15 Delicious & Totally Doable Valentine's Day Dinner Recipes
Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and if you don't have outdoor dining reservations or a plan for takeout, you can still enjoy a decadent, mouth-watering meal at home.
And if you loathe Valentine's Day, that's fine too. Just consider it as an excuse to make yourself something special and indulge in a little self care. And by self care, we mean wine and chocolate, and maybe a bubble bath, too?
After all, you know what they say: the way to the heart is through the stomach, and these elegant Valentine's Day dinner recipes are sure to do the trick.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Chicken Parmesan with Penne & Mozzarella
We'll start off with a classic Valentine's Day dish: chicken parmesan!
In this recipe, chicken breast is breaded with panko breadcrumbs and parmesan before being baked and served atop a bed of penne pasta and classic red sauce.
Garnish it with fresh basil and serve it alongside some crunchy garlic bread and a big green salad.
Baked Lobster Tails
Looking to whip up an especially fancy Valentine's dinner? These baked lobster tails are definitely the way to go!
Aside from fresh or frozen lobster tails, you'll need butter, parsley, lemon, and salt for this recipe that lets the rich lobster flavor do most of the talking.
This recipe is designed for just 2 people, but simply double everything if you're cooking for the whole family.
Photo Courtesy of Once Upon a Chef
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
These braised short ribs look and taste elegant, but they're actually really easy to make!
Short ribs are quickly seared in a Dutch oven before being cooked down with veggies, tomato paste, wine, and broth.
What you end up with is a perfectly rich and tender dish that's warm and cozy, too.
Serve your short ribs with buttered noodles or some mashed potatoes.
Find the full recipe at Once Upon a Chef
Filet Mignon for Two with Sweet Potato Mash
If scallops are the fanciest seafood, then filet mignon is the fanciest beef!
If you want to create an unforgettable at-home date night for Valentine's Day, consider this filet mignon for two that features a side of sweet potato mash.
Filet mignon is prepared simply with just some salt and pepper and a quick sear on the stovetop, before being topped off with a small amount of compound butter.
Don't forget the broccolini for some greens!
Photo Courtesy of Spend with Pennies
Scallops in Lemon Wine Sauce
If you're looking to have a special, fancy Valentine's Day, consider sea scallops!
All you'll need is a handful of simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes to create a restaurant-quality dinner that won't soon be forgotten.
Serve these scallops with your favorite green vegetable and a piece of toasted bread to sop up all that lemony goodness.
Find the full recipe at Spend With Pennies
Vegan Lasagna Bolognese
Vegan-friendly cuisine meets comfort food in this lasagna recipe from Feasting at Home.
Made up of layers of mushroom bolognese, homemade vegan ricotta, creamy tomato sauce, and arugula pesto, this lasagna has all the rich vegetable flavors and creamy filling you'd expect from a classic lasagna, just without the dairy and meat.
This is one of those vegan-friendly meals that even carnivores will love, and is a perfect way to show extra TLC to your vegan partner!
Find the full recipe at Feasting at Home
Browned Sage Butter Chicken Piccata with Mushroom Pasta
Buttery, creamy, herby, and packed full of mushrooms, this piccata recipe from Half Baked Harvest comes together in just under an hour.
Chicken is lightly breaded in flour and seared before being combined with mixed mushrooms and fresh sage.
Don't forget to spoon all that delicious pan sauce over the chicken and pasta!
Photo Courtesy of Dude That Cookz
One Pan Chicken & Mushroom Orzo
If you want to go more of the quick-and-easy-without-a-ton-of-dishes-to-clean route, consider this saucy and delicious one-pot chicken and mushroom orzo!
Chicken thighs are seared on a cast iron pan before being combined with onions, butter, garlic, mushrooms, and orzo.
Once everything is cooked through, you'll add some heavy cream and parmesan cheese to give it a rich creaminess.
Find the full recipe at Dude That Cookz
Pasta Carbonara
Easy to make, creamy, and calling for just 4 basic ingredients, carbonara is a no-brainer when it comes to a romantic Valentine's Day dinner.
This is a pretty traditional take on carbonara, calling for you to beat in an egg to create that luxurious creamy sauce that's so delectable.
Serve your carbonara with an extra sprinkle of parmesan cheese and a side salad.
Find the full recipe at Gimme Some Oven
More Dinner Recipes for Valentine's Day
Baked Salmon with Honey Mustard and Pecan-Panko Crust from Once Upon a Chef
Steak with Whiskey-Mustard Sauce from Welcome to the Table
Lobster Ravioli from EatingWell
Beef Bourguignon from Edible Seattle
Slow Cooker Red Wine Braised Short Rib Pasta from Half Baked Harvest