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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Low-Effort Date Night Meals That Still Feel Special

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 12, 2025 · Published January 2, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    Looking for some easy and delicious recipes to enjoy on date night without spending hours in the kitchen? Check out these 23 effortless dishes perfect for busy couples. From simple pasta dishes to flavorful stir-fries, these recipes are sure to impress your partner and make your evening special.

    Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken

    Honey Mustard Chicken in a stainless steel pan.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

    Cook up a quick and tasty Honey Mustard Chicken skillet meal in just 30 minutes. This one-pan dish is packed with flavor and features a creamy honey mustard sauce that pairs perfectly with rice, potatoes, or roasted veggies.

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    Shrimp Asparagus Risotto

    A spoonful of shrimp risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This rich risotto combines shrimp, asparagus, lemon, basil, and parmesan for a delicious meal ready in just 40 minutes. Use my simple no-stir method to achieve perfectly creamy risotto every time.

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    Green Mango & Seafood Salad

    Green Mango & Seafood Salad.
    Photo credit: Delightful Plate.

    This Vietnamese Green Mango Salad with Seafood is a tasty dish that combines different flavors and textures. It's easy and quick to prepare, perfect for busy couples looking for a delicious date night meal.

    Get the recipe

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Whip up a delicious Mushroom Truffle Risotto in less than 40 minutes. Packed with mushrooms, white truffle oil, and white wine, this dish is perfect for a dinner party and simple to make.

    Get the recipe

    Herb Crusted Salmon

    Herb crusted salmon.
    Photo credit: Krumpli.

    Make delicious herb-crusted salmon with a flavorful mix of parsley, arugula, lemon, and pistachios, cooked until just right.

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    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta is a speedy favorite, packed with smoked salmon and zesty lemon for a delicious meal you'll want to make on repeat.

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    Vietnamese Beef Noodle Salad

    Vietnamese Beef Noodle Salad.
    Photo credit: Delightful Plate.

    This Vietnamese beef noodle salad is full of fresh herbs, tasty beef, and a zesty lime fish sauce dressing. It's quick to whip up in just 30 minutes and can be served as a main course or a side dish.

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    Pink Pasta Sauce with Bacon

    Pink pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines a zesty tomato sauce with crispy bacon for a delicious meal.

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    One-Pot Greek Salmon with Feta & Peppers

    A plate of rice, salmon and veggies.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    Enjoy a delicious salmon dinner packed with flavors, all cooked in a single pot along with the rice!

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    Creamy Broccoli Pasta

    Broccoli pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Enjoy a veggie-packed pasta dish that's perfect for a healthy meal.

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    Red Pesto Salmon

    Red Pesto Salmon.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    Cook up a simple and delicious Baked Pesto Salmon perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Tender salmon fillets smothered in flavorful pesto, paired with crispy potatoes, asparagus, and broccoli for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Mei Fun

    Shrimp mei fun.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A classic noodle favorite that's very easy to make at home.

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    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This delicious dinner is made with spicy sausage, pasta, and Parmesan cheese.

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    Pork Chops with Creamy Peas and Tomatoes

    Pork Chops with Creamy Peas and Tomatoes
    Photo credit: Tried and true.

    This pork chops dish with creamy peas and tomatoes is simple to make and can be adjusted to fit any time of year.

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    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Whip up this quick and tasty salmon pasta with crème fraîche, lemon, and chives in just 15 minutes. It's a light and refreshing dish perfect for any night of the week, using fresh or frozen salmon for a delightful meal you can enjoy all year round.

    Get the recipe

    Cod Piccata

    Cod piccata.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This simple cod dish with creamy piccata sauce is a fast and delicious dinner option that your family will enjoy. It's creamy, slightly tangy, and absolutely delicious!

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    Gorgonzola Gnocchi

    Grogonzola gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is a perfect blend of creamy, tangy, and crunchy flavors that will leave you completely satisfied.

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    Pesto Cavatappi

    Pesto Cavatappi.
    Photo credit: The Belly Rules the Mind.

    This Pesto Cavatappi is a delicious homemade version of the popular Noodles & Company dish. Made with fresh basil pesto sauce, it has a wonderful aroma and flavor that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Stuffed with Feta Cheese

    Feta stuffed chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These chicken filets are packed with Feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil, making them incredibly flavorful and perfect for a special evening at home.

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    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

    15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts
    Photo credit: always use butter

    Whipping up a tasty meal doesn't have to be complicated, like this speedy Cherry Tomato Pasta that's ready in just 15 minutes. Add a ball of mozzarella or burrata cheese for an extra delicious touch.

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    Gnocchi with Bacon & Mushrooms

    A spoonful of bacon mushroom gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Elevate your date night with a delicious twist on gnocchi by pan-frying it instead of boiling, then combine with crispy bacon and savory mushrooms for a burst of flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Grilled Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

    Fish tacos.
    Photo credit: Sweet Tea and Thyme.

    This dish pairs grilled white fish with sweet and spicy mango salsa for a burst of bold flavors that will have you craving these tacos all week.

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    Steak Bites

    Air fryer steak bites.
    Image credit: Sarah Cook

    Whip up these flavorful steak bites in no time for a quick and delicious meal option, ideal for busy evenings. They're simple to prepare and ready to enjoy in just under 10 minutes!

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Goulash.
      20 Easy High-Protein Meals for When You’re Short on Time
    • Lazy lasagna.
      15 Easy Dump-and-Go Dinners for Effortless Evenings
    • A bowl of chili.
      12 Cozy Chili Recipes to Warm You Up From the Inside Out
    • Sheet pan roast pork tenderloin.
      12 Weeknight-Simple Pork Dishes with Company-Worthy Flavor

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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