14 Easy, At-Home Date Night Dinner Recipes

By Jenn Segal

Many elegant restaurant dishes can easily be made at home (for a lot less money and a lot fewer calories). From steak au poivre to risotto, these date night dinner recipes are perfect for when you want a meal that’s a little extra special.

Steak Au Poivre

A classic French dish, steak au poivre is a pan-seared filet mignon with a crunchy peppercorn crust and rich Cognac sauce.
Linguine with Clams

This is one those dishes that sounds elegant – or at least like the type of thing you’d order at an Italian restaurant – but it’s actually one of the easiest, most affordable pasta dishes you can make.
Chicken Piccata

Need a quick way to jazz up basic chicken breasts? These crispy chicken cutlets are always a crowd-pleaser, and they come together in a flash.
French Onion Soup

This rich onion soup topped with melted Gruyère and Parmigiano-Reggiano is classic French bistro fare.
Restaurant-Style Pan Seared Salmon

Golden and crisp on top and just barely cooked at the center, this pan-seared salmon is one of my go-to recipes when I have to hit the kitchen running.
Maryland Crab Cakes with Quick Tartar Sauce

A Maryland staple, these light-on-the-filler crab cakes are made from fresh lump crab meat and seasoned with Old Bay.
Cioppino (Fisherman’s Stew)

Brimming with fresh seafood in a tomato and wine broth that tastes like the sea, cioppino is a rich Italian-American fish stew.
Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken tikka masala is a dish of marinated and broiled chunks of chicken in a creamy, spice-infused tomato sauce. Steam some basmati rice and dinner is done!
Summer Peach & Burrata Salad with Prosciutto

This is a fun play on the classic Caprese salad. Creamy burrata replaces mozzarella and peaches make a luscious stand-in for tomatoes.
Oven-Steamed Mussels with Garlic and White Wine

Steamed mussels in a buttery, garlicky white wine broth make a simple and elegant supper. Don’t forget a baguette for sopping up the sauce.
Chicken Marsala

This restaurant-style dish is easy to make at home; with just one pan, you can have it on the table in 45 minutes.
Spring Risotto with Asparagus & Peas

Creamy risotto with asparagus and peas makes a lovely starter, side dish, or vegetarian main course.
Shrimp and Grits

Bacon gives this shrimp and grits recipe a nice smoky undertone, and there’s plenty of silky gravy for spooning over the grits.
Cedar Planked Salmon with Lemon, Garlic & Herbs

Grilling salmon on a cedar plank imparts a delicious smoky flavor — plus, you don’t have to worry about the fish sticking to the grill.