Impressive Dinner Dates On A Budget
Want to impress your date with your culinary skills but don’t want to break the bank? You don’t need expensive groceries to cook up a delicious fancy dinner. Light the candles–– below are frugal meals that look and taste like dishes from a Michelin Star restaurant.
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1. Risotto
Risotto is one of those expensive dishes on a menu that doesn’t cost much to make. It’s also the vegetarian option at so many weddings. It’s a no-brainer–– risotto is a cheap gift from a nation known for its incredible food. Serve it with a glass of inexpensive Italian red (because you can’t go wrong with Italian wine).
2. Roasted Root Vegetables
Root veggies are generally the cheapest produce at the supermarket. When you roast them in the oven with a little oil and dried herbs, they transform into the tastiest versions of themselves and they look divine too. Put creativity into how you cut and present them–– carrots, potatoes, and parsnips will impress you more than you can imagine.
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3. Ratatouille
With a name like that you know it’s fancy–– the name just rolls off the tongue. Typically this dish is made from tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, peppers, and onion and tastes like a trip to Paris. This colorful dish is healthy and easy to make with inexpensive ingredients.
4. Spaghetti
You know there’s going to be plenty of Italian meals on the fancy frugal list. The Italians are all about simplicity to perfection. Spaghetti is a cheap dinner that is filling and delicious. All you need is a little green garnish on top for that visual appeal.
5. Gnocchi
Grazie, Italy, you’ve done it again! Whether it’s store-bought or homemade, gnocchi is cheap to make. Like little pillows of potato heaven, gnocchi almost looks as beautiful as it tastes. Fry them up to a crispy golden brown and you’re in for a bite of perfection.
6. Lentil Moussaka
You can buy a large bag of lentils for a few bucks that will last you for months. Lentils are nutritious and hearty legumes that can be used in so many dishes. Moussaka is a traditional Greek meal with a pretty name that will impress anyone. With lentils, eggplant, and potatoes as the main ingredients, you can create a layered dish that pleases the eyes and the taste buds.
7. Croque Madame
A Croque Madame is essentially a French grilled cheese sandwich. What makes this sammy extra special is the fried egg on top. You’re melting the cheese so you don’t need the expensive fromage to make a statement. Any thick bread will do too because you’ll grill it and smother it with gooey cheese.
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8. Stuffed Squash
If you stuff any vegetable it’ll look high-end. Squash is a good option because it’s rich in color and in flavor but doesn’t cost much. Rice is one of the cheapest grains on the market and works well in a stuffed squash. Save your money and start stuffing.
9. Potato Leek Soup
Potato Leek soup is a heart-warming staple. It’s an easy-to-make crowd-pleaser with cheap and cheerful potatoes as the main ingredient. The creamy soup gets its fancy flare with a sprig of herbs on top that give it that attractive garnish. Serve it with a slice of crusty bread you can make yourself with just flour, water, and yeast.
10. Quiche
Quiche is a dish that turns eggs into a mouth-watering savory pie. A quiche is a colorful delight that pleases your eyes and your stomach. You can use any cheap ingredients your heart desires and the results will always look bistro-worthy.
11. Frittata
Frittata is like quiche without the crust so you know it’s a winner. Its name is also a fancy mouthful of syllables that’ll impress your date when you say it. Frittata is acceptable served for brunch or dinner and pairs nicely with a green salad.
12. Couscous
A dish so good they named it twice! Just like rice, couscous can be made in various ways and won’t cost you very much to make. It’ll look impressive on a plate if you mix it with a rainbow of diced vegetables.
13. Stuffed Pepper
We had to include another stuffed vegetable because it’s the quintessential fancy food on a budget. Use all three red, yellow, and green peppers to upscale the aesthetic. With any grain and beans of your choice, you’ll whip up stuffed peppers that could land you another date.
14. Sweet Potato Soup
A sweet potato and carrot soup is a meal rich in flavor with a velvety texture. A soup like this will stretch your dollars, providing you with leftovers for several dinners. The bright orange soup has an ornate appeal and the sweetness from the sweet potatoes is a delightful touch.
15. Veggie Paella
This fancy feast can be done cheaply if you include less expensive seafood or skip the fish altogether. Paella is a traditional Spanish cuisine that will satisfy your dinner guest with its aroma and flavor. Made with rice, colorful veggies, and spices, paella bursts with flavor on a low budget.
16. Flatbread
Typically the most expensive ingredient on a pizza is cheese, so why not try your hands at a flatbread? Flatbread is often an app on a menu at a nice restaurant but it’s secretly inexpensive to make. With sauce or herb oil as your base, you can top your flatbread with any toppings you desire. Impress your date by carmelizing onions or roasting your veggies before layering them on your dough.
17. Rice Pilaf
A pilaf is a rice dish with a taste explosion from spices and herbs. You can create this hearty and flavorful dish with the cheapest grain around. The dish looks lavish but can be the most frugal meal if you source inexpensive veggies. Like “ratatouille”, it sounds elegant too.
18. Colorful Pasta
Pasta is another expensive menu item that costs a restaurant very little to make. With tri-color noodles, you can make any pasta dish look extravagant. Try a mix of ornate pasta shapes to trick the eyes of a wealthy dish and toss a garnish on top for a fine-dining touch.
19. Corn Fritters
Corn fritters are an excuse for adults to have pancakes for dinner. They’re made from canned corn, flour, and eggs so they won’t cost you much but they’ll impress you greatly. Fritters look and taste their best with a dollop of sour cream and a fresh salad on the side.
20. Fancy Mac N’ Cheese
Fancy mac n’ cheese is our tasty little secret. You don’t have to make it from scratch, you can be cleverly lazy and use a box. Shred and melt a different color cheese on top and mix in some bread crumbs. Add a pop of color with green onions or spinach to make it more mature and there you have it–– fancy macaroni!
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