If you’re anything like my partner and I, you probably love going out to a fancy dinner on date night. As for the lofty price tags on these menus…not so much. But what if I told you you could impress your other half just as easily with these simple oven recipes from home as you could with a sophisticated restaurant? I challenge you to test out one of these eight recipes on your next date night – and soon, you’ll see for yourself the wonders that a simple, home-cooked meal can work on an already-strong relationship!
Chicken Parmesan Meatballs with Creamy Polenta
What could be more romantic or inviting than sharing a meatball with your partner? Silly as it may sound, the thought of love always calls to mind the iconic scene in the Disney film Lady and the Tramp, where the two amorous dogs take turns nudging the last meatball toward each other in a touching display of affection. While you may not want to stick your nose in these meatballs, you and your partner will want to savor their taste all night long.
Easy Baked Gnocchi with Tomatoes and Mozzarella
In my experience, the best way to impress your man (or woman) is with creamy comfort food that reminds them of their childhood. If your other half grew up in an Italian household like I did, they probably already have a love for gnocchi, a type of small, round potato dumplings often served like pasta. Naturally, baking it with sweet tomatoes and stretchy mozzarella can only make this nostalgic classic even better!
Sheet Pan Lemon Parmesan Garlic Chicken & Veggies
Can you believe that this sophisticated date night dinner can be made in a single pan? That’s right: coat your chicken, pop it on a pan with some veggies and roast for a delicious date night meal that’s sure to satisfy. If you’re pressed for time, you might even consider using a halogen oven to speed up your baking time. Check out some of the best halogen ovens on CookBakeEat if you haven’t got one.
Medjool Date Apple Bacon Pizza with Fontina Cheese and Arugula
Next time you’re tempted to have a lazy date night and order a delivery pizza, I dare you to buy the ingredients for this medjool date apple bacon pizza instead. Pizza making is a bonding activity that you and your partner will love – not to mention, the sophisticated depth of flavor in this particular pizza makes it a particularly stunning suggestion for date night.
Cornish Hens with Cherry Sauce
This simple meal is perfect for the cook who is anything but adventurous, yet still wants to impress his or her other half! All you need to do to create this restaurant-worthy meal is roast the cornish hens (as you would a rotisserie chicken) and simmer the cherries over the stove for a delicious dinner your partner won’t believe is homemade. The recipe is so foolproof, even the worst cook could conquer it.
When you and your partner are both busy with work and other commitments, it can be difficult to make time for date night. Luckily, this recipe takes just 20 minutes of your time, so you can whip it together before your other half even gets home from work. Albeit speedy, the flavors in this meal are delicious and impressive, and I promise your partner will appreciate the effort to slow down and catch up after spending so much of your days apart.
“Mustard” is a word that might stir up fear in some of the pickier eaters on this side of the globe, but trust me when I say that this recipe uses mustard in a creative and delicious way. This honey mustard sauce-covered salmon is the perfect recipe for impressing the seafood lover in your life who’s always looking to try new things and experiment with bold flavors. Especially if you’re someone who tends to walk on the cautious side of life, your adventurous partner will surely appreciate the effort to join him or her outside your comfort zone.
Triple Chocolate Skillet Brownie
What date night would ever be complete without dessert? The brownie is a classic childhood dessert, but baking and serving it in a cast-iron skillet elevates it to a first-class treat at the end of a long day. Your favorite chocaholic will love savoring the sweet, melty chocolate and cold, creamy vanilla ice cream with you as you both ride off into the sunset.
These eight recipes may sound simple, but they’re more than enough to win over your other half on date night. Keep it up and you might just find yourself craving more and more date nights in the kitchen instead of the local restaurant.