30 summer date night dinners you can make in under an hour

Sunshine on a plate

Brimming with fresh, seasonal produce, these easy dinners are all on the table in under an hour, meaning that you can spend less time cooking – and more time with someone you love. Whether you're looking for barbecue inspiration, healthy main-meal salads, speedy pasta dishes, or a new spin on chicken, take a look at our brilliant collection of tasty dinners for two.

Click or scroll our gallery to discover the tastiest date night recipes you can whip up in less than an hour.

Smoked mackerel and lentil salad

It's always worth having a tin of smoked mackerel in the pantry – and this high protein salad, packed with fresh herbs and lemon, is the perfect way to use it. There's an easy mustard vinaigrette to make, and if you're low on time, you can make the recipe even speedier by using a pouch of pre-cooked lentils. The only accompaniment you'll need is some crusty bread for mopping up the juices.

Get the recipe for smoked mackerel and lentil salad here

Sweet potato, feta, and red onion frittata

This fancy omelet has a wonderful balance of flavors – caramelized onions add a lovely sweetness, while feta cheese supplies a hint of saltiness (though you could swap it for goats' cheese, if you prefer). Top tip: take care not to overcook the eggs, or they'll become rubbery and dry. This summery dish is perfect served with a crisp green salad, preferably outdoors. Make the full quantity, chill the leftovers, and tomorrow's lunch is sorted! 

Get the recipe for sweet potato, feta, and red onion frittata here

Spicy chicken gyros

Fragrant herbs, fresh lemon, yogurt-marinated chicken with a hint of chili... this simple gyros recipe ticks all the tasty, healthy boxes. It's not hard to make, either; served with a fresh tomato salsa and minty tzatziki, there's just a bit of chopping to do. Either halve the recipe to make enough for two, or marinate the full quantity of chicken and keep it in the refrigerator for another meal.

Get the recipe for spicy chicken gyros here

Jamaican pepper shrimp

On the table in 20 minutes, this juicy shrimp dish come complete with a spicy, buttery sauce, made with Scotch bonnet chilies. (These chilies are fiery hot, so proceed with caution.) Grilling the shrimp on the barbecue adds a delicious smoky flavor – but if the weather isn't playing ball, you can also cook them on the hob. For an easy, healthy summer meal, simply serve with rice and a green salad.

Get the recipe for Jamaican pepper shrimp here

Lamb chops with mint salsa

Lamb and mint is a winning formula, and this speedy take on the classic combo makes the perfect summer supper. Here, warm new potatoes are tossed in a mint, lemon, and mild mustard salsa, and served with crisp lamb cutlets and watercress. Feel free to tailor the recipe how you like; the lamb can be grilled or cooked on the barbecue, and you can replace the watercress with arugula if you prefer. Halve the recipe for two tasty portions.

Get the recipe for lamb chops with mint salsa here

Vietnamese drenched cold noodles

This easy noodle salad is aromatic, spicy, punchy, and fragrant – a real taste sensation, ready in minutes. Everything is tossed in a hot garlic and shallot oil, which brings all the flavors together. It's a vegetarian recipe, but you can add cooked shrimp or chicken if you like.

Get the recipe for Vietnamese drenched cold noodles here

Shrimp, pea, and zucchini risotto

For a speedy midweek meal with little fuss, you can't beat a good risotto – and this recipe just screams summer. Packed with fresh herbs, green vegetables, and juicy shrimp, as well as a tempting garlic and herb butter, it's on the table in just 35 minutes. Simply halve the recipe to serve two hungry people.

Get the recipe for shrimp, pea, and zucchini risotto here

Pan-fried gnocchi with chicken, porcini, and blue cheese

Everyone loves an easy one-pan dish, and when the weather's warm, this recipe – which can be halved to serve two – is a real winner. Blue cheese and mushrooms provide plenty of savory, umami flavor, while spinach and mini red capsicum bring a pop of color and sweetness. Frying the gnocchi makes the dish pleasantly crispy. 

Get the recipe for pan-fried gnocchi with chicken, porcini, and blue cheese here

Salade Niçoise

Even if you're not going on holiday this summer, you can transport your taste buds to the South of France with this vibrant salad. The key is to hunt down the best ingredients – high-quality tuna in olive oil, ripe tomatoes, and top-notch olives. Apart from boiling a few eggs, it's simply a question of slicing up the ingredients, et voilà: dinner in 20 minutes! Just halve the recipe for two.

Get the recipe for salade Niçoise here

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Ginger and preserved lemon crab spaghetti

It may sound fancy, but this lovely dish is a doddle to pull together – just halve the recipe to serve two. Crab is at its best in summer, and here it's combined with lemon, ginger, and a hint of chili in a creamy sauce. New to preserved lemons? You'll find them in jars at good delis and grocery stores. Use only the peel, and discard the flesh and pips inside. 

Get the recipe for ginger and preserved lemon crab spaghetti here

Herb and hazelnut crusted chicken

Think of this as an upmarket version of a chicken schnitzel (or, if you fancy it, you could substitute the chicken for pork or turkey). Here, the breadcrumb coating is flavored with fresh herbs, lemon, and Parmesan for extra wow factor. It works perfectly in an air fryer too (just air-fry for 10 minutes at 350°F). Serve with steamed new potatoes, and salad or green beans.

Get the recipe for herb and hazelnut crusted chicken here

Green shakshuka

Shakshuka is usually an egg dish – but here's a vegan version, bursting with healthy vegetables and fresh flavors. In our recipe, garlicky cannellini beans are sautéed with spinach, leeks, peas, and fresh herbs, then topped with sliced avocado, herbs, and yogurt. Add some crusty bread to serve, and it's on the table in just 30 minutes. 

Get the recipe for green shakshuka here

Tuna and olive stuffed peppers

Transform the humble tin of tuna at the back of your pantry by adding it to this easy, tasty dish. Here, sweet red capsicum are stuffed with herbs, black olives, anchovies, and tuna for a real hit of sun-soaked Mediterranean flavor – with a healthy drizzle of fruity extra virgin olive oil on top. Add some toasted sourdough and a salad for a truly special summer meal.

Get the recipe for tuna and olive stuffed peppers here

Salmon quinoa salad

This Asian-inspired salad packs a tasty punch that perfectly counters the richness of the hot-smoked salmon. The dressing is delicious and so simple to make: just combine horseradish cream and coconut milk. If you like, you can make life even easier by using a pouch of pre-cooked quinoa. Not a cilantro fan? Use a combination of chives and mint instead.

Get the recipe for salmon quinoa salad here

Tomato, Gouda, and pesto tart

Why not make the most of juicy, tasty, in-season tomatoes with this easy tart? It's made with ready-rolled puff pastry, so minimal effort is required – and with fresh basil pesto and slices of melting cheese, it makes a vibrant summer dinner. Either halve the recipe to serve two, or make the whole tart and save the leftovers for tomorrow's lunch.

Get the recipe for tomato, Gouda, and pesto tart here

Taiwanese three-cup chicken

So-called because the traditional recipe uses equal quantities of rice wine, sesame oil, and soy sauce, this speedy stir-fry will quickly become a midweek favorite. Simply fry up some ginger, garlic, and red chili in a wok, add some cubed chicken thighs, and toss in the rest of the ingredients for a 15-minute dish that's sweet, sour, and spicy. 

Get the recipe for Taiwanese three-cup chicken here

Grilled peaches with tomato, feta, and basil

This salad really is sunshine on a plate. Grilling peaches on a barbecue caramelizes the fruit's natural sugars, and adds a pleasant, smoky flavor – plus, the salty feta contrasts perfectly with the sweetness of the peaches and tomatoes. Add in some fresh basil and a quick vinaigrette dressing, and it's ready in 20 minutes. The recipe serves four as a starter, but is a main course salad for two.

Get the recipe for grilled peaches with tomato, feta, and basil here

Salmon and avocado crêpes

Savory crêpes make a quick and healthy dinner, packed with goodness. Want to get ahead? You can make the pancake batter the day before, then leave it in the refrigerator. Topped with smoked salmon, avocado, thick yogurt, and spinach, these light bites make the perfect summer meal.

Get the recipe for salmon and avocado crêpes here

Zucchini, pea, and fava bean tortilla

This filling Spanish omelet makes the most of in-season vegetables, with summer potatoes providing plenty of carby goodness, and fresh mint adding a little zing. If you don't have time for a trip to the store, you can use frozen vegetables instead. Make the whole dish, and you'll have an extra meal for brunch or lunch the following day.

Get the recipe for zucchini, pea, and fava bean tortilla here

Porchetta-style pork kebabs with white beans

Real Italian porchetta is a large joint of pork that's rolled and stuffed with herbs. In this simple take on the recipe, pork tenderloin is the star of the show, seasoned with fresh rosemary, garlic, and thyme. Everything is cooked on the barbecue, meaning that the lemony beans catch the meat juices for an extra boost of flavor. Just halve the recipe to make enough for two.

Get the recipe for porchetta-style pork kebabs with white beans here

Easy chicken biryani

This may be a quicker, simpler version of a curry house favorite, but that doesn't mean it skimps on flavor. Soaking the rice reduces the cooking time, and the chicken is cut into small pieces, rather than using large joints. It's ready in just 45 minutes, and it's easily halved to serve two.

Get the recipe for easy chicken biryani here

Watermelon, charred feta, and bread salad

Salty feta and black olives contrast perfectly with sweet watermelon in this Mediterranean salad. Sourdough croutons add a little crunch – bake them in an air fryer for four minutes, shaking halfway through, for speed. With a good glug of olive oil and plenty of fresh mint, this is an easy, sunny recipe that can be halved to serve two.

Get the recipe for watermelon, charred feta, and bread salad here

Vietnamese chicken salad

Brimming with vibrant herbs, a punchy dressing, crunchy vegetables, and peanuts, this fresh, clean salad is a riot of flavors and textures – and with no tricky, hard-to-find ingredients, it's on the table in just 25 minutes. When the weather's warm, it's the perfect dish to tuck into al fresco with a chilled glass of white wine. Just halve the recipe for two tasty portions.

Get the recipe for Vietnamese chicken salad here

Grilled tuna steak with vegetable vinaigrette

Fire up the grill for this flavor-packed, healthy dinner. Fresh fish needs little embellishment, but the chargrilled vegetables, dressed with olive oil, sherry vinegar, fresh herbs, and a hint of chili, make a splendid side. Prepare the full quantity of vegetables, as they're also great the next day with grilled halloumi or chicken – if you have any leftover, that is!

Get the recipe for grilled tuna steak with vegetable vinaigrette here

Salmon, zucchini, and lemon kebabs

In this simple summer recipe, chunks of juicy salmon and zucchini are threaded onto skewers and grilled in minutes, alongside slices of lemon – which, when chargrilled, unleash a burst of citrussy flavor. The kebabs are served with a herby yogurt, but you can add some new potatoes and a fresh green salad for a balanced meal. You'll need to halve the recipe for two.

Get the recipe for salmon, zucchini, and lemon kebabs here

Smoked mackerel, orange, and beetroot salad

Smoked mackerel is the perfect ingredient for a speedy meal. In this easy recipe – which can be halved to serve two – it's combined with orange and beetroot, which cut through its richness, with the juice from the oranges used as a dressing. If you like, you can use cooked beetroot to save time. Warm slices of potato make it a really filling meal. 

Get the recipe for smoked mackerel, orange, and beetroot salad here

One-pan chicken Parmesan

Fast food doesn't get better than this easy twist on a classic Italian recipe, which can be halved to feed two. Chicken Parmesan is often served with pasta, but our healthier version uses zucchini spaghetti instead. With a rich tomato sauce and a cheese and crumb topping, it's popped under the broiler until crisp, golden, and melted.

Get the recipe for one-pan chicken Parmesan here

Spaghetti with lemon pesto

As is often the case with Italian recipes, it's the quality of the ingredients that turns this simple dish into something special, so be sure to use the best-quality organic lemons you can find. The lemon zest and juice add plenty of zing to the pesto, while fresh parsley, mint, olive oil and a hint of chili boost the flavor without raising the spice level. Make the full quantity so you have leftovers – it's delicious on its own, or with grilled meat or fish.

Get the recipe for spaghetti with lemon pesto here

Pan-fried salmon with pine nut salsa

In this 40-minute recipe (which can be halved to serve two), a punchy, sharp salsa pairs perfectly with the richness of pan-fried salmon filets. Made with olives, capers, celery, and lemon, it's a good accompaniment for any oily fish, so you could try it with tuna or swordfish too.

Get the recipe for pan-fried salmon with pine nut salsa here

Barbecued shrimp with sweetcorn

What's not to love about chargrilled shrimp and corn, slathered in a spicy butter? Although this one's a barbecue recipe, you can easily cook it indoors if the weather takes a turn for the worse. Halve the recipe for two, and serve with crusty bread for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Get the recipe for barbecued shrimp with sweetcorn here

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