Want Valentine’s Day dinner concepts to cook dinner at dwelling? From creamy pastas to fancy seafood, these romantic recipes make the right date night time meal for 2 or the entire household.
What’s higher than an evening in for Valentine’s Day? I like dinner out, however there’s one thing cozy about staying in and cooking dinner with the folks you like. Generally it’s a romantic dinner with my husband Alex, however now that now we have youngsters it’s typically a particular meal for the entire household!
Who higher to offer recipe concepts than us, a pair who cooks collectively? Alex and I are two cookbook authors and recipe writers who’ve made a profession of sharing the kitchen. Right here I’ve compiled all our favourite Valentine’s Day dinner concepts and recipes for cozy night time in. Every recipe may work for a romantic date or a household dinner night time.
50 Valentine’s Day Dinner Recipe Concepts
One in all my prime Valentine's Day dinner concepts is that this creamy Tuscan salmon! It’d end in just a few marriage proposals, which is why I additionally wish to name it “Marry Me Salmon.” The tender fish is bathed in a luscious cream sauce with garlic, solar dried tomatoes, spinach, and capers, making every chew brilliant, salty, and splendid.
Right here’s a traditional dish that impresses each time: hen piccata! Tender, golden-brown hen cutlets are bathed in a vibrant lemon-butter sauce with pops of briny capers. This traditional Italian American dish has captured hearts and stomachs around the globe, and it’s an enormous favourite over right here.
Do that romantic creamy pasta recipe, starring chewy al dente pasta and an irresistible Parmesan garlic cream sauce! The best way the creamy sauce and garlic intensify the leafy greens makes it considered one of our prime vegetarian pasta recipes to this point. Cozy as much as a bowl and it’s positively life-giving.
Shrimp, butter, garlic, lemon, and white wine: what may very well be higher? Sure, it’s the Italian American shrimp scampi, a traditional that’s been stealing hearts and minds for many years. This model is fairly stellar: juicy, garlicky shrimp swimming in a wealthy, tangy butter sauce. Sop it up with crusty bread or pour it over pasta.
Strive these spinach artichoke Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms! This recipe combines the deliciousness of spinach artichoke dip with the meaty, savory goodness of a baked portobello mushroom. High it off with crunchy Italian breadcrumbs, and also you’ll amaze everybody on the desk! It’s vegetarian however will please each sort of eater.
This cozy, flavor-packed recipe satisfies each time: Penne Pomodoro! The traditional pairing of pomodoro sauce and short-cut pasta exemplifies the simplicity of Italian delicacies: juicy tomatoes, garlic, greens and herbs simmered till they meld right into a pure, wealthy sauce.
This superb crab cake recipe makes patties which are golden and seasoned, crispy on the skin and tender on the within. Outdated Bay, Dijon mustard and tarragon intensify the juicy lump crabmeat completely, and served with creamy tartar sauce, they’re somewhat little bit of heaven in every chew! For vegan ,attempt Vegan Crab Desserts.
This Italian cheese and pepper spaghetti couldn’t be easier; the recipe is from my buddy Ashley Rodriguez’s ebook Date Night time In. Alex and I ate a scrumptious cacio e pepe final time we have been in Rome, and we had top-of-the-line one’s of our life in NYC. It’s a really easy recipe that’s elegant in its simplicity.
If I may eat only one dinner for the remainder of my life, this is perhaps it: a skillet of creamy Tuscan hen! What’s it that makes it so satisfying? Possibly it’s the dreamy sauce of solar dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and Parmesan. Or possibly it’s the savory taste from the superbly seasoned, juicy pan seared hen breast.
This technique for cooking fish looks as if one thing you’d get at a restaurant, however it’s so easy to make. The aroma wafting from the oven may have you salivating earlier than the meals even reaches your plate! Every chew of fish is tender and topped with a crunchy, Parmesan pistachio topping.
Right here's a creamy pasta excellent for Valentine's Day dinner: Creamy Solar Dried Tomato Pasta! There’s a wow-factor to this pasta, which comes collectively in simply half-hour. Earthy, fruity sundried tomatoes lend a meaty high quality to this straightforward vegetarian dish, which is bathed in a Parmesan cream sauce.
If there’s one recipe that’s a certain hit in my home, it’s creamy hen skillets. This one is a household favourite: do this creamy lemon garlic hen! The hen is coated in spices and pan fried till tender and juicy, then topped with a fast pan sauce made with lemon, garlic and somewhat cream.
One in all my extra elegant Valentine’s Day dinner concepts is that this Parmesan black truffle risotto! A seemingly connoisseur dish, this Parmesan truffle risotto recipe is fairly easy to place collectively, and the black truffle taste is implausible. Additionally attempt my Mushroom Risotto.
Scallops have a fantastic, gentle candy taste: and I like them with a seared crispy exterior bathed on this Lemon Herb Sauce. It takes somewhat know how you can get that golden brown crust with out below cooking or overcooking them. However as soon as you recognize just a few secrets and techniques, it’s they take solely 5 minutes to cook dinner! Additionally attempt my Scallop Pasta with Lemon & Herbs.
This spectacular pasta hails from Sicily and like several traditional Italian dish, it’s all about elegant simplicity. Sauteed eggplant tastes savory and meaty towards a tangy tomato sauce, al dente pasta and salty ricotta salata cheese.
This pot pie has change into considered one of my favourite recipes: the flaky crust is scented with sage, and the within is pure creamy, savory goodness with candy potatoes, onions, mushrooms, and white beans. Additionally attempt my favourite Vegan Pot Pie which is simply as tasty.
This creamy vodka sauce is simmered with garlic and basil, served over rigatoni with numerous Parmesan. It's so stuffed with taste, it’s value each second of the 1 hour simmer time. What says "I like you” greater than gradual simmered pasta? Serve with my Favourite Chopped Salad or Italian Salad.
This Italian traditional dish is hearty, filling, and pleases nearly everybody. Most eating places use fried eggplant, however my do-it-yourself model is baked which is far easier. This Eggplant Parmesan recipe is quicker and simpler to make at dwelling than most recipes and full of huge taste.
Chilean sea bass is without doubt one of the costliest fish dishes on a restaurant menu: tender fillet has a succulent, buttery texture that tastes glamorous. Should you’re fortunate sufficient to attain your self a fillet or two, right here’s the recipe for them. Frivolously season and pan fry the fillets till the outside is golden and crisp, then season with garlic, butter, lemon, and herbs.
There’s simply one thing about silky caramelized onions topped golden, crusty cheese! This French onion soup is traditional French cooking at its most interesting: it's a little bit of a undertaking, however value each minute of it for a chic Valentine's Day dinner. Good for a date night time in!
This Italian-style dish stars tender shrimp that swim in a garlicky, spicy tomato sauce. “Fra diavolo” interprets to “brother satan” in Italian, alluding to the extraordinary warmth of this dish. However make it do-it-yourself and you may customise the spiciness to your style!
I like utilizing Valentine's Day as an excuse to make a elaborate paella! This beautiful one pan dinner is made for celebrations! This conventional Spanish rice dish has hundreds of variations. however it’s all the time rice with an explosion of colourful toppings. Pair with pink sangria or apple sangria.
Gooey white cheddar mac and cheese is sort of a large hug! It’s cozy and comforting, and with tangy pink roasted tomatoes, it’s an ideal Valentine’s Day dinner thought! It’s on the wealthy facet, so serve with a refreshing inexperienced salad.
This recipe is traditional: juicy, savory shrimp and al dente pasta swimming in a creamy sauce. For the sauce, you’ll be able to attempt my white wine sauce, bursting with tangy taste, or my straightforward cream sauce, a creamy Parmesan sauce that’s made with no cream in any respect.
Ever tried making meatballs with eggplant? I'd been listening to for years that eggplant makes nice vegetarian meatballs, however I didn’t actually consider it till I attempted it! Garlic, herbs, breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese make one deliciously juicy and savory meatball.
What’s extra Valentine’s Day applicable than scorching pink hummus? That is the right appetizer to a comfortable dinner. Including a roasted beet to hummus makes it beautiful to take a look at: and engaging too.
Cherries are excellent for Valentine's Day dinner, and right here's an excellent appetizer thought: cherry and goat cheese crostini! Sauté tart cherries with a little bit of sage and balsamic vinegar, then spoon them over a goat cheese crostini. They're a easy and scrumptious starter to pair with the primary dishes above!
Right here's an ideal salad for Valentine's Day dinner: shaved Brussels sprout salad! This one is a research in texture contrasts: the feathery shaved Brussels, the pop of the Pomegranate seeds, and the brilliant crunch of the apple. It’s vibrant and colourful, lined in a flippantly candy French dressing.
Right here's a straightforward salad to make any Valentine's Day dinner recipe right into a meal. It’s fairly probably the simplest salad you’ll make. You don’t even need to make a salad dressing! In 5 to 10 minutes, you’ve bought a chic salad that goes with virtually any meal!
Crunchy pomegranate seeds make a fantastic confetti excessive of leafy greens. Add tart inexperienced apple slices, toasted pecans, and goat cheese or feta crumbles, and it’s a celebration of taste. Choose from just a few totally different dressing selections: my favorites are apple cider vinegar dressing or pomegranate French dressing.
Beets are excellent for Valentine's Day dinner with their brilliant pink shade. Strive them on this Beet Salad recipe! Make it with roasted beets and even pre-cooked from the shop: and man is it good. It has all the best components: child greens, creamy goat cheese and a tangy balsamic beet dressing.
If I may eat one salad for the remainder of time, this one is it. Crisp tart apple slices pair with pops of pomegranate seeds, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy, cinnamon spiced pecans. Toss them throughout recent greens with a zingy maple and apple cider vinegar dressing.
Right here’s a brilliant, stunning salad recipe that works in virtually any season: this refreshing Grapefruit Salad! It pairs the juicy citrus fruit with nutty toasted almonds, salty feta cheese and a zingy poppy seed dressing. Give it a style and the fragile, zingy, and creamy textures and flavors complement one another completely!
Right here's a enjoyable salad for Valentine's Day dinner: do this Endive Salad! Bitter endive pairs completely with juicy orange and a candy tart pink wine French dressing. High it off with savory Parmesan shavings and crunchy almonds, and the contrasts are divine. Every chew is crunchy, candy, savory and citrusy.
In terms of fast and chic facet dishes, that is considered one of my favorites: sauteed broccolini! The lengthy stems of this inexperienced veggie make it look fancy, however right here’s a secret. You possibly can cook dinner it up in simply 5 minutes in a scorching skillet. Add a little bit of garlic and lemon. Additionally attempt my Easy Roasted Broccolini.
Right here’s a easy solution to gown up recent inexperienced beans as a connoisseur facet: Inexperienced Beans Almondine! The beans are brilliant inexperienced and completely tender, sautéed in butter with garlic and toasted almonds and completed with somewhat lemon zest.
These Brussels sprouts are a implausible Valentine's Day facet dish: impossibly crispy, baked till they’re caramelized and the skin layers flake off into darkened crunchy chips. Then they’re draped in a tangy maple balsamic glaze that heightens the flavors to their peak.
Why not have some romantic Valentine's Day cocktails to go together with the dinner concepts? Do that candy tart pink cocktail: the Raspberry Martini! This drink is beautiful and stuffed with brilliant berry taste. From first sip, the candy tart, flippantly floral taste of raspberry is superbly pure, due to do-it-yourself raspberry syrup.
Right here's a superbly brilliant sensible pink Valentine's Day drink: sure, it’s a Cosmo! A Cosmopolitan cocktail, to be precise. This traditional cocktail is prepared to boost your subsequent Valentine's Day gathering or Galentine's Day menu!
The chocolate martini is wealthy and creamy, principally a dessert in a glass! It’s bought Irish cream and creme de cacao for max taste, just like the liquid model of your favourite chocolate bar. Combine this up for Valentine’s Day or any romantic dinner.
Right here’s one of the subtle and refreshing cocktails on the market, and excellent for Valentine's Day dinner: attempt the French 75! It’s bought a mysterious title, however it’s made with just a few easy components. It’s tangy, bubbly, and a bit botanical, and it makes each dinner extra festive!
The Gin Fizz is considered one of my favourite traditional cocktails: candy tart and refreshing, with a festive egg white foam. Take it excessive with this pomegranate spin: it elevates the candy tart taste and provides the drink an excellent jewel-toned shade.
In search of a decadent Valentine's Day dinner deal with? Do that chocolate mousse recipe: wealthy, easy, and surprisingly straightforward to whip up at dwelling! Right here's how you can make a easy, creamy, and wealthy chocolate mousse.
This iconic Valentine's Day dessert is the definition of decadence: Molten Chocolate Lava Cake! It will get its title from its liquid “lava” heart, which flows like a volcano whenever you dig into it with a fork. Seems, it’s not as tough to make as you assume!
This genius technique for going from 0 to cake in only a few minutes is totally value a attempt. This chocolate mug cake recipe comes out insanely fudgy and 100% scrumptious! It’s bought a secret ingredient that makes a delightfully wealthy taste. The toughest half is ready for it to chill till you’ll be able to dig in!
How about pulling some heat chocolate chip cookies straight from the oven for Valentine's Day dinner? Outrageously good is the one solution to describe these cookies! They’re chewy with crispy edges, candy with simply the best nutty intrigue within the taste, and studded with darkish chocolate chips and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
What's higher than ending a Valentine's Day dinner with flourless chocolate cake? Wealthy and fudgy, dense and darkish chocolaty, it’s a chocolate lover’s dream. High it with this straightforward raspberry compote for a candy tart pairing that cuts the sweetness of the cake completely.
Everybody loves chocolate cookie. However right here’s one thing we predict is even higher: these smooth, gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars! They’ve bought an irresistibly chewy texture, that includes an opulent dough with a great deal of darkish chocolate chips. A little bit of oatmeal provides it a nostalgic heartiness, and the perimeters get completely golden.
Cherries seem to be Valentine's Day meals to us, in all probability due to the colour. So do this cherry crisp with candy tart, juicy pink fruit lined in cinnamon-spiced butter crumbles. I additionally like so as to add a touch of floor cardamom for some intrigue.
Final up: considered one of my very favourite methods to finish a Valentine’s Day dinner bananas foster! Should you like taking part in with hearth, this one’s for you. My recipe is simple with directions on how you can flambé and get that dramatic flame! It tastes really unbelievable. Seize two spoons on your skillet and dig in!
Suggestions for Valentine’s Day Dinner Success
Over a decade of cooking Valentine’s Day dinners, I’ve realized just a few tips that make the night movement easily.
- Do as a lot prep work as doable as early as doable! Chop greens, measure components, and even set the desk so that you’re not scrambling when it’s time to cook dinner.
- Select recipes with totally different cooking strategies: In case your primary dish requires the oven, choose a stovetop facet dish so that you’re not preventing for area.
- Don’t stress about perfection! The aim is to benefit from the course of, to not create restaurant-worthy meals!
For drinks, I all the time suggest having one thing particular able to pour whenever you begin cooking. I like all my Valentine’s Day cocktail concepts, however a bottle of champagne might be best when you’re cooking a full meal.
