Delicious Meals on the Cheap

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If you decide to stay home for date night or just want to impress your spouse, I got you covered!

I gathered dinner recipes (some of them copycat ones from popular restaurants) around five different themes.

I looked for awesome meals that would cost a pretty penny if you went out to eat them, but are affordable if made at home so you don't have to sacrifice quality.

Steakhouse Classic

We've learned that minimal seasoning and a good cut of meat makes all the difference with steak dinners.

Costco has some great deals on rib-eyes – they're thick and absolutely delicious.

Appetizers  

• Texas Roadhouse Rolls
• Parmesan Encrusted Asparagus

The Meal

• Grilled Rib-Eye Steaks with Parsley-Garlic Butter
• Cheese-stuffed Roasted Red Peppers (there are three easy recipes on this page)

Dessert

• Chocolate Mousse Cake

Seafood Delight

I'm a beach girl, so I love to grab some awesome seafood whenever we visit family in Virginia.

Appetizer  

• Cheddar Bay Biscuits or Gluten Free Garlic Cheese Biscuits

The Meal

• Snapper Baked in Parchment with Spring Vegetables

Dessert

• Frozen-Berry Crumble

If you're outside and the meal has you filled up, you can skip dessert and have a mojito (or nojito) instead to cool off.

Night In Lamb Chops

Sometimes the weather dictates that dinner at home would be best.

Make the most of it with this filling meal as you two watch a few episodes of a show on Netflix or Hulu Plus while sipping on your favorite beer (I would drink a Belgian dubbel).

Appetizer

• Spinach Salad with Grilled Strawberries, Asparagus and Walnuts

The Meal

• Pan Seared Lamb Chops
• Roasted Butternut Squash

Dessert

• Simple Chilled Pumpkin Cheesecake

Delicious and Easy Stew

Admit – sometimes you just don't want to be in the kitchen. For those days, one of your best friends is a crockpot. With the stew being so hearty you can skip an appetizer.

The Meal

• Mediterranean Stew
• Buttery Rice Pilaf

Dessert

• Tropical Fruit Punch Popsicles (prepare this ahead of time)

Comfy Foods

I love getting a pork shoulder done forget togethers. It's easy to make and there is plenty to go around.

Appetizer

• Tostones with Garlic Dip

The Meal

• Braised Pork Shoulder

• Arroz Con Gandules (Rice And Pigeon Peas)

Dessert

• Slower Cooker Apple Crisp

Making Cheap & Delicious Meals

I hope these recipes help the two of you have a wonderful meal together AND save money.

If you want to get some fantastic clone recipes from popular restaurants,  try out CopyKat. I also have some easy to make recipes on Married Food.

I'd love to hear from you – what are some of your favorite meals? Do you cook for one another often? Any recipes you want to pass on are greatly welcomed!