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!”
Whether you’re enjoying a Sunday morning brunch or bunkered down for a snow day, these winter breakfast recipes will not disappoint!
Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”
There’s just something about a pork roast that draws everyone to the dinner table. (Could it be how great the kitchen smells as the roast cooks in the oven?) Our flavorful recipe features an herb-rubbed pork loin that’s oven-roasted to perfection. It’s served over flavorful vegetables and topped with a savory gravy.
Whether served for Sunday dinner or at a holiday get-together, this pork loin roast recipe will surely become a family favorite.
While their names may sound similar, pork loin and pork tenderloin are actually two different types of pork. Both cuts are sourced from the back of the pig, but pork loin comes from an area between the shoulder and leg, while pork tenderloin comes from a muscle that surrounds the backbone. (The tenderloin is a cut within the larger loin.)
Since pork loin is a much larger and fattier cut of meat than tenderloin, many pork loin recipes call upon slow-roasting or braising the meat. You can use bone-in or boneless pork loin, but we prefer a boneless roast for easier slicing.
Pork tenderloin, on the other hand, is lean, so pork tenderloin recipes tend to be quicker-cooking and are for perfect for weeknight meals.
A pork loin roast will cook at 350° for 20 to 30 minutes per pound. For pork shoulder, also known as pork butt, which is a tougher cut of meat, plan for 30 to 40 minutes of cooking time per pound. A tenderloin can usually be cooked in around 30 minutes total at 425° to 450°, depending on the size of the tenderloin. The thickness of your roast will affect cooking times so err on the side of caution and check the internal temp at the minimum time.
In all cases, pork should be cooked to a minimum temperature of 145°. Don’t worry if your pork roast is still pink. And, yes, pink pork is safe to eat!
Kids of all ages will love these feel-good dinners, including muffin tin pizzas, sloppy joes, cheesy noodles and more.
Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree 