Date Night In? 15 Dinner Recipes Meant to Be Shared
Skip the crowded restaurants and spare your eyes the stress of squinting at the menu for something healthy. On your next special night, treat your special someone to a home-cooked meal—one that you know is good for you both… and that tastes delicious.
Here are 15 date night dinner ideas that bring some magic to the moment:
You pick your fish: Halibut, flounder, cod—as long as it’s white, it will pair beautifully with the roasted cherry tomatoes, black olives, red onions and chickpeas that sit on top. This Mediterranean-style dish contains enough healthy fats to satisfy your hunger, but is light enough to leave a little room for dessert. Plus, the meal has really nice dish appeal. Click here for the full recipe >
Grilled pineapple. Need we say more? If so, these chunks of deliciousness are stacked alongside chicken, bell peppers and onions, then brushed with barbecue sauce and grilled for the perfect mix of sweet and savory. Each kebab offers a wide range of nutrients and on Nutrisystem, it counts as one SmartCarb, two PowerFuels, one Vegetable and two Extras. Click here for the full recipe >
If you have an air fryer, you have to treat your sweetie to these Cajun-seasoned drumsticks. If you don’t have an air fryer, here’s why you want one: It cuts out the vat of oil used in a typical deep fryer, so you can enjoy a healthier dish with much less fat and far fewer calories. Click here for the full recipe >
Have you met the zoodle? Short for zucchini noodle, it’s a great carb-cutting swap for standard spaghetti. Coat the veggie strands in creamy pesto (made from scratch!), toss them with roasted tomatoes, artichoke hearts and bell peppers, and watch your loved one swoon. Click here for the full recipe >
A healthier twist on the traditional dish, this recipe swaps chicken sausage in for the meat, and brown rice instead of white. However, you still get the filling beans and blend of savory flavors, along with orange slices on the side, just like it’s typically served. Call it, “Feijoada,” if you want to sound authentic. Practice pronouncing, “fay-ZHWA-dah,” for a more impressive effect. Click here for the full recipe >
If your senorita is craving a little Mexican, grab your cutting board and get to chopping. Though the list of ingredients is long, the crunch of the cabbage and peppers, pop from the black beans and corn, and the flavors of the homemade dressing, featuring avocado, lime juice and cilantro, make the salad worth the prepping effort. One bite and she’ll say delicioso! Click here for the full recipe >
This is not your average burger, people. Not only is salmon packed with heart-healthy oils, but it’s also a good source of lean protein, which helps to boost metabolism and decrease appetite. Its tender, buttery texture makes a perfect patty, which you’ll season with paprika, garlic powder and a pinch of cayenne for a bit of heat. The crème de la crème—the homemade herb cream sauce—adds elegance and awesome flavor. For another inspired idea, try the bun-less Edamame Quinoa Burgers. Click here for the full recipe >
There’s lean ground turkey, brown rice, spinach, chopped tomatoes, onions and garlic, coated in tomato sauce and nestled into your bell pepper of choice. It’s hearty, healthy and overflowing with goodness. If you prefer no meat, try this Veggie and Rice Stuffed Pepper and let the amazement consume you. Click here for the full recipe >
This one might take the win for best presentation: Spaghetti squash strands, mixed with shredded chicken, green cilantro, black beans, red peppers, and other veggies served in a scooped out spaghetti squash is not only colorful and beautiful, but also delicious. And when you think it can’t get better, it does, in the form of shredded cheese sprinkled on top. Click here for the full recipe >
Nowhere does it say that a date night dinner idea needs to be complicated. Tender chicken breast, vegetables, black olives, cheese and savory Mexican spices make for a simple and flavorful dish. This recipe is also easy to tweak: Just add in your sweetheart’s favorite veggies and experiment with spices to make it even more special. Click here for the full recipe >
Enjoy flavors of the Far East from the comfort of your own home. This veggie-loaded noodle bowl—complete with whole wheat spaghetti, fiber-rich edamame and crispy sugar snap peas—is bathed in an Asian-inspired sauce and perfect for sharing. Whip out a pair of “his and her” chopsticks and prepare your taste buds to be transported. Click here for the full recipe >
The name says it all. Each side of a sweet potato is loaded with shredded chicken, cheese, salsa and low-fat sour cream. A sprinkle of spices and chopped green onion on top are the magic. A salad on the side, and dinner is served. Click here for the full recipe >
Curry, coriander, cumin, turmeric and red chili flakes, work together to boost the flavor of this turkey-vegetable medley. It’s as delicious as it is satisfying. Counting as one SmartCarb, two PowerFuels, one Extra and one and a half Vegetables on Nutrisystem, it’s a perfect flex dinner. Click here for the full recipe >
The salad looks almost as beautiful as your date. Lemon juice, olive oil and low-fat feta add vibrant flavor, while beets, kale and quinoa send the nutritional value of this meal soaring. If you have cooked beets prepared already, this one is very quick fix too. Click here for the full recipe >
For a more casual night with your guy or gal, consider the quesadilla. You still get the shredded cheddar and chunks of chicken you’d expect, but with low-fat cheese, extra veggies and whole-wheat tortillas, this classic gets a whole lot healthier. Looking to get a little closer with a movie? Watch this recipe video to heat things up a bit. Click here for the full recipe >
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