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

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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.

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

Smothered Chicken

A close-up of a plate with grilled chicken, caramelized onions, and white rice, garnished with chopped herbs. A spoon is drizzling a golden-brown sauce over the chicken, creating a savory and appetizing presentation. This easy chicken dinner idea is sure to impress every time on your marble-like surface.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This smothered chicken recipe is super easy to make, whether you use the stove or a slow cooker. It’s all about those tender chicken thighs swimming in a tasty gravy that’s just right for comfort food lovers!

Get The Recipe: Smothered Chicken

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

Mustard Chicken

Creamy chicken breasts with a golden crust simmer in a rich, herb-infused sauce, offering restaurant-quality appeal. A silver spoon rests on the chicken in a pan, showcasing the dish's appetizing texture and color—a perfect meal to make at home.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Delight your guests with the rich, tangy flavors of this irresistible Mustard Chicken recipe! Easy to make and ready in just 35 minutes, it’s the perfect dish to impress without the stress.

Get The Recipe: Mustard Chicken

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

Turkey Tenderloin

The image shows a succulent turkey tenderloin that has been cooked and sliced, garnished with rosemary and lemon slices, and served with a glistening sauce.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Whether you choose to make it in the oven or slow cooker, this recipe makes succulent turkey tenderloin that’s bursting with flavor. With a simple brine, a savory sauce, and aromatic herbs, this dish is sure to impress your family and friends.

Get The Recipe: Turkey Tenderloin

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

Perfectly Grilled Filet Mignon

a close up image of herb and garlic butter added to the Grilled Filet Mignon on the grill.
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

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

Chicken Marsala

A close up image of A cast iron pan filled with chicken marsala and mushrooms.
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

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