Need dinner ideas for two? These easy recipes include deliciously healthy options that are easy to portion for couples or small households.
Need mealtime inspiration? Alex and I have been cooking together for years, and I’ve learned that the best meals for two are easy, healthy and delicious: and easy to scale down or saves well as leftovers. Here I’ve compiled this list of our top easy dinner ideas for two: designed for couples by a couple!
For each of the recipes below, plan to make a half recipe or a full recipe and save the leftovers. There are options for seafood, vegetarian, and vegan options. Either way: you’ll love these delicious options to cook together!
25 Easy Dinner Ideas for Two
One of my favorite easy dinner ideas for two is this Pistachio Crusted Salmon! The flavor tastes like a restaurant, but it’s so simple to make! Each bite of tender fish and the crunchy, Parmesan pistachio topping is so satisfying. (Make half the linked recipe.)
Dinner is served with these juicy, golden pan-fried chicken thighs! This easy, flavorful dish comes together in just 20 minutes. The key? High heat and my secret spice blend. It's so simple to make half of this recipe: or cook it all and have leftovers!
This delicious black bean tacos recipe takes just 15 minutes, a fast and easy dinner idea that pleases everyone! Customize your toppings for loads of variations. It's so simple to make a half recipe with one can of black beans instead of two!
This shrimp Caesar salad is often my answer to, “What’s for dinner?” The shrimp cook in just 5 minutes and come out seasoned and juicy, making this a fast and easy dinner idea for weeknights or a simple lunch. It's SO easy to make single and double portions.
Want to make quesadillas for two, but stepped up a little? Enter: quesadillas in the oven! This recipe makes the humble solo meal into a delicious dinner. The quesadillas are all done at the same time and come out with a beautifully crispy exterior. Serve with salsa and guacamole.
Here’s a genius easy dinner idea for two with no cooking required. Try this Smoked Salmon Salad! It’s healthy, fresh, and 100% cook free. Imagine: savory smoked salmon, fresh greens, fluffy goat cheese dollops and a tangy shallot vinaigrette. It comes together in 15 minutes flat.
This falafel bowl recipe makes a delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal with baked falafel, hummus, and crispy vegetables. Perfect for meal prep, it’s a satisfying and healthy vegan dinner or lunch! Make a full recipe of the falafel because leftovers are perfect for lunches!
Here's a great vegetarian dinner for two: Vegetarian Faijtas! These are so full flavored and satisfying, they please everyone around the table: even the meat lovers! This fajita recipe stars our favorite fajita veggies, blackened in the oven and finished on the stove, with pinto beans cooked in a flavorful fajita sauce.
You’ll want to bookmark this dinner idea for two: Creamy Shrimp Pasta! It’s ultra classic: juicy, savory shrimp and al dente pasta swimming in a creamy sauce. Pick from one of two sauces: a white wine sauce, bursting with tangy flavor, or an easy cream sauce, a Parmesan sauce that’s actually made with no cream at all.
Here’s an easy dinner that takes just 30 minutes and results in so much flavor…you’ll put it on your regular rotation immediately. Try this Tofu Curry recipe! The brilliant red broth is flavored with coconut milk and red curry paste, with the zing of lime and a hint of spicy sweetness. The Thai-style flavors are the perfect way to introduce tofu to those wary of it. Make a half recipe or save the rest for leftovers.
Here's a dinner for two I fall back on time and time again: the Loaded Baked Potato! Mix and match any variety of baked potato toppings and you’ve got a delicious dinner that works for almost any diet. There are endless ideas for customizing the meal and it lets every eater get creative.
Also try: Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Here's an easy dinner for two to whip up on a sheet pan: baked salmon and asparagus! It’s simple, it’s elegant, but it tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant. Roasting it up on a sheet pan with lemon slices and fresh herbs adds effortless flavor that feels fresh yet refined. Make it with a piece of salmon of any size!
Poke bowls are ideal for two and easy to scale! This Hawaiian bowl of seasoned raw fish, rice and crunchy veggies has caught on here on the mainland, and everybody’s doing it! Because poke is that good. And guess what? You can easily make poke in the comfort of your own home: it's a fun activity with your partner!
This Quick Black Bean Soup recipe is ideal for two, with leftovers for lunches (or make a half recipe). It’s creamy, garlicky and hearty, and a big bowl feels positively restorative. Top it with pico de gallo for a bright and zingy contrast in flavors. Then take it over the top with crushed tortilla chips and pickled peppers, or serve it with a baked quesadilla.
This chicken paillard recipe is quick and full of flavor! In just 25 minutes, it makes golden cutlets with a tangy pan sauce that taste like it’s straight out of a French bistro. It's easy to make a half recipe for this one!
Looking for a healthy and easy weeknight dinner for two? Try this shrimp and broccoli! The pair are cooked with soy sauce and and rice vinegar until bright and savory. The contrast of the crisp tender broccoli against the juicy shrimp is really something. Serve it with rice or noodles to make it a complete meal that comes together quickly.
This Cajun Salmon is so tender and full of savory flavor, your partner will fall head over heels! This beautiful piece of fish has a crispy blackened top, seasoned with a special blend of homemade Cajun spices. It packs a bit of heat, just enough to make you immediately want another bite. Even better: pan searing salmon is the fastest and easiest way to cook it!
If you've got an air fryer, there's nothing better than air fryer chicken as a meal for two! It's so quick and easy and results in a juicy, tender chicken breast.
Here’s a healthy soup you’ll immediately add to your regular rotation…because it’s just that good. Try this White Bean Soup, full of humble ingredients and huge flavor! Tender white beans float in the cozy broth with soft potatoes and leafy kale. Lemon zest lends brightness and tarragon brings an herby nuance. Make a big pot and freeze the leftovers (or make the smaller serving variation in the recipe.)
Here’s a delicious skillet to share: a tangy, garlicky tomato sauce, with a touch of richness from a hint of cream. It’s a great way to make them into a tasty vegetarian dinner idea. Make a half recipe or save the rest for leftovers.
This pesto salmon is another stunning dinner idea for two! Bright green pesto goes hand in hand with tender baked fish. The savory, garlicky sauce makes the flaky fish pop: you’ll already be taking your second bite before finishing the first. It’s easy enough for a weeknight, but impressive enough for date night. Pair with 20 Top Salmon Side Dishes.
Here’s a quick dinner idea that’s always satisfying and works for nearly every diet. That’s right, the good old Burrito Bowl! Throw rice, veggies, and burrito fillings in a bowl and call it meal! This one is very easy to make serving sizes for two.
Here’s a go-to in the fast and easy dinner category: shrimp stir fry! It’s quick to put together and the umami-packed stir fry sauce is full of irresistible flavor. Add your favorite vegetables to make a super-satisfying dinner that pleases both of you.
Here’s an easy dinner idea for two that's always a hit: Taco Salad! This Tex-Mex salad has been impressing for decades, and it gives us all the 1990’s nostalgic vibes. It's customizable for any diet and easy to scale up or down based on whether you want leftovers.
And last dinner idea for two: Honey Garlic Shrimp! There’s nothing quite like the sweet savory combination of honey garlic glaze and juicy shrimp, and this one takes 10 minutes to make! It’s hard to find those recipes with that elusive trifecta of healthy, easy and delicious, and this one is the ultimate combination.
Smart Shopping for Two
When I’m cooking for two, I’ve learned that buying proteins in smaller quantities and focusing on pantry staples makes meal planning much easier.
Many of these recipes use similar ingredients: you’ll notice shrimp appears in several dishes, so it’s worth buying a bag of frozen to use throughout the week. The same goes for basic vegetables like broccoli, which works in stir fries or as a side dish.
Stock your pantry with canned beans, coconut milk, and various whole grains, and you’ll consistently be able to throw together satisfying meals!
Side Dishes to Make It A Meal
Need sides to pair with these healthy and easy dinner ideas for two? Here are some of my favorite easy sides to serve with various recipes:
- Easy: Fast and easy is my jam. Here are 35 Easy Side Dishes.
- Healthy: Health conscious? Try these 20 Great Healthy Side Dishes.
- Veggie-packed: Opt for 20 Best Vegetable Side Dishes.
- Pairings: Try 10 Best Sides to Go with Tacos or 20 Top Salmon Side Dishes.
from A Couple Cooks https://ift.tt/gJYs4kU
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