20 Valentine’s Day Dinner Recipes for a Romantic Night In

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to get your plans in order. From how you’re handling gifts to how you want to spend the day of, there’s a lot to consider. And on a day that is intended to be full of romance, stress shouldn’t be part of the equation. So instead of scrambling for a dinner reservation at that high-dollar restaurant, why not try cooking your very own Valentine’s Day dinner? Not only will you save money, but the effort and love put into cooking a homemade dish for your loved one is so much more meaningful (plus, food that you made yourself always tastes better anyway). You can even light some candles, dim the lights, and set out your nicest tableware to make the dinner feel extra special and romantic.

Since Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of winter, the best dinner recipes for this time of year are usually warm, comforting foods. My mind goes to savory, hearty dishes that will make you want to curl up on the couch next to your significant other afterward.

So, if you’re ready to chef it up in the kitchen this February 14, grab your grocery list and try out one of these Valentine’s Day dinner recipes for the perfect night in.

1. Roasted Garlic Beet Pasta

Nothing screams Valentine’s Day quite like some pink pasta! Not only is this dish perfectly on-theme, but it also requires minimal ingredients, which means less time at the grocery store. To create the delicious, creamy sauce, roast your beets, garlic, and onion in the oven, then throw everything in a blender along with some goat cheese. For extra flavor and crunch, top your bowl with roasted pistachios, fresh dill, lemon zest, and a sprinkling of flaky salt.

2. Stuffed Pork Loin

Wow your partner this Valentine’s Day with a stuffed pork loin! Although this dish looks impressive, it’s actually pretty simple to put together. Cutting the pork is the trickiest part, but after that, all you have to do is layer it with cream cheese, roasted red peppers, spinach, and prosciutto. Then roll it up and bake! Each bite is full of bold, savory flavors that’ll leave you both going back for more.

3. Baked Fish with Lemon Garlic Butter

A quick 20 minutes is all you need to throw together this delicious and delicate baked fish recipe. The star of the show? A savory lemon garlic butter, which keeps the fish tender and flavorful. With just four main ingredients, this recipe is basically foolproof but tastes like something you’d order at a fancy seafood restaurant.

4. Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo

A true date night classic. If you or your loved one is a die-hard pasta lover, you can’t go wrong with this chicken fettuccine alfredo recipe. Just the thought of the creamy garlic sauce has my mouth watering. Although this one calls for chicken, you can easily leave it out for a vegetarian version or add shrimp if seafood is more your vibe.

5. Garlic Butter Steak

If your idea of the perfect date night includes a fancy steak dinner, why not try making your own version at home? This recipe walks you through how to pan-fry steak to juicy perfection. Basted with garlic-herb butter and served alongside sides like crispy potatoes or roasted veggies, this steak dinner is sure to impress.

6. Marry Me Chicken

This Valentine’s Day dinner idea might be a little on the nose, but it’s worth a shot! This “marry me” chicken is pan-seared and topped with a creamy sundried tomato and garlic sauce. Serve it on top of pasta or rice or alongside roasted veggies for a well-rounded meal.

7. Stuffed Butternut Squash

If you’re looking for a vegan dish that gives full entrée energy, then look no further. This stuffed butternut squash recipe is not only impressive-looking but absolutely delicious as well. The squash is roasted and filled with a savory mushroom and chickpea stuffing, then topped with crunchy walnuts for a satisfying contrast in texture.

8. Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

This chicken pot pie recipe is a total classic and the perfect cozy dish to whip up this Valentine’s Day. Filled with chicken, vegetables, and creamy gravy, this recipe might just become a staple you keep in your recipe book. Go all out with your own homemade pie crust, or pick up some store-bought crust to save time—either way, it’ll be totally delicious!

9. Mushroom Risotto

Risotto is a dish that’s made with love (ahem, it requires a lot of stirring), so it’s one of the best dinner recipes to try this Valentine’s Day. This mushroom risotto is made with white wine, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs for a beautifully rich flavor. The extra effort it takes to make won’t go unnoticed!

10. Red Wine Braised Pot Roast

This comforting cold-weather meal is sure to keep you toasty and warm this Valentine’s Day. The meat is slow-cooked and braised in red wine alongside onions, carrots, and fresh thyme, creating a savory and mouth-watering meal. Did I mention that it’s all made in one pot? Easy, yet delicious. Sign me up!

11. Chicken Enchiladas Verdes

If you and your partner love to go out for Mexican food (who doesn’t?), try out these salsa verde chicken enchiladas for an at-home meal that’s just as delicious. This traditional Mexican dish has everything you could ever want: lots of melty cheese, a zesty salsa verde, and juicy chicken. You can also prep most of this dish ahead of time, so you won’t have to spend your whole Valentine’s Day in the kitchen.

12. Brown Butter Scallops with Parmesan Risotto

This dish looks straight out of a fancy restaurant, which makes it a perfect dish for a Valentine’s dinner. The seared scallops are paired with a savory Parmesan risotto and topped with a heavenly brown butter sauce. This one does require a bit more patience, between searing the scallops and continuously stirring the risotto. Pour a couple of glasses of wine and tackle this recipe together for a fun date night activity.

13. Air Fryer Sweet Soy Glazed Salmon

This recipe is the easy, tastes-fancy-but-only-takes-15-minutes dish you need in your life. If you haven’t tried to cook salmon in the air fryer before, let me introduce you. It’s the easiest way to achieve a moist, perfectly crisp salmon filet every time. This recipe has you coat the top in Dijon mustard and spices before popping it in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes. Talk about quick and easy! Pair with your partner’s favorite side dish, whether it be rice, roasted veggies, or a side salad.

14. Baked Chicken Caprese

This is one of those Valentine’s Day dinner recipes that looks fancy but is deceptively easy to make. All it takes is tossing the cherry tomatoes in a baking dish with olive oil and seasonings, adding the chicken, and baking everything in the oven. After about 20 minutes, place the mozzarella on top of the chicken and bake again to finish cooking. Top the chicken with balsamic glaze and fresh basil, and you’ve got a dish that is filling and bursting with flavor.

15. Roasted Cauliflower Winter Kale Salad

This winter-inspired salad recipe is cozy and hearty while still packing in tons of superfoods. If you’re looking for something light and healthy that still feels special enough for Valentine’s Day, this recipe is for you.

16. Sesame Chicken Bowls

If you’ve been craving Chinese food, skip the takeout and try making this dish at home! Sweet and tangy is the name of the game for this sesame chicken recipe. The bite-sized chicken pieces are cooked up crispy and coated in a delicious sauce that’s delicious over rice and broccoli.

17. Hot Honey Pizza

You might be tempted to just pick up the phone and order in pizza this Valentine’s Day, but there is something extra special about making your own from scratch. This hot honey pizza has that delicious mix of sweet and savory and offers an easy way to level up your typical pepperoni pizza. An even better idea? Make a full date out of it and make the pizzas together with your partner.

18. Vegan Baked Ziti

Pasta bake, but make it vegan! This baked ziti recipe is simple yet delicious and will satisfy the craving for a warm and saucy meal in the chilly February temps. Plus, this recipe walks you through how to make your own vegan “cheese” sauce, which is a great reference to add to your recipe book for future dishes.

19. Shrimp Fajita Tacos

This is my personal favorite date night dish because there’s truly nothing like a good shrimp taco. These fajita-style tacos are extra easy to make since everything is cooked on a sheet pan. Once the shrimp and veggies are done, simply build your tacos with whatever toppings you desire!

20. Creamy Tortellini Soup

During the chilliest time of the year, sometimes nothing sounds better than a good old bowl of soup. This creamy tortellini soup is hearty and full of vegetables, so you’ll still get a nutritious and filling meal out of it. Although this recipe calls for sautéed onions, celery, carrots, and spinach, you can easily alter this recipe to include your loved ones’ favorites.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jenna Piotrowicz, Editorial Assistant

Jenna began working as an Editorial Assistant for The Everygirl in 2024. With her eye for detail, she assists the team with content creation, sourcing products and images, and works behind the scenes to support The Everygirl in uploading and updating content.

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