Cooking for Two? Make These 5 Easy Dinners | Allrecipes
Need easy dinner ideas for two? In this video, Nicole shares five easy small-batch dinners that are perfectly portioned for two people—whether you’re planning a cozy date night, cooking for yourself and a partner, or simply want delicious meals without a week of leftovers. From comforting classics to quick skillet favorites, these recipes are packed with flavor, simple to make, and ideal for any night of the week.
Nicole walks you through step-by-step recipes including tender Loaf Pan Short Ribs, spicy Thai Basil Chicken, Salmon Fillets with Creamy Spinach, a hearty Mediterranean Sausage and White Bean Skillet, and rich, Creamy Garlic Pasta with Chicken. Each recipe uses simple ingredients, comes together with minimal fuss, and is designed to deliver satisfying dinners without wasting food. Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal or something special for two, these recipes are sure to become repeat favorites.
Timestamps:
0:00 – 5 Easy Dinners for Two
0:12 – Loaf Pan Short Ribs
4:02 – Spicy Thai Basil Chicken
7:46 – Salmon Fillets with Creamy Spinach
11:23 – Mediterranean Sausage and White Bean Skillet
14:40 – Creamy Garlic Pasta with Chicken
Get the recipes here:
Loaf Pan Short Ribs: https://www.allrecipes.com/loaf-pan-short-ribs-for-2-recipe-11946792
Spicy Thai Basil Chicken: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/257938/spicy-thai-basil-chicken-pad-krapow-gai/
Salmon Fillets with Creamy Spinach: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/284296/salmon-fillets-with-spinach-for-two/
Mediterranean Sausage and White Bean Skillet: https://www.allrecipes.com/mediterranean-sausage-and-white-bean-skillet-recipe-12013359
Creamy Garlic Pasta with Chicken: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/269500/creamy-garlic-pasta/
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49 Comments
Thank you for making small batch dishes!! People with small families are told to – just freeze the extra food. Problem is, some people don’t have freezer space or they don’t want to eat the same meal on repeat. This is great!!
Please do small batch desserts sometime- that would be awesome!
Thank you Nicole!!
You're so cute
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You can buy half length spaghetti noodles. That's my hack 😉
I would love more meals for 1 or 2. Making a great pot of chili for 2 is a challenge for me. I always make more than I need
I am not much of a cook but you give me such good simple meals that I can make for one or two. Only cooking demos I even watch.
Please keep up this kind of content. We need more dinners for two, Nicole!!
Genius Nicole. It's just me & hubs. It's great to have leftovers for lunch but a 9×13 casserole is frustrating on so many different levels for us. l ♥ the short rib recipe! Great ideas all the way around. More please!! I watch you all the time, and you always bring a smile to my face, never mind making me chuckle. Thanks Nicole!
Love small batch cooking. It may be no leftovers for some but for me it’s perfect for another days meal. ❤
Awesome as always. Thank you. We’ll count the bottle of wine as the cocktail.
Yes, more small batch recipes please!
OMG your episode about chicken wings: the recipe where you used the bbq sauce teriyaki sauce and soy sauce was one of the best things I’ve ever made, and so easy😊
More 2 people dinners ❤
I buy the tomato paste in a tube. You squeeze out what you need and keep the rest in the fridge. It lasts longer.
Would love more recipes for 2! Also, I live your beige and white pots and pans. What is the make and do you recommend them? I see that use use stainless steel frying pans instead sometimes. Is that a preference or does it matter if you use the beige and white frying pans instead sometimes instead?
Iove your recipes and have a file just for you. Blessings 😊
Love love love this episode!! I live alone, will cook for 2 and have a dinner for the next night too!🙌
YEEEEESSSSS, more recipes like these for two empty nesters! I always have too much leftover 😕! Thank you, Nicole!
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what a healthy and delicious recipe!😍
I have done loaf pan lasagna.
7/16/26
Yum to all of these dinners for 2, or in my case, 2nd helpings!😊
I’ll be saving the short rib recipe for fall/winter.😮
‘Cause running my oven for 3 hours @ 300 F aint gonna happen in this 90+ degree heat, humidity, & extreme bad air quality warnings.🥵
Empty Nesters for 10 years and still trying to figure out how to not make so much food. Thank you!
I wish they were not so expensive in Alberta. I can’t afford them anymore
Love this hun 🙂
These recipes are great, but why don't people just scale recipes down? Why can't they just cut a recipe they love in half?
OMG! Linda! Yes! 😂😂😂❤❤❤
For 1 or 2!
FANTASTIC! It's just me and my 98 year old dad who doesn't eat much so one portion is too small and four is way too much. More More More small dinners!
Love it. I like to make 2 or 3 eat one and freeze 2 for a week or 2 later just reheat and no work. Viola. Great to make the coolest dishes that can be ready as a reheat a week later.
And still no apron… I’m so impressed!
Careful making a few of this recipes. A lot fo the ingredients are on the no no parasite list.
The little cans of tomato paste are far less expensive, and what you do with them is throw them in the freezer, smooshed flat in a sandwich bag, and break off what you need.
I wrongly assumed Allrecipes meant home cooking from scratch. Not seeing any video where she cooks from actual recipes, only making convenience foods from ready made, canned convenience foods.
What can you substitute the oyster sauce with for people that have a shell fish allergy?
Yes, please! My husband and I need more recipes like this. Thank you, Chef Nicole!
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Thank you! I thought of you last night when I made zucchini, shallots and snap peas, w/ homegrown tomato and lemon, thyme and basil, with rice and chicken, chicken bouillon and Parmesan, I cleaned out the fridge yes but it was enough to feed us for 2 days, 4 meals.
Always amazing, Nicole
“Everybody’s gonna say you should eat the skin… I don’t want to today, Linda.”😄WHO IS LINDA
You are just fantastic. Another set of winning recipes for sure!
Love your cute top!
Dinner for two: Makes four servings.
Aw, come on!
I prefer it with Thai basil over sweet basil. Yummy either way though! 😋
Yes, please! Would love to see more recipes for 2.
These are super. I can’t wait to add them to the rotation. More like these please cheers!
I would love to see more meals for 2.
Yes Please – more recipes for 2 or even 1!
I love your cooking tutorials and hacks. The most warm sultry voice too!