25 Easy Dinner Ideas for Two T...
There’s nothing worse than cooking an elaborate dinner simply to be left with enough leftovers to fill your complete fridge. Certain, it’s nice for lunch the following day, however after a number of days of consuming the identical meal in an effort not to waste food, it will get previous. Personally, I would like selection in my meals, or I find yourself dreading dinner and, as a rule, impulsively ordering takeout as a substitute. One of the best ways to keep away from that is to prepare dinner solely what you’ll truly eat, so that you’re not drowning in leftovers. However discovering dinner recipes for 2 isn’t as straightforward because it appears. It looks like each recipe is supposed to feed a whole basketball crew as a substitute of a duo. So, whether or not you’re cooking for yourself and a big different, roommate, or different cherished one, I’ve rounded up 25 straightforward dinner recipes for 2 which might be completely portioned for sharing.
Straightforward Dinners Made Easy
When life will get hectic, easy dinners grow to be your greatest pal—particularly on these busy weeknights if you need one thing scrumptious with out spending hours within the kitchen. The excellent news? Wholesome dinner concepts don’t need to be difficult or bland. With a number of pantry staples like rooster breasts, olive oil, and a handful of recent herbs, you’ll be able to whip up a meal that’s bursting with taste and diet. Assume hearty mushroom soup, creamy rooster alfredo, or a vibrant stir-fry loaded with recent or frozen veggies and a sprinkle of chili powder for somewhat kick. By experimenting with totally different spices and retaining budget-friendly elements available, you’ll at all times have a go-to recipe prepared to save lots of the day. Whether or not you’re craving a brilliant fast dinner that’s ready in minutes or need to attempt one thing new, these straightforward dinner concepts show that wholesome, tasty meals for 2 are completely doable—no leftovers required.
1. Honey Mustard Salmon Bowls
When weeknights already really feel overwhelming, making some huge gourmand meal on prime of that by no means feels accessible. Regardless that I nonetheless need one thing packed stuffed with protein, has a novel taste, and doesn’t take perpetually to make. These lemony, honey mustard dressing salmon bowls are the right weeknight dinner treatment. Served over fluffy rice with crispy bacon, browned garlic herb butter, recent greens, and herbs, it looks like some fancy deal with, however is extremely easy to make. It’s additionally tremendous customizable to your portion preferences.
2. Homemade Breaded Chicken Tenders
Made with a mix of flaxseed, shredded coconut, and tapioca, these crispy rooster tenders provide you with a meal with that very same Chick-fil-A crunch, but in addition occur to be gluten-free, manner more healthy, and easy to make! It hits the candy spot of creating sufficient for simply two servings, with the extra choice to bake or pan-fry.
3. Easy Pesto Pasta
Each time my associate and I need a simple, no mess, no fuss meal, pasta rapidly turns into the default. It’s easy, scrumptious, fast to resolve a hangry spell, and may nonetheless be packed stuffed with goodness to maintain you feeling full. This wealthy and herby pesto pasta recipe technically labels itself as a facet dish, however you’ll be able to simply add some protein like rooster, or pair with sides like roasted potatoes, steamed cauliflower, for a brilliant balanced meal.
4. Tofu Stir Fry
This tofu stir fry is the right recipe for a quick, wholesome meal choice. It leaves loads of room to customise, so that you by no means get tired of it—with add-on choices like broccoli, crimson peppers, noodles, or actually any vegetable that sounds good in your freezer. The recipe additionally recommends choosing extra-firm tofu right here, because it has the least quantity of liquid and fewer of a danger of creating your dish style soggy.
5. Turkey Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
Meatballs are an excellent dinner choice for 2 as a result of you’ll be able to at all times freeze no matter meat you don’t eat. These Italian meatballs can survive the freezer for as much as 3 months, and solely take twenty minutes to prepare dinner. The outcomes are flavor-blasted with an onion, garlic, and oregano tomato sauce, and style tremendous tender with each chew.
6. Sheet Pan Salmon
Not solely does this sheet pan salmon appear to be some cozy and fancy desk show, however it’s packed stuffed with dietary goodness to maintain your physique glad throughout busy weeknights. Made with salmon, potatoes, chickpeas, a herby yogurt sauce, this one-pan recipe takes simply 10 minutes to prep, and guarantees to style simply as magnificent because it appears.
7. Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
One-pot meals are my saving grace once I don’t really feel like digging out a mountain of bowls and reducing boards. This creamy cauliflower mac and cheese makes time for dinner really feel somewhat extra luxurious than my belief field of Kraft—delivering a dish that’s ultra-rich, savory, and splendidly recent—however nonetheless comes collectively rapidly.
8. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Stuffed with recent greens, feta cheese, and chickpeas—all tossed in a lemony herb dressing—this Mediterranean quinoa salad is a good gentle meal choice if you’re not ravenous, however need one thing nutritious. It’s nice since you actually solely want as many elements as you need to fill your bowl, so that you don’t want to fret about having an overload of leftovers.
9. Thai Sweet Potato Curry
In the event you’re craving one thing cozy, this scrumptious candy potato curry achieves most comfort food vibes. The recipe notes that store-bought paste works simply as nice, however their secret magic trick is including a spoonful of home made yellow curry paste with store-bought crimson curry paste for max taste.
10. One-Pot Lentil Chili
Made with goodness like bell peppers, onion, cayenne pepper, tahini, and lentils, this cozy one-pot lentil chili is the best path to one thing that’s simply as scrumptious as it’s easy to assemble. Slowly mix all of your elements in a single massive pot, let prepare dinner on medium to excessive warmth, then add your tahini (or olive oil), and voila.
11. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
This straightforward sheet pan recipe takes simply 35 minutes and makes use of solely one pan, simplifying your complete dinner course of. The rooster is coated with Greek yogurt and fajita seasoning earlier than baking, making it tremendous tender and flavorful when it comes out of the oven. As soon as your rooster and veggies are cooked, merely load up your tortillas and dig in!
12. Chili Garlic Noodles
This Asian-inspired noodle recipe is straightforward to throw collectively on busy weeknights. Requiring simply over 20 minutes to make, it’s a tasty manner to make use of up leftover veggies you will have in your fridge, and the portion measurement is ideal for 2.
13. Sun-Dried Tomato & Arugula Lentil Salad
This sun-dried tomato and arugula lentil salad is my go-to when the climate begins to heat up. With protein-packed lentils, candy sun-dried tomatoes, creamy goat cheese, and a zesty turmeric ginger dressing, it’s a flavorful, filling salad.
14. Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups
This lasagna roll-ups recipe creates a smaller batch, so you’ll be able to benefit from the comforting flavors of lasagna without having to search out house in your freezer for leftovers. They’re tacky, scrumptious, and excellent for a hearty vegetarian meal.
15. Salmon Taco Bowls
Emily Mariko’s TikTok page first launched me to salmon bowls years in the past, and since then, I’ve tried each variation, with this one being a standout. It options taco-seasoned salmon, savory sofrito rice, and a mixture of recent toppings that convey all of it collectively.
16. Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Vegetables
This recipe makes cooking a breeze by utilizing shelf-stable gnocchi that doesn’t require pre-cooking. Merely toss the gnocchi with veggies on a sheet pan, bake, and also you’re performed—straightforward, scrumptious, and minimal cleanup.
17. Sausage and Peppers
Sheet pan sausage and peppers is a real weeknight dinner hero that’s straightforward, wholesome, and versatile. Whereas this recipe allows you to modify the serving measurement to fit your wants (merely click on on the variety of servings and modify the slider accordingly), any leftovers are straightforward to reinvent into new meals. Strive it over rice or pasta or between a toasted bun for a tasty sandwich.
18. Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Rooster lettuce wraps are an everyday takeout order for me, however now that I understand how easy they’re to make at dwelling, I’ve put my DoorDash behavior on maintain. They’re good as both an appetizer or entrée, and whereas the default recipe serves 4, it’s straightforward to regulate the portion for simply two.
19. Ginger Bone Broth Noodle Bowl
I love a cozy soup year-round, but when spring allergy symptoms are dragging you down, this recipe is a real cure-all. Full of vitamins from the veggies and bone broth, it’s not solely soothing but in addition extremely flavorful.
20. Green Goddess Bowls
These inexperienced goddess bowls are so satisfying that even the adjusted servings may depart you wanting extra. The dressing is totally divine, and I make these bowls on repeat for a recent and wholesome meal.
21. Peanut Chicken Stir Fry
This peanut rooster stir fry recipe technically serves 4, however as a stir fry fan, I can vouch that it’s straightforward to devour multiple serving. You possibly can take pleasure in it by itself to handle any leftovers proper off the bat or pair it with rice or noodles for a good heartier meal.
22. Spicy Maple Glazed Salmon
This spicy maple glazed salmon is fast to make, taking simply 20 minutes with a handful of elements. It’s versatile sufficient to be loved in a bowl, on a salad, or with a facet of rice for a whole meal.
23. Strawberry and Mango Salsa Chicken
The brilliant, recent flavors of this dish may have you craving hotter climate. The lean rooster breasts paired with a candy, fruity salsa strike the right steadiness, and the recipe lets you simply modify it to serve simply two.
24. Vegetarian Pad Thai
This vegetarian pad thai is made with zoodles for a wholesome, fast dinner that’s prepared in solely 30 minutes. It’s bursting with flavorful, nutrient-dense elements that create a satisfying meal very quickly.
25. Tomato Boursin Pasta
This recipe is extremely straightforward, counting on store-bought Boursin cheese to create a deliciously creamy sauce, and when you style it, you’ll need to make it many times. The default serving measurement for this recipe is six, so make sure to modify it down to 2 to keep away from leftovers.
Air Fryer Recipes
In the event you haven’t experimented with an air fryer but, let this be your signal to lastly give it a attempt. Cooking with an air fryer is likely one of the best methods to make a fast, crispy, flavor-packed meal, with out drowning your meals in oil—or your sink in dishes. If you simply want an easy dinner for you and a associate, pal, canine, or whoever, simply toss rooster breasts or salmon fillets with somewhat olive oil and your favourite seasonings, pop them within the air fryer, and dinner is mainly served. You can too roast veggies, pork loin, or get tofu completely crispy in minutes. The cleanup is quick, the meals at all times delivers, and weeknight cooking on a busy This fall weeknight out of the blue feels manner much less nerve-racking. This little equipment is my favourite kitchen trick for a brilliant tasty meal that’s straightforward and easy. If I’ve formally satisfied you, too, listed below are some straightforward air fryer recipes to attempt:
- Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
- Crispy Rice Salad with Cucumbers and Herbs
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
- Air Fryer Mexican Shrimp
Dinner Planning
Planning weeknight dinners doesn’t need to be a headache—particularly when it’s only for two. Skip the large containers of leftovers that are likely to linger within the fridge and concentrate on a number of straightforward, versatile recipes which might be wholesome, satisfying, and prep-friendly for nightly meals. A bit of planning means much less meals waste, fewer last-minute grocery runs, and at all times having what you want for a recent, tasty dinner. Maintain a handful of go-to elements like grains and frozen greens on standby, and even the busiest of weeknights could make time for dinner really feel easy.
- Oven Roasted Autumn Medley
- Gnocchi with Sun Dried Tomatoes
- Sheet Pan Vegetable Dinner
- 5 Ingredient Sheet Pan Salmon
- BBQ Chicken Flatbread
Particular Events
Simply because it’s dinner for 2 doesn’t imply it might’t really feel particular. Whether or not it’s date evening, an anniversary, or only a cozy night in with a pal, elevating a easy meal with elements like balsamic vinegar, parmesan, or solar‑dried tomatoes could make your typical weeknight dinner one thing to have a good time. Assume creamy alfredo sauces, a scorching steak with hints of rosemary, or a strawberry French dressing to drizzle salmon. With the best recipe, even a small, easy dinner can really feel like a memorable event.
- Chicken Fetticini Alfredo
- Pan-Fried Garlic Butter Steak with Crispy Vegetables
- Baked Ziti with Roasted Vegetables
- Parmesan Cauliflower Steaks with Romesco Sauce
- Honey Glazed Salmon
Final-Minute Concepts
It’s nearly dinner, your abdomen is growling like a bear, and the fridge is staring again at you want, “I don’t know both.” That’s when last-minute dinner concepts can swoop in to save lots of the evening. And whereas it could be tempting to drag the fireplace alarm on this second and simply order take out (once more) retaining staples like pasta, eggs, and frozen veggies available could be the distinction between “dinner “and a dinner that’s truly doing one thing for you. When your kitchen retains with extra sustainable last-minute meals, tossing that previous field of spaghetti in a fast tacky sauce, scramble some eggs with no matter veggies you’ve bought, or throw collectively a skillet meal with no matter’s available is usually a extra satisfying fail secure.
- Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Pasta
- 30 Minute Beef and Broccoli
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- 5 Minute Vegan Burrito Bowl
- Easy Veggie Quesadillas
Need extra concepts for dinner? Test 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
Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content material for each side of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the matters of must-read books, motion pictures, dwelling excursions, journey itineraries—and every thing in between. When she isn’t testing the most recent TikTok pattern, she could be discovered scouring Goodreads for brand spanking new releases to function on the location.
Madigan Will, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Madigan writes and edits content material for each subject beneath the digital media solar. Because the oldest of 4 siblings, she enjoys using her huge sister persona to attach and encourage readers—serving to them uncover new methods to maximise their on a regular basis.
The submit 25 Easy Dinner Ideas for Two To Try if You Can’t Stand Leftovers appeared first on The Everygirl.
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