50 Enjoyable Valentine’s Day Dinner Concepts – A Couple Cooks

Considered one of our high Valentine’s Day dinner concepts to impress: this creamy Tuscan salmon! It’d lead to a number of marriage proposals, which is why we additionally wish to name it “Marry Me Salmon.” The tender fish is bathed in a luscious cream sauce with garlic, solar dried tomatoes, spinach, and capers, making every chew brilliant, salty, and opulent.

Right here’s a traditional dish that impresses each time: rooster piccata! Tender, golden-brown rooster cutlets are bathed in a vibrant lemon-butter sauce with pops of briny capers. This traditional Italian American dish has captured hearts and stomachs around the globe, and it’s an enormous favourite over right here. Don’t be intimidated by its fancy title; it is surprisingly easy to make at house! 

Do that romantic creamy pasta recipe, starring chewy al dente pasta and an irresistible Parmesan garlic cream sauce! The best way the creamy sauce and garlic intensify the leafy greens makes it one in all our high vegetarian pasta recipes so far. Cozy as much as a bowl and it’s positively life-giving. You’ll by no means love spinach extra!

Shrimp, butter, garlic, lemon, and white wine: what may very well be higher? Sure, it’s the Italian American shrimp scampi, a traditional that’s been stealing hearts and minds for many years. This model is fairly stellar: juicy, garlicky shrimp swimming in a wealthy, tangy butter sauce. Sop it up with crusty bread, or pour it over pasta: both method, it’s divine.

Right here’s a recipe that couldn’t be extra delectable. Attempt these spinach artichoke Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms! Sure, that’s proper. It combines the deliciousness of spinach artichoke dip with the meaty, savory goodness of a baked portobello mushroom. High it off with crunchy Italian breadcrumbs, and also you’ll amaze everybody on the desk! It’s vegetarian however will please each sort of eater: we promise.

This cozy, flavor-packed recipe satisfies each time: Penne Pomodoro! The traditional pairing of pomodoro sauce and short-cut pasta exemplifies the simplicity of Italian delicacies: juicy tomatoes, garlic, greens and herbs simmered till they meld right into a pure, wealthy sauce.

This superb crab cake recipe makes patties which are golden and seasoned, crispy on the surface and tender on the within. Outdated Bay, Dijon mustard and tarragon intensify the juicy lump crabmeat completely, and served with creamy tartar sauce, they’re a bit little bit of heaven in every chew! 

An ideal vegan dinner concept? Attempt Vegan Crab Truffles (that are simply pretty much as good, in our opinion!).

Subsequent up in our checklist of Valentine’s Day dinner concepts: Cacio e Pepe: cheese and pepper pasta! Pasta is mega romantic, proper? This Italian cheese and pepper spaghetti couldn’t be easier; the recipe is from our pal Ashley Rodriguez’s ebook Date Night time In. Alex and I ate a killer cacio e pepe final time we have been in Rome, and we had top-of-the-line one’s of our life in NYC. It’s a really easy recipe that’s elegant in its simplicity.

Additionally attempt: Straightforward Pasta Puttanesca

If we might eat only one dinner for the remainder of our lives, this is likely to be it: a skillet of creamy Tuscan rooster! If you happen to’ve by no means had Tuscan rooster, allow us to be the primary to inform you: this meal delivers. What’s it that makes it so outrageously good? Possibly it’s the dreamy sauce of solar dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and Parmesan. Or perhaps it’s the savory taste explosion from the superbly seasoned and pan seared rooster breast. 

Subsequent up in our checklist of Valentine’s Day dinner concepts: Pistachio Crusted Salmon! This technique for cooking fish looks like one thing you’d get at a restaurant, but it surely’s so easy to make. The aroma wafting from the oven can have you salivating earlier than the meals even reaches your plate! Every chew of tender fish and the crunchy, Parmesan pistachio topping makes you instantly wish to take one other. 

Additionally attempt: Fast Broiled Salmon or Lemon Dill Salmon

This is a creamy pasta good for Valentine’s Day dinner: Creamy Solar Dried Tomato Pasta! There’s main wow-factor to this pasta, which comes collectively in simply half-hour. Earthy, fruity sundried tomatoes lend a meaty high quality to this straightforward vegetarian dish, which is bathed in a Parmesan cream sauce.

If there’s one recipe that’s a certain hit in our home, it’s creamy rooster skillets. And this one is an absolute household favourite: do this creamy lemon garlic rooster! The rooster is coated in spices and pan fried till tender and juicy, then topped with a fast pan sauce made with lemon, garlic and a bit cream.

Considered one of our extra elegant Valentine’s Day dinner concepts is that this Parmesan black truffle risotto! A seemingly gourmand dish, this Parmesan truffle risotto recipe is fairly easy to place collectively, and the black truffle taste sends it out of this world. There’s a splash of white wine within the risotto, and you’ll drink the remainder of the bottle as you cook dinner!

Additionally attempt: Mushroom Risotto or Butternut Squash Risotto

Scallops have an attractive, gentle candy taste that’s straightforward to like: and there’s nothing higher than that good seared crispy exterior. Attempt them bathed on this superb Lemon Herb Sauce. It takes a bit know how one can get that golden brown crust with out beneath cooking or overcooking them. However as soon as a number of secrets and techniques…it’s very straightforward and takes solely 5 minutes to cook dinner!

Additionally attempt: Scallop Pasta with Lemon & Herbs

Searching for a pasta recipe to impress for Valentine’s Day dinner? Attempt the signature Italian dish Pasta alla Norma! This spectacular recipe hails from Sicily and like all traditional Italian dish, it’s all about elegant simplicity. Sauteed eggplant tastes savory and meaty towards a tangy tomato sauce, al dente pasta and salty ricotta salata cheese. The mixture of flavors and textures is a real masterpiece!

Name us loopy, however isn’t a chic pot pie is the coziest, most romantic sounding of Valentine’s Day dinner concepts? This pot pie has grow to be one in all our high fan favourite recipes, and for good purpose. The flaky crust is scented with sage, and the within is pure creamy, savory goodness with candy potatoes, onions, mushrooms, and white beans. If you happen to’re in search of romantic dinner, that is it.

Additionally attempt: Finest Vegan Pot Pie

This creamy vodka sauce is simmered with garlic and basil, served over rigatoni with a number of Parmesan. The key? Simmer the sauce for 1 hour! This vodka sauce pasta is so severely filled with taste, it’s price each second of that simmer. And what says “I like you” greater than a 1 hour simmered pasta?

Serve with: Favourite Chopped Salad or Excellent Italian Salad

It’s bought bubbly cheese, garlicky tomato sauce, and savory, meaty breaded eggplant: it’s Eggplant Parmesan! This Italian traditional dish is hearty, filling, and pleases nearly everybody. Most eating places use fried eggplant, however for a selfmade model it’s a lot easier to bake. This finest baked Eggplant Parmesan recipe is quicker and simpler to make at house than most recipes and filled with unbelievable taste. 

Chilean sea bass is without doubt one of the most costly fish dishes on a restaurant menu, and one chew tells you why! The tender fillet has a succulent, buttery texture that tastes positively glamorous. If you happen to’re fortunate sufficient to attain your self a fillet or two, right here’s the recipe for them. Frivolously season and pan fry the fillets till the outside is golden and crisp, then season with garlic, butter, lemon, and herbs. Pair it with a number of sides and it’s a restaurant-quality Valentine’s Day dinner recipe with little effort.

There’s simply one thing about silky caramelized onions topped golden, crusty cheese that takes your breath away each time. That is traditional French cooking at its most interesting…it is a bit of a venture, however price each minute of it for a chic Valentine’s Day dinner. This recipe is stuffed with wealthy, nuanced taste and all the comfy, date night time in vibes.

Need a Valentine’s Day dinner to impress…with a bit kick? Attempt Shrimp Fra Diavolo! This Italian-style dish stars tender shrimp that swim in a garlicky, spicy tomato sauce. “Fra diavolo” interprets to “brother satan” in Italian, alluding to the extraordinary warmth of this dish. However make it selfmade and you’ll customise the spiciness to your style! 

We love utilizing Valentine’s Day as an excuse to make a flowery paella! This beautiful one pan dinner is made for celebrations! This conventional Spanish rice dish has hundreds of variations. but it surely’s at all times rice with an explosion of colourful toppings. This one stars saffron-scented rice, combined colourful greens and shrimp, and it’s filled with conventional taste. Pair with purple sangria or apple sangria.

You’ll wish to bookmark this recipe for making after Valentine’s Day too…this Creamy Shrimp Pasta! It’s extremely traditional: juicy, savory shrimp and al dente pasta swimming in a creamy sauce. As a result of we love choices, we’ve bought two sauce concepts for you: a white wine sauce, bursting with tangy taste. Or attempt our straightforward cream sauce, a creamy Parmesan sauce that’s truly made with no cream in any respect. Combine the elements collectively and wow! 

Ever tried making meatballs…with eggplant? We’d been listening to for years that eggplant makes nice vegetarian meatballs, we simply didn’t actually imagine it…till now. Do that superb Eggplant Meatballs recipe! Garlic, herbs, breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese make one insanely juicy and savory meatball.

What’s extra Valentine’s Day acceptable than sizzling pink hummus? That is the right appetizer to a comfortable dinner. Including a roasted beet to hummus makes it beautiful to take a look at—and it’s tasty too. You don’t have to chop your veggies to be coronary heart formed after all…however why not?

Cherries are good for Valentine’s Day dinner, and this is an ideal appetizer concept: cherry and goat cheese crostini! Saute tart cherries with a little bit of sage and balsamic vinegar, then spoon them over a goat cheese crostini. They are a easy and scrumptious starter to pair with the principle dishes above!

This is an ideal salad for Valentine’s Day dinner: shaved Brussels sprout salad!  This one is a research in texture contrasts: the feathery shaved Brussels, the pop of the Pomegranate seeds, and the brilliant crunch of the apple. It’s vibrant and colourful, coated in a frivolously candy French dressing.

This is a simple salad to make any Valentine’s Day dinner recipe right into a meal. It’s fairly probably the best salad you’ll make. You don’t even must make a salad dressing! In 5 to 10 minutes, you’ve bought a chic salad that goes with actually every part.

One other nice Valentine’s Day dinner facet dish: pomegranate salad! Crunchy pomegranate seeds make an attractive confetti excessive of leafy greens. Add tart inexperienced apple slices, toasted pecans, and goat cheese or feta crumbles, and it’s a real symphony of taste! Choose from a number of totally different dressing decisions: our favorites are apple cider vinegar dressing or pomegranate French dressing. 

Beets are good for Valentine’s Day dinner with their brilliant pink colour. Attempt them on this Beet Salad recipe! Make it with roasted beets and even pre-cooked from the shop: and man is it good. It has all the appropriate components: child greens, creamy goat cheese and a tangy balsamic beet dressing. 

Right here’s an attractive facet dish for Valentine’s Day dinner: this beautiful apple salad! If we might eat one salad for the remainder of time, this one is it. Crisp tart apple slices pair with pops of pomegranate seeds, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy, cinnamon spiced pecans. Toss them throughout contemporary greens with a zingy maple and apple cider vinegar dressing, and it’s really salad perfection.

Right here’s a brilliant, stunning salad recipe that works in nearly any season: this refreshing Grapefruit Salad! It pairs the juicy citrus fruit with nutty toasted almonds, salty feta cheese and a zingy poppy seed dressing. Give it a style and the fragile, zingy, nut and creamy textures and flavors complement one another completely!

This is a chic salad for Valentine’s Day dinner: do this Endive Salad: equal components refreshing, tangy, bitter, crunchy, and tangy! Bitter endive pairs completely with juicy orange and a candy tart purple wine French dressing. High it off with savory Parmesan shavings and crunchy almonds, and the contrasts are divine. Every chew is crunchy, candy, savory and citrusy.

In terms of fast and chic facet dishes, this one is likely to be tops: sauteed broccolini! The elegantly lengthy stems of this inexperienced veggie make it look fancy, however right here’s a secret. You’ll be able to cook dinner it up in simply 5 minutes in a sizzling skillet. Add a little bit of garlic and lemon, and also you gained’t be capable to cease consuming these irresistibly giant spears.

Additionally attempt: Easy Roasted Broccolini

Right here’s a easy solution to gown up contemporary inexperienced beans as a gourmand facet: Inexperienced Beans Almondine! Make it at house, and this dish is good! The beans are brilliant inexperienced and completely tender, sautéed in butter with garlic and toasted almonds and completed with a bit lemon zest. After one chew, you will be singing its praises.

These Brussels sprouts are a unbelievable Valentine’s Day facet dish…they usually actually are subsequent stage! They’re impossibly crispy, baked till they’re caramelized and the surface layers flake off into darkened crunchy chips. Then they’re draped in a tangy maple balsamic glaze that heightens the flavors to their peak. One chew of those, and everybody across the desk might be asking how you probably did it.

After all, we have to have some romantic Valentine’s Day cocktails to go along with the dinner concepts, proper? Do that candy tart purple cocktail: the Raspberry Martini! This drink is beautiful and filled with brilliant berry taste: from first sip, you’ll be bought! The candy tart, frivolously floral taste of raspberry is fantastically pure, due to selfmade raspberry syrup. 

Additionally attempt: Pomegranate Martini, French Martini or different Pink Cocktails

This is a fantastically brilliant good pink Valentine’s Day drink: sure, it’s a Cosmo! A Cosmopolitan cocktail, to be actual. This traditional cocktail is prepared to boost your subsequent gathering, be it a cocktail party or drinks on the patio with associates. It was at its peak within the 1990’s (howdy, Intercourse and the Metropolis), however the Cosmo is a legit bitter cocktail that’s price ingesting.

Additionally attempt: 10 Excellent Pink Cocktails

The chocolate martini is wealthy and creamy, principally a dessert in a glass! It’s bought Irish cream and creme de cacao for optimum taste, just like the liquid model of your favourite chocolate bar. Combine this up for particular events like Valentine’s Day or a romantic dinner…or simply anytime you want a candy deal with in cocktail kind.

Additionally attempt: Traditional Mudslide

Right here’s one of the refined and refreshing cocktails on the market…and it is good for Valentine’s Day dinner. Attempt the French 75! It’s bought a mysterious title, but it surely’s made with a number of easy substances. It’s tangy, bubbly, and a bit botanical, and it makes each dinner extra festive!

One other enjoyable Valentine’s Day dinner drink: the Pomegranate Gin Fizz! The Gin Fizz is one in all our favourite traditional cocktails: candy tart and refreshing, with a festive egg white foam. Take it excessive with this pomegranate spin: it elevates the candy tart taste and offers the drink an excellent jewel-toned colour! 

Searching for a decadent Valentine’s Day dinner deal with? Do that chocolate mousse recipe: wealthy, easy, and surprisingly straightforward to whip up at house! This is how one can make a killer easy, creamy, wealthy chocolate mousse.

Right here’s an iconic Valentine’s Day dessert that’s the pure definition of decadence: Molten Chocolate Lava Cake! It will get its title from its liquid “lava” heart, which flows like a volcano whenever you dig into it with a fork. Are you a chocolate lover licks the batter off spatulas when baking? (Responsible.) Then you definately’ll be head over heels for this one. Seems, it’s not as tough as you suppose!

The perfect dessert for in our Valentine’s Day dinner concepts: mug cake! This genius technique for going from 0 to cake in only a few minutes is completely price a attempt. This chocolate mug cake recipe comes out insanely fudgy and 100% scrumptious! It’s bought a secret ingredient that makes a delightfully wealthy taste. The toughest half? Ready for it to chill till you may dig in.

How about pulling some heat chocolate chip cookies straight from the oven for Valentine’s Day dinner? Outrageously good is the one solution to describe these cookies! They’re chewy with crispy edges, candy with simply the appropriate nutty intrigue within the taste, and studded with darkish chocolate chips and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. (They might be vegan, however they’re our favourite cookies and we promise you may’t inform the distinction!)

What’s higher than ending a Valentine’s Day dinner with flourless chocolate cake? Wealthy and fudgy, dense and darkish chocolaty, it’s a chocolate lover’s dream. High it with this straightforward raspberry compote for a candy tart pairing that cuts the sweetness of the cake completely.

Everybody loves an excellent chocolate cookie. However right here’s one thing we predict is even higher: these tender, gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars! They’ve bought an irresistibly chewy texture, that includes an expensive dough with a great deal of darkish chocolate chips. A little bit of oatmeal provides it a nostalgic heartiness, and the sides get completely golden.

Cherries appear to be Valentine’s Day meals to us, in all probability due to the colour. So do this cherry crisp with candy tart, juicy purple fruit coated in cinnamon-spiced butter crumbles. We additionally like so as to add a touch of floor cardamom for some intrigue!

Final up: one in all our very favourite methods to finish a Valentine’s Day dinner bananas foster! If you happen to like taking part in with hearth, this one’s for you. Our recipe is straightforward with directions on how one can flambé and get that dramatic flame! It tastes really unbelievable. Seize two spoons to your skillet and dig in!