20 Cozy Dinners That Serve Two And Are Worth Making Weekly

No mathematical equations required.

By
Theodora Kaloudis
Theodora Kaloudis
Theodora Kaloudis
Theodora's passion for cooking began early on as a young girl, working in the kitchen at her father's Greek diner in Brooklyn, NY. Her recipes have appeared on Delish, Spruce Eats, Today.com, Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon, Dinnerly, Simply Recipes, and in various cookbooks.
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Published December 02, 2025
Theodora Kaloudis
A pan of chicken scampi with pasta and herbs garnish
Aaron Hutcherson

Finding recipes for two servings can be a challenge. It often requires scaling down a larger recipe, but who has time for math when you’re just trying to get dinner on the table? Ditch the calculator, and feast your eyes on this handpicked collection of recipes perfect for a pair.

You’ll find a majority of complete meals, and for those where you may want a side, we’ve included pairings that will complement your meal. With simple and satisfying recipes like Loaf Pan Lasagna, Broccoli Cheddar Creamy Beans, and Quick Chicken Pho, you’ll find plenty of delicious options to choose from.

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  • Quick Chicken Pho

    Quick Chicken Pho
    Emma Christensen

    “This recipe is a great introduction to pho, if you've never had it before. And for pho addicts like myself, it's a good one to have around when a craving strikes.” —Emma Christensen, former General Manager

  • Cheesy Baked Tacos

    Bowl of cheesy baked tacos on a plate topped with sour cream and cilantro at a table setting with a bowl of lime wedges and shredded lettuce, bowl of sour cream, bowl of salsa, bowl of salsa, and a bunch of cilantro

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    “These were perfect for two people. I will be making these often.” —Annie, Reader

  • 15-Minute Dumplings with Peanut-Chili Sauce

    Dumplings on a plate topped with peanutchili sauce and garnished with sesame seeds and herbs with a hand pouring chili oil from a spoon

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    “This quick and easy, five-ingredient dumpling dish comes together in just 15 minutes. This recipe may be short and sweet, but it does not compromise on flavor and color. It’s as beautiful as it is delicious” —Frank Tiu, Recipe Developer

  • Chicken Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta

    A skillet containing pasta with chicken slices and parsley garnish
    Aaron Hutcherson

    “This recipe is all about the sauce and the pasta. If you'd like more protein or fresh vegetables in your meal, increase the amount of chicken or throw in whatever veggies you have in the fridge.” —Aaron Hutcherson, Recipe Developer


    Continue to 5 of 21 below

  • Cauliflower Rice Bowl with Garlic Shrimp

    Plates of shrimp served with quinoa and avocado slices
    Sally Vargas | Art Banner Credit: Elena Resko

    “Cauliflower rice has become a popular replacement for grains for people who have allergies, or who just want to lower their starchy grain intake. You can either buy it already riced in the frozen foods section or make it yourself.” —Sally Vargas, Recipe Developer

  • Loaf Pan Lasagna

    Horizontal view of white plate with slice of small batch lasagna and garnished with chopped parsley. A partial view of the baked lasagna in the glass pan is to the right of the plate. Above the plate to the left is a small bowl of lettuce and a tumbler. A fork is on the left of the plate.
    Sally Vargas | Banner Art Credit: Elena Resko

    “You can make this lasagna in half the time of a big batch, making it weeknight-friendly. Downsizing to a loaf pan gives you just enough for two with minimal leftovers and easier cleanup.” —Sally Vargas, Recipe Developer

  • Smoked Salmon Pasta

    A dish of spaghetti pasta with pieces of smoked salmon and herbs in a scalloped bowl
    Elise Bauer

    “What I love about this recipe, other than the ingredients (smoked salmon, pine nuts, yum!), is that it can be pulled together so quickly. And it's not particularly heavy, as so many cream sauce pastas can be.” —Elise Bauer, Founder

  • Veggie Tacos

    Overhead view of three vegan tacos with vegetables visible in the tacos.
    Sally Vargas

    “Make a big batch of veggies ahead of time, and reheat them in a skillet or microwave for quick meals throughout the week.” —Elise Bauer, Founder

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  • Pasta with Tuna and Capers in White Wine Sauce

    Pasta with Tuna and Capers in White Wine Sauce

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    “My husband and I LOVE this recipe! I almost always have all of the ingredients on hand, it's quick and easy, and quite delicious and very satisfying.” —Karen P, Reader

  • Stracciatella alla Romana

    Italian Egg Drop Soup
    Elise Bauer

    “To make a bowl of Stracciatella into a full meal, serve it with garlic bread and a salad, which are both quick to make, just like the soup. You can also serve it as a side to Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.” —Simply Recipes Editors

  • Chicken Carbonara

    Chicken carbonara

    Alison Bickel / Simply Recipes

    A great recipe all on its own, you can also serve this decadent pasta with super simple sides like sautéed spinach, roasted veggies, or a crisp green salad.

  • Chinese Tomato Egg Stir Fry

    a plate of Chinese tomato egg

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    “Chinese tomato egg is commonly served with a bowl of jasmine rice. The saucy tomatoes will infuse and permeate through the grains, making each bite of rice exciting.” —Frank Tiu, Recipe Developer

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  • Broccoli Cheddar Creamy Beans

    Overhead view of a stoneware bowl of Broccoli Cheddar Creamy Beans next to a spoon and all on a white background

    Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

    “You just need five ingredients (plus a little oil) and 15 minutes to make this dish from start to finish. You’ve got protein from the beans and cheese, and a nice dose of vegetables from the broccoli. Eat it as-is or pair it with a little crusty bread, and dinner is done in record time.” —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • Broccoli Pesto Pasta

    A bowl of pasta coated with pesto garnished with grated cheese with wooden utensils placed on top

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser

    “This recipe is so quick and easy to make! It comes together in under 20 minutes. And if you don’t have time to prep a side dish or don’t feel like making one, it packs plenty of veggies into one dish.” —Jeanine Donofrio, Recipe Developer

  • Dumpling Bake

    close up of Dumpling Bake With Peanut Butter Sauce

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    “I made this recipe even simpler and more accessible with just five ingredients (plus an optional garnish). Instead of curry paste, the sauce is based on something almost everyone has in their pantry: peanut butter. When mixed with water, soy sauce, and chile oil, it makes a spicy, savory, and nutty sauce for the dumplings” —Devan Grimsrud, Recipe Developer

  • Classic Patty Melt

    A patty melt with melted cheese and ground beef served with potato chips and pickles on a green plate

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Nico Schinco / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne

    “I like to serve the patty melt with bright, acidic, or vinegar-based side dishes because it’s such a rich sandwich. Try pickles, pickled vegetables, Greek salad, green bean salad, or maybe an olive salad.” —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

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  • Midnight Pasta

    bowl of midnight pasta at a table with a drink, a table napkin, and utensils

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    “Perfect as is. Just add a loaf of good bread and a simple romaine salad for a fantastic dinner.” —Christocc, Reader

  • Shrimp Risotto

    Plate of Shrimp Risotto

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    “I made your Shrimp Risotto last night for dinner, and it was simple and delicious!! Thanks for another great recipe! I am now completely over my fear of making risotto.” —Julie, Reader

  • Angel Hair Pasta with Clams, Cherry Tomatoes, and Basil

    Angel Hair Pasta with Clams and Cherry Tomatoes
    Elise Bauer

    “I made the pasta for dinner last night, and it was a total hit! It's easy to prepare, and my husband even praised me for the delicious pasta thanks to your recipe.” —Lindsay E, Reader

  • Easy Pork Bánh Mì

    Easy Pork Bánh Mì Surrounded by Slices of Cucumbers and Jalapenos and a Bowl of Mayo

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    “I recommend assembling the sandwich the morning of the day you plan to serve it, but not earlier because the fridge dries out and hardens the bread. You can prep all the ingredients ahead of time—keep the dồ chua, cooked pork, sliced jalapeños, and cilantro in the fridge for a couple of days. Assemble the sandwich when you’re ready to serve it!” —Cecilia Hae-Jin Lee, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 21 of 21 below

  • Creamy Cavatappi

    Bowl of Creamy Cavatappi Topped With Shredded Parmesan Next to a Small Bowl With Blocks of Parmesan and Two Forks, All on an Olive Green Kitchen Linen

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    “I often serve creamy cavatappi with a tossed green salad, and we’re ready to eat in under 30 minutes. Win! Other winning accompaniments include roasted broccoli or Broccolini, roasted asparagus, grilled chicken breasts, sautéed shrimp, and more.” —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

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