rib) is sure to be the star of your dinner table, no matter the occasion! Enjoy!

Get The Recipe: Boneless Prime Rib

Braised Boneless Short Ribs

A hearty beef stew in a pot, featuring chunks of tender beef and braised short ribs, sliced carrots, whole mushrooms, and garnished with chopped fresh parsley. The rich, dark broth adds a comforting warmth to the beautifully presented dish.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This outstanding recipe for Braised Boneless Short Ribs produces unbelievably succulent beef that practically melts in your mouth. It’s the epitome of comforting, heartwarming cuisine!

Get The Recipe: Braised Boneless Short Ribs

Broiled Scallops

broiled scallops in a garlic butter sauce being served with a spoon.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe offers gourmet flavors without denting your wallet! These broiled scallops with garlic butter are quick to whip up and offer the taste of a restaurant right in your home.

Get The Recipe: Broiled Scallops

Shrimp Alfredo

A close-up of a plate of Shrimp Alfredo Pasta. The pasta appears to be coated in a creamy white sauce, and the shrimp are large and pink, garnished with a sprinkle of herbs. A fork rests on the plate's rim.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe unlocks the secrets of a restaurant-quality meal at home. Juicy shrimp are tossed with fettuccine pasta and a delightful creamy garlic sauce, surprisingly easy to prepare yet guaranteed to impress. It’s a perfect weeknight meal that delivers both elegance and ease.

Get The Recipe: Shrimp Alfredo

Perfectly Grilled Filet Mignon

A close-up of a juicy, grilled steak with a crispy, seasoned exterior evokes restaurant-quality recipes. It’s paired with roasted Brussels sprouts in the background, showcasing a rich brown color and a glistening, slightly charred crust.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

These tender, juicy steaks are seasoned with kosher salt, seared just right, and topped with garlic-infused butter. With a touch of fresh thyme, every bite is a delicious treat!

Get The Recipe: Perfectly Grilled Filet Mignon

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