Creating a Valentine’s Day to remember can be a minefield. But it doesn’t have to be! Whether you just hate crowds, missed the boat on a reservation, or simply want to show off your cooking skills, these romantic dinner recipes practically shout, “I love you.” Pinky promise, it’s never been easier to impress with our special chicken, steak, seafood, or pasta dinners for a cozy night in this Valentine’s Day. All these recipes are a step above usual weeknight fare without being too complex or time-consuming, so you can instead put all your energy into making sure your sweetheart feels extra loved. This Valentine’s Day, get inspired to cook something spectacular at home with this list of our 50 best romantic dinners. They’re certainly a recipe for romance, that’s for sure. 😉
But what if you’re not a chef? Don’t worry, we got you. Everyone loves being cooked for, and remember, it’s the thought that counts! Stick with something simple and classic, like our linguine with clams, our Greek salmon, or our chicken Alfredo, or make a night out of cooking something more involved together. No matter the outcome, if you put some love into it, your meal will come out delicious and memorable.
Hoping to give your boo that nice steakhouse experience but without the sit-down meal upcharge? Check out our tomato butter roast chicken our lobster risotto, or our steak au poivre. They only look difficult to pull off at home.
Craving comfort food? V-Day is smack dab in the middle of winter, after all. Try our one-pan cheesy sausage gnocchi, our spaghetti & meatballs, or our Detroit-style pizza. They’re sure to warm your bones (and your heart!).
Got a vegetarian or vegan sweetie? They’ll be so impressed at how thoughtful you are when you serve them something like our mushroom piccata pasta, our polenta with wild mushroom ragú, or our Thai red curry coconut noodles. These dishes are also a little lighter than your average fare, meaning you can really go all out for dessert. 😍
Want more ideas for impressing your beloved this Valentine’s Day? Try serving a fun cocktail or the perfect bottle of wine with your meal—check out our guides to both reds and whites. And don’t forget about snacks and apps to keep your bae busy while you cook too.
Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”
I couldn’t resist this one! I’m from just outside of Philly, my oldest daughter still lives there. This is for Charles, my son-in-law, who is an Eagles fan! Have a great game, you guys!
The Reluctant Retiree
My in-laws hosted a “Dips-mas Eve” last holiday season, where each household prepared a dip. A variety of crowd-pleasing dips—hot, cold, savory and sweet dips—all went head-to-head in a friendly family dip throwdown. My fiance and I take food challenges quite seriously, so after much consideration, we decided our contribution would be a Philly cheesesteak dip.
I come from a long line of born-and-bred Philadelphians, so my family loves cheesesteaks. To make a dip that tasted like an authentic Philly cheesesteak, I knew I had to choose the right meat. I went with thinly shaved ribeye steak. Cooked with chopped onions and green bell peppers, then mixed into a creamy base with pantry seasonings and lots of provolone, the quality of the meat really made a difference.
The dip baked until it was perfectly bubbly and golden brown. It was a smash hit with our family, who lovingly coined it “Philly Philly” after the Philadelphia Eagles’ infamous trick play. The creamy, meaty dip was great on the holiday appetizer table, but it’s also an excellent choice to pair with dippers as a Super Bowl food idea (especially when the Eagles make it to the big game!).
Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”
Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree 