"We’ve (almost) made it through January—did that feel like the longest month ever to anyone else?! I don’t know about you, but I’m dreaming of the day when my husband and I can get a babysitter and go to a restaurant, kid-free, and enjoy each other’s company like romantic partners instead of the roommates/passing ships we sometimes feel like. Life is busy, ya’ll, and we desperately need a date night! As Valentine’s Day approaches, we’re planning to have an at-home dinner date after the kids go to sleep instead of heading out to a crowded restaurant. The more likely scenario to happen, however, is a special February 14th dinner at home with the whole family featuring some delicious Valentine’s Day dinner recipes.
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Whether you’re looking for some alone time and romance or a chance to get everyone involved in an activity together in the kitchen, we rounded up some easy and delicious recipes for a Valentine’s Day dinner. There are also a handful of inviting dessert recipes to end on a sweet note! Read on for 40+ easy Valentine’s Day dinner recipes to make this year.
Poultry & Pork Recipes
1. Pork Medallions with Blue Cheese Sauce
When it comes to making dinner, I’m all for fancy with a side of ease. This caramelized pork is rich with flavors married together from the blue cheese sauce and white wine. If you’re making this dish, save the white wine, and make a toast with your partner for Valentine’s Day.
2. Bruschetta Chicken
If you’re not spending the day of love on the romantic streets of Italy, this 10/10 bruschetta chicken dish is the next best thing.
3. One Pan Creamy Bacon Chicken Thighs
Thyme is considered a romantic herb, but if you ask me, bacon is the unsung hero of culinary romantics. If you add bacon to anything, including this recipe of creamy bacon chicken thighs, I’ll love you forever. It may be a little dramatic, but if you have a partner that’s a lover of all-things bacon, they’ll definitely enjoy this dish.
4. One Pot Coconut Chicken & Rice
We truly swear by a one-pot meal. Give this coconut chicken a go for a unique but easy-to-make dinner for V-Day.Â
5. Baked Pork Chops
Dazzle your partner with a batch of juicy and flavor-packed pork chops—it’s a lot simpler to create than it sounds! You’ll have their mouth watering minutes after you place this recipe in your oven.
6. Lemon Rosemary Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner with Crispy Potatoes
The best thing about sheet pan dinners is that it’s easy to clean up! Bake this sheet pan dinner of chicken and potatoes, and if you’re a fan of asparagus, throw those in, too. The aroma of rosemary sprigs and garlic will have you humming, “MMMMMM.”
7. Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan
Truly, who doesn’t love a classic chicken parm dish? Serve alongside pasta, salad, and a glass of wine for the romantic dinner of your dreams.
8. Easy Chicken Enchiladas
Homemade chicken enchiladas are a delicious and comforting dinner perfect for any special occasion. With tender shredded chicken, savory sauce, and melted cheese, it’s practically like a hug in meal.
9. Rustic Lemon Rosemary Chicken and Orzo
Think of this like your favorite chicken noodle soup—but better! This yummy one-pot recipe is perfect for some easy prep and big comfort.
10. Greek Turkey Burgers
With these festive and flavorful Greek turkey burgers, you’ll be able to imagine you’re on a romantic Mediterranean seaside Valentine’s Day dinner date for the night. Layered with interesting spices, Kalamata olives, and tangy feta, they’re sure to make for a memorable meal.
11. White Lasagna Soup
Why prepare and wait for an entire lasagna to bake when you can create a refreshing twist on this beloved pasta dish by turning it into a soup? With tender chicken, fresh veggies, melted cheese, and a seasoned broth, it will definitely hit the spot.
12. Fire-Grilled Sheet Pan Fajitas
Try out this super tasty one pan meal for a zero-hassle dinner packed with tons of spices that’ll add that flavor kick to your Valentine’s meal.
13. Quick 30-Minute Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana Soup
Nothing gives off cuddle vibes like a bowl of warm soup. Whether you’re sipping it next to a warm fire or right next to your significant other, a cup of Tuscan soup will warm your heart.
Beef Recipes
14. Easy Homemade Meatballs
The act of making a meal together is romantic in itself. Mix the ingredients together for these homemade meatballs while you sip on an adult beverage and talk about things other than the kids.
15. Pan-Seared Ribeye Steak
This is a delicious and impressive meal that’s actually way easier to make than it may seem. With its crispy exterior and juicy flavor, this dish is sure to be a hit with steak lovers, and will give a restaurant taste to your at-home date night.
16. Steak and Blue Cheese Pasta with Roasted Broccoli
Pasta is a go-to dinner for many (especially for V-Day), so put a special twist on it with this recipe that you definitely don’t see everyday, but is incredibly delicious nonetheless.
17. Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
Ease the stress of prep time and spend the day with the people you love while your pressure cooker cooks up a delicious dinner for you! Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce is an easy and yummy meal that’s a classic option for V-Day (a Lady and the Tramp moment, if you will!).
18. Garlic Rosemary Beef Tenderloin
You really cannot go wrong with meat and potatoes, and flavors of rosemary and garlic will elevate this classic dinner choice.
19. Red Wine-Braised Short Rib
This fall-off-the-bone braised short rib makes for a hearty and obviously delicious dish that’ll be the star of your date night.
20. Garlic Ginger Steak Stir Fry
Excite your tastebuds with this fragrant stir fry recipe, filled with juicy steak, fresh green vegetables, and Asian-inspired spices. Not only does it pack a heartwarming sizzle, but it’s easy to throw together and make.
Seafood Recipes
21. Crispy Lemon Baked Fish
Your Valentine’s Day outfit isn’t the only thing that will be dressed up this date night. Dress up a fish filet with breadcrumbs, lemon zest, parsley, dill, and a squeeze of lemon.
22. Five-Ingredient Honey Mustard Salmon
This honey mustard salmon is a delicious and healthy meal that requires only a few simple ingredients, and the combo of sweet honey and tangy mustard has a kick of flavor that brings the dish to life.
23. Brown Butter Scallops with Parmesan Risotto
If you’re feeling fancy and want to really step it up a notch for the special day, go for this to-die-for scallop and risotto dish that’s ideal for a dinner for two.
24. Shrimp Penne Pasta
Clean and simple, this shrimp penne pasta definitely gives off romantic Italian restaurant vibes. What could be better than enjoying it by candlelight from the comfort of your home instead?
25. Creamy Salmon Pasta
Like we said earlier, pasta is a go to choice for a reason—it’s easy to make and consistently tasty! So try out this creamy salmon recipe for a new and delicious take.
26. Garlic Butter Shrimp and Grits
Opt for this rich and comforting shrimp and grits that’s ideal if you’re spending the night in, curled up watching your favorite V-Day movies with the people you love.
27. Mini Crab Cakes
For all of the seafood lovers, these mini crab cakes are great to serve with a couple of other yummy side dishes.
28. Paella
As a beloved Spanish dish famous for its rich flavors with loads of seafood, you definitely need to give this dinner a try if you’re on the hunt for a flavorful meal that’s perfect for sharing.
Vegetarian Recipes
29. Noodles with Cabbage and Carrots
My go-to takeout order consists of Chinese food. However, if you’re having a romantic Valentine’s date night in, you can still get the takeout feels with this noodles with cabbage and carrots recipe—a take on lo mein.
30. Mushroom Pasta with Goat Cheese
This delicious dish is super simple to prepare, and can be a great option for a quick and satisfying meal or a romantic dinner for two, of course.
31. Mini Heart Shaped Pizzas
Not only are these little heart shaped pizzas adorable and tasty, but they’re super fun to make for a date night (or Galentine’s dinner!) activity, too.
32. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Elevate the satisfying cheesy goodness of mac and cheese by adding this recipe’s secret weapon: butternut squash. Not only does this winter squash provide added nutrients, but it adds a slightly sweet and nourishing complement to the cheese.
33. Three Cheese Pesto Spinach Flatbread Pizza
Get your greens while still enjoying the gooey cheesy deliciousness of this easy flatbread pizza you can make entirely from scratch.
34. 20-Minute Tortellini Alfredo
Trying to keep your Valentine’s Day dinner homemade and romantic, but created in the blink of an eye? This melt-in-your-mouth Alfredo sauce recipe paired with your favorite cheese tortellini has come to your rescue!
35. Vegan Creamy Mushroom Soup
This plant-based option is yet another stress-free dinner packed full of flavor, plus it works perfectly as a side dish or starter!
36. Creamy Avocado Pesto Pasta with Blistered Tomatoes
For a bright and fulfilling vegetable-focused Valentine’s Day dinner, this unique pasta recipe nails it by adding avocado to the homemade pesto sauce to make it richer and creamier.
37. Grilled Vegetables with Whipped Feta
Embrace your inner grill master and grill up this beautiful and vibrant plate of delectable ingredients. It includes summer squash, red onion, bell peppers, lemon, feta cheese, butter, and more.
Dessert Recipes
38. Black Forest Cake
I mean, just looking at this Black Forest cake has me wanting to eat it right out of the photo. This dessert is when cherry pie meets German chocolate cake, and it’s the perfect way to end a date night meal.
39. Chocolate Mousse Cake
Rich and creamy chocolate mousse is a dessert favorite for Valentine’s Day, and with this recipe you can make it even more dreamy—not only is it a cake, but it’s a cake with a crushed Oreo crust!
40. DIY Ferrero Rocher Chocolates
Rather than gift a box of store bought Ferrero Rocher chocolates, surprise your honey with truffles you’ve made yourself. Besides the surprise of being homemade, you’d never guess that they’re vegan and gluten-free, too!
41. Red Velvet Cupcakes
You can never go wrong with the decadence and romantic red of moist red velvet cake to finish your Valentine’s Day dinner with a sweet touch.
42. Rosewater Pavlova with Strawberries and Pistachio
Roses, strawberries, and fresh whipped cream folded into a dessert certainly capture the essence of Valentine’s Day goodies. If you’ve never tried pavlova before, it’s a light and elegant baked meringue recipe named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova.
43. Cherry Cobbler
Cherries are the fruit mascot of Valentine’s Day, so it’s only fitting to incorporate them into a dessert for your Valentine’s Day dinner. Don’t stress too much because this cherry cobbler is easy to make, and it’s easy to devour in minutes.
Jaclyn Voran, Contributing Writer
Jaclyn joined The Everymom team as a Contributing Writer in 2020. She brings a strong editorial background as a freelance writer, including being published in The Atlantic. She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Kansas.
Patty Schepel, Editorial Assistant
As the editorial assistant, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.