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Wednesday, February 11, 2026

20 Finest Valentine’s Day Dinner Concepts


Our greatest Valentine’s Day dinner concepts! Discover all the pieces you want for a date evening at dwelling—cozy pastas, elegant risottos, aspect salads, and extra.


valentine's day dinner ideas


These Valentine’s Day dinner concepts will allow you to plan the right date evening at dwelling! Jack and I gave up going to eating places on Valentine’s Day years in the past. We realized that it was far more romantic—and extra enjoyable—to spend time within the kitchen collectively than it was to eat at a crowded restaurant that we selected weeks or months prematurely (as a result of that’s how far forward it’s a must to plan with the intention to get a reservation).

I’ve rounded up a few of our go-to date evening dinner recipes beneath. They embrace traditional Italian pastas, comforting risottos, soups, and extra. Select one for a scrumptious, romantic meal this weekend. I promise, with these recipes, you received’t remorse eating in!

Our Prime 5 Valentine’s Day Dinner Concepts


Homemade pasta


Selfmade Pasta

What’s extra romantic than do-it-yourself pasta?! This recipe requires 4 easy elements and is fabulous with any sauce—marinara, pesto, arrabbiata


Mushroom risotto


Mushroom Risotto

Risotto requires just a little an excessive amount of stirring for a daily weeknight, however on a date evening? It’s enjoyable to hang around by the range along with your Valentine, sipping a glass of wine whereas this creamy, savory Italian dish comes collectively.


Eggplant Parmesan


Eggplant Parmesan

With over 500 5-star critiques, this comforting recipe is a date evening favourite amongst Love & Lemons readers. Corina wrote, “My companion and I made this collectively on Valentine’s Day and it turned out so good! We will certainly be holding this recipe for particular events.”


Best Valentine's Day dinner ideas - white pizza


White Pizza

For Jack and me, do-it-yourself pizza is a go-to date evening transfer. He makes the pizza dough whereas I prep the toppings, then we each assemble and eat. I particularly love this white pie for Valentine’s Day. The creamy ricotta topping feels elegant and indulgent.


Fettuccine Alfredo


Fettuccine Alfredo

Coated in a silky cream sauce, this straightforward pasta is a restaurant-worthy date evening dinner. Stability out your meal with a lemony arugula salad or sautéed broccolini.

Pasta Dinners for Valentine’s Day


Homemade potato gnocchi with pesto


Selfmade Potato Gnocchi

If you happen to’re able to stage up from do-it-yourself pasta, attempt making do-it-yourself gnocchi! These delicate potato pillows are like little clouds. Use them on this pesto gnocchi recipe or gently toss them with purple sauce.


Valentine's Day dinner ideas - lemon pasta


Lemon Pasta

Valentine’s Day dinner recipes don’t need to be sophisticated with the intention to be spectacular! This zesty spaghetti is evenly creamy, shiny, and prepared in 20 minutes.


Penne alla vodka


Penne alla Vodka

With its gentle purple shade, this traditional penne alla vodka couldn’t be a extra excellent Valentine’s Day dinner. The creamy sauce is straightforward to make with pantry elements and stuffed with wealthy tomato taste.


Valentine's Day dinner ideas - mushroom pasta


Mushroom Pasta

In case your Valentine loves mushrooms as a lot as mine does (they’re one in all Jack’s favourite meals!), then this pasta belongs in your date evening rotation. Tip: Use a mixture of varieties like cremini, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms for additional depth of taste.


Cacio e pepe


Cacio e Pepe

Want you possibly can spend Valentine’s Day in Rome? Similar! However the next-best factor is consuming such as you’re in Rome. Make this traditional pasta with salty pecorino, freshly floor black pepper, and a contact of butter for a culinary journey to the Everlasting Metropolis.


Valentine's Day dinner ideas - pasta puttanesca


Pasta Puttanesca

Capers, olives, and loads of garlic pack this pantry pasta with daring, briny taste. L&L reader Eileen wrote, “Wow—the flavors are fantastic. This can be a keeper!”


Vegetable lasagna


Vegetarian Lasagna

Internet hosting a Galentine’s Day dinner? This comforting traditional could be the right foremost! It’s scrumptious, simple to make forward, and nice for feeding a crowd.

Extra Valentine’s Day Dinner Concepts


French onion soup


French Onion Soup

Carry French bistro vibes to your at-home date evening by serving this savory French onion soup. Tip: Make additional tacky toasts for topping. They’re completely addictive!


Valentine's Day dinner ideas - butternut squash risotto


Butternut Squash Risotto

Tender rice, creamy butternut squash, and earthy sage workforce up on this flavorful one-pan meal. Serve it along with your favourite wine and a easy inexperienced salad for a sublime Valentine’s Day dinner.


Valentine's Day dinner ideas - creamy mushroom soup


Creamy Mushroom Soup

L&L reader Roxanne known as this soup “impressively tasty.” Recent thyme, garlic, and white wine—together with loads of mushrooms—fill it with earthy, savory taste.


Valentine's day recipes - roasted cauliflower steak


Roasted Cauliflower Steak

Jack and I’ve made this recipe for Valentine’s Day a number of instances, and it’s at all times a memorable meal. I serve seared cauliflower steaks over a swoosh of arugula pesto and high them off with a nutty, herby Italian salsa verde.

On the Aspect


Valentine's Day dinner ideas - citrus salad with fennel and avocado


Citrus Salad with Fennel & Avocado

February is peak citrus season, so should you’re on the lookout for a Valentine’s Day aspect dish that may wow your sweetheart, this salad is for you. It combines juicy mandarins and grapefruit with uncooked and roasted fennel, creamy avocado, and bitter greens.


Arugula salad


Arugula Salad

Shiny and refreshing, this fast and simple salad is the final word aspect dish for a comforting plate of pasta.


Simple green salad


Easy Inexperienced Salad

One other scrumptious aspect salad to serve with risotto, pasta, or pizza. My lemon French dressing fills this one with zesty taste.


Caesar salad


Caesar Salad

Even salad skeptics can get behind a traditional Caesar! Doused in a 5-minute do-it-yourself Caesar dressing, this one is easy to make and full of lemony, garlicky taste.

Extra Valentine’s Day Recipes

Spherical out your Valentine’s Day dinner with one thing candy! Strive any of those recipes for a scrumptious Valentine’s Day dessert:

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