There’s nothing worse than having enough leftovers to fill your entire fridge and having no idea how you’re going to eat them all. Sure, they basically act as meal-prep lunches, but after several days of eating the same meal in an effort not to waste food, it gets old fast. Personally, I need variety in my meals, or I end up dreading dinner and, more often than not, impulsively ordering takeout instead. The best way to avoid this is to cook only what you’ll actually eat, so you’re not drowning in leftovers. But finding dinner recipes for two isn’t as easy as it seems, since it feels like every recipe is meant to feed an entire basketball team instead of a duo.
The good news is that easy, perfectly portioned dinners don’t have to be complicated or boring. With a few pantry staples like chicken breasts, olive oil, and a handful of fresh herbs, you can whip up a meal that’s bursting with flavor without spending hours in the kitchen or ending up with way more than you need.
Whether you’re cooking for yourself and a significant other, roommate, or other loved one, we’ve rounded up 35 easy dinner recipes for two that are perfectly portioned for sharing, from plant-forward bowls to cozy pastas, sheet pan salmon, and more.
Tips for planning easy dinners for two
Planning dinner for two doesn’t have to mean eating the same leftovers all week. With a little forethought, you can make easy dinners that are healthy, satisfying, budget-friendly, and perfectly portioned. These simple strategies can make planning and preparing meals for even the busiest weeknight easier.
Buy ingredients you can use in multiple meals
Choose versatile staples like chicken, ground turkey, pasta, rice, tortillas, and vegetables that can be used in several recipes throughout the week. You’ll save money on groceries, reduce food waste, and make it easier to throw together dinner without another trip to the store.
Keep freezer staples on hand
Stock your freezer with vegetables, cooked grains, and individually portioned proteins so you always have the foundation for an easy dinner. Frozen ingredients last longer and help you avoid relying on takeout when your fridge is running low—as long as you don’t forget to defrost what you need beforehand!
Choose recipes that make little to no leftovers
The best dinner recipes for two often make one extra serving instead of enough to feed a crowd. That leftover can become tomorrow’s lunch, giving you an easy meal without filling your refrigerator with containers you’ll never finish.
Build a list of go-to recipes
Instead of searching for something new every night, keep a shortlist of easy dinner recipes for two that everyone enjoys. Rotating familiar favorites saves time, simplifies meal planning, and makes grocery shopping much easier.
Easy dinner recipes for two (quick & under 30 minutes)
Whether you’re looking for an easy dinner to make on a busy weeknight or you failed to plan your menu for the week and need a last-minute dinner recipe for two, these recipes will save the day. While it may be tempting to just order takeout (again) for you and your roommate, look to these dinner ideas. They are all delicious and quick recipes—we’re talking under 30 minutes from start to finish.
1. Honey Mustard Salmon Bowls
When weeknights already feel overwhelming, making a fancy meal never feels accessible, but these lemony, honey mustard salmon bowls are the perfect weeknight dinner remedy. Served over fluffy rice with crispy bacon, browned garlic herb butter, and fresh greens, these bowls feel like a treat while remaining simple to make. This recipe is also super customizable to your portion preferences. Simply slide the bar on the recipe card to adjust the serving size to two.
2. Chili Garlic Noodles
This Asian-inspired noodle recipe is easy to throw together, but tastes like it took you way longer. Requiring just over 20 minutes to make, it’s a tasty way to use up leftover veggies you have in your fridge, and the portion size is perfect for two.
3. Homemade Breaded Chicken Tenders
Made with a blend of flaxseed, shredded coconut, and tapioca, these crispy chicken tenders give you a meal with that same Chick-fil-A crunch. But get this: They are gluten-free, way cheaper, and easy to make! This recipe hits the sweet spot of making enough for just two servings, plus you have the additional option to bake or pan-fry.
4. Easy Pesto Pasta
Whenever my partner and I want an easy, no-mess, no-fuss meal, pasta quickly becomes the default. It’s simple, delicious, quick to resolve a hangry spell, and can still be packed full of goodness to keep you feeling full. This rich and herby pesto pasta recipe technically labels itself as a side dish. Still, you can easily add protein like chicken or fish, or pair it with sides like roasted potatoes or steamed cauliflower for a balanced meal.
5. Spicy Maple Glazed Salmon
This spicy maple-glazed salmon takes just 20 minutes and requires only a handful of ingredients. It’s versatile enough to be enjoyed in a bowl, on a salad, or with a side of rice for a complete meal. Plus, it’s a healthy meal for two that is approachable on busy weeknights. If you’re looking to incorporate more seafood recipes that don’t require a bunch of time or expertise, this is a favorite of mine.
6. Ginger Bone Broth Noodle Bowl
I love a cozy soup recipe year-round, but this recipe is a true cure-all whenever you’re feeling a little run-down. Packed with nutrients from the veggies and bone broth, it’s not only soothing but also incredibly flavorful. Plus, the bone broth adds extra protein to your meal, and the entire dish comes together in 10 minutes.
7. 30-Minute Beef and Broccoli
This easy beef and broccoli recipe is so good and so easy, you’ll stop ordering takeout altogether. In just 30 minutes, you can prepare steak, an addictive sauce from scratch, rice, and broccoli—yes, really. Top your bowls with sesame seeds if you have them on hand for a little bit of added flavor and nutrition, and dinner is ready to devour.
One-pot and sheet pan dinners for two
When you want a homemade meal without a sink full of dishes, one-pot and sheet pan dinners are hard to beat. These recipes keep prep and cleanup to a minimum while delivering plenty of flavor, so they are guaranteed to become staples in your household.
8. Sheet Pan Salmon
Not only does this sheet pan salmon look like some cozy and fancy table display, but it’s packed full of nutritional goodness to keep your body happy during busy weeknights. Made with salmon, potatoes, chickpeas, and a herby yogurt sauce, this one-pan recipe takes just 10 minutes to prep and promises to taste just as magnificent as it looks.
9. One-Pot Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
One-pot meals are my saving grace when I don’t feel like digging out a mountain of bowls and cutting boards. This creamy cauliflower mac and cheese makes mealtime feel a little more luxurious than my trusted box of Kraft. It’s one of those dishes that comes together quickly and is somehow still ultra-rich, savory, and wonderfully fresh.
10. Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers
Sheet pan sausage and peppers is a true weeknight dinner hero that’s easy, healthy, and versatile. While this recipe lets you adjust the serving size to suit your needs (simply click on the number of servings and adjust the slider accordingly), any leftovers are easy to reinvent into new meals. Try it over rice or pasta or between a toasted bun for a tasty sandwich any night of the week.
11. One-Pan Peanut Chicken Stir Fry
This peanut chicken stir fry recipe technically serves four, but as a stir fry fan, I can vouch that it’s easy to devour more than one serving. You can enjoy it on its own to take care of any leftovers right off the bat or pair it with rice or noodles for an even heartier meal.
12. Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Vegetables
This recipe makes cooking a breeze by using shelf-stable gnocchi that doesn’t require pre-cooking. Simply toss the gnocchi with veggies on a sheet pan, bake, and you’re done. It’s easy, delicious, and has minimal cleanup.
13. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
This easy sheet pan recipe takes just 35 minutes and uses only one pan, simplifying your entire dinner process. The chicken is coated with Greek yogurt and fajita seasoning before baking, making it super tender and flavorful when it comes out of the oven. Once your chicken and veggies are cooked, simply load up your tortillas and dig in!
Healthy dinner recipes for two
Whether you’re trying to eat more plant-forward recipes, add more protein to your meals (raises hand!), or simply cook something a little lighter, these healthy dinner recipes for two are quick, balanced, and full of flavor. From grain bowls to hearty salads, you’ll love coming back to these dinner options time and time again.
14. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Full of fresh vegetables, feta cheese, and chickpeas (all tossed in a lemony herb dressing), this Mediterranean quinoa salad is a great light meal option when you’re not starving but want something nutritious. It’s great because you really only need as many ingredients as you want to fill your bowl, so you don’t need to worry about having an overload of leftovers.
15. Sun-Dried Tomato & Arugula Lentil Salad
This sun-dried tomato and arugula lentil salad is my go-to when the weather starts to warm up. With protein-packed lentils, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, creamy goat cheese, and a zesty turmeric ginger dressing, it’s a flavorful, filling salad.
16. Green Goddess Bowls
These green goddess grain bowls are so satisfying that even the adjusted servings might leave you wanting more. I make these bowls on repeat for a fresh and healthy meal because the dressing is absolutely divine.
17. Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Chicken lettuce wraps are a regular takeout order for me, but now that I know how simple they are to make at home, I’ve put my DoorDash habit on hold. They’re perfect as either an appetizer or a lighter entrée, and while the default recipe serves four, it’s easy to adjust the portion for just two.
18. Strawberry and Mango Salsa Chicken
The bright, fresh flavors of this dish are what make this an editor-favorite meal. The lean chicken breasts paired with a sweet, fruity salsa make it the perfect summer recipe when you want something fresh and balanced for two.
Comfort dinner recipes for two
When I want something cozy, I always look to my mom’s recipe book, but not even 30 seconds later, I’m reminded that her recipes make enough to serve a family of 20. Finding comfort meals that rival nostalgic favorites and don’t leave me with containers of food in my fridge is no easy task, but these comfort dinner recipes for two actually deliver.
19. Turkey Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
Meatballs are a great dinner option for two because you can always freeze whatever meat you don’t eat. These Italian meatballs can survive the freezer for up to three months and only take 20 minutes to cook. The results are flavor-blasted with an onion, garlic, and oregano tomato sauce, and taste super tender with every bite.
20. Thai Sweet Potato Curry
If you’re craving something cozy, this delicious sweet potato curry achieves maximum comfort food vibes. The recipe notes that store-bought paste works just as great, but their secret magic trick is adding a spoonful of homemade yellow curry paste with store-bought red curry paste for maximum flavor.
21. Tomato Boursin Pasta
This recipe is incredibly easy, relying on store-bought Boursin cheese to create a deliciously creamy sauce. Once you taste it, you’ll want to make it again and again. The default serving size for this recipe is six, so I recommend cutting it in half or thirds if you only want to make dinner for two.
22. Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Chicken
If you’re searching for a fancy but easy recipe, this one-skillet chicken is it. Made in under an hour with just one pan, it’s creamy, garlicky, packed with sweet corn, and finished with fresh herbs and parmesan. It’s easy enough for a random Tuesday but fancy enough for a date night dinner at home. Since it comes together in a single skillet, the portion is easy to scale down to serve two by simply cutting the recipe in half. You’ll have one additional serving, which is just enough to fight over.
23. Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
When you want something rich and comforting that won’t blow your grocery budget, this creamy sun-dried tomato pasta is a weeknight winner. It comes together in about 30 minutes with mostly pantry staples, and the tangy, garlicky cream sauce tastes far more indulgent than the short ingredient list suggests. Scale it down to two servings in the recipe card, and you’ve got a cozy, restaurant-quality dinner with zero leftovers.
Vegetarian dinner recipes for two
Cooking for two can get repetitive fast, and when you’re a vegetarian, you can feel even more limited on options. These vegetarian dinner recipes for two can easily be added to your dinner rotation when you’re looking for more variety.
24. Salmon Taco Bowls
Emily Mariko’s TikTok first introduced me to salmon bowls years ago, and since then, I’ve tried every variation, with this one being a standout. It features taco-seasoned salmon, savory sofrito rice, and a mix of fresh toppings that bring it all together. It’s so good, my husband and I made this once a week for months, and we’re not even vegetarians!
25. Tofu Stir Fry
This tofu stir fry is the perfect recipe for a fast, healthy meal. It leaves plenty of room to customize, so you never get bored with it. Try add-on options like broccoli, red peppers, noodles, or literally any vegetable that sounds good to level it up. Tip: Opt for extra-firm tofu, as it has the least liquid and, therefore, less risk of making your dish taste soggy.
26. Lentil Chili
Made with goodness like bell peppers, onion, cayenne pepper, tahini, and lentils, this cozy one-pot lentil chili is the easiest route to something that’s just as delicious as it is simple to assemble. Slowly combine all your ingredients in one large pot, let cook on medium to high heat, add your tahini (or olive oil), and voila.
27. Extra Vegetable Fried Rice
When you want takeout-style comfort without the delivery fee, this veggie-packed fried rice delivers. It comes together in one pan in about 30 minutes and is a genius way to use up leftover rice and whatever produce is lingering in your fridge. This recipe makes two generous servings that you can bulk up even more with a fried egg, tofu, or edamame if you want to add more protein.
28. Vegetarian Pad Thai
This vegetarian pad thai is made with zoodles for a healthy, 30-minute dinner. It’s bursting with flavor and includes nutrient-dense ingredients, so it creates a satisfying meal in no time that you can feel good about. Plus, it looks impressive, so you won’t be craving your takeout order halfway through eating it.
Air fryer recipes for two
When you just need an easy dinner recipe for you and a partner, friend, or whoever, pop a few ingredients in the air fryer, and dinner is basically served. The cleanup is fast, the food always delivers, and cooking for two suddenly feels way less stressful.
29. Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
A simple seasoning blend containing salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and paprika makes these chicken breasts incredibly flavorful and easy to make. They look like they were brined for hours and just came off the grill at a backyard barbecue, but all you really have to do is put them in the air fryer for 20 minutes. Serve it with a vegetable and your favorite side, and dinner for you and your plus one is done.
30. Crispy Rice Salad with Cucumbers and Herbs
I didn’t know you could put rice in an air fryer until I tried this recipe, and let me tell you what, I’m never looking back. This crispy rice salad makes the perfect amount for two generous portions, and it only takes about 30 minutes to make. If you want to add more protein, toss some salmon or chicken in the air fryer, too!
31. Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Ready in just 10 minutes in the air fryer, these Bang Bang salmon bites are easy to make and incredibly versatile. What I love most about this recipe, besides the fact that it’s a quick weeknight dinner, is that the sauce is made with only a few ingredients: Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Serve the salmon with rice, edamame, avocado, and cucumber, and you’ve got a recipe you’ll want to tell all your friends about.
32. Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
When you’re tempted to hit your favorite corner stop for wings on your way home from work, you’ll be glad to have this air fryer recipe on hand. They are perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I love smothering them in buffalo sauce, but you can cover them in whatever sauce you want! The best part? They only take 10 minutes to prepare.
Recipes for special occasions that serve two
Just because it’s dinner for two doesn’t mean it can’t feel special. Whether it’s date night, an anniversary, or just a cozy evening in with a friend, the right recipe can make even a small, simple dinner feel like a memorable occasion.
33. Pan-Fried Garlic Butter Steak with Crispy Vegetables
Nothing says “let’s celebrate” quite like a steak dinner. This recipe for steak, potatoes, and asparagus is so good, I’m willing to bet it would cost you triple in any restaurant. At home, it’s the easy, garlicky herb butter that takes this meal from average to memorable. You and your plus one will love this recipe so much, it might even convince you to pick up cooking as your new at-home hobby.
34. Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups
This lasagna roll-ups recipe creates a smaller batch, so you can enjoy the comforting flavors of lasagna without needing to find space in your freezer for leftovers. They’re cheesy, delicious, and perfect for a hearty vegetarian meal on a special occasion. Pair it with a glass of red, and you’ve got yourself a celebration.
35. Parmesan Cauliflower Steaks with Romesco Sauce
Cauliflower steaks look impressive, but they really don’t take that much expertise at all, and this recipe is proof. Serve them with some spaghetti or your favorite protein (I suggest chicken cutlets!), and you have a seriously crave-worthy meal that tastes as good as it looks.
Want more ideas for dinner? Check these out:
- 20 Grain Bowl Recipes That Are Perfect for Meal Prep
- 30 Easy Dinner Recipes for When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking
- One-Pan Meals for Your Busiest Nights of the Week
- 20 Quick and Healthy Work Lunches to Meal Prep
- 48 Easy Chicken Recipes to Add to Your Weekly Rotation
Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of must-read books, movies, home tours, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Goodreads for new releases to feature on the site.
Andrea Navarro, Assistant Editor
Andrea is a writer and editor with 10+ years of experience in women’s lifestyle and commerce content. She is based in Los Angeles, California, and her work appears in Vogue, Glamour, The Zoe Report, and many more.
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