Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Seasonal Meals 50 Valentine's Day Dinner Ideas to Swoon Over Surprise your sweetie with something delicious and homemade. By Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner is a writer and recipe developer. She's a regular contributor to The New York Times, Time Out New York, Forbes, and many more publications. She also writes the food newsletter, Specialty. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 06, 2024 Close Photo: Greg DuPree Staying in on Valentine’s Day? Good call. Celebrating a perfect Valentine's Day dinner at home can be delicious, intimate, and affordable. You get to pick the playlist, the setting, and, most importantly, the menu. Nothing says “I love you” like a special homemade meal, so we compiled Valentine's Day dinner ideas that are perfect for a home-based celebration. Mix and match V-Day appetizers, entrees, and sides that you and your valentine will fall in love with. 01 of 50 Fish Antipasto Victor Protasio Cheese and charcuterie boards are commonplace, but who would anticipate a fish-forward board? This starter features an easy-to-make (and make-ahead) smoked trout spread next to buttered baguette rounds topped with anchovies. Fill in the rest of the board with crackers, vegetables, and olives for a light bite that sets the table (figuratively, of course) for a special night. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 50 Salmon Nigiri Daniel Agee There’s nothing like a homemade sushi date, whether you’re making each piece side-by-side or surprising your sweetheart with a from-scratch sushi platter. For this recipe, you can swap out salmon for another sushi-grade fish, shrimp, or even avocado. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 50 Heart Shaped Pasta Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner This homemade pasta, which may well hold the key to your beloved’s heart, can be served in a variety of pasta dishes. Make a date night out of kneading the dough and cutting out the heart shapes, or simply surprise your date with a plate full of hearts. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 50 Red Cabbage and Beet Borscht Caitlin Bensel Hearty red beets, red cabbage, and vibrant carrots are responsible for the jewel-toned color of this ultra-healthy soup. Finish each bowl with a dollop of sour cream and a sprig of dill. Serve with a spicy red wine and a thick, butter-smeared slice of rye. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 50 Every-Citrus Salad With Almonds and Manchego Caitlin Bensel Celebrate the last throes of the citrus season with this winter-produce salad of oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit with radicchio and parsley. An orange-maple syrup adds sweetness, while shaved Manchego cheese and roasted almonds lend saltiness and crunch. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 50 Beet and Goat Cheese Dip Fred Hardy This dip qualifies as Valentine's Day-worthy by its color alone, but there are more reasons to make this sensational starter. It's a creamy, mayo-free starter made from cannellini beans—along with its titular ingredients—and if you buy precooked beets, it whips up in minutes. Serve with your favorite crudités or pita chips. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 50 Bacon Wrapped Dates With Goat Cheese Getty Images This dinner recipe's title doubles as an ingredient list: It's that simple! Sweet, salty, and creamy, these mouthwatering bites get dinner off to a perfect start. The recipe serves eight but can be easily downsized for a more intimate gathering. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 50 Cheese Fondue Alison Miksch If you've squirreled away a fondue set that's eagerly awaiting a special occasion, there's no reason not to start your V-Day meal with a pot of warm, melted cheese. This recipe melds Swiss and Gruyere poised for dippers like apples or pears, steamed or roasted vegetables, or cubes of soft, crusty bread. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 50 Roasted Red Pepper Dip Victor Protasio Start your party for two or more with this ultra-creamy, non-dairy dip. Use your food processor to whirl seasoned tomato paste, roasted cashews, and a jar of roasted red bell peppers. The result is a vibrant-colored, umami dip ready for crudités, crackers, or pita chips. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 50 Red Pepper Walnut Knots Victor Protasio This recipe starts with two supermarket shortcuts—puff pastry and jarred roasted red peppers—and ends with gorgeous bakery-worthy apps or sides. A topping of sesame seeds, oregano, and flaky sea salt makes them memorable long after V-Day. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 50 Tapenade and Red Onion Pizza Victor Protasio Create one of these pizzas to share as an appetizer, or make one for each dinner guest. Either way, it's a quick-and-easy yet sophisticated pizza for grownup tastes and the perfect finger food for romantic movie-watching. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 50 Herby Chicken Salad Tartines Victor Protasio Wondering how a chicken sandwich elevates to Valentine's Day-worthy status? Present it open-faced and give it a fancy French name, as this recipe does. Serve as part of an apps-only meal or alongside a sexy soup or salad. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 50 Ceviche Juanmonino/Getty Images Ceviche (pronounced sah-VEE-chey) is a raw seafood dish that "cooks" in citrus juice, vinegar, or other acidic marinade. This make-ahead starter takes just minutes to assemble and can be made from any mild white ocean seafood: shrimp, snapper, sea bass, halibut, calamari, or tilapia. Serve in a stylish glass as an impressive appetizer, with tortilla chips as a dip, or as a no-cook entree with a couple of sides. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 50 Lobster Tails With Cilantro Butter Con Poulos Transform Valentine's Day dinner at home into a luxe date with these easy-to-make lobster tails. Prep them at your leisure, and pop them in the oven just before you sit down to dine. For a sensational side, pair them with gnocchi with corn and miso. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 50 Cheesy Potato Frittata Victor Protasio Is there a faster way to a loved one's heart than cheesy potatoes? We don't think so. This meatless recipe serves eight so, after starring in an intimate dinner, repurpose leftovers for a quick, satisfying breakfast or a hearty lunch at work. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 50 Neapolitan-Style Margherita Pizza GREG DUPREE A heart-shaped pizza that comes from the heart inevitably tastes better than delivery. Honor tradition with this classic recipe for a Margherita pie, and purchase pre-made dough to speed up your prep. Alternatively, treat your date to a toppings bar at the most romantic pizzeria in town—your kitchen. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 50 Balsamic Steak With Radicchio and Pears Antonis Achilleos There's something about a perfectly cooked steak that's just so romantic. This Valentine's Day recipe pairs the steak with winter produce—bitter radicchio and sweet pears—for the ultimate balanced, restaurant-style meal. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 50 Spice-Braised Short Ribs Greg DuPree Slow-cooked meat that tenderizes all afternoon and fills the house with an incredible aroma amps up the anticipation of a special meal at home. We recommend serving this with our melting potatoes, but risotto or tortillas work, too. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 50 Salmon Fillet With Citrus and Thyme Con Poulos You can easily downsize this eight-serving recipe for a date or double date, and garnish with blood oranges and edible flowers to carry a Valentine’s Day theme. We love serving this with roasted asparagus and baby hasselback potatoes. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 50 Creamy Miso White Bean Soup Caitlin Bensel If you love creamy but not cream, you'll love this creamy soup made from whirled cannellini beans, vegetable broth, and a touch of miso for umami flavor. Finish with olive oil and rosemary leaves, and serve with crusty bread and a spicy, light red wine. GET THE RECIPE 21 of 50 Crunchy Salad With Chicken and Ginger Fred Hardy A dinner-perfect salad is a perfect V-Day option that won't weigh you down (and leaves plenty of room for dessert). Half of its tasty orange-soy-ginger mixture marinades chicken breast chunks, and the other half dresses the rest of the salad. GET THE RECIPE 22 of 50 Lemony Lentil Soup Greg DuPree Consider this soup recipe as a stunning starter, a soothing side, or a simple supper. Whichever way you serve it, it's lemony, nourishing, and just what you need to brighten up a mid-February celebratory meal. GET THE RECIPE 23 of 50 Red Curry Veggie Stew Victor Protasio At just 30 minutes from start to finish, this recipe delivers a comforting veggie-and-rice bowl that warms heart and soul. Whether you add a protein or not, you'll find Thai-inspired flavor in every bite. GET THE RECIPE 24 of 50 Butternut Squash Soup With Parmesan Croutons Jim Franco Warm up your love life with this silky-smooth squash soup. To speed up prep, go with pre-cut, packaged squash from your grocer's. To make it vegan, swap out the chicken broth with vegetable broth and serve with "cheesy" croutons. GET THE RECIPE 25 of 50 Gnocchi Alla Vodka Caitlin Bensel Rich, creamy vodka sauce is always the move. Whether it’s your first Valentine’s Day together or one of many throughout the years, celebrate with this luscious bowl of pasta (store-bought or make your own). GET THE RECIPE 26 of 50 Farro Bowl With Pomegranate Vinaigrette CAITLIN BENSEL This meatless dish is full of nutritional all-stars—farro, sweet potato, and spinach—united by a sweet-tart pomegranate dressing. It's a hearty vegetarian meal on its own or a great side salad for roasted chicken or fish. GET THE RECIPE 27 of 50 Cacio e Pepe Vladislav Chusov/Getty Images Cacio e pepe is a classic Roman pasta dish that sounds much fancier than its English translation, “cheese and pepper." Its five-ingredient simplicity belies an otherworldly depth of flavor you have to try. GET THE RECIPE 28 of 50 Pappardelle With Shrimp and Asparagus Johnny Miller Light, fresh, and flavorful is the ticket for Valentine's Day dinner, and this pasta dish punches it. It features broad, flat ribbons of pasta—pappardelle or fettuccini—in a lemony, buttery sauce with a dash of red pepper flakes just to make it interesting. Best of all, it comes together in just 30 minutes. GET THE RECIPE 29 of 50 Scallops in Parchment Sang An The dramatic presentation of revealing a mystery and releasing a pouf of steam is so worth it. Beans and veggies join scallops to make each parchment packet a complete meal. Bonus: You spend a lot less time doing dishes. GET THE RECIPE 30 of 50 Mushroom Mole Enchiladas Jennifer Causey The combo of chocolate and Valentine’s Day is a natural pairing, and infusing chocolate in your entree doubles down on that theme. These rich, vegetarian enchiladas are perfect to share, and the mole is finger-licking good. GET THE RECIPE 31 of 50 Parm-Butter Steak and Sweet Potato Fries Caitlin Bensel This dinner recipe delivers the full meal deal—meat, potatoes, and greens—with a special feature that transforms it from everyday to extraordinary. It's Parm-butter: a compound butter infused with garlic, fresh black pepper, and Parmesan that gives pan-seared hanger steak a rich, savory finish. GET THE RECIPE 32 of 50 Grilled Lamb With Plum Mostarda and Blistered Shishitos Greg DuPree It looks like a professionally composed dish, but this Valentine's Day dinner is simple to grill and plate, indoors or out. The heat intensity in each shishito pepper varies, so pick this recipe if you want to spice things up! GET THE RECIPE 33 of 50 Roasted Tomatoes With Shrimp and Feta Christopher Baker This recipe delivers rich, meaty, tomato flavor without the messiness of tomato sauce. It's paired with juicy shrimp in a garlicky olive oil mixture that's topped with crumbled feta. This dish begs for crusty bread, pasta, or rice it sop up its flavorful juices. GET THE RECIPE 34 of 50 Miso Mushroom Ramen With Jammy Eggs Antonis Achilleos A cozy bowl of plant-based ramen can be all you need for a romantic and cozy night in. Share a long noodle à la Lady and the Tramp. GET THE RECIPE 35 of 50 Braised Fish With Spicy Tomato Sauce Greg DuPree Spice things up with this saucy fish stew. Start with frozen skinless white fish fillets—cod, sole, flounder, snapper, or wild Alaska pollock—and braise them in a tomato-based sauce spiked with paprika, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne. Add spinach to the mix and serve over fluffy couscous for a meal on the light side that's full of flavor. GET THE RECIPE 36 of 50 Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells Marcus Nilsson This dinner recipe stuffs jumbo shells with a simple, creamy mixture of ricotta, Parmesan, and fresh chopped spinach. It bakes in a pool of jarred marinara for a warm, comforting, meatless entree or a satisfying side. GET THE RECIPE 37 of 50 Slow Cooker Coq au Vin Caitlin Bensel Traditionally, this French chicken and wine dish takes all day to prepare, but the magic of the slow cooker brings it to us with just 30 minutes of hands-on prep followed by 6 hours of doing nothing. At dinnertime, serve with egg noodles, lit candles, and more wine. GET THE RECIPE 38 of 50 Pork Chops With Cherry Sauce Christopher Baker Pork chops with applesauce are for every day, but on an extra special day, pair them with cherry sauce. It elevates pan-seared chops with a sweet, tangy flavor and a rich, red hue. Serve it with crispy oven-roasted potatoes. GET THE RECIPE 39 of 50 Hanger Steak With Buttery Mashed Carrots Gentl & Hyers Steak is always a solid choice when it comes to Valentine's Day. While usually paired with potatoes, this recipe calls for soft, sweet carrots mashed into a buttery side. You'll definitely want seconds. GET THE RECIPE 40 of 50 Golden Corn and Tofu Curry Caitlin Bensel This meatless, Thai-inspired dish mixes rice noodles with tender tofu cubes and toasted corn kernels in a coconut curry sauce. Best of all, this one-pot meal comes together in just 30 minutes. GET THE RECIPE 41 of 50 Skillet Gnocchi With Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Greg DuPree This fast, easy skillet-ready recipe pairs pillowy gnocchi with broccoli rabe and sausage. White wine, fennel, and a dollop of ricotta finish the dish, but if you're not a fennel fan, onion makes a suitable sub. GET THE RECIPE 42 of 50 Ravioli With Sautéed Zucchini Anna Williams When Valentine's Day falls on a weeknight, you can still make dinner special with this easy pasta recipe. It starts with a store-bought ravioli filled with cheese (or your sweetheart's favorite filling) and then adds sliced zucchini, garlic, and parmesan for a simple, sophisticated meal. GET THE RECIPE 43 of 50 Shrimp, Leek, and Spinach Pasta Christopher Baker Juicy shrimp with luscious pasta and fresh spinach in a silky sauce is a delicious way to say "I love you," and a quick one, too. This recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, leaving plenty of time to make a decadent dessert. GET THE RECIPE 44 of 50 Rachael Ray's Skillet Spinach Lasagna Greg DuPree If you have your heart set on lasagna for the two of you, but your recipe serves 12, take a look at this four-serving one. It cooks on the stove and finishes with a quick broil in the oven. This romantic dinner option has all the meaty, creamy, familiar flavors and textures you love about lasagna. GET THE RECIPE 45 of 50 Cheesy Chicken Nachos Greg DuPree You don't need a football game and a house full of fans to enjoy a plate of nachos at home. It can be a one-pan, highly customizable, and fun meal for just the two of you, too. Using this recipe's shortcuts—rotisserie chicken, jarred salsa, and store-bought chips—also makes this a quick and easy choice. GET THE RECIPE 46 of 50 Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas Antonis Achilleos Avoid spending time at the stove and on cleanup afterward with this sheet-pan idea. Fajita ingredients—seasoned shrimp, onions, and peppers—roast in the oven and then get a quick broil for a nice char. Soft tortillas get warm and pliable in the oven, too, Make your own tacos right from the pan and top with the usual suspects for a fun, unusual date night meal. GET THE RECIPE 47 of 50 Sheet Pan Fish and Chips Caitlin Bensel You can skip the deep fryer and still present this British favorite to your valentine. Panko-coated cod fillets roast in the same pan as seasoned potato wedges, making cleanup as easy as prep. Serve with malt vinegar and peas for the full pub experience. GET THE RECIPE 48 of 50 Moroccan Spiced Fish Victor Protasio The title of this recipe is misleading because—in addition to cod fillets dusted in cumin, coriander, and allspice—there are carrots and potatoes, too. It's a full Valentine's Day meal that roasts on a single baking pan, is ready in 35 minutes, and cleans up in a breeze. GET THE RECIPE 49 of 50 Slow Cooker Soy-Braised Chicken Con Poulos Inspired by chicken adobo—a Filipino chicken-and-rice favorite—this recipe is slow-cooker easy. With no browning required, just toss skinless, bone-in chicken thighs in the slow cooker with apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar, which combine for a tangy sauce that flavors fluffy white rice. GET THE RECIPE 50 of 50 Chicken and Potatoes With Brown Butter Sauce Caitlin Bensel This recipe gives you that roasted-whole-chicken hominess without having to wrestle with a carcass after a long cooking time. It features juicy bone-in thighs that cook up with crispy-skin goodness alongside tender whole-roasted fingerlings. But the real star is its lemony brown butter sauce that coats everything in lusciousness. GET THE RECIPE Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit