20+ Valentine’s Day Recipes
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Jan 30, 2025
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These Valentine’s Day recipes prove that a delicious, home-cooked meal is the ultimate way to someone’s heart. From romantic dinner ideas to indulgent chocolate desserts and refreshing cocktails to unwind, this collection has it all. These recipes are sure to keep your loved one’s belly full and their heart happy.
Why You’ll Love These Valentine’s Recipes
- These recipes are easy yet impressive. Making a dinner reservation is easy, but dinner at home is extra special and romantic. So I’ll show you how to master restaurant-worthy classics with simple everyday ingredients that are foolproof and cheaper than eating out.
- There are ideas for an entire menu. In addition to dinner mains, you’ll find the best desserts and cocktails to complete your dinner menu. Pro tip: Make any dessert the day before so you don’t have to worry about it on Valentine’s Day.
- If you’re celebrating Galentine’s Day—I’ve got a few fun finger foods and sweets the ladies will love!
Most Popular Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas
Get ready to wow your significant other and loved ones with the best dinner ideas—from a classic juicy steak to savory seafood options and so much more.
Pan-Seared Ribeye Steak: This is my go-to steak dinner for an easy, yet special night (that won’t break the bank). The steaks are basted with butter herb goodness and finish in under 20 minutes!
Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin: Not only is this pork tenderloin ultra-tender, but the spice rub and honey garlic sauce are a chef’s kiss and add that “wow” factor.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken: There’s a reason why this is also called Marry Me Chicken! Juicy chicken breasts seasoned with Italian spices are seared and simmered in the most luxurious cream sauce filled with parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, onions, and spinach. It may even have your loved one down on one knee. *wink*
Shrimp Scampi: An Italian classic like this is loved by the masses. Plus, it’s easy to make and presents beautifully on a plate. You could even top it on a bed of zucchini noodles for shrimp scampi pasta, or with a side of creamy mashed potatoes or this broccoli parmesan risotto.
Filet Mignon: There’s nothing like perfectly cooked filet mignon for a special dinner at home. And if you want to go the extra step, serve it with a drizzle of béarnaise sauce or a pat of this herb compound butter.
Chicken Marsala: This restaurant classic is one of my favorites to cook at home. Chicken breasts are simmered in the most luxurious Marsala wine sauce layered with tender mushrooms, aromatics, and fresh herbs.
Braised Short Ribs: Tender, fall-off-the-bone meat with meaty juices seeping into a mound of creamy mashed potatoes. Now, that’s what I call love at first sight!
Chicken Piccata: It’s hard to believe how easy this recipe is, given how fancy it looks! Top the final dish with extra fresh parsley and lemon slices for the final touch.
Scallops with Citrus Ginger Sauce: Scallops are spurge-worthy, and what better day to splurge on than Valentine’s Day? They’re perfectly seared and coated with the best citrus ginger sauce.
Unique Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas
While I love classics like steak or halibut, these unique dinner ideas bring a touch of fun and excitement to Valentine’s Day dinner.
Baked Cod with Orange Beurre Blanc: Turn a simple, flaky baked cod into an elegant dish with this citrusy twist on a classic beurre blanc sauce. But don’t let the name fool you, it’s super easy!
Rainbow Trout Almondine: I love how fancy yet simple this dish is. The nutty, crunchy almondine topping with capers and lemon juice adds an elevated French twist to a simple, pan-seared trout.
Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce: This homemade chimichurri sauce makes this easy grilled steak taste extra restaurant-worthy.
Crab Cakes: Another delicious seafood option is these crispy, golden crab cakes dipped into my homemade tartar sauce.
Baked Halibut: For a special seafood option, make this baked halibut topped with a creamy lemon herb mayonnaise. It’s a super easy, foolproof recipe and perfect with a side of veggies.
Valentine’s Day Dessert Recipes
Valentine’s Day is not complete without dessert on the table—especially chocolate. From the best chocolate cakes to easy chocolate-covered strawberries, any of these recipes will hit the love bug spot.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries: This is THE quintessential Valentine’s dessert, especially if you can get your hands on some sweet and juicy strawberries. And I’ve got a few tips to ensure they turn out beautifully!
Flourless Chocolate Cake: Your search for the perfect flourless chocolate cake ends here. My version has a deliciously deep chocolate flavor and a fluffy, moist texture.
Chocolate Pots De Creme: This is hands down the most luxurious chocolate custard you’ll ever have. Plus, it’s super easy to make! Top each serving with coconut whipped cream and chocolate shavings to make it look extra fancy.
Panna Cotta: This classic Italian custard is easier to make than you think! And the macerated strawberries are the cherry on top for a vibrant red touch.
Affogato: Whenever I don’t know what dessert to make, this affogato with my vegan cacao nib ice cream is always a hit. It’s elegant yet so simple to make—just 2 ingredients needed!
Paleo Chocolate Cake: Moist, fluffy, and layered with the best chocolate buttercream frosting, this is the chocolate cake you want to make for Valentine’s Day.
Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes: Enjoy my chocolate cake in a cupcake version! Plus, these are great for handing extras out to other loved ones around you on Valentine’s Day.
Chocolate Mug Cake: If you’re a party of one, this single-serving mug cake is the perfect dessert to give yourself. But it’s also easy to whip up two, three, or four of them!
Custard: Nothing beats a cup of this lusciously creamy and classic custard topped with fresh berries.
Valentine’s Day Cocktail Recipes
Keep the love buzz going with these fresh and easy cocktail ideas!
Margarita: This one is for all the tequila lovers! It’s a classic recipe for a reason, and I’ll walk you through the exact ratio to make the perfect margarita cocktail.
Red Sangria: Continue the red theme with a pitcher of fruity, boozy sangria!
Aperol Spritz: A light and refreshing cocktail that tastes delicious paired with an Italian-inspired dinner.
Limoncello Spritz: With a lemony twist, this spritz is another winner for a cocktail on the lighter side.
Galentine’s Day Party Ideas
Galentine’s is just as important as Valentine’s Day, so here are a few tasty appetizers and desserts to complete a fun day with the ladies.
Mediterranean Baked Feta: This is my go-to appetizer for all sorts of dinner parties, especially Galentine’s. Each scoop is the perfect bite of warm and soft feta cheese with an herb-infused green olive and sun-dried tomato topping.
Ceviche: This is one appetizer all the ladies will love. It’s light, flavorful, and perfectly scoopable with tortilla chips.
Caprese Skewers: Another fun appetizer that turns everyone’s favorite caprese salad into bite-size skewers.
Chocolate Hummus: A platter of this chocolate hummus with fresh-cut fruit is just what you girls need!
Sweet Potato Brownies: Although you can make my paleo brownie recipe, this sweet potato version is just as good (and healthier!).
Roasted Beet Hummus: If your gals are going in on the pink and red theme, this vibrant beet hummus is perfect for the occasion! Plus, my seed crackers are the perfect pairing.
I hope you and your loved ones enjoy these delicious Valentine’s Day recipes! If you make anything from this list, I’d love to know how they turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.
20+ Valentine’s Day Recipes
Description
Ingredients
- 4 (6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, or a mix of individual spices such as oregano, thyme, basil, and rosemary
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup finely chopped yellow onion
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream, *see note above for dairy-free options
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan
Instructions
- Prep the chicken. Season both sides of each chicken breast in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Sear the chicken. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and sear for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until golden. Remove the chicken from the pan to a plate and set aside.
- Cook the onions. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil and the onion. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes, until the onion has softened.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic and saute another minute, until fragrant.
- Add the spinach, and saute another minute, until just starting to wilt.
- Add the heavy cream and parmesan cheese, stir together, and bring to a simmer.
- Let it simmer. Place the chicken back in the skillet and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
Nutrition
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This roundup was originally posted January 2024, but updated to include new recipes, photos, and information for your benefit!
This recipe is on repeat for me. My friends LOVE it! They believe me to be a great cook because of it😄
Thanks Lisa!