60 Healthy Dinners That Are Perfect for Date Night (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Cooking for Two

ByJeremy Jusek

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Updated: Jun. 13, 2024

    Cooking up a healthy and satisfying meal without all the extra leftovers doesn't have to be hard. These healthy dinner ideas for two are perfect for the job!

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    My husband was completely bowled over by this on-a-whim goat cheese and chicken skillet meal. I can’t wait to make it again very soon! —Ericka Barber, Eureka, California

    Sometimes cooking for just two people can be trickier than cooking for a crowd. We have a bunch of dinner ideas for two that are easier than you think.

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    Thai Chicken Pasta

    I try to buy fresh chicken when it’s on sale. I cook a big batch in the slow cooker, then cut it up and package it in small amounts suitable for recipes like this. When I want it, I just need to pull it out of the freezer and let it thaw. —Jeni Pittard, Canon, Georgia

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    Shrimp 'n' Scallops Tropical Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Shrimp 'n' Scallops Tropical Salad

    A fruity dressing zip drapes this zippy salad. Served on a bed of greens, the scrumptious combination of grilled seafood, veggies and macadamia nuts is the perfect way to celebrate a special summer occasion.

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    Marinated Broccoli

    This festive side dish couldn't be easier to throw together. But because it's so pretty, it's perfect for special occasions. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana

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    Penne with Veggies and Black Beans Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Penne with Veggies and Black Beans

    Chock-full of zucchini, tomatoes, sweet pepper and carrots, this hearty pasta dish puts your garden harvest to good use. For variety, I sometimes add one-half cup of salsa or one-half cup of thickened teriyaki sauce. —Vickie Spoerle, Indianapolis, Indiana

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    Parmesan Pork Medallions Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Parmesan Pork Medallions

    Here's one of the best pork medallion recipes I've found. With my own special tweaks, I have served this tender pork countless times for family and friends. It takes very little prep time and adapts easily to serve any number. —Angela Ciocca, Saltsburg, Pennsylvania

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    Balsamic-Salmon Spinach Salad

    This salmon spinach salad is really healthy and super fast. It's an absolute cinch to make after a long workday. —Karen Schlyter, Calgary, Alberta

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    Savory Pork Salad

    Make an easy-going meal in a bowl by tossing together healthful veggies, pork tenderloin, fresh herbs and spices with a warm soy dressing. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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    Sweet-Sour Red Cabbage Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Sweet-Sour Red Cabbage

    The first time I bought a red cabbage, I didn’t quite know what to do with it. After some experimenting, I came up with this recipe that’s now my fall comfort food. As a side, it’s compatible with a variety of meat entrees, but I especially like it with pork roast or chops.—Karen Gorman, Gunnison, Colorado

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    Mexican-Style Chicken Manicotti

    Combining an Italian pasta and Mexican ingredients creates an exceptional dish. This recipe is well liked even in Cajun country. —Larry Phillips, Shreveport, Louisiana

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    Lemony Mushroom-Orzo Soup for Two Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Lemony Mushroom-Orzo Soup for Two

    Here's a versatile soup that works as an appetizer or as a side for a sandwich lunch. It's loaded with mushrooms and orzo pasta—and lemon livens up its mild flavor.—Edrie O'Brien, Denver, Colorado

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    Filled to the brim with flavorful ingredients, these easy healthy soup recipes will keep you on track.

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    This quick and healthy chicken and peppers recipe tastes like a naked taco and is bursting with fresh flavors. And it can all be prepared in the same pan for easy cleanup—it's a win-win! —Doris Heath, Franklin, North Carolina

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    Taste of Home

    Asian Cucumber Salad

    This colorful Asian cucumber salad makes a simple, cool side dish when we have stir-fry for dinner. —Tari Ambler, Shorewood, Illinois

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    Cacciatore Chicken Breasts

    JoAnn McCauley of Dubuque, Iowa shares her version of traditional Chicken Cacciatore with this easy recipe. The tasty sauce and chicken can be served over rice or noodles. If you want to lower the sodium, use garlic powder instead of garlic salt.

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    Taste of Home

    Scented Rice in Baked Pumpkin

    This easy, delicious and healthy side is a showpiece that always delights. You can use grain, squash, fruits and nuts to suit your taste—it's impossible to go wrong! —Lynn Heisel, Jackson, Missouri

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    Crispy Asian Chicken Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Crispy Asian Chicken Salad

    Asian flavor, crunchy almonds and crispy breaded chicken make this hearty salad something special. —Beth Dauenhauer, Pueblo, Colorado

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    Pronto Vegetarian Peppers Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Pronto Vegetarian Peppers

    In the summer I love to serve these peppers with salad and a roll. At the end of summer, I freeze them for cold months when produce costs are high. For a hot meal on a cold day, I love to serve them with a side of warm pasta tossed in olive oil. —Renee Hollobaugh, Altoona, Pennsylvania

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    Spicy Turkey Tenderloin

    Here's a full-flavored dish that will really wake up your taste buds.

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    Tandoori Spiced Chicken Pita Pizza with Greek Yogurt and Cilantro

    My family and I are big picnickers, and I'm always looking for new dishes to try in the great outdoors. The amazing flavors at our favorite Indian restaurant inspired these mini pizzas. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida

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    Taste of Home

    Peach Salsa Chicken

    Peachy sweetness mellows out the jalapeno kick in this homemade salsa. The whole meal is done in a half hour! —Kristi Silk, Ferndale, Washington

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    Ginger Salmon with Green Beans

    I developed this flavor-packed dinner for a busy friend who wants to eat clean. —Nicole Stevens, Austin, Texas

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    Chicken Quinoa Bowls with Balsamic Dressing Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Chicken Quinoa Bowls with Balsamic Dressing

    I love this recipe because its simplicity allows me to spend time with my family while not sacrificing taste or nutrition. Plus the fresh spring flavors really shine through! —Allyson Meyler, Greensboro, North Carolina

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    Herbed Lemon Pork Chops

    Expect to get plenty of compliments on these fast, flavor-packed chops. They're tender and juicy. —Billi Jo Sylvester, New Smyrna Beach, Florida

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    Grilled Jerk Shrimp Orzo Salad

    The heat, seasonings and appearance of this colorful main-dish salad are perfect for summer—or any time of year that you want to summon memories of sunshine. —Eileen Budnyk, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

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    Though it might look like rice, orzo is a pastina, a tiny pasta that can be served alone or used in soups and salads. Check what exactly is Orzo.

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    Taste of Home

    Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken

    My chicken bundles are simple, clean and comforting. Serve them with wild rice and green beans for one of our favorite meals. —Jim Knepper, Mount Holly Springs, Pennsylvania

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    Poached Egg Buddha Bowls

    I love cooking for my husband and this is the first dish of the year that we enjoy out in our back yard. I often include fresh peas and cherry tomatoes, halved. —Amy McDonough, Carlton, Oregon

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    I'm a vegetarian, and this is a tasty, quick and healthy lunch I could eat for every meal. At my house, we call these sandwiches HATS: hummus, avocado, tomato and shallots. These are ingredients I almost always have on hand. —Sarah Jaraha, Moorestown, New Jersey

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    Sweet and Spicy Pork Chops

    My husband used to get home from work before me, and one evening, he cooked this for dinner. We've used the same recipe ever since. It's delicious. —Kathy Kirkland, Denham Springs, Louisiana

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    Crunchy Tuna Wraps Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Crunchy Tuna Wraps

    Packed with protein-rich tuna and fresh, crunchy veggies, these colorful wraps have sensational flavor—and they're good for you, too. —Edie Farm, Farmington, New Mexico

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    Broiled Cod

    This is the easiest and tastiest fish you'll serve. Even finicky eaters who think they don't like fish will love it because it lacks a fishy taste and is beautiful and flakey. —Kim Russell, North Wales, Pennsylvania

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    Beef Orange Stir-Fry

    This dinner for two is loaded with lots of flavor and color. Red pepper flakes add a little kick to the orange beef sauce, and the tender veggies add a pop of color. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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    Taste of Home

    When I want to jump-start supper, I opt for these tender pork chops. The sweet and savory cherry sauce makes the recipe a keeper. Try serving it with wild rice pilaf. —Stephanie Ray, Naples, Florida

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    Lemon Basil Salmon Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Lemon Basil Salmon

    My husband came up with this easy, foil-packet recipe for flaky, fork-tender salmon. This recipe is a winner. —Marianne Bauman Modesto, CA

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    Taste of Home

    Spinach Rice

    I like to serve this Greek-style rice dish alongside steaks with mushrooms. It makes an elegant side that can be doubled for guests. —Jeanette Cakouros, Brunswick, Maine

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    Beef Burgundy Over Noodles

    I got this delightful beef burgundy recipe from my sister-in-law many years ago and have used it ever since. Whenever I serve it to guests, they always request this. The tender beef, mushrooms and flavorful sauce are delicious over noodles. —Margaret Welder, Madrid, Iowa

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    Beef Barley Soup for 2

    Who knew you could simmer up such a hearty soup in 30 minutes? This is packed with my favorite homey veggies and savory roast beef.—Sue Jurack, Mequon, Wisconsin

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    Beef Filets with Portobello Sauce

    These tasty steaks seem special, but they are fast enough for an everyday dinner. We enjoy the mushroom-topped filets with crusty French bread, a mixed salad and a light lemon dessert. —Christel Stein, Tampa, Florida

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    Roasted Sugar Snap Peas

    We’re betting you won’t find a faster way to dress up crisp sugar snap peas than this simply scrumptious recipe. It goes with a variety of entrees and is pretty enough to dish up for company. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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    Tomato-Basil Baked Fish

    This recipe works successfully with many kinds of fish, while the rest of the ingredients are things you’re likely to have on hand. Baked fish is so simple and so good for you. I make this often! —Annie Hicks, Zephyrhills, Florida

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    Taste of Home

    BLT Skillet

    This quick weeknight meal reminds me of a BLT, with its chunks of bacon and tomato. The whole wheat linguine gives the skillet dish extra flavor and texture. —Edrie O'Brien, Denver, Colorado

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    Chicken Fajitas for Two Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Chicken Fajitas for Two

    This is the best fajita recipe I've ever tried. It sounds complicated, but it really isn't. The servings are hearty, but this dish is so good that my husband and I never have a problem finishing it! —Kathleen Smith, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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    Seasoned Tilapia Fillets Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Seasoned Tilapia Fillets

    If you need a healthy, keep-it-simple solution to dinner tonight, you just found it. This restaurant-quality tilapia fillet recipe relies on spices you're likely to have on hand to deliver big flavor. This is how to make tilapia. —Dana Alexander, Lebanon, Missouri

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    Barley Beef Burgers Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Barley Beef Burgers

    Barley adds another dimension to an old-fashioned hamburger. My husband and I really enjoy these juicy patties with onion and barbecue sauce mixed right in. —Rosella Peters, Gull Lake, Saskatchewan

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    Taste of Home

    Tuna Steak on Fettuccine

    For something new to do with tuna, I suggest this tangy dish. Although I prefer the marinade on tuna or mahi mahi, it's scrumptious on any fish, grilled, baked or broiled. —Caren Stearns, Austin, Texas

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    Pork Tenderloin with Wine Sauce

    Here’s a fast and easy, great-tasting meal that's as big on flavor as it is low in fat and calories. I serve it with fresh green beans and mashed potatoes. —Nancy LaVoice, Wexford, Pennsylvania

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    Grilled Vegetable Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

    My Italian-style grilled veggies have a wonderful sweet and sour dressing. Best of all, I pick the fresh veggies and herbs from my garden. —Laura Mast, Defiance, Ohio

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    Crispy Buffalo Chicken Roll-Ups for Two Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Crispy Buffalo Chicken Roll-Ups for Two

    These winning chicken rolls with a crispy crust are both impressive and easy to make. My family and friends absolutely love them! —Lisa Keys, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

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    Check out more of our healthy potato recipes.

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    Chicken Legs with Balsamic Vinaigrette

    Just a handful of ingredients give this mouthwatering meal maker its light, lemony flavor. —Leslie Palmer, Swampscott, Massachusetts

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    Rainbow Hash Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Rainbow Hash

    To entice my family to eat outside their comfort zone, I use lots of color. This happy hash combines sweet potato, carrots, purple potato and kale. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

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    Taste of Home

    Quick Ginger Pork

    My husband and I are empty nesters. It was a challenge learning to cook for just two again, but recipes like this give us delicious scaled-down dinners. —Esther Johnson Danielson, Lawton, Pennsylvania

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    Taste of Home

    Chicken Gyros

    This yummy chicken gyro recipe is a cinch to prepare. Just take tender chicken, coat it in a creamy cucumber-yogurt sauce, then tuck it into pita pockets. Some folks like lettuce and diced tomato on top. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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    Tilapia with Jasmine Rice

    This tender, full-flavored tilapia with fragrant jasmine rice is absolutely to die for. Your family will love this healthy and delicious dish! —Shirl Parsons, Cape Carteret, North Carolina. Looking for more? Check out our collection of healthy dinner recipes.

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    Spicy Turkey Lettuce Wraps

    My go-to meal after an evening run is this satisfying turkey wrap with jicama, a potato-like root veggie used in Mexican cooking. —Christie Arp, Blue Ridge, Georgia

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    Green Bean Salad with Creamy Dressing

    My grandmother passed on this refreshing side dish recipe. It’s always devoured at my house. —Jodi Galanis, Murray, Utah

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    Originally Published: February 24, 2020

    60 Healthy Dinners That Are Perfect for Date Night (2024)
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