20 Easy Dinner Ideas for Two

First up in our easy dinner ideas for two: Pistachio Crusted Salmon! The flavor tastes like a restaurant, but it’s so simple to make! The aroma wafting from the oven will have you salivating before the food even reaches your plate. Each bite of tender fish and the crunchy, Parmesan pistachio topping makes you immediately want to take another.

Total time: 20 minutes

Here’s a quick and easy taco recipe for two: try these Mushroom Tacos! Portobello mushrooms have enormous savory flavor: throw them in a skillet with some punchy seasonings and they make plant-based magic. This recipe is for when you have just a few minutes to throw together a meal: combine those portobellos with creamy refried beans and the quickest slaw, and you’ve got dinner!

Total time: 20 minutes

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.

Total time: 30 minutes

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!

Total time: 20 minutes

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.

Total time: 25 minutes

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.

Total time: 30 minutes

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.

Total time: 30 minutes

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!

Total time: 30 minutes

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.

Total time: 20 minutes

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! 

Total time: 20 minutes

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.

Total time: 35 minutes

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. 

Total time: 30 minutes

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.

Total time: 15 minutes

Here's a dinner for two we 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

Total time: 1 hour (mostly hands off)

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.

Total time: 30 minutes

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.

Total time: 30 minutes

Here’s a quick dinner idea that’s always satisfying and works for nearly every diet. That’s right, the good old Burrito Bowl! We can thank Chipotle for its widespread popularity, but it really is a killer idea. Throw rice, veggies, and burrito fillings in a bowl and call it meal! Here’s the thing: a good burrito bowl can actually take a while to make at home with all the components. Want a burrito bowl that’s lightening fast to make? We’ve got you. In fact, you can make this one 15 minutes (we timed ourselves).

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.

Total time: 25 minutes

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.

Total time: 25 minutes

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. The best part? It takes 10 minutes to make. This one is hits all the comforting, satisfying dinner notes with a lightning fast prep speed. It’s hard to find those recipes with that elusive trifecta of healthy, easy and delicious: and this one has it in spades.

Total time: 10 minutes