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Home » Date Night? Try an Italian Night In!

Date Night? Try an Italian Night In!

12/24/14 | Easy Recipes, Entertaining

Feeling over-busy? Why not serve a romantic Italian dinner at home, and skip the driving, parking, babysitting and expense of going out! I surprised my husband with an impromptu fireside dinner (in the basement, no less) on a random Thursday night.

Italian Night In #datenight

I was inspired by a challenge from Michael Angelo’s to prepare their frozen entrees in a fun way. And fun it was! In addition to providing the dinners, they threw in some chocolates, wine charms, bottle opener, Italian game Scopa and the movie ‘Roman Holiday.’

Italian Night In #datenight

For a change of pace, I set up the patio table in the basement in front of the fireplace and TV. A simple white tablecloth and colorful Fiestaware was all that was needed to make a cozy table. Sides were simple – garlic bread, ceasar salad and an assortment of olives. And of course, a bottle of Italian Chianti.

Italian Night In #datenight

I served the meat lasagna and the vegetable lasagna.

Italian Night In #datenight

It was quite good! And certainly took less time to prepare

Italian Night In #datenight

During this busy holiday season, wouldn’t you like a nice hassle-free night in?

 

Italian Night In #datenight

Buon appetito!

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Comments

  1. Kim buechler says

    01/05/2015 at 8:10 pm

    My favorite Italian dinner would be chicken picatta, with a wonderful Brunello served outdoors under the stars and candlelight!

    • Susan says

      01/07/2015 at 12:00 pm

      Congrats Kim! The random number generator picked your post!

  2. Marge trammel says

    01/05/2015 at 6:15 pm

  3. Marge trammel says

    01/05/2015 at 6:14 pm

    Italian food is one of my favorite types of foods so I would make anything with a red sauce (or gravy for you true Italians) Since I love dining al fresco on my terrazzo I would try to serve outdoors on a warm summer night with candles, wine and a little Italian music.

  4. Deborah says

    01/03/2015 at 8:22 am

    I love baked ziti, thanks for the giveaway!

  5. Nancy Loring says

    01/02/2015 at 9:47 pm

    My italian meal would start off with a slices of tomato and thick slices of mozzarella , then a cup of wedding soup, now onto the meal which would be Shrimp Scampi with garlic bread garlic bread and to finish this meal off a nice slice of tirimasu cake. I would love to have this prepared at my house, of course that would mean that I would have to hire a chef because there is no way that I could make all of this yummy food.

    • Susan says

      01/04/2015 at 9:05 am

      Ahhh, Tiramasu!!!

  6. Ashley says

    01/02/2015 at 2:54 pm

    I LOVE Fettucini Alfredo! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

  7. Felicia says

    12/30/2014 at 4:35 pm

    I love lasagna! Every time I have some it reminds me of my mom. She always makes the best lasagna. She makes it for my birthday every year and I would never think to ask for anything else.

    I would serve it to her for once. 🙂

    • Susan says

      12/31/2014 at 6:13 pm

      That was always my birthday dinner request of my mom too!

  8. Debra@AModernTranslation says

    12/30/2014 at 4:24 pm

    That looks like so much fun and cozy. Great idea especially in the winter so you don’t have to go out in the bitter cold.

    • Debra@AModernTranslation says

      12/30/2014 at 4:28 pm

      My favorite Italian entree is cheese & spinach ravioli. I would serve dinner in our family room where we normally dine but I may try and keep the pups out, you know for a grown-up dinner. 🙂

      • Susan says

        12/31/2014 at 6:14 pm

        Maybe a little “lady and the tramp” spaghetti for the pups so they leave you alone!

    • Susan says

      12/31/2014 at 6:14 pm

      I’m all about staying in until late spring – brrrr.

  9. tammigirl says

    12/30/2014 at 3:27 pm

    I love to serve lasagna to a crowd! I would invite as many as I can feed and enjoy every person around the table.

    • Susan says

      12/31/2014 at 6:15 pm

      How big of a table do you have! 🙂

  10. Susan Maccarelli says

    12/30/2014 at 11:23 am

    So many good ones and my husband is Italian, so we definitely enjoy Italian food. My favorite is probably penne with vodka sauce or spaghetti and meatballs. We don’t eat a ton of pasta, so we typically eat it on holidays – Christmas Eve and coming up Valentines Day!

  11. Margaret says

    12/29/2014 at 1:58 pm

    I love baked ziti! Would be fun to serve on a snow day with lots of candles!

    • Susan says

      12/31/2014 at 6:15 pm

      Candles not only make your complexion amazing, they make food taste better too!

Hi, I’m Susan.

I love to write about making homes better through mindful design, functional decor and organized living. The less busy we are taking care of our homes, the more time we’ll have for simply living well.

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