32 Recipes to Cook for Two (2024)

Cooking for two can be a tricky skill to master. While leftovers are practical, eating slow-cooker chili 5 nights in a row can get pretty old, and eating out can get pretty expensive.

These recipes — from breakfast and starters to dinner and dessert — are perfect to enjoy with your girlfriend, boyfriend, mom, dad, or BFF. Each meal is perfectly portioned for two, so grab a sous chef and get cooking.

32 Recipes to Cook for Two (1)Share on Pinterest

1. Spinach burrata omelet with avocado

32 Recipes to Cook for Two (2)Share on Pinterest

Adding greens to every meal can be tough, but this omelet and buttery lettuce combo makes checking off breakfast easy.

Spinach and burrata go inside the eggs, while avocado and butter lettuce (plus an easy olive oil and vinegar dressing) join on the side. It’s just mild enough that you won’t notice you’re eating salad for breakfast.

2. Vanilla overnight oats breakfast bowl

32 Recipes to Cook for Two (3)Share on Pinterest

Overnight oats are just too easy to pass up. Make your morning easier by whipping these up the night before, then customizing with each of your favorite toppings. Nuts, seeds, and fresh fruit are all good options.

Breakfast in bed, anyone?

3. Blueberry peanut butter pancakes

32 Recipes to Cook for Two (4)Share on Pinterest

Is one part of your duo gluten-free? Then they’ll appreciate these pancakes. Peanut butter and blueberries make for a PBJ-like flavor and add enough sweetness that you could probably do without syrup.

4. Banana nut muffins

32 Recipes to Cook for Two (5)Share on Pinterest

Both hearty and healthy, this recipe produces two monster-size vegan muffins made with wholesome ingredients. These babies get bonus nutrition points for the whole-wheat pastry flour, ground flaxseed, omega-3-rich walnuts, and half a banana in each.

5. Healthier cinnamon rolls

32 Recipes to Cook for Two (6)Share on Pinterest

Ditch the can and opt for DIY cinnamon rolls for two, featuring a delish Greek yogurt icing.

Crunchy outside and doughy inside, these honeyed breakfast treats taste like the typical version but focus more on the cinnamon flavor than 12 sticks of butter or powdered sugar-based frosting.

6. Quinoa avocado breakfast bowl

32 Recipes to Cook for Two (7)Share on Pinterest

These savory bowls combine quinoa, green onions, tomato, avocado, feta, and a soft- or hard-boiled egg (we’re partial to the runny kind). Cook quinoa ahead of time to make breakfast prep that much quicker.

7. Vegan blueberry almond muffins

32 Recipes to Cook for Two (8)Share on Pinterest

Skip the coffee shop run and make these homemade muffins instead. Made with oats, almonds, and soy or almond milk, these sweet guys are vegan and a step up from the store-bought kind. Fresh or frozen blueberries keep them moist.

8. Vegan tofu scramble

32 Recipes to Cook for Two (9)Share on Pinterest

Though tofu may not normally be your cup of tea, cooking the budget-friendly protein source just like scrambled eggs is a great way to mask the funky texture while adding tons of flavor.

Scramble it up with peppers, spinach, and onions, top with avocado or hot sauce, and you’ve got yourself a lean, mean breakfast.

9. Black bean, potato, and avocado breakfast burrito

32 Recipes to Cook for Two (10)Share on Pinterest

Vegan breakfast burritos can seem lackluster if not done right, but these pack in tons of hearty (and healthy) ingredients.

Black beans, potatoes, onions, avocado, cabbage, and salsa will keep you full till lunch. Swap the white rice for quinoa to up your fiber or nix it altogether — this burrito is filling enough.

10. Salad lyonnaise

Share on Pinterest

Nothing warms up a boring old salad like fried egg and bacon. Top frisee or any other salad green with bacon strips, Dijon mustard, chopped shallot, a little salt and pepper, and an egg for a satisfying way to start your meal.

11. Watermelon feta salad

Share on Pinterest

Simple, fresh, and a little tangy thanks to our cheesy friend feta, this watermelon and blackberry salad is a simple start to any meal. With a three-ingredient dressing (balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and oil), it’s a keeper for when you need a last-minute dinner spruce-up.

12. Black bean and corn quesadillas

Share on Pinterest

These gooey quesadillas place black beans, corn, peppers, and onions between melty shredded cheese. Add in cumin and chili powder and cut one up for a spicy start to your meal. For healthier ‘dillas, choose whole-wheat tortillas and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

13. Paleo sushi with nori, salmon, and avocado

Share on Pinterest

We don’t know about you, but for us, sushi falls into the category of foods we love but that don’t fill us up.

Solve that problem by making an easy roll at home and serving it as an app for you and your boo. This one’s foolproof — just grab cucumber, avocado, salmon, and veggies, and roll it on up.

14. Cucumber and artichoke salad

Share on Pinterest

Dinner salads can be a snooze fest, but this one spices things up with hemp seeds, artichokes, parsley, and basil, plus tried-and-true faves like carrots and cucumbers. It’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

15. Buffalo ranch chickpea taco salad

Share on Pinterest

Buffalo and ranch are a sauce combo typically paired with bar grub like chicken tenders, but the duo gets a major makeover in this vegan salad.

Make your own homemade ranch dressing or pick up a store-bought kind (such as Tessemae’s or Follow Your Heart). Melt vegan butter and hot sauce and mix in the chickpeas before assembling each salad.

16. Crispy eggplant caprese stacks

Share on Pinterest

Tomato, mozzarella, and basil are a classic combo that everyone seems to love. This recipe shakes things up a bit by adding in crispy eggplant slices coated with flour (try whole-wheat instead of white) and panko breadcrumbs.

17. Peanut quinoa bowls

Share on Pinterest

Topped with savory soy and maple baked tofu, these quinoa bowls get double the protein. A homemade peanut sauce goes on top of steamed broccoli, red pepper, chopped roasted peanuts, and freshly grated ginger.

18. Spicy maple glazed salmon

Share on Pinterest

This salmon sounds like it belongs in a restaurant but can be made at home in less than 30 minutes.

Maple syrup, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic, chili powder, and cayenne combine to make a sweet and spicy glaze for flaky fish. Serve with Brussels sprouts, sweet potato fries, or whatever veggie you’ve got.

19. Baked honey mustard chicken with lemon

Share on Pinterest

Made mostly of ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, this easy date-night dish is a cinch.

Chicken breasts get a big flavor boost thanks to lemon, Dijon mustard, honey, and paprika. Serve with broccoli and lemon slices on the side.

20. Sautéed beef with onions over creamy polenta

Share on Pinterest

This quick, home-cooked meal is perfect for when it’s chilly out. Lemon- and garlic-marinated strips of beef and red onion complement polenta — aka cornmeal cooked into a comforting, porridge-like consistency.

21. Seared shrimp vindaloo with vegetables

Share on Pinterest

With carrots, broccoli, onions, garlic, wilted kale, and collard greens, this dinner blends just about every veggie from the produce drawer.

Shrimp and vindaloo seasoning (a mix of turmeric, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, cayenne, and other spices) finish off the meal.

22. Pesto chicken caprese flatbread

Share on Pinterest

While we’ve got a caprese salad stack on the list too, this is a much more substantial version with baked chicken and a flatbread as the base.

Thick slices of fresh mozzarella, halved cherry tomatoes, pesto, and chopped basil make for an awesome Italian-inspired meal.

23. Baked acorn squash with quiche filling

Share on Pinterest

How can something so effortless be so pretty? This recipe looks fancy enough to take time and effort, yet it takes just minutes to prepare.

Whip up eggs, milk, tomatoes, cheese, and chives and pour the mix into seeded acorn squash halves before tossing in the oven to bake.

24. Broccoli, brie, and walnut rotini

Share on Pinterest

This rich dish combines walnuts, broccoli, and creamy Brie, and can be customized with whatever nuts or veggies you prefer. With only five ingredients and a combined prep and cook time of just 15 minutes, this easy meal is as uncomplicated as it gets.

25. Greek stuffed red peppers

Share on Pinterest

While traditional stuffed peppers have a ground beef filling, this version uses ground chicken instead, plus quinoa for even more protein. Artichokes, tomato, fresh dill, lemon, and mozzarella add a Mediterranean touch.

26. Peach crisp

Share on Pinterest

A couple of ramekins, a couple of peaches, and you’ve got yourselves two perfectly portioned desserts.

The oat- and coconut-oil-based topping is nutty and sweet with just a touch of maple syrup. Serve with a dollop of yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream (we love Vixen Kitchen) for an even sweeter treat.

27. Carrot cake chia pudding

Share on Pinterest

Vegan cream cheese frosting? Umm yeah, we’re sold. Soaked cashews make it possible, and taste deeeee-lish on top of carrot cake pudding made with almond milk, carrot juice, cinnamon, cardamom, and chia seeds.

28. Raspberry molten lava cake

Share on Pinterest

These rich, gooey lava cakes are a must. Coconut sugar, buckwheat flour, and fresh raspberries give them a #healthyish spin, and since they’re dairy- and gluten-free, you won’t feel like it’s OTT after digging in with your SO.

29. Chocolate peanut butter muffins

Share on Pinterest

PB lovers will go nuts for these sweet muffins, made with whole-wheat flour, cacao powder, dairy-free milk, and cacao nibs. If you can’t find peanut flour, powdered or regular peanut butter works too, though regular will make the filling a bit thicker.

30. Paleo brownies

Share on Pinterest

For those times you’d rather not whip up a full batch of brownies (way too tempting to eat leftovers for breakfast all week), this recipe makes just two in record time.

Avocado and cocoa powder makes the brownies super rich, while maple syrup and dark chocolate chips keep ’em sweet.

31. Vegan blueberry tarts

Share on Pinterest

With only five ingredients, these super pretty tarts are surprisingly easy to make, despite looking like they belong on the Food Network.

Put almonds through a food processor, mix with maple syrup and coconut oil, then press into two ramekins. Put ’em in the fridge for about an hour, then fill with blueberries and coconut powder. Boom! You go, Top Chef.

32. Avocado chocolate pudding

Share on Pinterest

Upgrade your pudding from powder boxes to homemade with this rich dessert. Instant espresso, sea salt, and vanilla bean seeds add big-time flavor.

Plus, coconut cream and chocolate almond milk instead of whipped and heavy cream help keep the dessert in healthy-ish territory.

Recognize this circular conversation? “Where do you want to go for food, babe?” “I don’t know, where do you want to go?” “I don’t know, where do you want to go…”

Listen friend, ain’t nobody got time for that. Instead, bring sexy back and light the spark (literally and figuratively) by cooking at home. In fact, you can make a whole thing of it. Turn on the tunes, bust out some candles, get a little dressed up, and bring back that sweet, sweet romance.

Don’t forget to save room for dessert — if you can keep your hands off each other for that long.

32 Recipes to Cook for Two (2024)

FAQs

What to cook 20 people? ›

19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
  1. Taco Bar.
  2. Meatballs.
  3. Butter Chicken.
  4. Lasagna.
  5. Chili.
  6. Homemade Pizza.
  7. Baked Pasta.
  8. Skewers.
Apr 4, 2023

What is the cheapest meal to make? ›

68 Easy And Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make On Repeat
  • Buffalo Chickpea Wraps. tasty.co. ...
  • Garlic Veggie Rotini Pasta. tasty.co. ...
  • Chili Lime Baked Tilapia With Avocado Crema. tasty.co. ...
  • Energy-Boosting Buddha Bowl. ...
  • Chicken & Biscuit Bake. ...
  • Pesto Chicken Bake. ...
  • Healthier Veggie Fried Rice. ...
  • Chicken & Veggie Stir-Fry.
May 3, 2024

What cheap healthy food fills you up? ›

Again, while fresh produce might be best, youre on a budget. You will want to purchase cheap foods that are filling! Oatmeal, rice, beans, bread, and other starches are filling and will keep you full until your next meal.

What to serve 25 people for dinner? ›

Feed-a-crowd recipes
  • Spiced salmon with traybaked sag aloo. ...
  • Chicken dopiaza. ...
  • Chicken Provençal. ...
  • Chicken gyros. ...
  • Sharing bavette with blue cheese, beef dripping wedges & ranch salad. ...
  • Sticky tamarind tomato & spinach whirl. ...
  • App onlyChard, feta & sesame pie with olive oil pastry.

What to feed 30 people? ›

  • Hearty Baked Penne Pasta. This recipe feeds an army. ...
  • Tasty Taco Bar. Everything you need to make your own Taco Bar at home. ...
  • Baked Potato Bar. ...
  • Crockpot Ham. ...
  • Killer Carnitas. ...
  • Chicken Spaghetti. ...
  • Ham and Cheese Sliders. ...
  • Shredded Beef Tacos.
5 days ago

How can I feed my family on $10 a day? ›

Cheap Family Meals Under $10
  1. Spanish Rice Soup. ...
  2. Ramen Noodle Stir Fry with Vegetables. ...
  3. Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole. ...
  4. Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli. ...
  5. Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta. ...
  6. Easy Cheese Manicotti. ...
  7. White Bean and Spinach Soup. ...
  8. Black Bean Enchilada Casserole.
Apr 2, 2023

What to make for dinner when you're broke? ›

  • Creamy pasta carbonara. A lovely, creamy version of a well-known favourite.
  • Best Spaghetti and Meatballs. ...
  • Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry. ...
  • Devilled sausages. ...
  • Potato and leek soup. ...
  • Lemon chicken. ...
  • Salt and pepper chicken. ...
  • Chicken and bacon carbonara.

How to cook on a tight budget? ›

If you can, cook in bulk – it's one of the simplest and most efficient ways to save money in the kitchen. Whether you're cooking for one person or the whole family, preparing and freezing multiple meals in advance will help you cut down on food waste and save time in the long run.

What fills you up but is not fattening? ›

High-fiber foods not only provide volume but also take longer to digest, making you feel full longer on fewer calories. Vegetables, fruits and whole grains all contain fiber. Popcorn is a good example of a high-volume, low-calorie whole grain. One cup of air-popped popcorn has about 30 calories.

What is the cheapest food to live on? ›

10 Cheap & Healthy Foods to Buy, According to a Dietitian
  • Canned Tomatoes.
  • Oats.
  • Peanut Butter.
  • Canned Beans.
  • Potatoes.
  • Lentils.
  • Popcorn.
  • Frozen Berries.
Apr 24, 2024

What food will keep me full all day? ›

Whole, unprocessed foods that are high in protein and fiber will generally leave you more sated, which means you feel full for a longer period of time. Some of the most filling foods include boiled potatoes, oatmeal, eggs, fish, Greek yogurt, and popcorn.

How to survive a week on $20? ›

Your Shopping List
  1. 1 bag of dried beans: $1.49.
  2. 2 pounds of chicken breast: $3.76.
  3. 1 jar of peanut butter: $1.98.
  4. 1 jar of jelly: $1.79.
  5. 1 loaf of whole wheat bread: $1.63.
  6. 1 dozen eggs: $1.26.
  7. 1 container of oatmeal: $1.35.
  8. 1 bag of dried lentils: $1.39.

What to cook with 30 dollars? ›

30 dinners under under $30 the whole family will love
  1. Pumpkin soup. ...
  2. Risotto carbonara. ...
  3. Tuna and caper pasta with crispy breadcrumbs. ...
  4. Matt Preston's French onion soup. ...
  5. Spaghetti in cherry tomato sauce. ...
  6. Roasted sweet potatoes with chilli and seeds. ...
  7. Quick and delicious mushroom and thyme soup. ...
  8. Cauliflower soup.

What food can I buy for $20? ›

WHAT TO BUY WITH A $20 GROCERY BUDGET
  • 1 loaf of bread, $1.
  • 1 (16-slice) pack cheese, $1.
  • 1 (16-oz) pack spaghetti noodles, $1.
  • 1 head Iceberg lettuce, $1.
  • 2 Roma tomatoes, $1.
  • 1 lb ground beef, $3.
  • 1/4 lb thin-sliced deli ham, $2.
  • 1 box mashed potato flakes, $1.

How much food do I need for 20 guests? ›

Each adult will consume 1 pound of food total; children, about 1/2 pound. The more options you have, the less you need of each; decrease the main course portion sizes by 1 to 2 ounces if served on a buffet.

How to cater for 20 people? ›

Finger foods, canapes, and grazing tables are great options that can feed a crowd and are easy to shape around any style. From gourmet cured meats and cheeses to catering classics like mini pies and pastries, there is bound to be something for any theme.

What is the cheapest food to feed a crowd? ›

Pasta is one of the cheapest and most filling pantry staples you can buy, and that's exactly why it's the perfect food to feed to a crowd! Plus, everyone loves a good pasta dish. Grab yourself a buffet server warming tray so you can pop your cooked pasta inside and keep it warm all evening long!

How many pounds of food do I need for 20 people? ›

If the meat is part of a bigger dish, like pasta or curry, plan for 1/4 to 1/3 pound (four to six ounces) per person. That means you'll want at least 2 1/2 pounds of meat if you're planning to have 10 people over to dinner, and 5 or more pounds of meat if you're cooking for 20 guests.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Lidia Grady

Last Updated:

Views: 6620

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lidia Grady

Birthday: 1992-01-22

Address: Suite 493 356 Dale Fall, New Wanda, RI 52485

Phone: +29914464387516

Job: Customer Engineer

Hobby: Cryptography, Writing, Dowsing, Stand-up comedy, Calligraphy, Web surfing, Ghost hunting

Introduction: My name is Lidia Grady, I am a thankful, fine, glamorous, lucky, lively, pleasant, shiny person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.