Dining out is fun, but it can also be pricey. Cooking together cuts back on costs, counts as quality time, and often delivers tastier results than what you can find at many restaurants. Stick to a few simple rules, choose your menu wisely, and create a fun kitchen atmosphere with your favorite tunes and maybe a glass of wine: You'll be glad that you decided to cook as a team.

A Few Rules for Cooking Together

Cooking together should be a fun activity. To make things go smoothly, check out the following rules for cooking as a team:

Choose dishes that you both enjoy

This should be a no-brainer, but just in case one of you is conflict-avoidant: Opt for a menu of dishes that you both like. If you haven't actually discussed your food preferences, head on over to Pinterest together and select some delectable dishes for further consideration.

Opt for recipes with specific, easily divided tasks that can be performed simultaneously

Look for recipes that require preparation for individual ingredients or components. If you are making chili, for example, one of you can chop the onions while the other browns the beef. Making a cake? One can mix the batter while the other whips up the frosting.

Alternatively, each of you can take responsibility for a separate dish

Another option is to each take responsibility for a dish: You take the main course, he takes the sides, and you either join forces on the dessert or buy something at your local bakery.

Choose the best kitchen for the recipe

If you are dating and its your first time cooking together, select the best kitchen for the job. If one of you lives in a studio with a tiny galley kitchen, while the other has plenty of counter space, choose to cook where you wont be elbowing each other in the ribs while prepping ingredients.

Dress casual

This is one date night that you don't want to dress up for. Avoid staining your favorite shirt or blouse by wearing comfortable clothing. If you want to dress things up a bit, opt for a bit of jewelry, such as your favorite earrings, or a stack of Enso rings.

Ensure easy clean-up

Nobody wants to end a romantic meal only to have to worry about a kitchen full of dishes and grimy countertops. Choose recipes that you can prepare with as few utensils and containers as possible, wash dishes (or put them in the dishwasher) as you cook, and wipe down work areas as soon as you finish a task.

Easy Recipes for Couples

The best recipes for cooking together should be tasty and within the range of your mutually acquired cooking skills. Here are some ideas:

1. Spanish Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers

   This is a simple, straightforward recipe that allows both of you to do your part in the preparation process. This recipe makes four servings, but can easily be cut down, or you can make the full recipe and refrigerate the remaining peppers and have them for lunch later in the week.

2. Zebra Popcorn

   Zebra popcorn is an affordable alternative to the shockingly expensive gourmet popcorns sold at chocolate and gourmet shops. This recipe makes a lot of corn, making it perfect for a fun dessert, a snack while watching a game or a movie, or as a gift for the host or hostess of an upcoming party. One of you can pop the corn while the other makes the caramel, and you can then both share in drizzling the chocolate over the kernels.

3. Flatbread Salad Pizza

   This is a super quick and easy recipe that incorporates healthy greens with savory herbs and cheese. Pair with a crisp white wine and you'll have a meal to remember.

4. Bacon-Horseradish Potatoes

   Are they a side dish or a main entree? You get to decide, but these deletable stuffed potatoes provide separate prep tasks for both of you, cook up quickly, and you wont have to spend too much time on clean-up.

5. 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

   If the two of you are absolute culinary newbies, try this simple recipe. The cooking itself is easy: Dump two ingredients in your slow cooker and walk away for several hours. The togetherness part is in prepping condiments and toppings for the tacos that you\ll make with the wonderful pulled salsa chicken.