You might feel a little tired of your own cooking now that we’re nearly an entire year into staying at home, but date night cooking—especially with your partner—is way different than your run-of-the-mill weeknight dinners. Add candles and dancing in the kitchen, quick kisses and a cozy dining setup, and it all of a sudden feels like flirty fun instead of a tedious chore you’re just trying to get over with. Whether you’re the world’s greatest chef or usually more into ordering takeout, cooking together can make it feel more like an ~event~. Yes, it might be different from your usual V-Day plans, but that’s part of the fun.
Pour a glass of wine or mix up a batch of your favorite cocktails, turn on your favorite music, and dive into one of these recipes for 25 romantic dinners to make at home this weekend.
1. Brown Butter Ravioli with Butternut Squash
2. Baked Salmon with Crème Fraîche
3. Parmesan Cauliflower Steaks with Romesco Sauce
4. Preserved Lemon Pappardelle with Fried Pine Nuts, Feta, and Mint
5. Miso Marinated Black Cod
6. Vegetable Pot Pie
7. Cider Braised Chicken
8. Instant Pot Crispy Pork Belly
9. Creamy Spinach Mushroom Tortellini
10. Herb Butter Salmon with Blistered Tomatoes and Green Beans
11. Soy-Balsamic Glazed Sea Scallops
12. Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon
13. Spaghetti Squash Alfredo
14. Slow Cooker Short Rib Ragu with Horseradish Gremolata
15. Sun-Dried Tomato and Artichoke Stuffed Chicken
16. One Pot Chicken and Mushroom Orzo
17. Chickpea Curry
18. Mussels with White Wine, Garlic, and Cream
19. Creamy Basil Chicken
20. Shredded Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad with Parmesan and Bacon
21. Chicken Marsala
22. Creamy Pumpkin Risotto with Bacon and Leeks
23. Chicken, Crab, and Andouille Sausage Gumbo
24. Steak with Compound Butter
25. Salmon en Papillote with Lemon Dill Compound Butter and Gremolata