Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Seasonal Meals 19 Recipes for the Perfect Valentine's Day Dinner Menu Surprise your sweetie with something delicious. By Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Instagram Twitter Website Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner is a writer and recipe developer. She's a regular contributor to The New York Times, Time Out New York, Forbes, and many more publications. She also writes the food newsletter, Specialty. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on January 11, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Greg DuPree Staying in on Valentine’s Day? Good call. Celebrating Valentine’s Day at home with a romantic dinner for two can be delicious, intimate, and affordable. Not only do you get to pick the playlist, the beverage pairings, and the company, but you can cook the recipes from this perfect Valentine's Day dinner menu exactly to your loved one’s taste. Because nothing says “I love you” like a special homemade meal, here’s what you’ll want to make your Valentine for dinner and dessert this February 14. Valentine’s Day Dinner Need Valentine’s Day dinner ideas? We’ve got you covered with these delicious and easy-to-prepare dishes, and even included some vegetarian and plant-based options. 31 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for When You're Craving Comfort Food 01 of 19 Heart-Shaped Pasta Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner This homemade pasta is the key to your beloved’s heart, and can be served with a variety of sauces or toppings. Make a date night out of kneading the dough and cutting out the heart shapes, or simply surprise your date with a plate full of hearts. get the recipe 02 of 19 Balsamic Steak With Radicchio and Pears Antonis Achilleos Something about a perfectly cooked steak is just so romantic. Pair it with winter produce, like bitter radicchio and sweet pears, for the ultimate balanced, restaurant-style meal. get the recipe 03 of 19 Lobster Tails With Cilantro Butter Con Poulos Transform dinner at home into a luxe date with these easy-to-make lobster tails. Prep them at your leisure, and pop them in the oven just before you sit down to dine. get the recipe 04 of 19 Salmon Nigiri Daniel Agee There’s no sushi date like a homemade sushi date, whether you’re making each piece side-by-side, or surprising your sweetheart with a from-scratch sushi platter. Swap out other sushi-grade fish or even plant-based seafood for a comprehensive sushi spread. get the recipe 05 of 19 Neapolitan-Style Margherita Pizza GREG DUPREE Heart-shaped pizza that comes from the heart will always be so much better than delivery. Purchase pre-made dough to speed up the process, and treat your date to a toppings bar at the most romantic pizzeria in town—your kitchen. get the recipe 06 of 19 Scallops in Parchment Sang An The dramatic presentation of unwrapping these scallops and releasing a pouf of steam to reveal your dinner is so worth it. Beans and veggies in the packet make this a complete meal, so you can spend a lot less time doing dishes. get the recipe 07 of 19 Spice-Braised Short Ribs Greg DuPree Slow-cooked meat that tenderizes all afternoon and fills the house with incredible cooking smells can amp up the anticipation of a special meal at home. Serve with potatoes, risotto, or tortillas. get the recipe 08 of 19 Gnocchi Alla Vodka Caitlin Bensel Vodka sauce is always the move. Whether it’s your first Valentine’s Day together, or one of many throughout the years, celebrate with this luscious bowl of pasta. get the recipe 09 of 19 Mushroom Mole Enchiladas Jennifer Causey Something about chocolate and Valentine’s day is just a natural pairing, and putting chocolate in your dinner really covers the theme. These rich, vegetarian enchiladas are perfect to share, and the mole is finger-licking good. get the recipe 10 of 19 Grilled Lamb With Plum Mostarda and Blistered Shishitos Greg DuPree This looks like a professional composed dish, but is very simple to grill and plate indoors or outdoors. The mystery heat of each shishito also spices things up! get the recipe 11 of 19 Salmon Fillet With Citrus and Thyme Con Poulos This large-format salmon works well for a date or double date, and can be garnished with blood oranges and edible flowers for a Valentine’s Day theme. Serve with salad or your favorite sides. get the recipe 12 of 19 Miso Mushroom Ramen Antonis Achilleos A cozy bowl of plant-based ramen can be all you need for a romantic and cozy night in. Share a long noodle à la Lady and the Tramp. get the recipe 20 Best Romantic Dessert Recipes 13 of 19 Flourless Spiced Hot Chocolate Cake Caitlin Bensel A bit spicy and very rich and chocolatey, this decadent cake was practically made for date night. Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream or gelato for optimal indulgence. get the recipe 14 of 19 Mini Chocolate Olive Oil Cakes Victor Protasio Earl gray tea and olive oil add richness and moisture to these mini bundts, which just look so adorable and festive. Adorn with dried rose petals, gold flakes, or your choice of thematic toppings. get the recipe 15 of 19 Mint Chocolate Chip Crepes These filled crepes can be cooked up at the stove as you enjoy them, for an action-filled kitchen date that feels special. Cue up the French music and save some extra crepe batter for breakfast. get the recipe 16 of 19 Raspberry S’mores James Baigrie Making s’mores at home feels oh-so indulgent and fun. Get your fingers sticky with these special raspberry s’mores, which may quickly become your home’s Valentine’s Day dinner tradition. get the recipe 17 of 19 Chocolate Raspberry Cocktail Getty Images This shaken cocktail comes together in minutes, and combines just a few ingredients for a sophisticated flavor. The cacao and raspberry liqueur meld perfectly for Valentine’s Day vibes. get the recipe 18 of 19 Pink Hot Chocolate Alison Miksch Served best in clear glasses so you can really admire the color, this pink hot chocolate gets its beautiful hue from beet juice. Make a mug before Valentine’s Day dinner, or serve with dessert. Top with whipped cream, of course. get the recipe 19 of 19 Chambord Royale Ooh la la, this Paris-influenced cocktail is transportive. With just two ingredients—Chambord and sparkling wine—you can easily make a few too many of these with just a bottle of each. get the recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit