Healthy Recipes for Two - Cooking Light

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Bistro Roast Chicken

The French know a thing or two about romantic cooking. This Paris-inspired menu is the perfect example featuring Steamed Mussels, Bistro Roast Chicken, Pommes Frites with Chives, and finishing with a decadent Fudgy Espresso Soufflé.

View Menu: French-Inspired Menu for Two

Photo: Randy Mayor

Filet Mignon with Mushroom-Wine Sauce

Filet Mignon with Mushroom-Wine Sauce is a quick but posh dinner for two. For easy sides, serve with packaged refrigerated mashed potatoes and bagged salad greens with bottled dressing.

View Recipe: Filet Mignon with Mushroom-Wine Sauce

Photo: Randy Mayor

Seafood Risotto

Risotto must be served immediately so you can best savor its rich creaminess. With this version, there's just enough for two healthful portions. Complete the meal with a salad, bread, and crisp white wine.

View Recipe: Seafood Risotto

Photo: Randy Mayor

Linguine Carbonara

The luxurious, velvety texture of a good pasta carbonara is ephemeral at best, so you must enjoy it right away. Tempering the egg with hot pasta water keeps the sauce creamy by preventing it from curdling. For a smoky taste, use bacon in place of pancetta.

View Recipe: Linguine Carbonara

Photo: Randy Mayor

Herbed Chicken and Dumplings

Fluffy herb-flecked dumplings, tender vegetables, and rich dark-meat chicken combine in this soul-satisfying classic. Garnish with parsley sprigs, if desired.

View Recipe: Herbed Chicken and Dumplings

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Pan-Seared Scallops on Linguine

A touch of cream gives the slightly tangy sauce a silky-smooth finish in Pan-Seared Scallops on Linguine with Tomato-Cream Sauce. Be sure to serve this dish with bread so you can savor every drop of sauce.

View Menu: Romantic Dinner for Two

Photo: Randy Mayor

Roasted Lobster Tails

This sophisticated yet cozy romantic meal features Roasted Lobster Tails paired with a Ginger Dipping Sauce as the main course. Side dishes include Snow Peas and Cherry Tomatoes and Bitter Greens With Tarragon Vinaigrette and Pine Nuts.

Make Ahead Tip: The dipping sauce that accompanies the lobster tails can be made up to five days in advance and refrigerated. Let it come to room temperature before adding the green onions.

View Menu: Lobster Menu for Two

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Chicken with Prosciutto and Tomatoes Over Polenta

Lightly breaded chicken thighs are seasoned with sage and white wine, topped with a tomato mixture, and served over polenta. Time-saving tip: while the chicken cooks, prepare the polenta.

View Recipe: Chicken with Prosciutto and Tomatoes Over Polenta

Photo: Randy Mayor

Roasted Rack of Lamb

Take a make-ahead approach to cook a memorable feast for your sweetheart featuring Fennel and Rosemary-Crusted Roasted Rack of Lamb, Truffled Polenta, and Spicy-Sweet Pepper Medley.

View Menu: Make-Ahead Menu for Two

Photo: Howard L. Puckett

Rosemary Shrimp Scampi Skewers

Threading olive oil-marinated shrimp on rosemary-branch skewers imparts a subtle herb flavor to the dish and a fantastic scent to your table. Rosemary has a long history of being associated with the heart. It has been believed by many to be a love charm, by others to be a token of remembrance and fidelity, and by some to be a potent aphrodisiac. Bamboo skewers also work quite well. Serve with steamed haricots verts.

View Menu: Rosemary Shrimp Scampi Skewers and More

Photo: Randy Mayor

Coconut and Basil Steamed Mussels

This elegant seafood dish goes perfectly paired with spinach and scallion rice. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the perfect mid-week romantic meal for two.

View Recipe: Coconut and Basil Steamed Mussels

Photo: Randy Mayor

Southwestern Omelet

Let your significant other know just how much you care with this breakfast omelet, made with black beans and cheddar cheese. It’ll be a wonderful way to start the day off right!

View Recipe: Southwestern Omelet

Photo: Randy Mayor

Grilled Lime-Soy Tuna with Noodles

This Asian-inspired meal is the ultimate date-night dinner and mixes textures and tastes for a unique, full-flavored dish.

View Recipe: Grilled Lime-Soy Tuna with Noodles

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Chicken Milanese with Spring Greens

For a comfortable, cozy meal for two, try this delectable breaded chicken recipe. Serve with rice pilaf or fresh vegetables and lemon wedges.

View Recipe: Chicken Milanese with Spring Greens

Photo: Randy Mayor

Caramelized Scallops

Try this simple, elegant recipe for date night at home. Scallops cook quickly and are packed with delicious flavor. This dish serves well with wide rice noodles and sugar snap peas.

View Recipe: Caramelized Scallops

Photo: Randy Mayor

Veal Medallions with Apple-Thyme Sauce

This luxurious meal for two uses a sweet apple-thyme sauce for an exquisite aroma and taste. Tip: To prevent the apple from turning brown, chop it while the sauce is cooking down.

View Recipe: Veal Medallions with Apple-Thyme Sauce

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Deviled Crab Boules with Beurre Blanc

Crusty individual bread rounds are stuffed with succulent crab and topped with a buttery wine sauce. Serve with white wine or champagne.

Make-ahead tip: Prepare the bread shells and crab filling up to a day ahead of time. Just store the shells at room temperature in a zip-top plastic bag, and refrigerate the crab filling.

View Recipe: Deviled Crab Boules with Beurre Blanc

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Posole with Turkey and Heart-Shaped Chipotle Gorditas

A gordita, which means "little fat one" in Spanish (no offense intended), is a thick corn tortilla. In this recipe, we used a heart-shaped cookie cutter to make sweet designs – perfect when creating this dish for someone special. Also, because gorditas are more practical to make in larger quantities, this recipe makes enough for two meals.

View Recipe: Posole with Turkey and Heart-Shaped Chipotle Gorditas

Photo: Kana Okada

Spice Rubbed Pork Chops

This pork chop dinner for two uses a hint of brown sugar to round out the flavors of the smoke, robust spice rub. Serve with grilled veggies and a glass of sparkling white wine.

View Recipe: Spice Rubbed Pork Chops

Photo: Randy Mayor

Pan Grilled Thai Tuna Salad

For a lighter, yet still romantic, dinner gesture, try making this spicy tuna salad. It pairs wonderfully with a side of crunchy rice crackers.

View Recipe: Pan Grilled Thai Tuna Salad

20 Romantic Dinners for Two

Bistro Roast Chicken

Filet Mignon with Mushroom-Wine Sauce

Seafood Risotto

Linguine Carbonara

Herbed Chicken and Dumplings

Pan-Seared Scallops on Linguine

Roasted Lobster Tails

Chicken with Prosciutto and Tomatoes Over Polenta

Roasted Rack of Lamb

Rosemary Shrimp Scampi Skewers

Coconut and Basil Steamed Mussels

Southwestern Omelet

Grilled Lime-Soy Tuna with Noodles

Chicken Milanese with Spring Greens

Caramelized Scallops

Veal Medallions with Apple-Thyme Sauce

Deviled Crab Boules with Beurre Blanc

Posole with Turkey and Heart-Shaped Chipotle Gorditas

Spice Rubbed Pork Chops

Pan Grilled Thai Tuna Salad