35 Healthy Recipes for Date Night at Home

Cook up something delicious at home with these 35 healthy recipes for date night at home! Each recipe is simple with an elevated touch, making it the perfect recipe for date night in. Pour a glass of wine and have some fun in the kitchen whipping up a meal with the one you love!

If you’re reading this at the time I post this when the coronavirus pandemic is happening in the United States, then it’s safe to say going out to eat is not happening for you either. Restaurants have unfortunately been greatly impacted by the coronavirus, and while we don’t know exactly what the future of restaurant dining will look like yet, we know carry out (in some cases) and date nights at home are our only options.

Rob and I have actually enjoyed pushing ourselves to get more creative in the kitchen and to make things we normally wouldn’t now that we’re staying in for most meals. I do think one of the silver linings of this quarantine is that it’s inspired us to get more creative in the kitchen and take some time to make things we’ve always wanted to learn how to make.

Not only do I think you learn a lot about each other when making a meal together, but it can also be a good bonding activity that turns into something you guys realize you love doing together. Win, win!

The healthy and fun recipes listed below including this pasta one from me are simple, yet elevated making them perfect when you want to whip up something that feels fancy but is pretty simple to make!

Food has an amazing ability to bring us together in good times and in bad. Making a special family recipe can make us feel connected to our loved ones even when we can’t be with them at the moment. Sharing that with some you love is really special and helps you to create your own memories in the kitchen.

So tell Alexa to put on a love songs playlist, pour a crisp glass of wine, and get cooking in the kitchen together!

How to Make Date Night at Home Special

• Set the mood. Clean up a bit, light some candles, and put on a good playlist. Use the fancier plates or fun glasses for drinks to make everything feel a bit fancier.
• Start with a charcuterie or appetizer board. It doesn’t have to be exclusive to meats and cheeses. Get creative with what’s in your fridge and pantry. You could even do this for breakfast the next day with a pancake breakfast board.
• Dress up! I know, I know sweats are life right now, but it can still be a fun pick-me-up to dress up even if you’re just staying home!
• Create a signature cocktail or mocktail. Recreate your drink of choice at home or make up your own! Bonus points for the person who gets the most creative using herbs, spices, and random ingredients from your cupboards.
• Turn it into a chopped challenge. Challenge each other to cook with what you have on hand! Pick out a couple of ingredients for the other to cook with and see what they can come up with. Make it a fun game!

I’ve included one of our favorite date night at home inspired recipes. This lemony white wine zucchini noodle pasta dish is delicious and easy to make! Grab the recipe here and bon appetite!

Ingredients for Lemony White Wine Zucchini Noodle Pasta

• spaghetti or bucatini
• zucchini
• fresh garlic
• lemons
• olive oil
• butter
• cherry tomatoes
• capers
• parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper
• red pepper flakes

equipment / utensils

• large pot
• microplane
• colander
• sauté pan

Lemony White Wine Zucchini Noodle Pasta

• Author: Maggie Michalczyk, RDN
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Category: easy meals
• Method: boil; sautee
• Cuisine: american

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Description

Lemony white wine zucchini noodle pasta is a delicious and simple recipe that you’ll love to make any time you’re in the mood for a simple yet elevated pasta dish! 

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1/2 lb spaghetti or bucatini 
• 2 medium zucchinis, spiralized 
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1/3 cup white wine
• Pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp. salted butter
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup capers

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Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Cook it 1 minute less than the package directions instruct. Before draining the pasta, reserve about a cup of the water for later use.
2. Mince the garlic and zest the lemons using a microplane. Cut the lemons in half and add the juice to a small container so it’s ready to go.
3. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.  Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant but not browned, about a minute. Add the red pepper flakes and stir for a few more seconds.
4. Add lemon juice and white wine, increase the heat to medium-high, and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, about 3-4 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
5. Add about 1/4 cup of the pasta water, add the butter, and turn off the heat once it’s melted.
6. Add the pasta back into the pan, followed by the lemon zest and parmesan cheese, tossing to coat all the spaghetti with the sauce.
7. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and zucchini noodles Add more pasta water as needed, 1 tablespoon at a time. Cook a little more just until the zucchini noodles and cherry tomatoes are tender. 
8. Serve topped with additional  lemon zest, capers, and freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!

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Keywords: white wine pasta sauce; lemon pasta; zucchini noodles; bucatini

Dietitian approved date night recipes:

1. One Pot Creamy Mushroom and Shrimp Pasta Recipe
2. Mussels Fra Diavolo
3. 30 Minute Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata
4. SCALLOPS AND GRITS WITH BALSAMIC CHERRY TOMATOES
5. LEMON GARLIC CHICKEN IN A WHITE WINE SAUCE
6. Blackened Tilapia with Mango Avocado Slaw
7. Easy Egg Noodle Stir Fry with Veggies and Chicken
8. Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Burgers
9. PECORINO ROMANO RISOTTO
10. Baked Pesto Salmon
11. VEGAN DARK CHOCOLATE ANTIOXIDANT PUDDING
12. SIMPLE SAUSAGE AND KALE PIZZA ON A CRISPY TORTILLA
13. Mussels with White Wine, Garlic and Herbs
14. ORANGE MAPLE GLAZED SALMON WITH GARLIC AND KALE FARRO SALAD
15. ONE PAN LEMON ARTICHOKE CHICKEN
16. GRILLED SHRIMP AND VEGGIE KABOBS
17. One-Pan Turmeric Chicken and Rice
18. SALTED TAHINI BROWNIES (SMALL BATCH)
19. STIR-FRIED THAI CHICKEN WITH NOODLES AND PEANUT SAUCE
20. PORK CHOPS AND POTATOES SMOTHERED WITH CREAMY DIJON-SPINACH SAUCE
21. Vegan Mediterranean Vegetable Salad with Prunes and Fruit Dressing
22. Date Night Herb Crusted Lamb Chops
23. Healthy Chicken Cordon Bleu
24. ROMESCO CHICKEN WITH KALE MASHED POTATOES RECIPE
25. MUSTARD GREEN AND SAUSAGE ORECCHIETTE
26. Healthy Lemon Carbonara
27. Cod, Carrot & Green Bean Foil Packets with Lime Avocado Sauce
28. 30 Minute Butter Dill Baked Salmon with Roasted Asparagus
29. SCALLOPS IN BROWN BUTTER SAGE SAUCE {DATE NIGHT PASTA}
30. Pan seared salmon and caramelized grapes
31. Healthy Baked Orange Chicken

dessert recipes for date night at home:

1. pumpkin chickpea blondies {GF & DF}
2. lemon sugar cookies {GF & DF}
3. pumpkin chocolate chip cookies {GF & DF}
4. pumpkin cookie skillet {DF & GF}

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