40 Recipes To Make For A Romantic Dinner With Your Sweetheart

Nothing says "I love you" like a home-cooked meal. Not only are you spending precious time planning, shopping for, and cooking a delicious meal, but you are eating it together, which is one of the most intimate experiences in life. Whether it is a weeknight, birthday, anniversary, or date night, if you want to plan a romantic dinner with your sweetheart, you will need the perfect recipes to show them you care.

And lest you think you have to spend hours over a hot stove to prepare a delicious recipe befitting a romantic dinner for two, that is not always the case. Plenty of recipes are simple enough to come together in a flash with few ingredients and limited cleanup to put a damper on your evening. And if you do want to prepare something a little more involved, there are ways to do so that can minimize the amount of time and effort you spend so there is more time for cuddling with your sweetheart.

From elegant lamb and beef dishes to virtually endless pasta dishes, the recipe developers at Daily Meal have you covered. Read on for an extensive collection of recipes from main dishes to sides that will spice up your love life and deliver an edible billet-doux to your darling.

We often think an elegant romantic meal should feature a hunk of meat as the focal point. This couldn't be farther from the truth. A meal featuring colorful vegetables, including meaty, umami-rich mushrooms, packs equally as much flavor without being quite such a belly bomb.

This casserole relies on store-bought tortellini and marinara, making it quick and easy. Consider using assorted mushrooms, like chanterelles, porcini, and cremini, to help jazz this recipe up even more. If you cannot find them fresh, a rehydrated dried mushrooms medley will work. Serve this dish with a simple green salad and a good bottle of dry white wine.

Recipe: Vegetable Tortellini Casserole

While some chefs vehemently object to combining seafood with cheese, this is more a preference than a rule. More pungent oily fish are not as easily overwhelmed by salty, umami-rich parmesan cheese. Additionally, the parmesan in this recipe acts more as an adjunct to the panko bread crumbs to help create a golden brown, crunchy topping that beautifully juxtaposes the moist fish below.

If you can find it, opt for sockeye salmon. This species, which hails from the Pacific Ocean, tends to be much more intense in flavor, has a slightly firmer texture, and a beautiful crimson hue even when fully cooked.

Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Salmon

This recipe takes advantage of a very affordable cut of meat — the short rib. You can use English or flanken cut, bone-in, or boneless short ribs, however, boneless tend to be easier to plate.

As the short ribs are braised slowly, their connective tissues break down, yielding a fall-apart tender result. Since the wine provides flavor and acidity to tenderize the meat, be judicious with what kind you use. A dry but not overly tannic varietal, such as a moderately-priced cabernet sauvignon, is called for. Whatever you don't use in the recipe will pair beautifully with the finished dish.

Recipe: Red Wine Beef Short Ribs

A hearty bowl of rustic Bolognese sauce over pasta is quintessential comfort food. While this may sound like it isn't particularly romantic, spice things up with this variation on the classic. Instead of using just beef, combine beef with pork for a more complex flavor. And add some freshly grated nutmeg to impart that je ne sais quoi that will pique your lover's curiosity.

Start this meal with a spinach salad with goat cheese and a light balsamic vinaigrette. This dish is best accompanied by a tannic Italian red wine high in acidity, like a Chianti Classico or a Primitivo.

Recipe: Simple Bolognese Sauce

The simple glaze used to coat the salmon before pan-searing creates a delightful crust on the exterior of the fish after it is cooked. If you like adding heat and complexity, a pinch of harissa paste or gochujang in the glaze will do wonders.

This salmon would benefit from being served with an acidic sauce, like a gremolata. Great accompaniments include roasted fingerling potatoes and a simple vegetable, like roasted asparagus. While fish is often said to pair best with white wine, a lighter-bodied Pinot Noir would work equally well if you prefer a red wine.

Recipe: 5-Ingredient Grilled Salmon

Making risotto can be a serious time commitment. Slowly incorporating hot broth into the arborio rice and stirring constantly to coax the starches out of the grain and help tenderize it is a labor of love. This iteration takes that elbow grease out of the equation with your instant pot. You can have this dish on the table in about half the time.

To extend this recipe into a full meal, try topping the finished risotto with fresh peas, grilled shrimp or chicken, and fresh herbs. Serve with a crisp, dry, unoaked white wine, like a pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc.

Recipe: Instant Pot Risotto Alla Parmigiana

The chicken divan is a simple chicken and broccoli casserole with a butter cracker topping, but its origins are sophisticated. It first appeared on the menu of a posh New York restaurant, the Divan Parisienne, in the 1950s. It has since become a mainstream recipe beloved for being a one-dish wonder.

This iteration is no less festive but somewhat more humble in presentation. Though you could serve it straight from the baking dish, it would be delightful atop rice or orzo accompanied by a nice green salad. This dish pairs well with red or white wine, though you will want to avoid something overly sweet or tannic.

Recipe: Skillet Chicken Divan

Chicken parmesan is one of those dishes that can be time-consuming to make from scratch. This dish infuses the flavors of the classic dish and packages them into a dynamite one-dish wonder.

While the recipe calls for spaghetti, you can substitute it for virtually any noodle. When it comes to casseroles, ziti and fusilli are always good options. When choosing a store-bought marinara, purchase one with mushrooms for a hint of umami richness or a spicy arrabbiata for a kick. Round out this meal with a Caesar salad and a quality bottle of Chianti Classico for a quiet, romantic dinner for two.

Recipe: Parm-Style Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

This one-dish wonder relies on using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Though you may be tempted to opt for the skinless variety, do not. The skin confers delicious flavor to the rice and vegetables and becomes crispy and delicious when pan-seared.

For fragrant, aromatic rice, try using Basmati or jasmine varieties. They are long-grain varieties with a nutty flavor and a floral nose. This dish won't need much more than a simple salad and a bottle of crisp, dry white wine to round out the meal. A Spanish Albariño would be a superb option, as would a Portuguese Verdelho.

Recipe: 1-Pot Chicken And Rice

As is noted in this recipe, chicken may be classic, but this dish can easily be made using pork cutlets. For a special romantic dinner, this may be the route to go. If you plan to make this recipe, you must obtain a Marsala wine for the job. You cannot get the correct flavor without it.

Marsala is a fortified wine from the city of the same name in Sicily. It is characterized by distinctive notes of vanilla, brown sugar, and dried fruit, thanks to the addition of brandy or another spirit. Serve this dish with garlic mashed potatoes and a full-bodied white wine, like a chardonnay or viognier.

Recipe: One-Pan Chicken Marsala

You may not think a crockpot meal is particularly romantic. If having the energy to enjoy a home-cooked meal with your sweetheart after a long workday sounds romantic, this recipe screams romance. When selecting the beef for this slow-cooker stroganoff, you will want something with a lot of connective tissue and rich beefy flavor well suited for lengthy cooking, like the chuck.

Pat the meat dry with paper towels to eliminate excess moisture before seasoning it. This will ensure that it sears rather than steams, which gets the Maillard reaction going and infuses the stew with a deep, rich aroma and flavor.

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff

When we think of something to eat for a special occasion, the term "indulgent" often comes to mind. This spin on an Italian Alfredo is precisely that. Rich butter, heavy cream, and salty parmesan cheese form a luxurious sauce that bathes the tagliatelle noodles like a velvety blanket.

Start this meal with a simple green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette. You may also consider adding a vegetable to this dish. Fresh green peas are visually appealing, while nutty and slightly charred roasted cauliflower would compliment the flavors. The best wine for Alfredo is a full-bodied, oaky white or a medium-bodied, acidic red.

Recipe: Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta

This spin on a classic chicken parmesan relies on stuffing the breaded and pan-fried chicken with shredded mozzarella cheese. The result is a gooey, moist chicken breast that is oozing with flavor. To amp up the flavor of the breadcrumb parmesan mix, consider adding half a teaspoon of garlic powder and a teaspoon of Italian seasoning. You can also use a mushroom or garden vegetable-flavored marinara to add interest to this dish.

While pasta is the classic base for this dish, creamy polenta would be equally as satisfying and add some panache to the meal. A Chianti Classico or Pinot Noir would pair nicely.

Recipe: Stuffed Chicken Parmesan

Just because this dish has lots of garlic does not mean you should skip making it for a romantic dinner for two. If you are both eating it, you will cancel each other out. Serve this recipe on its own for a light meal, over pasta for a more substantial dinner, or as part of a tapas menu if you feel like spending a leisurely evening sampling multiple dishes with good wine.

Make sure you obtain peeled and deveined shrimp for this dish. The vein running along the back of a shrimp is its intestinal tract. It can leave a gritty and unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Recipe: Garlicky Shrimp Scampi

Most chicken tetrazzini dishes are a far cry from their origins. It emerged in San Francisco in the early 20th century as a recipe to pay homage to Italian opera star Luisa Tetrazzini. This iteration may have you and your sweetheart singing its praises in a full-throated aria after one bite.

Chock full of fresh herbs and rich butter, half and half, and parmesan cheese, the flavor of this recipe is complex without a lot of fuss. Serve this dish with a simple green salad and an oaky, buttery chardonnay for an occasion fit for opera royalty.

Recipe: Traditional Chicken Tetrazzini

The inexpensive flat iron is a thin cut of steak from the shoulder region of the cow. Unlike the chuck roast, this cut is more tender, with adequate marbling and a savory flavor. A lengthy soak in a flavorful marinade will help impart flavor to this underappreciated cut.

This cut is thin and should never be cooked beyond medium-rare, between 130 and 135 degrees F. Never skimp on the post-cooking resting time, which will prevent the meat from losing its juices. And pay attention to the grain. Cutting against it will shorten the muscle fibers, making each piece moist and tender.

Recipe: Broiled Flat Iron Steak

If you like the idea of an indulgent Alfredo sauce but do not want to feel weighed down by all that heavy cream, this lightened version of the classic is the perfect dish. While it has butter and cheese, it uses leftover starchy pasta water to help draw the sauce together and form a luxurious coating over the fettuccine noodles.

Add freshly grated nutmeg to the mix and top the finished dish with fresh herbs to make it extra special. A Sauternes would be the perfect festive accompaniment to this dish if you have a few extra dollars to spare on wine.

Recipe: Pasta With Classic (No Cream!) Alfredo Sauce

What could make a tender cut like a filet mignon even better? Wrapping it in bacon. You will want to avoid thick-cut bacon, which will not have time to fully crisp in the oven. Bring the filets to room temperature for 15 minutes and pat them dry before wrapping and seasoning them.

The ideal fat for searing steaks has a high smoke point and won't burn over medium-high heat, like grapeseed or avocado oil. Use a thermometer to determine doneness by inserting it into the center of the filets through the side of the meat. Rest the filets for five minutes before serving them.

Recipe: Easy Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon

What could be a more satiating accompaniment to any romantic meal than a hunk of garlic bread? This recipe is both simple and delicious. The key is the compound butter that gets spread over the bread. I recommend using high-quality butter, like Irish or French butter, with a high percentage of butterfat and a bright yellow hue.

The other ingredient that can make or break this recipe is parmesan cheese. For a truly elevated experience, purchase an authentic imported Parmigiano Reggiano and grate it yourself. The nutty, salty, umami-rich flavor is superior to any domestic parmesan-style cheese.

Recipe: Easy Garlic Bread

Asparagus is another vegetable that often appears alongside entrées at fancy dinner parties. Not only does it have an inherent nuttiness that emerges when cooked, but its verdant hue gives it visual appeal. When trimming asparagus, start by holding one stalk in the middle with one hand and at the end with the other. Next, bend the stalk and allow it to snap naturally. Place the remaining asparagus stalks on a cutting board and trim them to match the length of the snapped stalk.

Whatever you do, do not overcook the asparagus. It should be cooked but not mushy or floppy, retaining an al dente texture.

Recipe: Easy Sautéed Asparagus