• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    26 Romantic Dinner Ideas That Don’t Take All Night

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on February 14, 2025, updated February 8, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Planning a romantic dinner doesn't have to be a lengthy affair. With these 26 ideas, you can create a special atmosphere and enjoy a delicious meal without spending all night in the kitchen. From quick pasta dishes to simple steak dinners, these options will help you impress your partner while keeping things easy and enjoyable.

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    Garlic butter shrimp pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick and tasty dish that combines juicy shrimp with perfectly cooked pasta in a rich garlic butter sauce. This is a great meal for a special dinner that everyone will enjoy.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    Lobster Casserole with Buttery Ritz Topping

    Lobster Casserole Recipe with Buttery Ritz Topping.
    Photo Credit: This Is How I Cook.

    This lobster casserole is light and full of flavor. With butter, garlic, sherry, and shallots, it’s a perfect dish for a special celebration.

    Get the Recipe

    Shrimp Asparagus Risotto

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

    This creamy risotto is packed with shrimp and asparagus, bringing together the fresh flavors of lemon, basil, and parmesan. It's a quick and easy dinner that can be ready in just 40 minutes, perfect for a special occasion.

    Get the recipe

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

    Marry me chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta is ready in just 20 minutes and is sure to impress everyone at the table. With a tasty mix of crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs, it’s a simple yet delicious meal for a special night.

    Get the recipe

    One Pan Fish & Broccoli in Lemon Butter Caper Sauce

    A skillet full of fish and broccoli in lemon caper sauce.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A smooth and tasty lemon butter caper sauce goes perfectly with fish and broccoli. Everything is cooked in just one pan, making cleanup easy.

    Get the recipe

    Best Italian Meatloaf

    Best Italian Meatloaf.
    Photo Credit: Manila Spoon.

    This Italian Meatloaf is a tasty take on a classic, mixing ground meat with herbs and melted cheese. It's great for family dinners or when you have friends over, featuring delicious Capocollo and a rich tomato glaze.

    Get the Recipe

    Cheesy Steak Pasta Casserole

    Steak pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish features a creamy steak and mushroom pasta paired with a cheesy casserole. It's a cozy and elegant dinner that you can whip up in just 45 minutes, all in one pan to keep cleanup easy.

    Get the recipe

    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This version of carbonara is simple and quick to prepare, using everyday ingredients you can easily find at any grocery store. It's a great option for a cozy dinner on Valentine's Day.

    Get the recipe

    Pork Chops with Red Wine & Mushrooms

    Cast iron skillet pork chops.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These Cast Iron Pork Chops are quick to prepare and full of flavor, perfect for a special dinner. With garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, they are seared and simmered in red wine, resulting in incredibly juicy chops.

    Get the recipe

    Lobster Risotto

    Lobster Risotto
    Photo Credit: Cooking My Dreams.

    Lobster Risotto is a creamy dish that brings together the sweet taste of lobster and the smooth texture of well-cooked rice. This is a great option for a special dinner that will impress your family and friends.

    Get the Recipe

    Pasta with Spicy Crab Sauce

    Pasta with Spicy Crab Sauce.
    Photo Credit: Carolyn's Cooking.

    Pasta with Spicy Crab Sauce is a fantastic dish that's easy to prepare. The spicy tomato sauce combined with tender lump crab creates a delightful meal that seafood fans will really enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Instant Pot Asparagus Risotto

    Instant Pot Asparagus Risotto.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This Instant Pot risotto is a simple and delicious dish perfect for a cozy Valentine's Day dinner. It's a great way to enjoy a creamy, comforting meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Gnocchi with Bacon & Mushrooms

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

    Pan-fried gnocchi is a delicious twist on the classic dish, offering a crispy texture that beats boiled gnocchi any day. When you add bacon and mushrooms, it turns into a flavorful meal that's perfect for a special Valentine's Day dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This no-stir Mushroom Truffle Risotto is packed with flavor from mushrooms, white truffle oil, and white wine, and you can whip it up in under 40 minutes. It's a fantastic dish for a dinner party that will leave your guests impressed, so keep the easy preparation a secret!

    Get the recipe

    Duck With Orange Sauce

    Duck Breasts with Orange Sauce
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Duck Breasts with Orange Sauce is a fantastic dish that combines the rich flavor of duck with a sweet and tangy orange sauce. This is a great option for a special dinner, and it's surprisingly simple to prepare ahead of time.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

    Shrimp scampi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Scampi can be made in just 10 minutes, offering a delicious option for a special meal. The combination of garlic, lemon, chili, and parsley fills your kitchen with a wonderful aroma.

    Get the recipe

    Steak Tagliata

    Steak Tagliata.
    Photo Credit: Simply Delicious.

    Perfectly cooked beef tenderloin sliced thin and topped with a flavorful sundried tomato and soy dressing is a great choice for a special dinner. This dish is sure to impress on Valentine's Day.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Stuffed with Feta Cheese

    Feta stuffed chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken filets topped with Feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil create a delicious dish perfect for a special dinner. This is a great option for celebrating Valentine's Day.

    Get the recipe

    Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

    Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    Bruschetta Chicken Pasta is a simple dinner option packed with fresh tomatoes, basil, and pasta, all drizzled with balsamic vinegar and topped with seasoned chicken. This dish is perfect for a cozy night in.

    Get the Recipe

    Lobster & Scallop Pasta

    Lobster & Scallop Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Craft Cookbook.

    Lobster and scallop pasta is a great choice for a special dinner at home. It's packed with seafood and tossed in a zesty lemon garlic wine sauce, making it a delicious option for a romantic evening.

    Get the recipe

    Classic Jägerschnitzel

    Classic Jägerschnitzel .
    Photo Credit: Masala Herb.

    This classic Jägerschnitzel features tender meat in a rich, creamy mushroom sauce. It's a comforting dish that's perfect for a cozy dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Carbonara is a quick and tasty take on the classic Italian pasta dish. With creamy goodness and tender shrimp, this meal combines the best of seafood and pasta in a simple way.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Piccata Pasta

    Chicken Piccata Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    This pasta dish is bright and refreshing, featuring lemon juice, capers, and cream. It's a comforting meal that's great for any occasion.

    Get the Recipe

    Salmon Risotto with Leeks & Lemon

    Salmon Ristotto with Leeks & Lemon
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This Salmon Risotto is a flavorful dish that you can whip up in under 40 minutes without needing to stir constantly. It's a great option for dinner parties or a quick weeknight meal, featuring lemon, leeks, and parsley for a touch of elegance.

    Get the recipe

    Perfect Shell Steak

    Perfect Shell Steak.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    Shell steak is a tender and flavorful cut of NY strip steak that’s sure to impress. This is a great choice for a special dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese

    Chicken Caprese Sheet Pan.
    Photo Credit: Wholly Tasteful.

    Chicken Caprese Sheet Pan is a quick and impressive meal that you can have on the table in just 30 minutes. This easy dish looks great and tastes delicious, using only a handful of ingredients.

    Get the Recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Lasagna.
      22 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Will Revolutionize Your Weeknight Meals
    • A veggie casserole.
      21 Vegetarian Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game
    • Instant Pot French Onion Soup.
      18 Elegant Lunch Ideas to Impress Mom This Mother’s Day
    • Cheesburger sliders.
      18 Cheap Ground Beef Recipes That Are Perfect for Spring

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of 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, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    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!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef
    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]
    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • Tortilla soup.
      21 Easy Crockpot Chicken Dinners for Busy Nights
    • Thai coconut skewers.
      22 Easy Recipes to Satisfy Your Takeout Cravings at Home
    • Irish beef stew.
      Set It and Forget It: 26 Easy Beef Dinners for Any Night
    • Walking taco casserole.
      23 Easy Dinner Casseroles That Are Perfect for Any Night

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB