On the lookout for recipes to remain in and cook dinner? These Valentine’s Day dinner concepts make an incredible date night time or romantic dinner!
What’s higher than an evening in for Valentine’s Day? We love dinner out, however there’s one thing cozy about staying in and cooking dinner with the individuals you’re keen on. Whether or not it’s a romantic dinner for 2 or a dinner with the entire household, there are such a lot of concepts to make a particular meal!
And who higher to listen to from than us, a pair who cooks collectively? We’re two cookbook authors and recipe writers who’ve made a profession of sharing the kitchen. Right here we’ve compiled all our favourite Valentine’s Day dinner concepts and recipes for cozy night time in. Every recipe has a little bit of a romantic vibe, however works for the entire household too!
On the lookout for drinks? Attempt 20 Enjoyable Valentine’s Day Cocktails!
And now, Valentine’s Day dinner concepts and recipes!
Considered one of our high Valentine’s Day dinner concepts to impress: this creamy Tuscan salmon! It’d end in just a few marriage proposals, which is why we additionally prefer 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 chunk brilliant, salty, and opulent.
Right here’s a basic dish that impresses each time: rooster piccata! Tender, golden-brown rooster cutlets are bathed in a vibrant lemon-butter sauce with pops of briny capers. This basic Italian American dish has captured hearts and stomachs around the globe, and it’s an enormous favourite over right here. Don’t be intimidated by its fancy identify; it is surprisingly easy to make at residence!
Do this romantic creamy pasta recipe, starring chewy al dente pasta and an irresistible Parmesan garlic cream sauce! The way in which the creamy sauce and garlic intensify the leafy greens makes it one in every of our high vegetarian pasta recipes up to now. Cozy as much as a bowl and it’s positively life-giving. You’ll by no means love spinach extra!
Shrimp, butter, garlic, lemon, and white wine: what may very well be higher? Sure, it’s the Italian American shrimp scampi, a basic 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: both approach, it’s divine.
Right here’s a recipe that couldn’t be extra delectable. Attempt these spinach artichoke Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms! Sure, that’s proper. It combines the deliciousness of spinach artichoke dip with the meaty, savory goodness of a baked portobello mushroom. Prime it off with crunchy Italian breadcrumbs, and also you’ll amaze everybody on the desk! It’s vegetarian however will please each kind of eater: we promise.
This cozy, flavor-packed recipe satisfies each time: Penne Pomodoro! The basic 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 might be golden and seasoned, crispy on the surface and tender on the within. Previous Bay, Dijon mustard and tarragon intensify the juicy lump crabmeat completely, and served with creamy tartar sauce, they’re just a little little bit of heaven in every chunk!
An ideal vegan dinner concept? Attempt Vegan Crab Desserts (that are simply pretty much as good, in our opinion!).
Subsequent up in our checklist of Valentine’s Day dinner concepts: Cacio e Pepe: cheese and pepper pasta! Pasta is mega romantic, proper? This Italian cheese and pepper spaghetti couldn’t be easier; the recipe is from our buddy Ashley Rodriguez’s ebook Date Evening In. Alex and I ate a killer cacio e pepe final time we had been in Rome, and we had the most effective one’s of our life in NYC. It’s a very easy recipe that’s elegant in its simplicity.
Additionally strive: Simple Pasta Puttanesca
If we might eat only one dinner for the remainder of our lives, this is perhaps it: a skillet of creamy Tuscan rooster! For those who’ve by no means had Tuscan rooster, allow us to be the primary to let you know: this meal delivers. What’s it that makes it so outrageously good? Perhaps it’s the dreamy sauce of solar dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and Parmesan. Or perhaps it’s the savory taste explosion from the superbly seasoned and pan seared rooster breast.
Subsequent up in our checklist of Valentine’s Day dinner concepts: Pistachio Crusted Salmon! This methodology for cooking fish looks like one thing you’d get at a restaurant, but it surely’s so easy to make. The aroma wafting from the oven can have you salivating earlier than the meals even reaches your plate! Every chunk of tender fish and the crunchy, Parmesan pistachio topping makes you instantly wish to take one other.
Additionally strive: Fast Broiled Salmon or Lemon Dill Salmon
Here is a creamy pasta good for Valentine’s Day dinner: Creamy Solar Dried Tomato Pasta! There’s main wow-factor to this pasta, which comes collectively in simply half-hour. Earthy, fruity sundried tomatoes lend a meaty high quality to this simple vegetarian dish, which is bathed in a Parmesan cream sauce.
If there’s one recipe that’s a certain hit in our home, it’s creamy rooster skillets. And this one is an absolute household favourite: do this creamy lemon garlic rooster! The rooster is coated in spices and pan fried till tender and juicy, then topped with a fast pan sauce made with lemon, garlic and just a little cream.
Considered one of our 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 sends it out of this world. There’s a splash of white wine within the risotto, and you may drink the remainder of the bottle as you cook dinner!
Additionally strive: Mushroom Risotto or Butternut Squash Risotto
Scallops have a fantastic, gentle candy taste that’s simple to like: and there’s nothing higher than that good seared crispy outdoors. Attempt them bathed on this superb Lemon Herb Sauce. It takes just a little know the right way to get that golden brown crust with out underneath cooking or overcooking them. However as soon as you already know just a few secrets and techniques…it’s very simple and takes solely 5 minutes to cook dinner!
Additionally strive: Scallop Pasta with Lemon & Herbs
On the lookout for a pasta recipe to impress for Valentine’s Day dinner? Attempt the signature Italian dish Pasta alla Norma! This spectacular recipe hails from Sicily and like several basic 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. The mixture of flavors and textures is a real masterpiece!
Name us loopy, however isn’t a chic pot pie is the coziest, most romantic sounding of Valentine’s Day dinner concepts? This pot pie has develop into one in every of our high fan favourite recipes, and for good motive. The flaky crust is scented with sage, and the within is pure creamy, savory goodness with candy potatoes, onions, mushrooms, and white beans. For those who’re on the lookout for romantic dinner, that is it.
Additionally strive: Greatest Vegan Pot Pie
This creamy vodka sauce is simmered with garlic and basil, served over rigatoni with numerous Parmesan. The key? Simmer the sauce for 1 hour! This vodka sauce pasta is so severely stuffed with taste, it’s price each second of that simmer. And what says “I like you” greater than a 1 hour simmered pasta?
Serve with: Favourite Chopped Salad or Excellent Italian Salad
It’s acquired bubbly cheese, garlicky tomato sauce, and savory, meaty breaded eggplant: it’s Eggplant Parmesan! This Italian basic dish is hearty, filling, and pleases nearly everybody. Most eating places use fried eggplant, however for a selfmade model it’s a lot easier to bake. This finest baked Eggplant Parmesan recipe is quicker and simpler to make at residence than most recipes and stuffed with unbelievable taste.
Chilean sea bass is among the most costly fish dishes on a restaurant menu, and one chunk tells you why! The tender fillet has a succulent, buttery texture that tastes positively glamorous. For those who’re fortunate sufficient to attain your self a fillet or two, right here’s the recipe for them. Flippantly season and pan fry the fillets till the outside is golden and crisp, then season with garlic, butter, lemon, and herbs. Pair it with just a few sides and it’s a restaurant-quality Valentine’s Day dinner recipe with little effort.
There’s simply one thing about silky caramelized onions topped golden, crusty cheese that takes your breath away each time. That is basic French cooking at its best…it’s kind of of a challenge, however price each minute of it for a chic Valentine’s Day dinner. This recipe is stuffed with wealthy, nuanced taste and all the comfortable, date night time in vibes.
Desire a Valentine’s Day dinner to impress…with just a little kick? Attempt Shrimp Fra Diavolo! 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 selfmade and you may customise the spiciness to your style!
We love utilizing Valentine’s Day as an excuse to make a flowery paella! This beautiful one pan dinner is made for celebrations! This conventional Spanish rice dish has 1000’s of variations. but it surely’s all the time rice with an explosion of colourful toppings. This one stars saffron-scented rice, blended colourful greens and shrimp, and it’s stuffed with conventional taste. Pair with crimson sangria or apple sangria.
You’ll wish to bookmark this recipe for making after Valentine’s Day too…this Creamy Shrimp Pasta! It’s extremely basic: juicy, savory shrimp and al dente pasta swimming in a creamy sauce. As a result of we love choices, we’ve acquired two sauce concepts for you: a white wine sauce, bursting with tangy taste. Or strive our simple cream sauce, a creamy Parmesan sauce that’s really made with no cream in any respect. Combine the parts collectively and wow!
Ever tried making meatballs…with eggplant? We’d been listening to for years that eggplant makes nice vegetarian meatballs, we simply didn’t actually consider it…till now. Do this superb Eggplant Meatballs recipe! Garlic, herbs, breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese make one insanely juicy and savory meatball.
What’s extra Valentine’s Day applicable than scorching pink hummus? That is the proper appetizer to a comfy dinner. Including a roasted beet to hummus makes it beautiful to take a look at—and it’s tasty too. You don’t have to chop your veggies to be coronary heart formed after all…however why not?
Cherries are good for Valentine’s Day dinner, and here is an incredible appetizer concept: cherry and goat cheese crostini! Saute tart cherries with a little bit of sage and balsamic vinegar, then spoon them over a goat cheese crostini. They are a easy and scrumptious starter to pair with the primary dishes above!
Here is 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, coated in a calmly candy French dressing.
Here is a simple salad to make any Valentine’s Day dinner recipe right into a meal. It’s fairly presumably the best salad you’ll make. You don’t even need to make a salad dressing! In 5 to 10 minutes, you’ve acquired a chic salad that goes with actually every part.
One other nice Valentine’s Day dinner facet dish: pomegranate salad! 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 real symphony of taste! Choose from just a few totally different dressing selections: our favorites are apple cider vinegar dressing or pomegranate French dressing.
Beets are good for Valentine’s Day dinner with their brilliant pink coloration. Attempt 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 appropriate components: child greens, creamy goat cheese and a tangy balsamic beet dressing.
Right here’s a fantastic facet dish for Valentine’s Day dinner: this beautiful apple salad! If we might 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 contemporary greens with a zingy maple and apple cider vinegar dressing, and it’s actually salad perfection.
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, nut and creamy textures and flavors complement one another completely!
Here is a chic salad for Valentine’s Day dinner: do this Endive Salad: equal elements refreshing, tangy, bitter, crunchy, and tangy! Bitter endive pairs completely with juicy orange and a candy tart crimson wine French dressing. Prime it off with savory Parmesan shavings and crunchy almonds, and the contrasts are divine. Every chunk is crunchy, candy, savory and citrusy.
In the case of fast and stylish facet dishes, this one is perhaps tops: sauteed broccolini! The elegantly lengthy stems of this inexperienced veggie make it look fancy, however right here’s a secret. You’ll be able to cook dinner it up in simply 5 minutes in a scorching skillet. Add a little bit of garlic and lemon, and also you received’t be capable of cease consuming these irresistibly massive spears.
Additionally strive: Easy Roasted Broccolini
Right here’s a easy solution to costume up contemporary inexperienced beans as a connoisseur facet: Inexperienced Beans Almondine! Make it at residence, and this dish is sensible! The beans are brilliant inexperienced and completely tender, sautéed in butter with garlic and toasted almonds and completed with just a little lemon zest. After one chunk, you will be singing its praises.
These Brussels sprouts are a improbable Valentine’s Day facet dish…they usually actually are subsequent stage! They’re impossibly crispy, baked till they’re caramelized and the surface layers flake off into darkened crunchy chips. Then they’re draped in a tangy maple balsamic glaze that heightens the flavors to their peak. One chunk of those, and everybody across the desk shall be asking how you probably did it.
In fact, we have got to have some romantic Valentine’s Day cocktails to go together with the dinner concepts, proper? Do this candy tart crimson cocktail: the Raspberry Martini! This drink is beautiful and stuffed with brilliant berry taste: from first sip, you’ll be bought! The candy tart, calmly floral taste of raspberry is fantastically pure, due to selfmade raspberry syrup.
Additionally strive: Pomegranate Martini, French Martini or different Pink Cocktails
Here is a fantastically brilliant sensible pink Valentine’s Day drink: sure, it’s a Cosmo! A Cosmopolitan cocktail, to be actual. This basic cocktail is prepared to boost your subsequent gathering, be it a cocktail party or drinks on the patio with buddies. It was at its top within the 1990’s (hey, Intercourse and the Metropolis), however the Cosmo is a legit bitter cocktail that’s price ingesting.
Additionally strive: 10 Excellent Pink Cocktails
The chocolate martini is wealthy and creamy, mainly a dessert in a glass! It’s acquired Irish cream and creme de cacao for optimum taste, just like the liquid model of your favourite chocolate bar. Combine this up for particular events like Valentine’s Day or a romantic dinner…or simply anytime you want a candy deal with in cocktail kind.
Additionally strive: Traditional Mudslide
Right here’s one of the vital refined and refreshing cocktails on the market…and it is good for Valentine’s Day dinner. Attempt the French 75! It’s acquired a mysterious identify, but it surely’s made with just a few easy substances. It’s tangy, bubbly, and a bit botanical, and it makes each dinner extra festive!
One other enjoyable Valentine’s Day dinner drink: the Pomegranate Gin Fizz! The Gin Fizz is one in every of our favourite basic 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 offers the drink an excellent jewel-toned coloration!
On the lookout for a decadent Valentine’s Day dinner deal with? Do this chocolate mousse recipe: wealthy, easy, and surprisingly simple to whip up at residence! Here is the right way to make a killer easy, creamy, wealthy chocolate mousse.
Right here’s an iconic Valentine’s Day dessert that’s the pure definition of decadence: Molten Chocolate Lava Cake! It will get its identify from its liquid “lava” heart, which flows like a volcano once you dig into it with a fork. Are you a chocolate lover licks the batter off spatulas when baking? (Responsible.) Then you definitely’ll be head over heels for this one. Seems, it’s not as tough as you assume!
The very best dessert for in our Valentine’s Day dinner concepts: mug cake! This genius methodology for going from 0 to cake in only a few minutes is completely price a strive. This chocolate mug cake recipe comes out insanely fudgy and 100% scrumptious! It’s acquired a secret ingredient that makes a delightfully wealthy taste. The toughest half? 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 appropriate nutty intrigue within the taste, and studded with darkish chocolate chips and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. (They could be vegan, however they’re our favourite cookies and we promise you’ll be able to’t inform the distinction!)
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. Prime it with this simple raspberry compote for a candy tart pairing that cuts the sweetness of the cake completely.
Everybody loves a superb chocolate cookie. However right here’s one thing we expect is even higher: these mushy, gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars! They’ve acquired an irresistibly chewy texture, that includes an opulent dough with a great deal of darkish chocolate chips. A little bit of oatmeal offers it a nostalgic heartiness, and the sides get completely golden.
Cherries appear to be Valentine’s Day meals to us, most likely due to the colour. So do this cherry crisp with candy tart, juicy crimson fruit coated in cinnamon-spiced butter crumbles. We additionally like so as to add a touch of floor cardamom for some intrigue!
Final up: one in every of our very favourite methods to finish a Valentine’s Day dinner bananas foster! For those who like taking part in with hearth, this one’s for you. Our recipe is straightforward with directions on the right way to flambé and get that dramatic flame! It tastes actually unbelievable. Seize two spoons on your skillet and dig in!
Extra romantic recipes
Want extra romantic recipe inspiration? We’ve acquired you. Listed below are just a few extra concepts that will be good as Valentine’s Day recipes:
Description
Right here’s the right way to make chocolate coated strawberries: a simple dessert that’s spectacular each time! This recipe makes completely dipped berries.
- 1 pound ripe strawberries
- 5 ounces semi candy chocolate chips (like Guittard or Ghirardelli)
- Toppings: sprinkles, crushed pistachios (proven), crushed freeze dried raspberries (proven), crushed nuts, toasted coconut, white chocolate to drizzle (see recipe), and so forth
- Wash and dry the strawberries: Wash the strawberries and gently pat them as dry as potential.
- Line a baking sheet and prep toppings: Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Put together all of your toppings upfront and place them in bowls subsequent to the baking sheet.
- Soften the chocolate: Place the chocolate chips right into a dry glass measuring cup or small glass cup or bowl: the smaller the higher. (Ensure it’s utterly dry or the chocolate will seize.) Microwave on Excessive energy for 30 seconds, then stir. Microwave one other 30 seconds, stir, and 30 seconds extra and stir. At this level it must be principally melted with just a few chunks: maintain stirring till all of the chocolate chunks disappear and the chocolate is completely easy. (Maintain stirring if it doesn’t totally soften. You’ll be able to strive one other 10 second burst and stir once more, however you’ll wish to keep away from getting the chocolate too scorching. Learn extra at Microwave Chocolate.)
- Dip the strawberries and add toppings: Maintain the inexperienced portion of a strawberry. Dip the strawberry into the chocolate after which pull it out, twisting it to let the surplus drip off. Place the strawberry onto the baking sheet. Instantly sprinkle it with toppings, because the chocolate dries rapidly.
- Refrigerate: Refrigerate the tray of strawberries for half-hour. Serve instantly or refrigerate till serving. They’re finest the day of creating, however they’ll retailer for as much as 1 day uncovered (don’t place them in a sealed container or they develop into soggy).
- Class: Dessert
- Methodology: Uncooked
- Delicacies: Dessert
- Eating regimen: Vegan
Key phrases: Valentine’s Day Dinner Concepts, valentine’s day recipes