Betty Crocker

Romantic Italian Date Night Dinner

Romantic Italian Date Night Holiday Dinner

Take a mini-vacation at home with a dinner reminiscent of an Italian trattoria. The hearty pasta menu spreads its pleasures through four easy courses and, for some, has the delicious advantage of being meatless. Buon appetito!


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Tips from the Experts

Karen

"Cooked pasta should be tender but firm to the bite, not mushy and soft."

Karen Sorensen, Editor - BettyCrocker.com

One, Two, Three, Four

  • Savor time alone by stretching out the meal to four courses. It is what Italians do. Take turns serving each other as if you were dining out in a fine restaurant.
  • Explore a wine or two from Italy or in the Italian style, maybe choosing one that is a value and one more pricey. Dining at home means no inflated wine prices and no one need be the designated driver!

Bring Back That Special Song

  • That special song, once you hear it, you're automatically brought back to the day you met, your first date, your first kiss, or your wedding day. Get a copy of your special song on CD or download, if you don't already have it, and play it during the meal as a surprise. You might want to bury it between other romantic melodies so your dinner is filled with special background music. When your song plays, it will be a surprise to you both! Why not interrupt your meal with a dance? It's very romantic!


Nibble Decadent Chocolate

  • Pick up some good fancy chocolate from a candy store or gourmet shop. Place a small doily on each dessert plate. Place a Tiramisu Bar or wedge of the Raspberry Mousse Brownies on the doily, along with a chocolate or two.
  • For an extra-indulgent dessert experience, serve cups of cappuccino or espresso, too. Sprinkle cappuccino with cocoa.

The Morning Of

  • Bake Tiramisu Bars (if served) or Raspberry Mousse Brownies (if served).
  • Roast the garlic and tomatoes for Mostaccioli with Roasted Tomato and Garlic; cover and let stand at room temperature.
  • Cook bell peppers as directed in Do-Ahead Tip of Camembert with Balsamic Bell Peppers; cover and refrigerate.
  • Rinse and crisp fresh spinach (if needed) for Italian Spinach and Mushroom Salad; cover and refrigerate.
  • Chill club soda for Italian Sodas (if served).

About 15 Minutes Before Serving Appetizer

  • Bake cheese for Camembert with Balsamic Bell Peppers.
  • Heat water for cooking pasta for Mostaccioli with Roasted Tomato and Garlic; keep warm.

Just Before Serving Appetizer

  • Finish assembling Camembert with Balsamic Bell Peppers.
  • Mix Italian Sodas (if served).

About 15 Minutes Before Serving Main Course

  • Make Mostaccioli with Roasted Tomato and Garlic, starting with step 3.

Just Before Serving Salad

  • Make Italian Spinach and Mushroom Salad.

About 15 Minutes Before Serving Dessert

  • Remove selected dessert from refrigerator; prepare coffee (if served).
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