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    Home » Recipes » Dinner Recipes for two

    Romantic Dinner Ideas

    Published: Jan 12, 2022 by Christina Lane · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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    Romantic dinner ideas for two at home! This Valentine's Day, we're staying in and making something even better than a restaurant. I have recipes and menu ideas that include appetizers for two, dinners for two, desserts for two, and even drinks for two! You know I'm the one-stop place to come for cooking for two. Read on and select your menu, and let's have a great Valentine's Day!

    Collection of romantic dinner ideas recipes for two. 

    Romantic dinner ideas for two at home is what I'm pushing for Valentine's Day this year. If you haven't made a dinner reservation at a restaurant yet, let me stop you right there. It's just not necessary! You can cook at home and make something totally delicious for your partner at home and skip the restaurant.

    Plus, when you make romantic meals for two at home, you can wear sweatpants and end the night on the couch watching Netflix. Because nobody really likes wearing heels or a dress, right? Do we all pull our false eyelashes off as soon as we get in the car?

    Reasons to make these romantic dinner ideas at home:

    1. Making reservations is too much of a commitment for me. I don't know where I'm going to want to eat in the future! Making dinner at home only requires me to order groceries for delivery one hour in advance.
    2. I'm not sure about you, but I find sweat pants and yoga pants a lot more comfortable than a little black dress. Stay comfy at home!
    3. Maybe this is a personal opinion, but cooking together is super romantic. If you're finding it awkward, make sure you open a bottle of wine to sip on while you cook, or start the night with a simple cocktail.

    It's best to practice one of these romantic dinner ideas before the big night, ok? It's easy to do since the recipes only serve two. Enjoy it for dinner by yourself one night and pack it for the lunch the next day. This way, on the big night, you can cook with ease and eliminate the stress and worry of the dinner coming together perfectly. Practice makes perfect, people, ok?

    Romantic Dinner Ideas

    Simple romantic appetizers for two, dinners for two, desserts for two, and drinks for two.

    Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry

    One sheet of frozen puff pastry filled with slices of ham and cheese.

    Skillet Spanakopita

    Cheesy spinach tucked in phyllo dough.

    Mango Habanero Salsa

    Spicy salsa served with chips!

    Beetroot and Feta Salad

    A hearty salad with a tangy vinaigrette.

    Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

    So simple, so great to pop in the oven!

    Brussels Sprout Slaw

    Tucked in a crispy cheese cup.

    Steak Sheet Pan Dinner for Two

    Everything on one pan!

    Coq au Vin

    Rich French chicken stew.

    Engagement Chicken Pasta

    Creamy pasta with perfect chicken breast.

    Chicken Fried Steak

    Crispy fried chicken with gravy.

    Mediterranean Pasta

    All the flavors of the Mediterranean over pasta.

    Lobster Risotto

    Luxurious risotto with lobster chunks.

    Lobster Mac and Cheese

    Decadent baked creamy mac and cheese.

    Brownie Pots

    Made in the microwave!

    Molten Chocolate Cakes

    Petite cakes with a chocolate lava center.

    Flourless Chocolate Cookies

    Gluten-free and so chewy.

    Vegan Chocolate Cake

    Two layers of fluffy vegan cake.

    Chocolate Mousse Cake

    Fluffy mousse on a brownie layer.

    Chocolate Cobbler Recipe

    Chocolate pudding baked inside cake.

    Easy Chocolate Fondue for Two

    Small batch fondue!

    Red Velvet Cake Recipe

    Iconic layer cake with roses.

    Red Velvet Cupcakes Recipe

    Four cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.

    Red Velvet Sugar Cookies

    Use any type of candy centers.

    Red Velvet Cake Pops

    Makes 10 red velvet truffles

    Red Velvet Sheet Cake

    Smaller than a regular sheet cake.

    Nutella Raspberry Martini

    So chocolatey and full of raspberries!

    Fall Sangria

    With figs! Ooh la la!

    Campari Cocktails

    I love the color of campari with lemonade.

    Rosé Lemonade

    So simple, just lemonade plus rose wine.

    Peach Wine Slushies

    Made in the blender.

    Peach Jalapeño Margaritas

    Spicy margaritas for everyone!

    Appetizers for Two

    Let's start the night with some quick bites to fuel us through our night of cooking. You can make these before your date comes over to cook with you, or you can make them together to extend the evening--your choice!

    1. Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry is sliced ham and cheese brushed with Dijon mustard in a store-bought puff pastry crust.
      Ham and cheese pastry on plate.
    2. Skillet Spanakopita is a delicious Greek appetizer dish. It's a slice of cheesy spinach pie topped with crisp phyllo dough.
      Slice of skillet spanakopita on white plate with fresh cherry tomatoes on the side.
    3. Mango Habanero Salsa is a quick and spicy appetizer to snack on while you cook.
      Bright orange mango habanero salsa in bowl with chips on side.
    4. Beetroot and Feta Salad is a great starter to serve before the main meal. You will love the honey mustard dressing!
      Rectangle platter of beets on rocket with barley.
    5. Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Spears are easy to make ahead, and can double as a side-dish, too.
      Serving dish with bacon wrapped asparagus.
    6. Brussels Sprout Slaw tucked in crisp one-ingredient cheddar cheese cups are so perfectly portioned.
      Brussels sprout slaw scooped into cheese cups.

    Romantic Dinner Ideas for Two People

    While I started this site to share desserts for two, I quickly started sharing dinners for two. While I can find the romance in nearly ever diner recipe, I selected my favorites below.

    1. Sheet Pan Steak Dinner for Two comes together all on one sheet pan--perfectly cooked steak, twice baked potatoes,  asparagus, rolls, and a creamy steak sauce.
      Sheet pan dinner with steak, potatoes, rolls, and asparagus.
    2. Coq au Vin for Two is a French chicken stew full of wine. Oh, the romance!
      Coq au vin on plate with mashed potatoes.
    3. Engagement Chicken Pasta / Marry Me Chicken gets the job done. Creamy pasta, seared mushrooms, and perfectly cooked chicken breasts.
      Engagement Pasta: Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta for two!
    4. Chicken Fried Steak for Two, for some comfort food, fried and topped with gravy. Bonus recipe for small batch mashed potatoes for two!
      Chicken fried steak on a plate with a bite cut out.
    5. Mediterranean Pasta is what I'll be making for my vegan husband. So full of the best vegetables and a white wine butter sauce. I'll sub the butter, of course.
      Pasta with vegetables and two forks on a plate.
    6. Lobster Risotto is probably what you would have ordered at the restaurant. Make it at home with your partner!
      Lobster risotto on plate with lobster tail.
    7. Lobster Mac and Cheese for Two might be slightly more your thing. I can't get enough of this cheesy pasta with chunks of lobster.
      Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe for 2! Such a romantic dinner for two for Valentine's Day. #lobstermacandcheese #macandcheese #valentinesday #dinnerfortwo #romanticdinner #romanticmeal #datenight #macaroniandcheese #lobster

    Chocolate Desserts for Two for a Romantic Valentine's Day

    If the day of love is synonymous with anything, it's chocolate!

    1. Brownie Pots for Two, made in the microwave, just in case cooking dinner was enough work!
      Two ramekins of microwave brownie pots with spoons.
    2. Molten Chocolate Cakes for Two is the most iconic romantic dessert.
      Molten chocolate cake on a plate with raspberries and fresh mint.
    3. Flourless Chocolate Cookies for your partner that is gluten free.
      gluten free chocolate cookies
    4. Vegan Chocolate Cake is a cute layer cake perfectly portioned for two.
      vegan chocolate cake recipe
    5. Chocolate Mousse Cake is exactly as delicious as it sounds: brownie bottom and ethereal, fluffy chocolate mousse on top.
      Picture of chocolate mousse cake slices.
    6. Chocolate Cobbler is a mix of warm, gooey brownie and chocolate pudding sauce, all in one dish.
      Chocolate Cobbler Recipe: Southern chocolate cobbler is like a brownie baked with hot fudge sauce underneath.
    7. Chocolate Fondue for Two, to keep things fun: dip anything you like!
      Easy Chocolate Fondue for Two. Perfect chocolate fondue made with just two ingredients. Perfect Valentine's Day dessert for two. Valentines Day chocolate desserts for two.

    Red Velvet Desserts for Valentine's Day

    I happen to love the red velvet craze. The cake is ever so slightly chocolatey but with a super tender texture. And red velvet always means cream cheese frosting!

    1. Red Velvet Cake is a small 6 inch layer cake with two layers and delicious cream cheese frosting.
      Small 6 inch red velvet cake with roses on top.
    2. Red Velvet Cupcakes are nearly identical to the cake above, but in cute cupcake form.
      Single red velvet cupcake on a marble table.
    3. Red Velvet Sugar Cookies are incredible if eating cookies on the couch is more your style. Any kind of heart candy works on top.
      Small batch cookies Dessert for Two: Red Velvet Sugar Cookies with Hearts
    4. Red Velvet Cake Pops take a little bit of work, but the surprise inside is so worth it!
      Red velvet cake pops in a white bowl.
    5. Red Velvet Sheet Cake, for a slightly larger dessert that lasts more than just one night.
      Close up of red velvet sheet cake on plate with fork.

    Drinks and Cocktails for Two

    1. Nutella Raspberry Martini is so sweet and smooth. Nutella, half and half and raspberry liquor (Chambord) are incredible together.
      Nutella Raspberry Martini for two. Best chocolate martini for two with Nutella and raspberries. Perfect date night in cocktail for two.
    2. Fall Sangria is made with fresh figs, which are supposed to be an aphrodisiac!
      Fall sangria with figs and oranges.
    3. Campari Cocktails have a lovely red hue, perfect for Valentine's Day.
      Campari Lemonade Cocktail Recipe
    4. Rose Lemonade is a light and refreshing cocktail made with just lemonade and rosé wine!
      Rose lemonade recipe in two mugs.
    5. Peach Wine Slushies are fun to make in the blender, and only 2 ingredients!
      Peach Wine Slushy by @dessertfortwo
    6. Peach Jalapeno Margaritas to keep things spicy. Just trust me on this one.
      Peach margarita with jalapeno in glass.

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    More Dinners Recipes for Two

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      Brioche Burger Buns
    • Fork removing a golden brown piece of food from a bowl with rice and broccoli.
      Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
    • Slow cooker taco soup with tortilla chips and a spoon.
      Slow Cooker Taco Soup
    • Two plates of shredded chicken over mashed potatoes.
      Crockpot Creamy Chicken

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. dixya @food, pleasure, and health says

      February 01, 2018 at 10:55 am

      I like the idea of staying in and making homemade dinner for two. your engagement pasta or that risotto is calling my name!

      Reply
    2. Lena says

      February 05, 2018 at 1:47 am

      I love the idea of a dessert pairing! Thank you for sharing all these delicious meals for 2 + the dessert idea!

      Reply
    3. Lorraine Baushke says

      February 13, 2019 at 11:43 am

      We are celebrating our 43rd Valentine Anniversary with a trip to St. Louis, MO. We live in Bowling Green, KY. I am planning a gourmet picnic along the way, and dinner in our room in our intriguing bed and bedfast (it's in a restored Gothic church). I traditionally make a gourmet dinner on our anniversary as restaurants are crazy, and busy, and not at their best on Valentine's Day. I love to cook and googled "desserts for two" and found this web site. We will take advantage of the St. Louis restaurants after VD day, and have a couple of reservations. But this is about the carrot cake for two:

      My 14-carat-three-layer cake is sublime, but requires an army of cake lovers to finish. It is my husband's favorite birthday cake. But I read reviews. My understanding is that the baking soda in carrot cake softens the carrots. So I wondered about a cake with no baking soda and no baking powder. But I read on and am intrigued with this web site. I love, love, love cooking for two.
      I will be tying some of these recipes when we return.

      But I did get an idea for dessert in our room. I will review my chocolate mousse recipe two see if it works to reduce it or use the one on this site. I am into using orange flavors in cooking right now, and I have a bar of dark chocolate with orange. Only 3.5 ounces, but will add other chocolate. Pure orange extract in the whipping cream or in a raspberry sauce might be nice.

      When we get home, I will try some of these recipes.

      Reply
      • Christina Lane says

        February 13, 2019 at 2:14 pm

        Have a great Valentine's Day, Lorraine!
        Don't miss 'Union Loafers' for lunch and "Chouquette' for dessert in St Louis :)

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Christina! I'm the author of 4 cookbooks all about cooking and baking for two. I have scaled down hundreds of recipes into smaller servings so you can enjoy your favorite dishes without the leftovers! Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday.

    You can also find me at BeanRecipes.com!

    More about me →

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