15 Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas

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These Valentine’s Day dinner recipes prove that a delicious, home-cooked meal is the best way to show love! Each dish is guaranteed to keep your loved one well-fed and feeling extra special.

Valentine's Day dinner ideas.

Why You’ll Love These Valentine’s Dinner Ideas

  • These recipes are easy yet impressive. Think simple, everyday ingredients, but elevated to impress your special someone. I even have step-by-step photos and videos to ensure your Valentine’s dinner turns out perfect and completely foolproof.
  • You’ll save money staying in. While making a dinner reservation is easy, enjoying dinner at home is extra special and romantic. A home-cooked filet mignon will often cost less than half of what you’d pay at a fancy restaurant.
A silver pan of shrimp scampiA silver pan of shrimp scampi

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This is one of those restaurant-worthy dinners that only takes about 10 minutes to make! I love this served with a creamy, mashed side, or even zucchini noodles for a gluten-free pasta twist.

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Slices of honey garlic pork tenderloin.Slices of honey garlic pork tenderloin.

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Not only is this pork tenderloin ultra-tender, but the spice rub and honey garlic sauce add that “wow” factor that’s guaranteed to steal hearts.

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A skillet of tuscan chickenA skillet of tuscan chicken

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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 (hint, hint).

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Basting butter on ribeye steak.Basting butter on ribeye steak.

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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!

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A white pan with chicken Marsala.A white pan with chicken Marsala.

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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.

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Braised short ribs recipe.Braised short ribs recipe.

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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!

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Chicken piccata filled on a white plateChicken piccata filled on a white plate

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It’s hard to believe how easy this dish is, given how fancy it looks! Golden crusted chicken is simmered in a lemon butter sauce, then finished with a touch of capers and parsley.

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Close up of scallops in a pan.Close up of scallops in a pan.

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Scallops are spurge-worthy, and what better day to splurge than on Valentine’s Day? They’re perfectly seared and coated with the best citrus ginger sauce.

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Drizzling orange beurre blanc on cod.Drizzling orange beurre blanc on cod.

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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!

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Miso salmon recipe.Miso salmon recipe.

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This is hands down my favorite way to elevate a special salmon dinner. It’s incredibly simple, packed with umami flavor, and broils into the most beautiful salmon filet. Don’t forget to serve this with my Asian cucumber salad and ginger rice!

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Rainbow trout almondine on a plate.Rainbow trout almondine on a plate.

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I love how fancy yet simple this dinner is. The nutty, crunchy almondine topping with capers and lemon juice adds an elevated French twist to a simple, pan-seared trout.

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A large platter of skirt steak with chimichurri sauceA large platter of skirt steak with chimichurri sauce

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My homemade chimichurri sauce makes this easy grilled steak taste like a million bucks. The whole dish is savory, tender, and perfeclty herbaceous.

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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.

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The best lamb chop recipe on a plate.The best lamb chop recipe on a plate.

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Between the fresh garlic rosemary marinade and my signature mint apple sauce, it’s a dish I savor for special occasions. And after the lamb chops have marinated, they only need to grill for about 3 minutes on each side. Super fast and easy!

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Pair Dinners With These Side Dishes

  • Mashed Sides: You really can’t go wrong with something creamy and comforting for soaking up sauces from steak, chicken, or seafood. Mashed potatoes are always a classic, but I also love swapping in mashed cauliflower (for something a little lighter) or mashed sweet potatoes (for something a little sweeter).
  • Roasted Vegetables: When I want an easy side that still feels special, roasted veggies are my go-to. Roasted asparagus or roasted broccoli are my favorites for date night. Roasted potatoes add heartiness, and air fryer green beans bring a crisp, fresh bite.
  • Rich, cheesy sides: If Valentine’s Day is your excuse to go all in, these are the sides to choose. Scalloped potatoes are indulgent and always feel restaurant-worthy. And this broccoli Parmesan risotto is one of my favorite ways to add something creamy and comforting to the table.

And don’t forget dessert! Make any dessert the day before so you don’t have to worry about it on Valentine’s Day.

If you make any of these Valentine’s Day dinner recipes, let me know how they turn out in the comments below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration and exclusive content, join my free newsletter here.

This roundup was originally posted January 2024, but updated to include new recipes, photos, and information for your benefit!