Our greatest Valentine’s Day dinner concepts! Discover the whole lot you want for a date night time at residence—cozy pastas, elegant risottos, facet salads, and extra.
These Valentine’s Day dinner concepts will show you how to plan the proper date night time at residence! Jack and I gave up going to eating places on Valentine’s Day years in the past. We realized that it was far more romantic—and extra enjoyable—to spend time within the kitchen collectively than it was to eat at a crowded restaurant that we selected weeks or months upfront (as a result of that’s how far forward you must plan as a way to get a reservation).
I’ve rounded up a few of our go-to date night time dinner recipes under. They embody basic Italian pastas, comforting risottos, soups, and extra. Select one for a scrumptious, romantic meal this weekend. I promise, with these recipes, you received’t remorse eating in!
Our High 5 Valentine’s Day Dinner Concepts
Do-it-yourself Pasta
What’s extra romantic than selfmade pasta?! This recipe requires 4 easy substances and is fabulous with any sauce—marinara, pesto, arrabbiata…
Mushroom Risotto
Risotto requires a bit of an excessive amount of stirring for a daily weeknight, however on a date night time? It’s enjoyable to hang around by the range along with your Valentine, sipping a glass of wine whereas this creamy, savory Italian dish comes collectively.
Eggplant Parmesan
With over 500 5-star critiques, this comforting recipe is a date night time favourite amongst Love & Lemons readers. Corina wrote, “My accomplice and I made this collectively on Valentine’s Day and it turned out so good! We will certainly be preserving this recipe for particular events.”
White Pizza
For Jack and me, selfmade pizza is a go-to date night time transfer. He makes the pizza dough whereas I prep the toppings, then we each assemble and eat. I particularly love this white pie for Valentine’s Day. The creamy ricotta topping feels elegant and indulgent.
Fettuccine Alfredo
Coated in a silky cream sauce, this straightforward pasta is a restaurant-worthy date night time dinner. Stability out your meal with a lemony arugula salad or sautéed broccolini.
Pasta Dinners for Valentine’s Day
Do-it-yourself Potato Gnocchi
If you happen to’re able to degree up from selfmade pasta, attempt making selfmade gnocchi! These delicate potato pillows are like little clouds. Use them on this pesto gnocchi recipe or gently toss them with purple sauce.
Lemon Pasta
Valentine’s Day dinner recipes don’t must be sophisticated as a way to be spectacular! This zesty spaghetti is flippantly creamy, shiny, and prepared in 20 minutes.
Penne alla Vodka
With its gentle purple coloration, this basic penne alla vodka couldn’t be a extra excellent Valentine’s Day dinner. The creamy sauce is simple to make with pantry substances and filled with wealthy tomato taste.
Mushroom Pasta
In case your Valentine loves mushrooms as a lot as mine does (they’re one in all Jack’s favourite meals!), then this pasta belongs in your date night time rotation. Tip: Use a mixture of varieties like cremini, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms for further depth of taste.
Cacio e Pepe
Want you would spend Valentine’s Day in Rome? Similar! However the next-best factor is consuming such as you’re in Rome. Make this basic pasta with salty pecorino, freshly floor black pepper, and a contact of butter for a culinary journey to the Everlasting Metropolis.
Pasta Puttanesca
Capers, olives, and loads of garlic pack this pantry pasta with daring, briny taste. L&L reader Eileen wrote, “Wow—the flavors are great. It is a keeper!”
Vegetarian Lasagna
Internet hosting a Galentine’s Day dinner? This comforting basic could be the proper principal! It’s scrumptious, straightforward to make forward, and nice for feeding a crowd.
Extra Valentine’s Day Dinner Concepts
French Onion Soup
Carry French bistro vibes to your at-home date night time by serving this savory French onion soup. Tip: Make further tacky toasts for topping. They’re completely addictive!
Butternut Squash Risotto
Tender rice, creamy butternut squash, and earthy sage crew up on this flavorful one-pan meal. Serve it along with your favourite wine and a easy inexperienced salad for a sublime Valentine’s Day dinner.
Creamy Mushroom Soup
L&L reader Roxanne known as this soup “impressively tasty.” Contemporary thyme, garlic, and white wine—together with loads of mushrooms—fill it with earthy, savory taste.
Roasted Cauliflower Steak
Jack and I’ve made this recipe for Valentine’s Day a number of occasions, and it’s all the time a memorable meal. I serve seared cauliflower steaks over a swoosh of arugula pesto and high them off with a nutty, herby Italian salsa verde.
On the Aspect
Citrus Salad with Fennel & Avocado
February is peak citrus season, so if you happen to’re in search of a Valentine’s Day facet dish that can wow your sweetheart, this salad is for you. It combines juicy mandarins and grapefruit with uncooked and roasted fennel, creamy avocado, and bitter greens.
Arugula Salad
Vibrant and refreshing, this fast and simple salad is the final word facet dish for a comforting plate of pasta.
Easy Inexperienced Salad
One other scrumptious facet salad to serve with risotto, pasta, or pizza. My lemon French dressing fills this one with zesty taste.
Caesar Salad
Even salad skeptics can get behind a basic Caesar! Doused in a 5-minute selfmade Caesar dressing, this one is easy to make and full of lemony, garlicky taste.
Extra Valentine’s Day Recipes
Spherical out your Valentine’s Day dinner with one thing candy! Strive any of those recipes for a scrumptious Valentine’s Day dessert:
