There’s no need to pound your head against a table trying to figure out where to go on a date. Stay home and whip up some of these simple yet sophisticated dishes. We promise your date will be impressed and more than willing to see you again.

Appetizers

Sweet Potato, Apple, Carrot, and Feta Salad

Photo by Jennifer Cao

Put away the spring mix blend. Here’s a salad fit for a date.

Burrata Caprese Toast

Photo by Max Bartick

Easy, colorful, and delicious. Trifecta. Recipe here.

Cheese Fondue

simple

Photo by Parisa Soraya

Make cheese fondue like this. Dipping suggestions include apples, chips, bread, or broccoli florets.

Tomatillo Salsa

simple

Photo by Alex Namba

If your date prefers chips and salsa, impress them with this easy recipe.

Cheesy Garlic Bread

simple

Photo by Luna Zhang

A step up from typical restaurant garlic bread. Recipe here.

Mini Baked Mozzarellas

Photo by Carlynn Crosby

A classy spin on pizza bites. Recipe here.

Side Dishes

Coriander-Roasted Carrots

simple

Photo by Charlotte Hull

Add some color to your meal with these carrots.

Pan-Roasted Asparagus

simple

Photo by Charlotte Hull

Everything’s fancier with a balsamic glaze. Bonus points if your date has never tried pomegranate seeds. Make it here.

Cauliflower Rice

simple

Photo by Kristine Mahan

Replace your traditional white rice with this low-carb substitute.

Easy String Beans

simple

Photo by Gabby Phi

Cooking vegetables doesn’t have to be boring or hard. Make them like this.

Main Courses

20-Minute Shrimp Scampi

Photo by Natsuko Mazany

If this won’t impress your date, what will? Recipe here.

Wild Rice and Veggie Stuffed Pepper

simple

Photo by Megan Prendergast

Who has time to make fancy stuffed peppers? You do.

Teriyaki Glazed Tuna Cake

simple

Photo by Lily Tang

Turn your canned tuna into a sophisticated dinner like this.

Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza

simple

Photo by Andrea Kang

All it takes is store-bought pizza dough and a little creativity. Make it like this.

Chili Lime Chicken Burgers

simple

Photo by Abigail Wilkins

Impress your date by making copycat Trader Joe’s Chili Lime Chicken Burgers with this recipe.

Aglio e Olio with a Fried Egg

simple

Photo by Daniel Schuleman

Not only is pasta easy, it’s versatile. And it looks fancy when you top it with a fried egg like this.

Maple Glazed Stuffed Squash

simple

Photo by Kendra Valkema

Although squash is seasonal, this recipe is still sure to please.

Lavender-Crusted Pork Chop

simple

Photo by Charlotte Hull

Your date won’t believe you pulled off these pork chops.

Ratatouille

simple

Photo by Smita Jain

Open a bottle of wine and enjoy ratatouille as you watch the movie.

Ram n’ Cheese

simple

Photo by Caroline Liu

Turn your two favorite college staples into one satisfying dinner like this.

Sushi

simple

Photo by Eva Chen

Who says you need to go out to get good sushi? Make it yourself with this recipe.

Easy Baked Salmon

Photo by Yonatan Soler

Low effort, high reward. Recipe here.

Mozzarella and Mushroom Grilled Cheese

Photo by Sabrina Yam

If your date prefers finger foods, this grilled cheese is a must.

Cheetos-Coated Italian Meatballs

simple

Photo by Nancy Gao

If you and your date like to keep it fun, crush up some Cheetos and serve them this recipe.

Seafood Spaghetti di Nero

simple

Photo by Katie Huang

A one-pot pasta with seafood. It doesn’t get any easier or fancier than this. Get the recipe here.

Dessert

2-Ingredient Nutella Braided Bread

simple

Photo by Eileen Wang

Nutella in a pastry? Winner. Recipe here.

Chocolate-Covered Rice Krispies Bites

simple

Photo by Anna Hirschorn

Keep it simple and classic with these Rice Krispies bites.

 

Hasselback Cinnamon Apples

Photo by Paige Rodgers

Tastes just like grandma’s apple pie, but takes less time to make. Recipe here.

No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie

simple

Photo by Jocelyn Hsu

Is your date’s favorite candy Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup? Here’s something even better.

Momofuku Milk Bar Crack Pie

simple

Photo by Max Faucher

A homemade version of a well-known favorite, this recipe is sure to keep your date full and fulfilled.

3-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse

Photo by Cat Taylor

A dessert for kings. Made with 3 ingredients in a blender? Heck yes. Recipe here.

Fancy Ice Cream Toppings

simple

Photo by Irene Kim

Turn a classic dessert into a masterpiece with these toppings.

Drinks

Pineapple-Basil Agua Fresca

simple

Photo by Katie Huang

Pretty and refreshing. Recipe here.

California Christmas

Photo by Kevin Del Orbe

Keep it classy without getting cliché with this mixed drink.

French Hot Chocolate

Photo by Natsuko Mazany

Make your date a cup of French hot chocolate. After all, French is the language of love.