Planning a date night at home? This easy dinner recipe for two is perfect for creating a cozy, romantic evening without the fuss. With simple, delicious ingredients, you’ll have a meal that impresses and delights, leaving more time for what really matters—each other. Let’s get cooking!
Steps
- Brown Sugar Salmon: Prepare a simple brown sugar glaze for the salmon. Cook the salmon fillets for about 10 minutes until they are flaky and tender. Enjoy a quick cleanup after this easy weeknight meal.
- One-Pot Baked Risotto with Blistered Tomatoes & Burrata: Combine rice with stock and tomatoes in a baking dish. Bake until the rice absorbs most of the liquid, avoiding the need to stir. Top with burrata and allow it to melt into the dish.
- Sheet-Pan Roasted Red Onion Chicken: Season chicken with paprika and place on a bed of sliced red onions and garlic cloves. Roast until the chicken is juicy and the onions are caramelized. Blend the cooked onions with butter, vinegar, and red pepper for a rich sauce.
- Lunch Lady Sheet-Pan Pizza: Prepare an instant yeast dough and spread herby pizza sauce over it. Top with mozzarella and pepperoni, then bake until the cheese is melted and the crust is fluffy. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning before serving.
- Stuffed Peppers: Hollow out bell peppers and fill them with a mixture of ground meat, rice, and cheese. Bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is cooked through. Customize with your favorite ingredients.
- Harvest Caesar Salad: Make a Caesar salad using kale and add crispy squash croutons. Include roasted butternut squash and baked Parmesan crisps. Enjoy this fall-inspired twist on a classic.
- Chicken Quesadillas: Fill tortillas with cooked chicken, cheese, and desired mix-ins. Cook on a skillet until the cheese melts and the tortillas are golden. Customize with your favorite ingredients for a quick meal.
- Dirty Martini Steak Frites: Sear steak to a medium-rare finish and top with a buttery olive sauce. Serve with crispy French fries and a simple green salad. Pair with a dirty martini for an adult meal.
- Creamy Butternut Squash Orzo: Cook orzo with butternut squash until creamy and tender. Add herbs and spices to enhance the flavor. Serve warm for a comforting dish.
- Smash Burger Tacos: Cook thin beef patties and place them on toasted tortillas. Add American cheese and classic burger toppings. Enjoy the combination of burger and taco flavors in one dish.
- Steak with Bourbon Garlic Cream Sauce: Sear steak and baste with garlic butter. Prepare a creamy bourbon sauce to accompany the steak. Serve as a centerpiece for a special dinner.
- Black Bean Sweet Potato Taco Skillet: Combine black beans and sweet potatoes in a skillet with spices. Cook until the potatoes are tender. Serve in taco shells for a hearty vegetarian meal.
- Veggie Burgers: Form patties from a mix of vegetables and cook until caramelized. Serve on buns with your choice of toppings. Enjoy a flavorful meatless option that appeals to all.
- Pad See Ew: Stir-fry thinly sliced meat with Chinese broccoli and wide rice noodles. Season with a savory sauce to bring out the Thai flavors. Serve hot as a favorite Southeast Asian dish.
- Chicken Fajita Casserole: Season chicken with chipotle and cumin, and layer over tomato rice. Top with jalapeño, bell peppers, and cheese, then bake until bubbly. Enjoy this one-dish meal with built-in rice.
- Cauliflower Tacos: Roast cauliflower with spices until tender. Serve in tortillas with toppings of choice. A tasty vegetarian alternative to traditional tacos.
- Sesame Tofu & Broccoli: Toss baked tofu and broccoli in a sweet and spicy sauce. Top with sesame seeds and scallions, and serve with rice. A satisfying vegetarian meal.
- BBQ Sheet-Pan Chicken: Coat chicken in BBQ sauce and arrange on a baking sheet with vegetables. Roast until the chicken is juicy and the veggies are tender. Enjoy an easy and flavorful dinner.
- Cobb Salad: Prepare a salad with a variety of toppings like bacon, avocado, and eggs. Dress with a homemade vinaigrette for maximum flavor. A balanced and versatile meal option.
- Bánh Mì Turkey Burgers: Form turkey patties and grill until cooked through. Serve on buns with pickled vegetables for a Vietnamese twist. A flavorful alternative to classic burgers.
Ingredients
- Salmon fillets
- Brown sugar
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Olive oil
- Pot Baked Risotto With Blistered Tomatoes & Burrata:
- Arborio rice
- Cherry tomatoes
- Chicken stock
- Olive oil
- Fresh burrata cheese
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Pan Roasted Red Onion Chicken:
- Chicken pieces (such as thighs or drumsticks)
- Red onions, sliced
- Whole garlic cloves
- Paprika
- Butter
- White vinegar
- Crushed red pepper
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Pan Pizza:
- Instant yeast dough
- Pizza sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Pepperoni slices
- Italian seasoning
- Bell peppers
- Ground beef (or turkey or chicken)
- Cooked rice
- Cheese of choice
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Kale
- Butternut squash
- Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Chicken breast, cooked and shredded
- Cheese (such as cheddar or Monterey Jack)
- Flour tortillas
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Steak (such as ribeye or strip)
- Olive oil
- Blue cheese crumbles
- Frozen French fries
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Olive sauce (with butter and olives)
- Ground beef
- American cheese
- Flour tortillas
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Pickles
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Strip steak
- Garlic
- Butter
- Bourbon
- Heavy cream
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Black beans
- Sweet potatoes
- Olive oil
- Taco seasoning
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Veggie burger patties
- Burger buns
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Cheese (optional)
- Condiments of choice
- Wide rice noodles
- Chinese broccoli
- Meat of choice (such as beef, chicken, or tofu)
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Chicken breast
- Fire-roasted tomatoes
- Rice
- Jalapeño peppers
- Bell peppers
- Red onion
- Cheese blend (such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, and mozzarella)
- Chipotle chili powder
- Cumin
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Cauliflower florets
- Taco seasoning
- Olive oil
- Corn tortillas
- Toppings of choice (such as avocado, salsa, and lettuce)
- Tofu
- Broccoli
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Sesame seeds
- Scallions
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Pan Chicken:
- Chicken pieces (such as thighs or drumsticks)
- BBQ sauce
- Assorted vegetables (such as bell peppers and onions)
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Mixed greens
- Cooked chicken breast
- Bacon
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Avocado
- Cherry tomatoes
- Blue cheese
- Homemade vinaigrette (or store-bought dressing)
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Ground turkey
- Burger buns
- Pickled vegetables (such as carrots and daikon)
- Cilantro
- Jalapeño slices
- Mayonnaise
- Sriracha
- Salt
- Black pepper
FAQ
- How long does it take to prepare the Brown Sugar Salmon?
- The Brown Sugar Salmon takes a total of 15 minutes, with 5 minutes for preparation and 10 minutes for cooking.
- What makes the One-Pot Baked Risotto different from traditional risotto?
- This risotto recipe is baked in the oven, eliminating the need for constant stirring. It combines rice and blistered tomatoes with stock for a hands-off approach.
- What unique ingredient is used in the Harvest Caesar Salad?
- The Harvest Caesar Salad features crispy frico made from butternut squash and Parmesan, adding an autumn twist to the traditional Caesar salad.
- Can the Chicken Quesadillas be customized?
- Yes, the Chicken Quesadillas can be tailored to your taste, making them a versatile option for a simple yet fulfilling meal.
- What sauce accompanies the Dirty Martini Steak Frites?
- The steak is served with a buttery, boozy olive sauce and blue cheese crumbles, complementing the medium-rare steak and crispy fries.
- What is the cooking method for Sesame Tofu & Broccoli?
- In this dish, oven-baked tofu is tossed with a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce, and paired with crisp-tender broccoli, topped with sesame seeds and scallions.
Tips
- Preparation Efficiency: For recipes like the brown sugar-glazed salmon, prepare all your ingredients and tools beforehand to ensure the 15-minute cooking process goes smoothly and stays stress-free.
- Risotto Simplification: When making the one-pot baked risotto, use the oven-baking method to avoid constant stirring. This hands-off approach allows you to focus on other parts of your meal or relax while the dish cooks.
- Flavor Enhancement: For the sheet-pan roasted red onion chicken, ensure that the onions and garlic are well-coated in chicken drippings before roasting. This will maximize flavor and create a delicious sauce to accompany the chicken.
- Customizable Recipes: Embrace the versatility of recipes like stuffed peppers or chicken quesadillas. Feel free to swap out ingredients based on your preference or dietary needs, making each dish unique and tailored to your taste.
Equipment
- Sheet Pan – Essential for recipes like Sheet-Pan Roasted Red Onion Chicken, Lunch Lady Sheet-Pan Pizza, and BBQ Sheet-Pan Chicken.
- Cast-Iron Skillet – Useful for recipes like Veggie Burgers and possibly others requiring stovetop searing.
- Wok – Needed for recipes like Pad See Ew, which involves stir-frying.
- Baking Dish or Casserole Dish – Required for recipes like One-Pot Baked Risotto and Chicken Fajita Casserole.
- Instant-Read Thermometer – Useful for ensuring meats like steak and chicken are cooked to the right temperature.
- Stand Mixer with Dough Hook – Helpful for recipes involving dough, such as Lunch Lady Sheet-Pan Pizza.
