68 Date Night Recipes That Are Shockingly Simple (and Romantic)

• Time Commitment: 5 hours and 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4 to 6

Six ingredients, one pan, much flavor. The buttermilk brine guarantees tender, juicy meat and crackly skin. "Since the back corners of the oven tend to run hotter than the center, position the chicken with the legs in the corner," former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen advises. "That way, the breast meat—which has a tendency to dry—will come out perfectly cooked at the same time as the thighs and drumsticks."

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, beginner-friendly, <30 minutes
• Serves: 6

This five-minute meal is a godsend for lazy cooks (and cheese-loving couples) who want to keep date night as casual as possible. "The ingredients here are merely suggestions," Gillen writes. "If you prefer another meat (like soppressata or speck), cheese (mozzarella would be nice) or garnish (a balsamic drizzle?), by all means, switch it up."

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, gluten free
• Serves: 4

This classic French dish is a breeze to assemble, yet decidedly sophisticated. "While the traditional version is slow-cooked on the stove, this one is delightfully hands-off," recipe developer Erin McDowell asserts. Serve it on its own or pair it with chicken, steak or fish.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, <30 minutes
• Serves: 4

Close your eyes and you're in Italy. Did I mention that the main and sides will be ready to devour in 25 minutes flat? "I served this with a loaf of crusty, whole-grain bread; just perfect for soaking up all that yummy pan sauce," recipe creator Tieghan Gerard writes. "This salmon would also be delicious with a side of risotto, polenta, rice, roasted potatoes or even pasta."

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 4 to 6

A stunning main that requires minimal effort? Count me in. Use a grill pan to get wow-worthy char marks on the chops in the dead of winter. (P.S.: You can find pomegranate molasses in the international aisle of most grocery stores.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, gluten free
• Serves: 4

Is there any dinner as impressive as a whole roast bird? I think not. "We season the chicken with lemon, thyme, rosemary and butter, and the result is tender, juicy meat with crispy, golden skin," McDowell raves. Sit back and relax as your kitchen fills with the aromas of a romantic meal.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, gluten free
• Serves: 4

Sticky-yet-classy is my favorite kind of dinner. Serve this caramelized masterpiece with a side of roasted potatoes. (Mashed potatoes would be just as divine, TBH.)

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 2 to 3

Consider this spicy, savory masterpiece your gateway to cooking scallops at home on the reg. (Seriously—they only require two minutes of searing per side.) Just be sure to thoroughly pat them try before cooking to get the drool-worthy crust you seek.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, vegetarian, make ahead
• Serves: 4 to 6

Pasta is timelessly sexy in my book, and even more so when it's doused in homemade sauce. The pesto can easily be prepared ahead so you have one less thing to do before dinnertime. This date night recipe is also a great option for vegetarians celebrating V-Day (or nothing in particular).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Nothing says romance like, "it's an Ina Garten recipe." The sauce is positively drool-worthy, thanks to onions, leeks and tangy crème fraîche. "This is a really easy dinner to prepare, but special enough to serve to company," the Barefoot Contessa asserts.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, dairy free
• Serves: 4 to 6

A low-key, slightly fancy date night recipe for the books was created by recipe developer Heidi Larsen. Make double of the paprika spice blend to use on other proteins or vegetables the next time you need to spruce up a basic meal.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: dairy free, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Yup, it’s basically a big bowl of shrimp-crowned Southern comfort. And thanks to almond milk in the grits, it's totally dairy-free. (Feel free to substitute cream and garnish with cheese if you aren't sensitive to lactose, though.)

• Time Commitment: 4 hours
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

Aka the most succulent meat main you'll ever make. Don't even get me started on the zingy horseradish sauce, which will taste divine on leftover beef sandwiches. (I'd also love to try the caramelized thyme onions in sour cream as a dip.)

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

When you resist the urge to call your local pizzeria but still get your 'za fix, that’s amore. "Jump-started with store-bought flatbread, it's the crispest thin-crust pizza you'll ever taste—no kneading necessary," McDowell explains. Serve with dressed greens or soup.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, high protein
• Serves: 2

Oh, citrus season. How I love you so. Warm spices (like cumin, cayenne and cinnamon) drive the Moroccan flavor home, but you can make it even tastier by finishing the salmon with almonds, olives and orange zest.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Any excuse to open a bottle of good wine, right? McDowell subs pecorino for traditional ricotta salata, a type of pressed and aged ricotta cheese, since it may be tougher to find at your local supermarket.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, one pot, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

It only takes six ingredients and 20 minutes to make this cheesy masterpiece. Even picky kids will have no complaints about this amped-up spaghetti. "Sub salted butter for unsalted if that's what you have on hand," PureWow food editor Taryn Pire suggests. "Just go easy with the salt in the next step and taste as you go."

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 2

There's no better time to splurge on filet mignon than Valentine's Day. This recipe will give your fave steakhouse a run for its money, so it'll be worth every penny. And that mushroom compound butter? You'll want to slather it on everything from baked potatoes to sourdough bread.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Breaded in a crunchy herb coating and roasted to perfection. "A crust of bright-green ground pistachios and spices adds a special, festive touch," McDowell asserts. I'd find your "Kiss the Cook" apron and get to work, stat.

• Time Commitment: 5 hours and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, one pot, slow cooker recipe
• Serves: 4

Nothing cures a long day like a low-and-slow meal. This main is as simple as adding all the ingredients to your Crockpot and pressing a button. Serve it atop pasta or risotto (I'm partial to linguine).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pot, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

A sink full of dirty dishes is sort of a vibe-killer, no? Luckily, you'll only have one pot to wash after dinner (or heck, tomorrow morning). Spicy or sweet Italian sausage will work here, or a mix of both.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, <30 minutes
• Serves: 4

Vegan "seafood" in less than 30 minutes? It's a date night recipe miracle. You'd be shocked what an uncanny scallop substitute seared shrooms are. Hot tip: Opt for semolina or egg pasta, because the earthy flavor of whole-wheat can overwhelm the mushrooms.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 2

The tastiest way to say “I love you” is by cooking Parmesan-herb risotto and crowning it with the meatiest lobster tails you can find for your boo. Don't let its fancy reputation deter you: Even newbies can master this shellfish delight.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 2

Vegan, gluten free, dairy free and downright delicious. "The sauce is creamy, light and slightly spicy; for a milder sauce you can omit the dried chili," recipe creator Kimberly Parsons explains in her cookbook. I'd serve the zoodles alongside tropical salmon or red snapper.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 2

Sweet dreams are made of butter, pasta, Parmesan and sirloin steak. "I prefer my steak cooked medium-rare to medium, so you may want to increase the cook time by a minute or so if you prefer yours more well done," writes recipe creator April Anderson. Either way, let the meat rest for ten minutes once it's finished before slicing it against the grain.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 4

Sure, this meatless gem made with easy, store-bought pie crust is a side dish…but it can be an entrée if you want it to be (especially if you serve it with your go-to white wine). I'd serve it with a dollop of sour cream.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 4

In case you *don’t* want to spend three hours of your date night in the kitchen, lean on this lightning-fast pasta dish. "It’s gorgeous enough to serve at your next dinner party, but not too fancy for the kiddos," McDowell asserts.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, <30 minutes
• Serves: 4

Just as easy a meal to make as chicken (in 20 minutes, no less), only way more exciting. It's bursting with tang and acidity, courtesy of fresh citrus, mustard and briny capers. It's also begging for a side of vinegary roasted potatoes, if you ask me.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

"Sure, you could plop this delicious creamy risotto onto a plate and have a great meal. Or you could cradle it in portobello mushroom caps and feast like a queen," McDowell jokes. Even carnivores will fill up on this hearty meal, which boasts 20 grams of protein per serving.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, high protein, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

Dirty dishes are far from romantic. Make this date night recipe once and you'll never be too intimidated to cook steak at home again. "Just assemble the ingredients on a single baking sheet and pop it in the oven, because a no-fuss, no-mess dinner is exactly what you need right now," McDowell says.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8

In case your date nights tend to include kids. If your picky eaters are spice-averse, nix the jalapeños on half of the pie and lay the honey on thick. You can also add burrata or ricotta to make things milder and creamier.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, high protein
• Serves: 6

It sounds fancy, but you'll only need ten ingredients and 30 minutes to make it. "Swordfish is good for people who claim not to be into fish," recipe creator Alison Roman writes. "Meaty and juicy, with little to no fishy flavor, it looks and kind of tastes like the best chicken breast you've ever had (really!)." Serve with steamed white rice.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Reapplying the sweet-and-sour glaze as the pork cooks helps build layers upon layers of flavor. "You'll end up with the same crispiness on the outside and juiciness on the inside as you would with a marinade," McDowell claims. Serve it with roasted potatoes, a side salad or cilantro rice.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy, gluten free
• Serves: 4

"Sultry ginger, tangy lemon, hot chiles and sticky honey are a great combo," recipe developer Uyen Luu writes, "and you should have a supply of them in the kitchen to turn simple chicken into something rather special for those lazy, cozy evenings." Double date? This meal for four is sure to impress. Feel free to go the casual route by substituting chicken wings or pork ribs for thighs and drums.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, one pan, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Bookmark it now to devour alfresco next summer (or use ripe pears or apples in place of peaches in the off-season). No matter what produce you choose, this date night recipe will leave you with only one dirty dish to wash.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours and 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Can you believe you're only four ingredients away from dinner, including salt and EVOO? The key is canned chipotle peppers in adobo. "Store the extra adobo sauce in the fridge and add a teaspoon to a pot of beans, any stew that needs spice, a batch of hummus or even to grains like rice or couscous," recipe creator Maggie Battista writes.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6

Behold: a sheet pan chicken recipe that puts your usual takeout order to shame. All that's missing is a pot of jasmine rice. "I chose fennel this time, but feel free to use bok choy, green beans, or any other veggie you'd like smothered in this sauce," recipe creator Amanda Haas advises.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 10

This classy dish gets much of its deliciousness from a whole head of roasted garlic. Might I suggest following up with fancy mints to make it date night-friendly? (You know, just in case you feel like a smooch.)

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, one pan, high protein
• Serves: 4

Since it's cooked in your trusty cast iron skillet, you won't need to brown the bird before roasting it. I'll call that a win. "If you can't find fresh cranberries, it's completely OK to use frozen ones; just thaw and drain them first," McDowell suggests.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

A French essential, ready for oohs and aahs in less than an hour. Her majesty Julia Child would be so proud—despite it being unconventional. "It's made with dry white wine instead of red for a twist," McDowell explains.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 6

There's a reason this vegetarian feat is the most popular recipe in PureWow history. "This has you slathering cauliflower in a spicy yogurt marinade and roasting it at a high temperature," McDowell says. "The result is an amazingly delicious dish that's as dramatic in presentation as it is easy in preparation."

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 10

You can simply lay the dough sheets atop the pasta if you're pressed for time, but I'm betting your date would prefer these phyllo rosettes over a real bouquet. "[The phyllo] gets crispy on the top but almost stays soft in the center, and as you go to eat it, the phyllo crumbles in the same way a garlicky bread crumb would, but stays moist and absorbs the flavor of the cheese as well,” McDowell raves.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, one pan, high protein
• Serves: 6

No heavy cream here. In fact, there's no dairy at all; the sauce is thickened with egg yolks and lemon instead. This date night recipe would pair beautifully with couscous, pasta, rice, potatoes or crusty bread.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, dairy free, high protein
• Serves: 4

Filling enough to satisfy, yet light enough that you’ll have plenty of room for dessert. I'd have a box of chocolate truffles at the ready, if I were you.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: low carb, keto-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

This meal is as easy as stuffing a few long, thin slices of zucchini with seasoned ricotta. It's just the ticket if you or your S.O. is on keto. "Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat in the oven," recipe creator Yumna Jawad suggests.

• Time Commitment: 6 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy, slow cooker recipe
• Serves: 6

Comfort food at its creamy, dreamy finest. Be patient with this slow cooker recipe; the fall-apart-tender short ribs are well worth the wait. (You can also make it in the Instant Pot for a shorter cook time or the oven if you don't have either appliance.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy, gluten free
• Serves: 4

Psst: Salt the chops and let them come to room temperature for 45 minutes before cooking to achieve maximum tenderness. "Small tricks can really change texture," recipe creator Torie Borrelli writes. "It's the difference between having a tough piece of meat versus one that melts in your mouth with smooth but crispy fat near the bone." Make two times the rub to use on chicken or beef next.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 4

Bone-in, skin-on thighs get super crispy without drying out due to their higher fat content, unlike chicken breasts. "There's barely any prep, the oven does all the work and when you pull out the pan, your family and friends will be amazed by this impressive almost-instant dinner," recipe developer Maria Lichty writes. Need I say more?

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

Store-bought puff pastry does it again. The fresh herbs really elevate the mushroom filling, so much so that you won't miss the beef. A trio of fresh herbs (parsley! rosemary! thyme!) make this plant-based riff extra comforting.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, <10 ingredients, gluten free
• Serves: 4

Bacon offers both serious savoriness and satisfying crunch to the tender, flaky fish. I bet you have most of the ingredients in your kitchen already, too. Bonus? The dish is gluten free, high in protein and easy on the eyes.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 2 to 3

Lemon-parsley butter, charred cauli and zingy capers? Excuse me while I swoon. "An alternative here would be to add the ravioli into a fresh, crisp salad," recipe developer Carlene Thomas recommends. "Right now, I’m loving butter lettuce, celery, walnuts and a little oil and vinegar."

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Although reliably delicious, spaghetti and meatballs can feel juvenile on date night. Classy four-ingredient polenta, on the other hand, fits the bill. "You don't have to stir it constantly for hours, but you'll want to whisk it occasionally to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan," McDowell writes.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Make the sauce with whatever herbs and peppery, bitter greens you have on hand. Chives, tarragon, watercress, dill and parsley are all fair game. The creamy, rich yogurt and tangy buttermilk will tame the vegetal edge of the produce, trust.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly, keto-friendly
• Serves: 4

It turns out an empty sink is a major aphrodisiac, as are seven-ingredient recipes that taste and look this good. "Cook it all at once on a sheet pan [and] enjoy dinner (without a pile of pots and pans in the sink)," McDowell urges.

• Time Commitment: 8 hours and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

Beef bourguignon is no small feat for a home cook...unless you enlist the slow cooker to do the heavy lifting for you. Prepare 15-minute microwave mashed potatoes as a side, then sip cocktails while your Crockpot does all the heavy lifting.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, high protein, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Dinner tonight *and* lunch tomorrow? Don't mind if I do. "Beyond being a simple recipe to master, you make your main course and sides all at once, which means fewer pots and pans to clean later," McDowell says. If you've never had romaine lettuce warm, this sheet pan main is sure to convert you at first bite.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, gluten free
• Serves: 4

When’s the last time you had eggplant that wasn’t breaded and drenched in tomato sauce? Here, it's stuffed with herby quinoa and roasted until tender. It'll pair well with potatoes, soup, grains or even grilled chicken or steak.

• Time Commitment: 7 hours and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, high protein
• Serves: 8

Taco Tuesday meets date night. I'm here for it (and I brought guacamole). Serve this ridiculously juicy, impeccably tender date night recipe with plenty of pickled red onions and lime wedges. You'll have leftovers, yes, but that makes for an awesome lunch the next day.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, one pan
• Serves: 2

"It's a one-pan dinner that looks (and tastes) fancy but is totally foolproof," McDowell asserts. This one-hour beauty is basically foolproof, promise. Think of the zingy herb sauce as a minty twist on chimichurri.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

You had me at "potato chip." Use thick, kettle-cooked chips so they don't turn soggy as the chicken cooks. "Try it in sub form on a long, thick roll, slapped with extra pesto, topped with arugula leaves and hit with a squeeze of lemon," recipe creator Charlotte Druckman recommends.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 2

It's loaded with fresh corn and tomatoes, but I think the nutty, savory brown butter (aka liquid gold) really seals the deal. "Reheat [the leftovers] gently on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water or cream to loosen things up if needed," recipe creator Jocelyn Delk Adams writes.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 2

Surf and turf is my love language. The lemony garlic butter would taste great on everything from bread to shrimp pasta, so keep this date night recipe in your back pocket for future experimenting.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

Five-ingredient homemade gnocchi is sure to wow your S.O. If you really want to go the extra mile, use home-grown herbs in the white wine sauce, which tend to be much more flavorful than those from the supermarket.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: keto-friendly, high protein, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 3

Your kids' favorite protein meets their most beloved soup. It's tasty enough to serve grown-ups though, and it's low carb and keto-friendly to boot. "Pat the excess moisture off of the breasts and let them come up to room temperature before cooking," Jawad writes. "Any excess moisture will cause the chicken to steam and dry out."

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Have you only enjoyed parsley as a garnish? This underrated herb deserves your attention—and the spotlight. "Melting a pat of good butter over a warm, juicy steak is the ticket to luxuriousness," recipe creator Antoni Porowski writes. "Blend that butter with harissa, the North African chili paste, and in two minutes, you’ve got an amped-up power player."

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes (includes chilling time)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8

Nothing puts me in the mood faster than spuds and cheese. The filling is a mix of cream cheese, Parm and finely sliced scallions. "To play around with the flavors, replace the potato with an apple, preferably one with red skin," recipe creator Dorie Greenspan suggests. "Or, for fun, make the tart with alternating slices of potato and apple."

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, dairy free
• Serves: 4

Margaritas for two, anyone? (Or better yet, mezcalitas?) These tacos are equal parts fancy and laid-back. Be sure to let the steak rest for 15 minutes before slicing and to cut it against the grain for maximum tenderness.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 2

A dinner date is woefully incomplete without dessert, so I present to you this decadent, seven-ingredient indulgence. The creamy dessert is made with cocoa powder instead of chocolate so it doesn't turn hard once chilled. A semifreddo (meaning semi-frozen) should have a light, airy consistency.