18 Easy and Light Dinners For Two

One of the hardest things about adulthood that no one tells you about is figuring out what to make for dinner every night. How did our parents do it?

But even though, our parents were feeding a family – which is what recipes are tailored to. Yeah, you can half the recipe you’re using, but who really does that?

Or if you’re like me, you have immigrant grandparents whose recipes don’t really exist. I remember asking my grandmother once for a measurement and she told me a cup. She didn’t mean the actual cup measurement, she showed me the cup she sues for measures… which was not the same size as a cup.

Basically, cooking isn’t always easy. Following a recipe isn’t always easy. Cooking for just two people isn’t always easy. But it can be a ton of fun to try!

Here are some easy light dinners for two you should try out. Try them by yourself or grab your boo (or bestie!) and turn it into a fun date night activity. And if you do still end up with too much, hey, you have leftovers for the next day!

18 Easy and Light Dinners For Two

Pesto-Prosciutto Flatbread

If you have more time (and patience) you can make your own dough. But for a quick, easy, and fairly inexpensive dinner option, grab the store-bought dough. It’s full of Mediterranean flavors as it’s topped with tomato pesto, provolone chees, prosciutto, and arugula.

Penne With Roasted Tomatoes, Garlic, and White Beans

Pasta and canned beans are so inexpensive, and cook pretty quickly. You may even already have them in your pantry. Put them together, add some tomatoes, garlic, and parmesan cheese, and you have a delicious meal.

Steak Quesadillas

You can really make quesadillas as you want, but TikToker alyssarayelee shared a quick 45 second video on how she makes the “easiest, most delicious quesadillas.” She uses steak that’s already cut into strips and throws in green chilis, too.

Shrimp ‘n’ Scallops Tropical Salad

Of course, salads are the go-to when it comes to healthy, easy, and quick meals. But that doesn’t mean your salad needs to slack in favor! This combo of salad, grilled veggies, and topped with macadamia nuts and a fruity salad dressing will give your tastebuds a fresh taste.

Chicken Sausage And Brussel Sprouts

TikToker taylor_rebholz shared a super easy meal – all you need is three ingredients and 20 minutes. It’s chicken sausage, brussel sprouts, and some sweet potato gnocchi (that she got from the freezer section of Trader Joes!).

Chicken Enchilada Rice Bake

It sounds intimidating but it’s really not. just pick yourself up a Rotisserie chicken, some corn tortillas, Mexican cheese blend, taco or fajita seasoning, long-grain white rice and then whatever toppings you like, like onions, garlic, tomatoes, cilantro, etc.

Spaghetti And Meatballs

It’s a classic for a reason. You can make as much – or as little – of it as you want. TikToker georgiaisaak shared her super easy, and quick, recipe for meatballs. Pair it with some spaghetti and you have a delicious meal!

Grilled Jerk Shrimp Orzo Salad

Feel like you’re in the Caribbean even when you’re not! Even if you don’t like the heat that Caribbean jerk seasoning brings, you can skip it, and the pasta salad will still be delicious… and easy to make.

Pork Fried Rice

If pork isn’t your thing, you can easily sub the boneless pork loin chop that this recipe calls for with shrimp or chicken. It takes only 25 minutes to make and the recipe creator says it tastes “just like at a restaurant!”

Baked Tacos

TikToker brookevestrand shares that her recipe is loosely based on Half Baked Harvest’s recipe, but says hers is even easier. All you need is ground beef, taco seasoning, zucchini, tortillas, and cheese.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Potatoes Bake

TikToker cookinginthemidwest does suggest you use an air fryer for this, but commenters who have tried said they bake the potatoes in the over for 30 minutes at 425 degrees and it still comes out delicious. So, whether or not you have an air fryer, you can enjoy this meal and it still won’t take super long! With an air fryer, it should take 30 minutes total.

Ground Beef Taco Salad

So you don’t really want tacos… but you kind of do. Go for a taco salad. This ground beef taco salad only takes 25 minutes to make. Adding in the corn chips is totally optional (but why wouldn’t you?!)

Garlic Orzo Chicken Skillet

TikToker busymommayummyrecipes shares a ton of recipes that take only 5 ingredients, cost under 10 dollars, and take less than 30 minutes to make. In this delicious recipe, she used orzo, chicken broth, pre-marinated chicken thighs (but she says you can use any seasoning you like), garlic, and some frozen vegetables she already had in her freezer.

Tomato And Avocado Sandwiches

Why can’t you have sandwiches for dinner? It’s so quick and easy… and delicious. Think of it like your morning avocado toast, but heartier. Pair it with some chips too, which we know you weren’t eating in the morning!

Creamy Chicken Pasta

TikToker kimberlys_journey calls this one of her “go-to meals” when she wants something quick. All you need for the sauce is an onion, herbs, chicken stock, cream cheese, light cream, and garlic.

Tomato Basil Salmon

Salmon sounds intimidating to cook, but it’s really not. It doesn’t take that long, either, as it only takes a half hour to make. You can eat it on its own or serve it over some rice.

BLT Skillet

Love BLTs but not feeling like having a sandwich for dinner? This BLT skilled will hit the spot. Think of all the goodies that are in the sandwich mixed with linguine (or a pasta of your choice).

Taco Cups

TikToker jmdorriety says this recipe is fantastic for picky eaters. She uses wonton wrappers in a muffin tin rather than having people create their own – and let’s be honesty messy – tacos. It takes only 14 minutes to bake, and you can then top it with whatever – sour cream, guac, cheese, etc.

These easy and light dinners for two are quick to make and give you lots of variety in your meals! You don’t have to be a professional chef to learn how to prepare delicious tasting meals. Yum!

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