69 Dinner Ideas for Two That Won’t Leave You with Leftovers
Updated: Feb. 28, 2024
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.
If you want to cook dinner for two, it can be tough to find the perfect recipe that won’t leave you with a fridge full of leftovers. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best dishes for two: everything from savory pasta dishes to chicken dinners.
You won’t want to miss out on drool-worthy pork chops for two. And if that isn’t your thing, we have plenty of healthy options like protein-packed salads and stir fry dishes.
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Seasoned Tilapia Fillets
If you need a healthy and flavorful recipe for dinner tonight, you just found it. This restaurant-quality tilapia fillet recipe uses spices like thyme, garlic and paprika to enhance the delicate flavor of the fish.
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Chicken Curry for Two
This chicken curry is exploding with flavor thanks to the curry powder, ground ginger and sour cream. You’re going to be running to the kitchen for seconds.Open up a bottle of wine, put on some tunes, and whip up one of these refined but easy date night recipes. You may just find yourself making date night a weekly ritual.
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Mexican Meat Loaf
Yummy traditional taco ingredients take this meatloaf to the next level. We recommend serving with sour cream, hot sauce and sliced fresh avocado.
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Spicy Chicken Enchiladas
Cooked chicken strips and canned enchilada sauce add plenty of flavor to this dish. It’s a delicious dinner for two that will turn any ordinary night into a fun date night.
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Spicy Turkey Tenderloin
Here’s a full-flavored dish that will really wake up your taste buds. With fresh jalapeños and picante sauce, you and your partner will get some heat in every bite.
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Spicy Turkey Stir-Fry with Noodles
You simply can’t go wrong with a great stir-fry dish. This recipe with spicy turkey and noodles is sure to become a repeat dinner in your household.
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Steak and Fries Salad
Try to name a better combo than steak and fries. Atop a bed of lettuce, this dish is flavorful and full of fun texture thanks to the crispy fries.
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Stuffed Peppers for Two
These stuffed peppers are full of ground beef, rice and cheese. Feel free to customize with ground turkey or chicken instead.
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Tropical BBQ Chicken
The delicious, slightly spicy sauce will be sure to win you over. Add this recipe to your weekly dinner favorites.
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Ground Beef Taco Salad
This dinner idea for two will taste wonderful on a summer evening date night. You won’t even miss the carbs after eating this scrumptious salad.
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Pork Chops with Rhubarb
A surprising rhubarb sauce makes these tender chops extra yummy. The fruity sauce is on the tangy side, but you can always add more honey to sweeten it up a bit.
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Deviled Chicken Thighs
This tasty chicken recipe is tender and moist. The cashews add a wonderful crunch to the dish.
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Stir-Fried Scallops
Scallops meet mild tomato in this sublime supper for two. We recommend serving the saucy mixture over rice or short-cut pasta.
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Cranberry Short Ribs
Do cranberries and short ribs go together? We say they do! This recipe is equal parts sweet as it is savory and you won’t be able to resist getting seconds.
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Chicken & Onion Caesar Salad
This salad with grilled chicken is a healthier alternative to heavier meat and potatoes dishes. If you opt to have this on a date night, you’ll even have room for dessert afterward.
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Jamaican Jerk Pork Chops
These sweet, spicy chops can be thrown together in a matter of minutes but they definitely don’t taste like it. We recommend serving them with a side of jasmine rice.
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Salmon Dill Soup
If you’re in the mood for a creamy soup, look no further than this incredible and unique dish. The dill adds a wonderfully light flavor to the soup.
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Spice-Rubbed Lamb Chops
These spicy chops are the perfect complement to a fresh side salad or roasted veggies. Feel free to up the spice for a bigger kick.
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Greek Brown and Wild Rice Bowls
This fresh rice dish tastes like the Mediterranean in a bowl! It’s also incredibly easy and quick to whip up.
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Ramen-Veggie Chicken Salad
This salad has plenty of crunch and texture to it. Trust us, it’s not boring. The toasted ramen noodles, almonds and sesame seeds provide the crunchy topping.
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Tender Beef over Noodles
The tender beef paired with noodles makes this dinner idea for two different from the rest. Pair with a salad or Texas toast straight out of the oven.
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Pepper and Salsa Cod
While cod tends to be a fish that’s less in flavor, this recipe kicks it up a notch with some salsa. This dinner idea for two is great with salmon too!
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Tacos in a Bowl
If you want to mix up taco night, make these easy bowls that are just as yummy. Garnish it with sour cream and salsa for southwestern flavor.
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BLT Skillet
You can call this pasta a BLT sandwich in a skillet! With chunks of bacon and tomatoes, you’ll be sure to slurp this up in no time.
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Goat Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Chicken
If you’re a goat cheese lover then look no further than this gem of a recipe. Stuffed with flavors, you’ll be wanting seconds of this one.
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Beef Tenderloin in Mushroom Sauce
The beef and mushrooms in this dish create a beautiful harmony of savory flavors. Say goodbye to leftovers.
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Classic Egg Salad
If you’re not a fan of peanut butter and jelly, opt for a savory and delicious egg salad. The lemon juice adds a slight tartness to it that you will love.
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Saucy Beef with Broccoli
You simply can’t go wrong with a beef and broccoli stir-fry. It also has a sauce made with garlic and ginger that you won’t be able to get enough of.
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Herbed Lemon Pork Chops
Expect to get plenty of compliments from your spouse or roommate on these herbed lemon pork chops. They’re tender and juicy and chock full of flavor.
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Slow-Cooked Sunday Chicken
Here’s a hearty dinner idea for two that satisfies even the biggest of appetites. Prepare to get lost in the tender chicken and savory broth flavors.
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Parmesan Chicken Sandwiches
These sandwiches aren’t ordinary at all. The parmesan chicken simply melts in your mouth and is oh-so-satisfying.
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Asparagus ‘n’ Shrimp with Angel Hair
This shrimp asparagus pasta with angel hair is a dish that has something for everybody. It’s a beautiful dish to look at but tastes even better.
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Broiled Cod
This is the easiest and tastiest fish you’ll ever have. The great thing about cod is that it lacks a fishy taste, so even fish haters will love it.
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Turkey Guacamole Wraps
With turkey and a creamy avocado spread into tortilla wraps, you’ll be able to make this dish in seconds. These wraps are perfect for a snack, but also for a light dinner for two.
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Weeknight Chicken Fajitas for Two
Fajitas are beloved by well, everybody, so this recipe won’t disappoint. It’s the perfect dish for when you want to order Mexican takeout.
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Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches
This grilled sandwich is light, yet full of earthy and savory flavors. Thanks to the goat cheese, this sandwich has the perfect tang to it.
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Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken
These chicken bundles are packed with robust flavors. They are great on their own, but even better served with a fresh leafy salad or some wild rice with butter.
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Chicken Quinoa Bowls with Balsamic Dressing
If you love making simple bowls, you’re going to love this recipe. This dish is nutritious and full of flavor thanks to the tangy balsamic glaze. This is a wonderful option for dinner for two!
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Barley Beef Burgers
These juicy patties are wonderful for a weeknight treat. They go great topped with onion, tomato and lettuce.
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Chicken Gyros
You can’t go wrong with chicken gyros for lunch or dinner. The zesty tzatziki sauce pairs beautifully with the tender meat.
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Breaded Sea Scallops
These breaded scallops are perfect when you’re craving something from the sea. They pair well with a quick salad or quinoa for a full meal.
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Greek-Style Ravioli
Here’s a flavorful Greek twist on an Italian classic that you and your partner are bound to love. It’s an easy weekday meal that is sure to become a staple.
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Honey-Pecan Chicken Breasts
The pecans add an elegant touch to this savory dish. The chicken is bursting with flavor, so don’t worry about needing to wrap these up because we know you’ll finish it in one sitting.
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Baked Saucy Pork Chops
This entree changes up the usual routine of roasted pork chops and rice. It’s delicious paired with a salad on the side.
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Southwestern Fish Tacos
These fish tacos are undeniably tasty. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, you will eat these faster than you can say “fish”.
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Tangy Glazed Chicken
This dish is bursting with flavor thanks to the sauce that offers a hint of orange and sweet apple jelly. It’s to die for when poured over chicken breasts.
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Simple Sweet ‘n’ Tangy Pork Chops
You just need five ingredients for these tender chops. This is a go-to dinner idea for two.
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Sea Scallops and Fettuccine
This luscious and lemony pasta dish is so easy, it’ll be a hit in your household of two. It’s the perfect meal to have on busy weeknights when you want to make something simple yet satisfying.
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Beef Burgundy Over Noodles
The tender beef, mushrooms and flavorful sauce are delicious over noodles. This recipe is truly comfort in a bowl.
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Skillet Ham & Rice
Ham, rice and mushrooms make a tasty combination. It’s also very easy to make so you’ll be eating in under twenty minutes.
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Portobello-Gouda Grilled Sandwiches
If you think all grilled cheese sandwiches are boring, think again. The rustic flavors of portobello mushrooms and gouda cheese are simply divine.
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Spanish Noodles and Ground Beef
The bacon is the star in this recipe. If you’re in search of a great comforting meal, look no further than these zesty noodles.
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Spicy Turkey Quesadillas
A bit of spice livens up cranberries and turkey, while fat-free cream cheese rounds out the bold flavors in this easy dish. You’ll love this dinner idea for two!
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Vegetable Meat Loaf
This meat loaf is simple and quick to prepare, plus it’s loaded with beautiful vegetables. It’s great served with cheddar-topped baked potatoes or cheesy rice.
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Turkey Saltimbocca
The blend of prosciutto and sage in this Italian classic is undeniably tasty. You won’t believe how quick and easy it is to make.
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Maple Sausage Skillet
Maple syrup adds sweetness to this yummy stir-fry. Feel free to add even more vegetables for added flavor and texture.
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Sourdough Turkey Melts
If you’re ever feeling rushed on time, don’t hesitate to whip these melts up for an easy and breezy meal. It will be ready in 5 minutes tops and is a great meal for two.
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80 Greek Recipes Everyone Will Love
Can’t get enough of your local Greek restaurant? This one’s for you! Here are some incredible Greek recipes, as well as Mediterranean-inspired recipes, that are sure to satisfy.
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Sauteed Scallops & Shrimp Pasta
If you love seafood, you don’t want to miss out on this beautiful dish. With angel hair pasta, sautéed scallops and shrimp, this dish comes together perfectly.
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Buffalo Sloppy Joes for Two
Lean ground turkey makes this sloppy joe lighter than the standard ground beef version. Add some hot sauce for an additional kick.
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Mushroom Pork Ragout
Savory slow-cooked pork with a delightful tomato gravy over noodles is all you could want for dinner for two. This dish is great for a date night at home.
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Cranberry-Apple Pork Chops
These colorful, sweet-tart chops deliver Thanksgiving flavors in every bite. The combination of cranberry and apple makes the meat taste caramelized.
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Beef Orange Stir-Fry
This dinner for two is loaded with lots of flavor and vibrant color. Chili red pepper flakes add a little kick to the orange beef sauce.
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Quick Crab Melts
With two types of cheese on top of a heavenly crab mixture, these open-faced sandwiches are ooey-gooey good!
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Chicken Creole for Two
This dish is packed with veggies and pairs well with jasmine or brown rice. The fresh basil and parsley make for a lovely topping on this dish.
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Tomato & Avocado Sandwiches
While sandwiches may seem dull, these tomato and avocado sandwiches are not. With the addition of the hummus spread, you’re in for a treat.
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Chicken Reuben Roll-Ups
Not only is this recipe tasty, but it’s super fun to look at! These roll-ups are a great way to have chicken in a new way.
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Couscous & Sausage-Stuffed Acorn Squash
The combination of couscous and sausage make this stuffed squash a winner in our books. You won’t be able to just have one helping!
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Sweet and Spicy Pork Chops
This delicious rendition of pork chops is simple yet satisfying. The sauce is heavenly and perfect for dinner for two.Originally Published: January 06, 2020
