Dinner is a date night staple. But what do you do when you’re tired of the same old thing? Don’t worry, we’ve got some ideas for you that will make dinner feel new again. From creamy shrimp dishes to Italian pasta dishes, we’ve got something for everyone. So break out of your dinner rut and try one of these date night dinner ideas tonight!
Date Night Dinner Ideas
Here are 8 easy date night recipes you can try:
1. Garlic Shrimp With Creamy Sauce
Garlic shrimp is a delicious, quick, and easy 15-minute meal (including prep!) that you definitely need to make for your dinner date night. It is a great seafood recipe to make when you’re looking for something light but flavorful, and it pairs perfectly with some pasta or rice!
Ingredients:
- 2 lb. jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 + ½ cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons white wine
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup white cheddar cheese, shredded (or grated Parmesan cheese)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
Directions:
1. In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil for 2 minutes until the hot oil is sizzling hot. In the same pan, add the shrimp and fry for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are pink and cooked through—season with salt and pepper to taste. Place in a serving dish to cool down quickly.
2. In a large saucepan or stockpot over medium-high heat, melt the butter. When it begins to foam and bubble, add the wine and stir until completely combined (about one minute).
3. In a small saucepan, combine heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and white cheddar. Stir until well combined, and the sauce has come to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium and stir continuously until the sauce is thickened enough for your liking.
4. Toss the cooked shrimp in the skillet once more before serving with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. Garnish with parsley and serve right away.
2. Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs With Roasted Broccoli
This dish is healthy, flavorful, and perfect for a date night in! It’s also a great way to use up any leftover broccoli you might have in the fridge.
Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¾ cup chicken broth or white wine
- juice of ½ lemon, plus more for serving (optional)
For the roasted broccoli:
- 12 oz. broccoli florets
- olive oil
- salt, and black pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C). In a small bowl, whisk together garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
2. Place flour in a shallow dish. Dredge chicken thighs in the flour mixture until coated and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for about three minutes per side until golden brown.
4. Add chicken broth or white wine and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer and cook for about two minutes or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Meanwhile, toss broccoli florets with olive oil—season with salt and black pepper to taste.
5. Place broccoli on a baking sheet and roast in preheated oven for about 12 minutes or until tender and slightly charred around the edges. Serve chicken and sauce over roasted broccoli. Garnish with lemon wedges, if desired.
3. Steak Au Poivre
This classic French dish will make any weeknight feel like a special occasion. The perfectly seared steak is smothered in a creamy peppercorn sauce and served with roasted potatoes.
Ingredients:
For the steak:
- two 12-ounce New York strip steaks, trimmed
- salt and black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
For the sauce:
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup chicken broth or beef broth
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- green peppercorns, drained and crushed (or use freshly ground black pepper)
- salt and black pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Season steaks generously with salt and black pepper on both sides. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steaks and cook for about three minutes per side for medium-rare or until desired doneness is reached.
2. Remove steaks from skillet and set aside to rest. To the same skillet, add heavy cream, chicken broth or beef broth, Dijon mustard, green peppercorns, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about one minute or until sauce has thickened slightly.
3. Slice steak against the grain into thin strips.
4. Serve with sauce and roasted potatoes. Enjoy!
4. Instant Pot Beef Stew
This hearty beef stew is the perfect comfort food for a cold night. It’s also a great way to use up any leftover beef you might have in the fridge.
Ingredients:
-
two lbs. beef chuck, trimmed and cut into one-inch cubes
-
salt and black pepper to taste
-
¼ cup all-purpose flour
-
¼ cup olive oil
-
one large onion, diced
-
three cloves of garlic, minced
-
one lb. carrots, peeled and cut into one-inch pieces
-
one lb. red potatoes, diced
-
two cups chicken broth or beef broth
-
one bay leaf
-
salt and black
-
pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Season beef cubes generously with salt and black pepper. Place flour in a shallow dish. Dredge beef in the flour mixture until coated and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot, and ensure it is set to the “Saute” function. Add beef and cook until browned on all sides. Remove beef from the pot and set it aside.
3. To the same pot, add onion, garlic, carrots, potatoes, chicken broth or beef broth, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine. Return beef to pot and stir to combine again.
4. Close the lid of the Instant Pot and seal the valve shut. Set to “Manual” mode for 60 minutes at high pressure. When time is up, allow the pot to release pressure naturally for about ten minutes before opening the valve to release any remaining steam.
5. Serve beef stew with a side of crusty bread. Enjoy!
5. Fettuccine Alfredo For Two
This is one of our favorite pasta recipes. It’s the perfect dinner date night meal because it’s so quick and easy to make, but it’s also really romantic.
Ingredients:
-
8 ounces of fettuccine noodles
-
salt and black pepper to taste
-
For the sauce:
-
¼ cup butter
-
¼ cup all-purpose flour
-
two cups milk
-
one cup chicken broth or beef broth
-
½ teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste
-
one cup of shredded Parmesan cheese
-
¼ cup chopped parsley leaves
Directions:
1. Cook fettuccine noodles in a pot of boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for about one minute or until the mixture is smooth and bubbly.
3. Slowly whisk in milk and chicken broth or beef broth until no lumps remain. Stir in garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 8 minutes or until sauce has thickened slightly.
4. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Add cooked noodles to the pot and toss with the sauce until evenly coated. Garnish with chopped parsley leaves before serving. Enjoy!
6. Caramelized Onions And Potatoes
This is a really simple side dish that goes great with just about anything. It’s also a great way to use up any leftover onions or potatoes you might have in the fridge.
Ingredients:
- one tablespoon of olive oil
- two large onions, sliced thin
- salt and black pepper to taste
- four cloves of garlic, minced
- six medium red potatoes, diced
Directions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add onions and cook for about ten minutes or until golden brown and caramelized. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
3. Stir in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Add potatoes to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for about fifteen minutes or until potatoes are soft and cooked through. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
7. Linguine With Seafood And Sun-Dried Tomatoes
This is a really simple pasta dish that’s packed with flavor. It’s one of the best date night meals because it comes together so quickly.
Ingredients:
-
8 ounces linguine noodles
-
salt and black pepper to taste
-
1 tablespoon olive oil
-
1 small onion, diced
-
fo4ur cloves garlic, minced
-
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
-
1 (14.oz) can of diced tomatoes, drained
-
¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
-
1 lb. cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
-
1 cup chicken broth or beef broth
-
¼ cup chopped parsley leaves
Directions:
1. Cook linguine noodles in a pot of boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook for about five minutes or until softened. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for an additional minute.
3. Stir in diced tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, shrimp, chicken broth or beef broth, and parsley leaves. Bring to a simmer and cook for about five minutes or until heated through.
4. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately with cooked pasta. Enjoy!
8. Egg Plant With Tomato Sauce
This is a really simple and delicious dish that’s perfect for a date night dinner. It’s healthy and hearty but won’t leave you feeling too full.
Ingredients:
-
one large eggplant, diced
-
salt and black pepper to taste
-
one tablespoon of olive oil
-
one small onion, diced
-
four cloves of garlic, minced
-
one (14.oz) can of diced tomatoes, drained
-
¼ cup chopped parsley leaves
-
one cup chicken broth or beef broth
-
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
1. Sprinkle eggplant with salt and black pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add eggplant and cook for about ten minutes or until browned and softened.
3. Stir in onion and garlic, and cook for an additional five minutes. Stir in diced tomatoes, chicken broth or beef broth, and Parmesan cheese. Cook for 6 minutes.
4. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley leaves before serving. Enjoy!
5 Tips For Having The Perfect Date Night Dinner
Dinner is the perfect time to reconnect with your partner and catch up on each other’s day. But sometimes, it can be hard to come up with something new and exciting to cook. If you’re in a dinner rut, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with some great tips for having the perfect romantic dinner:
1. Pick A Theme
Whether it’s Mexican night or Italian night, picking a theme for your dinner can be a fun way to mix things up. And it doesn’t have to be complicated – even something as simple as making all of your dishes in one color can be fun!
2. Get Creative With Your Ingredients
If you usually cook with chicken, why not try shrimp? Or if you’re used to cooking with beef, mix things up and try pork. Getting creative with your ingredients is a great way to make your dinner more exciting.
3. Make It A Challenge
Want to really test your culinary skills? Try making a dish that you’ve never made before. This can be a great way to bond with your partner as you learn how to cook something new together.
4. Turn On Some Music
Cooking can be a lot more fun when you’ve got some great tunes to cook to. Put on your favorite album and dance around the kitchen as you cook up a delicious meal.
5. Set The Mood
Creating a romantic atmosphere is key to having the perfect date night. Whether it’s dimming the lights or lighting some candles, setting the mood will help you relax and enjoy your time together.
Thinking Of Dining Out? Come Visit Our Restaurant!
The Chocolate Martini Bar offers the most unique private dining service in Pooler’s restaurant scene. We are one of the most romantic restaurants in Pooler, GA, and we provide private dining rooms and outdoor dining experiences that are perfect for special occasions.
We also have a wine bar with a vast selection of wines and martinis to choose from. Be sure to check out our website for more information on our private dining services.
A $250 non-refundable deposit (applied toward the bill) is required for private dining. This plan seats a maximum of 15 people.
Suppose you opt for the patio/ outdoor dining;
- For parties of 15 guests and under, the reservation deposit is $250.
- For parties with 16 to 25 guests, a $500 deposit is required.
- While parties above 25 guests will bring the total to $750.
Note: All private dining deposits are non-refundable (Applied toward bill)
Our reservations take priority At The Chocolate Bar. So we strongly suggest you contact us and make a reservation before your arrival. You can do that by “Booking Now“!
Conclusion
There you have it! These are just a few of our favorite romantic dinner ideas. These easy recipes will make things a little smoother—and will taste delicious no matter what.
Do you have any favorite date night dinner ideas? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
