17 Fun Friday Night Dinners to Start Your Weekend
Friday nights at my house go one of two ways. Either I’m completely exhausted and someone else has to cook or we’re getting takeout. Or, I want a fun cooking project that feels more special than a quick and easy weeknight dinner. We have both options – some simple favorites and some more special restaurant-worthy meals as well so you can choose what mood you’re in!
Shrimp Linguine
You are going to love this shrimp linguine recipe! It’s perfect for a special dinner at home, but fast enough to make for a delicious weeknight dinner as well. It starts with a base of chewy linguine that is topped with buttery garlic shrimp and finished with crunchy breadcrumbs for big-time flavor and texture in each bite.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Linguine Recip.
Marry Me Chicken Meatballs
These Marry Me chicken meatballs always deliver drool-worthy flavors in each bite. With a rich sun-dried tomato sauce, this dish is ready in 35 minutes for a classic Italian dinner that is so delicious!
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Meatballs.
Chimichurri Herb Butter for Steak
Want to take your steak to the next level? Add a pat of this chimichurri steak butter right after it’s done cooking for fresh, bright, and rich flavors that will enhance your steak for a restaurant-quality meal.
Get the Recipe: Chimichurri Herb Butter for Steak.
Healthy Orange Chicken
This orange chicken is a flavorful and takeout-inspired meal. Bright citrus flavor and a tangy sauce make this chicken dinner a meal that everyone will enjoy and ask to have again and again. It’s ready in just 30 minutes, made with everyday ingredients, and contains all the components I look for in a healthy meal – protein, produce, carbs, and flavor!
Get the Recipe: Orange Chicken.
Creamy Lobster Risotto
Want to go a bit fancy? This easy lobster risotto recipe has rich lobster flavor, chunks of lobster tails, and perfectly cooked arborio rice for a dreamy date night meal that you are sure to fall in love with. Serve it with an easy veggie side and a glass of wine (or NA wine) for a special meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Lobster Risotto.
Garlic Butter Scallop Pasta
This scallop pasta is perfect for date night or a special dinner at home. Think chewy, al dente linguine, tender, and sweet bay scallops, a simple garlic butter sauce, and a crunchy bread crumb and pine nut topping. It’s a great recipe for more affordable bay scallops.
Get the Recipe: Scallop Pasta Recipe.
Chicken Lo Mein
Save time and money with this homemade chicken lo mein. Tender noodles are tossed with flavorful chicken, plenty of veggies, and a flavorful sauce. It’s sure to become a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Lo Mein .
Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese
This sheet pan meal comes together with Caprese classics like tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese. Add sides like corn and asparagus alongside for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese.
Wild Mushroom Risotto
Wild mushroom risotto is a great date night meal that just so happens to be vegetarian. It has a rich, savory, and earthy flavor with a creamy texture that you are going to love! Don’t skimp on the mushroom broth, it’s key to the rich flavor.
Get the Recipe: Wild Mushroom Risotto.
Pizza Chicken Bake
Your family is going to love this mash-up meal. We’re giving chicken breasts the pizza treatment with layers of sauce, cheese, and pepperoni! Serve with a green or Italian salad on the side.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Chicken Bake.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo
This creamy Tuscan chicken orzo makes an incredible one-pot meal with major flavor you’d expect from a restaurant. Everything comes together in about 45 minutes, making it surprisingly quick and easy. Serve with some crusty bread or garlic bread to ensure you don’t let any of that sauce go to waste.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo.
Herb-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Polenta
This simple no-fuss dinner can be served any night of the week, but it’s also perfect for serving on special weekend nights or special occasions. Just look at it! Juicy pork tenderloin is served on a bed of creamy polenta alongside garlic-roasted cherry tomatoes for a deliciously flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: Herb-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Polenta.
Lemon Baked Halibut Recipe
This mouthwatering baked halibut recipe will make you feel like a pro chef! Halibut is known for its delicate flavor and flaky texture, so we’re keeping the preparation really simple to let those natural flavors shine. Serve with a simple veggie and a carb for special occasions – no matter how you serve it, you’ll have a meal that is nutritious, delicious, and restaurant-quality.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Baked Halibut Recipe.
Chicken Teriyaki Foil Packets
Make these easy foil-pack meals for the weekend nights when you need something simple. This recipe uses chicken and plenty of veggies for a complete meal, all wrapped up and ready to go. You can bake them or cook them over the grill, and you will have very little cleanup after dinner!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Teriyaki Foil Packets.
Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
This classic cracker-crusted chicken casserole is perfect for dinner any night of the week. With a crunchy buttery crust on top of creamy chicken, this dish needs only 35 minutes from start to finish and it’s always a crowd-pleaser. Serve with a green salad on the side.
Get the Recipe: Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole.
Reverse Sear New York Strip Steak
If you are looking for an irresistible steak to serve for a date night at home this is the recipe for you. This method is completely fool-proof and leaves you with a delicious juicy steak with perfectly charred edges every single time. Don’t forget to top it with steak butter!
Get the Recipe: Reverse Sear New York Strip Steak.
Lemon Risotto
Lemon risotto makes such a great at-home date dinner. It is creamy, bright, and completely delicious. While it feels like a fancy dish to savor, it is so easy to make. Serve with seafood or a veggie side dish.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Risotto.
