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If you are trying to stick to a budget and live frugally, having a regular date night might feel out of reach financially. When you take into account getting a babysitter (if you have kids), plus a meal out and maybe even dessert, it can really add up.
Over the years my husband and I have found the joys of doing at-home date nights and cooking something in our kitchen. Not only is this MUCH cheaper than eating at a restaurant, but we can pick whatever we want, and then we get to eat it in our comfy clothes at home while streaming movie (here are some movie ideas!).
I’ve come up with 20 frugal date night meal ideas. Some are more complicated than others, but all of them feel “fancy” and will taste delicious. Pair these meals with a salad kit or some roasted veggies and grab ice cream for dessert.
20 Frugal Date Night Meal Ideas
Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp | Cafe Delites
Mushroom Risotto | Love and Lemons
Chicken and Sausage in Garlic Cream Sauce | Southern Savers
Pan Cooked Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce | Southern Savers
Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts | Well Plated
Garlic Butter Steak Bites | Jo Cooks
Lobster Scampi with Linguine | Cooking for Keeps
Lemon Asparagus Pasta with Grilled Chicken | Dinner at the Zoo
Ratatouille | Once Upon a Chef
Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Macaroni | Good Housekeeping
Pesto Grilled Chicken | Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms | Jo Cooks
Coq au Vin Blanc | Vikalinka
Beef Bourguignon | Cafe Delites
Steak au Poivre | Food and Wine
Mushroom Spinach Pasta with Shallots | Family Style Food
Pan-Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter | Once Upon a Chef
One Pot Roasted Red Pepper Pasta | Budget Bytes
Lemon Herb Roast Chicken | Minimalist Baker
Dijon Mustard Pork Chops | So Fab Food