Does it seem like most nights your dinners happen in a rush? Well, even if you don’t seem to have a lot of time to prepare dinner, you can still enjoy a special meal for two without a lot of preparation or fuss. Taking time to sit back, enjoy a great meal and discuss your day is a great way to bond with your significant other and stay close.
Browsing my Facebook feed I often see people referring to “date night” with their spouse. I have to say that I am actually glad that this is a bit of a foreign concept to my husband and I. We are lucky that we get to spend almost every evening together and usually it’s just the two of us. BUT, if your situation is different and a dinner-for-two is a rare occurrence (which is often the case when you have littles at home or alternating work schedules), there are some easy ways to make that dinner special without taking a lot of work.
Prepare a Romantic Dinner for Two in 15 Minutes
Make it look good. – If your dining room table is seldom used and a mess, at least slide everything into a box and move to another room. (You can organize it later!) Pull out a few candles to set the mood and grab some fabric placemats and napkins. They add a special touch!
Make it sound good.- Start up the music! Skip the radio because you don’t want to be interrupted by commercials. Stream your favorite songs or pop in a CD.
Make it taste good. – Italian food is the food of love, so pasta is a great choice! Bertolli helps make creating a special meal easy with their Bertolli Frozen Meal products. With their #MangiaMoment they are encouraging us to dine like an Italian. Their meals specifically dined for two take only a few minutes to prepare. Our Bertolli Italian Sausage & Rigatoni meal took only 9 minutes from start to finish! While it was cooking in a pan I poured some bagged salad and sliced some Italian bread.
Make it feel good. – Ok – now don’t get all dirty minded on me! By feeling good, I mean that you should take this quiet time alone to talk. (No turning on the TV!) Avoid bringing up any heated topics that could lead to an argument and just share about yourselves, what’s going on in your lives, and plans for the future. And hey – make it fun and laugh a little!
Are you ready to share you own #MangiaMoment and show how you dine like an Italian? If so, you can enter to win by sharing your #MangiaMoment – how you Dine like an Italian – by photo, by using hashtag #MangiaMoment and #Sweepstakes and posting via your Twitter or Instagram account. The five entries that most embody the Mangia spirit will be awarded a trip to attend Bertolliís Mangia Themed event in Wine Country, CA to celebrate Bertolliís 150th anniversary, in Spring 2016. See official #MangiaMoment details HERE.
Reader Giveaway: Three (3) lucky Thrifty Jinxy readers will each win a $150.00 Mangia Kit that includes everything you need to “Mangia!” Skillet, cheese grater, wine towel, etc. To enter, just complete the entry form below by 11:59pm ET on 12/5/15. Good luck!
latanya says
you can cook them in the microwave
Carly says
I learned about Francesco Bertolli.
Jennifer Reed says
I learned that Bertolli also makes 3 different types of fresh from the freezer aisle hearty soups. They would be wonderful for the upcoming colder weather seasons. I think the Bertolli® Tuscan-Style Beef & Vegetables sounds great.
D Schmidt says
Visited and learned about the Shrimp Scampi with Languine goes well with a Pinot Grigio.
Julie says
I like the full meal of Shrimp Scampi yumylicious..
Tina W says
I love that they give wine suggestions for their dinners!
Amie says
I liked how they had a twitter page where they showed you how to make your own pasta
Sarah C says
I learned that they give suggestions for wine pairing.
Seyma Shabbir says
Mangia means to eat the Italian way. They make a feast at every meal!!
Seyma Shabbir says
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/SeymaShabbir/status/669383294606254080
Seyma Shabbir says
Oops had to redo forgot to add sweepstakes https://twitter.com/SeymaShabbir/status/669385333646184448
Meredith Miller says
They have suggested wine pairings on the website.
Stacy Renee says
I learned that Mangia means eat in Italian.
Danielle Marie says
i love that you can cook them in the microwave. i am not an oven person.
ken ohl says
love that they can be cooked in the microwave
Cheryl says
I like Bertolli Chicken, Rigatoni & Broccoli.
Bernie W says
I learned more about the bertolli twitter party. Thanks for the giveaway. I hope that I win.
Lisa Weidknecht says
I learned when you capture your very own #MangiaMoment and share it, you could win an all-expenses-paid trip to Napa.
Susan Christy says
I’d never heard the word Mangia before so I learned that it means eat — the Italian way.
james doyle says
That they use the best ingredients 🙂 <3
Ashley C says
I learned that they suggest pairing chardonnay with the chicken alfredo & penne
Kelly Nicholson says
Visit Bertolli #MangiaMoment and tell us something you liked or learned!
products are great,but so are the recipes
sandra says
I like their tip for making fresh pasta
nickie says
They have wine pairings on the website.
Dana Rodriguez says
That looks good! I like their pairing suggestions.
Amy Z. says
I like the helpful wine pairings!
Amanda M says
I like how little of time it takes to finish the meal! I’m starving just looking at it!
Robin M says
I learned that they give wine pairing suggestions.
Sharon Kaminski says
I learned that Bertolli has quick easy to fix dinner you can buy.
Nancy Marcho says
I learned that Francesco Bertolli believed that a good meal included good food, good conversation and laughter. I agree!
Lauren Olivia Wood says
I like that their concept is to eat as an experience!
ELIZABETH CURSON says
i ENJOY DRINKING WINE & I LIKE THE SUGGESTIONS THAT THEY PROVIDE.
Rio says
I learned about their great wine pairings!
Julie says
I learned that Bertolli makes a Shrimp Scampi & Linguine meal.
Lisa says
I learned from a link at the bottom of their page that one of the products that they sell is olive oil in a spray can. They offer extra virgin, organic extra virgin, and light olive oil sprays.
Richard Hicks says
I learned that Francesco Bertolli used ingredients that awaken the senses
Jessica To says
I learned that they suggest a wine to have with each classic meal on the site.
Chad Gustafson says
Easy to cook in microwave
Debra Hall says
i like the way its paired with wine
Lauren says
I like the Dine Al Fresco video.
Kimberly Hilbert says
Dance for dinner was a cute video.
HS says
I learned you can capture a photo of your #MangiaMoment to enter the #Sweepstakes.
Leela says
They have a new tomato sauce with artichokes 😀
janetfaye says
I liked the video Dance For Dinner.
Summer B. says
I learned some new ideas for meals.
pu ye says
I learned about the Shrimp Scampi with Languine goes well with a Pinot Grigio
Bebe says
I like that they have wine pairings to go with the meals! 🙂
Kazuko Smith says
I learned that i need to go out soon and get their Bertolli® Chicken Florentine & Farfalle Bertolli® after all this thanksgiving food is gone.
Debbie Welchert says
I learned what wine to drink with each classic meal.
rickel bart says
there is nothing more beautiful than sharing great food conversation and laughter
Jenny S says
I like that they give a wine suggestion with each pasta.
Chasity Smith says
I learned what kind of wines to elevate your meal with!
Jenny Willis says
You can cook this in the microwave.
Debbie F says
I like the wine suggestions they give. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Jennifer Heintz says
I learned that there are different wines suggested for different pastas.
Char says
I learned about the great shrimp scampi!
jessica edwards says
I like the wine suggestions!
Wehaf says
I like the wine pairing suggestions for the different Bertolli meals.
Gina says
Bertolli has a nice selection of pasta meals prepared for two. Also, they provide suggestions for wine pairings for each meal.
Rust says
I learned what ‘mangia’ means!
JIll Hanson says
I learned Mangia means eating the Italian way, New to me.
Selinda says
I learned that they make soup as well! Never knew that!
Alicia says
Francesco Bertolli sought to provide ingredients for robust meal experiences that awaken the senses, enliven conversations, and inspire us to be in the moment.
sara b. says
I learned I should elevate my meal with a glass of wine.
Kaye Newman says
I learned that Francesco Bertolli wanted to provide more than mere ingredients for meals. He sought to provide ingredients for robust meal experiences that awaken the senses, enliven conversations, and inspire us to be in the moment.
shannon weel says
I learned that they have many delicious sauces and they sound fresh and tasty.
chris z says
i like the suggestion of wine pairings
Candie L says
I liked learning what Mangia meant. Thank you
Valencia says
I like that they explain why a particular wine works with a particular meal as opposed to just making suggestions.
Joseph Stowell says
I’m not fond of cream sauces, so the Chicken Parmigiana & Penne looks like something I would definitely want to try.
Sharon Cubic says
I did not know that they could be microwaved.
Leigh Anne Borders says
Very informative site. I learned about but what I esp liked are these two things: wine pairings and the chance to win a trip;)
Emmalene says
I love the tips about wine pairings! I always wonder about that
Jenny Ham says
Mangia means Eat in Italian
jenny stratton says
I learned they can be cooked in the microwave.
Kelly D says
I like the Mangia Moment pictures.
Ashley Shippy says
I love their boxed pastas! I had no idea they made them!
Kimberly Flickinger says
I like they give wine suggestions for their dinners.
Stephanie Liske says
I like that they have suggested wines to pair with their foods.
Theresa N says
I’d love to try the shrimp scampi and linguine.
Brittney House says
I like that you can make them in the microwave!
bn100 says
like the wine pairings
Giant Sis says
I learned that Italian sausage and rigatoni pairs well with Cab Sav.
Loraine says
I liked that they had a twitter party so fun!
Cynthia R says
I liked the italian way of eating- in the moment, good conversation, awaken the senses.
Lisa Bouch says
I learned they make more than pasta!
c.m says
i like the wine pairing.
Debbie Clauer says
I learned what Mangia means.
chickie brewer says
I learned that you can make good party appitizers with Bertolli!
brandy c says
I learned about the wine pairings.
Kelley Chapman says
They can be cooked in the microwave.
The Happy Wife/Danielle Garcia says
I like that they are microwavable.
cc cox says
I love bertoli
Austin Baroudi says
I learned that Francesco Bertolli said, “There is nothing more beautiful than sharing great food, conversation, and laughter.”
Nicole Carter says
I like the wine suggestions! I never know what compliments what!
Pam Flynn says
I learned Magnia means eat. I have never heard this word before.
Lisa Walker says
I learned that Francesco Bertolli believed that a good meal included good food, good conversation and laughter.
Bridgett Wilbur says
I learned that they use the best ingredients and love pairing there meals with wine.
Shannon says
I like the section that tells the wine pairings!
Constance Benton says
I learned a great wine paring. I love the perfect wine with the perfect dinner
Stacy says
I learned that Bertolli makes soups, my husband would love the Bertolli® Ricotta and Lobster Ravioli in a Seafood Bisque
Ashley M says
I learned what wine pairs with bertolli
Stephanie Larison says
I learned they have a Manicotti Alla Vodka meal that looks amazing!
Kim Reid says
I like the Chicken Alfredo and Penne Classic Meal for 2, yummy!!
Brian Vent says
I learned how quick, easy and fun dinner can be with mangiania.
Jill Rivera says
I found out that it is in my grocery frozen food section.
Erica B. says
They have ideas for wine pairings.
Gabrielly says
I learned they can be cooked in the microwave.
Amy M says
I learned that they have a lot more variety nowadays. There are some that would make my husband drool. I think we will be trying those out here over the next couple weeks.
Annamarie V says
I learned about wine pairings with different Bertolli pasta sauces.
Lesley F says
I learned that you can win a trip to Napa on their site
Jennifer Barr says
I learned they are microwavable
jules m. says
they have wine pairing on the site for each type of pasta meal, which is awesome!
Mary Beth Elderton says
Now *this* is the way to enjoy a good meal! I think we would love the Scampi and Linguine with the recommended Pinot Grigio.
susan smoaks says
mangia means eat the italian way, there is nothing more beautiful than sharing great food.
Leah says
I liked that they gave wine suggested pairings. Thank you!
Rose Sofranko says
I saw some yummy Pasta Pizza there in theirr photo/food contest. Yum! Thanks and God bless.
Danielle Magee says
I love wine so I like they have wine pairing on the website.
anna powell says
They can be cooked in the microwave
laurie murley says
I like that they suggest a wine to eat with your meal
Eugenia Hall says
I like that they offer wine pairing suggestions.
Elizabeth H. says
I love the Complimentary toasts!
Chris M says
They are microwavable so that is nice.
Shakeia Rieux says
I like that they have complimentary toasts
Daniel G. says
I love the ravioli recipe
Laurie Nykaza says
I never know what wine to drink with the meal so I like that they tell you what would go with it.
Kim Keithline says
I learned that I can get a great italian meal quickly and I especially like Shrimp scampi and Linguine flavor sounds great
Mary Gardner says
I love the recipes on their site and that they also give suggestions for wine pairings.
rosemary says
Easy to cook in the microwave
Megan C says
I learned that they made dinner for two. I have never seen this before. I want to try the Bertolli® Chicken Alfredo & Penne but they all sound good.
I had a popup from voicefive about doing a survey that would not close and made it very difficult to enter the giveaway. I was not able to do some of the task because I could not get it to close or move it out of the way. Didn’t know if others were having the same issue. I apologize for any miss spelling I cant see what I am typing with the box covering this.
Robin says
I like that the meals can be made in the microwave.
Darlene Wright says
I learned that the Shrimp Scampi with Languine goes well with a Pinot Grigio.
elishia bakle says
i leanred about the yummy varietys they come in! looks like this would make a great low effort dinner
Kathryn C says
I learned about their soups! never knew that, always just thought they offered pasta meals
Kathryn C
Brandon Sparks says
I learned that they give suggestions for wine
Tina Reynolds says
I love you can easily make this in the microwave
Cindy Peterson says
These have been my go-to-meal to make before running off to attend the football game. Easy and filling. And I like the site gives me ideas to go with the meal.
Karen Behrman says
would be good for a romantic dinner
Kim Parrott says
I loved the contest where you can share your family meals to twitter to win a trip to Napa. Loved seeing the delicious dinners!
Linda F says
I like that they offer wine pairing suggestions.
Myrna Kasick says
I learned that mangia means eat in Italian. I think I may have known that already.
marie cantelli says
I love all of the wine pairing suggestions they give.
jeanne conner says
I learned it can be cooked in the microwave, which is how I roll
Frank P says
I learned a little bit about Francesco Bertolli’s philosophy.
patricia delgado says
I like the wine pairing I struggle in that area
Charlene S. says
I like the varieties of meals for 2 that they offer.
Carolyn Daley says
I learned that Bertolli is having a contest to win an all expense paid trip to Napa if you share your MangiaMoment. I also learned that Bertolli has a Shrimp Scampi and Linguine for two meal.
liz l says
No idea that they did wine pairings
Sand says
I learned they suggest wine parings.
Brian E. says
Thank You for the giveaway… we liked their wine suggestions with various dishes & opportunity to win trip to Napa !