This list is for anyone cooking for just two people who still wants a real dinner. Beginners, busy people, last minute planners, this one’s for you.
Cooking small doesn’t mean boring. It just means the portions are smarter and the cleanup is shorter, lol!
Below you’ll find 14 low carb dinners for two that come together with everyday ingredients. Steak, salmon, chicken, shrimp, there’s a good spread here.
Each idea includes a couple of quick notes on what makes it work. Under most of them you’ll also find a link straight to the full recipe.
Skip around if you want. There’s no need to read top to bottom, haha!
Pick two or three to try this week and build from there. Easy enough, right?
LOW CARB DINNERS FOR TWO
Garlic Butter Steak Skillet
Garlic butter makes everything better, am I right? This skillet steak gets a quick sear then a butter baste right at the end.
Read also: 24+ Irresistible Beef Recipes That'll Empty Your Plate
Two steaks, one pan, minimal dishes. That’s the whole appeal here.
- Ready before the sides even finish
Baked Salmon With Asparagus
Salmon and asparagus on one sheet pan is about as simple as dinner gets. The fish flakes apart easily once it’s done.
Read also: 18+ Sheet Pan Protein Ideas That Save Dinner
Lemon slices on top add a nice brightness without extra carbs.
- One pan, one rinse, done
Cauliflower Fried Rice Duo
Riced cauliflower stands in for regular rice here. Scramble in an egg, toss in some veggies and you’ve got a fried rice that won’t weigh you down.
Split it right down the middle for two plates. No leftovers arguments necessary, haha!
- Frozen riced cauliflower works fine
Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers
Bell peppers make a sturdy little bowl for cheesy filling. Ground meat, cheese and seasoning go right inside before baking.
Read also: 18+ Easy Low Carb Dinner Ideas Ground Beef That Satisfy
Two peppers per person is generous. One usually does the trick, lol!
- Any melty cheese you have works
Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken
Lemon and herbs are a classic pairing for chicken and for good reason. The marinade only needs a short soak before the grill.
This one tastes bright without any heavy sauce weighing it down.
- Marinate while you set the table
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
Wrap chicken bites in bacon and something magical happens. The bacon crisps up while the chicken stays juicy inside.
Read also: 20+ High-Protein Hot Snack Ideas That Crush Cravings
These work as a main dish or split as a shareable plate. Either way, they disappear fast.
- Toothpicks keep the bacon in place
Shrimp Scampi With Zoodles
Zucchini noodles soak up garlic butter sauce just as well as pasta does. Shrimp cooks in minutes, so this whole dinner moves quickly.
Not in my book does anything beat a quick weeknight seafood dinner!
- Zoodles need barely any cook time
Keto Meatballs In Marinara
These meatballs simmer right in marinara sauce, which keeps them tender. Serve two or three per person with a side salad.
No shame in that if you double the batch for later, lol!
- Simmering keeps them from drying out
Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Portobello caps make a hearty base for a spinach filling. Cream cheese and garlic bring the filling together nicely.
These bake up looking a little fancy for how simple they actually are.
- The caps hold the filling like little bowls
Grilled Pork Chops And Broccoli
Grilled pork chops and a side of broccoli make an easy pairing for two. A simple seasoning rub is all the chops really need.
Char marks on the outside, juicy in the middle. That’s the goal here.
- Broccoli roasts while the grill heats
Baked Cod With Green Beans
Cod is mild, flaky and cooks fast in the oven. Green beans roasted alongside pick up flavor from the same pan.
This dinner feels light without skimping on protein.
- Cod flakes apart in under twenty minutes
Steak Fajita Bowls For Two
Skip the tortilla and build a fajita bowl instead. Sliced steak, peppers and onions go straight over a bed of greens or cauliflower rice.
Same great fajita flavor, just no wrap needed. Same!
- Peppers and onions cook in the same skillet
Pesto Chicken With Roasted Veggies
A good pesto does most of the work in this one. Brush it over chicken and let roasted veggies fill out the plate.
Zucchini, cherry tomatoes and bell peppers all roast well together.
- Store bought pesto saves a step
Sheet Pan Sausage And Peppers
Last but definitely not least, we have this sheet pan combo. Sausage and peppers roast together on one tray, which means barely any cleanup.
Slice the sausage before serving so it stretches further. An easy dinner for a busy night, haha!
- One tray does the entire job
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only recommend and mention products I truly stand behind and that I've tested myself.
And as you know, I seriously love hearing from you - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, feel free to share it here in the comments or send me a message. I'm always excited to connect with y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Luna
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