50 Best Valentine's Day Dinner Ideas for Date Night
Every good love story starts with a good meal.
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Planning dinner for two this Valentine's Day? You've come to the right place! We've rounded up the best Valentine's Day dinner ideas for you and your sweetie. But we're not stopping thereâthis list also has tons of Valentine's Day dinner recipes for families, friends, or even singles looking for a tasty meal on February 14. After all, there's nothing better than a big bowl of pasta or your favorite chicken recipe followed by a romantic movie and a box of Valentine's Day chocolatesâno matter your relationship status.
Of course, we had to include a few of Ree and Ladd Drummond's favorite meals like steak and potato recipes. "I love a night in with my sweetie," Ree said about her previous Valentine's Day. Looking for a restaurant-quality meal to impress your loved ones? Try the chicken saltimbocca, lobster bisque, or the bacon-wrapped filets drenched in melted "cowboy butter." Then again, you can always cook "marry me chicken" if you're hoping for a proposal! Or opt for something a little more casual, along the lines of comfort food classics, like slow cooker beef stew, baked ravioli, and a chicken parmesan that's made in an air fryer. We've even included a few Valentine's Day cocktails to wash it all down. End the night with a Valentine's Day dessert and your hearts (and stomachs) are sure to be full.
Manicotti
Manicotti is similar to lasagna but feels just a little bit fancier thanks to the cheese-stuffed pasta tubes. A hearty meat sauce and lots of melty cheese make it perfect for feeding a family or even dinner for two with leftovers.
Get the Manicotti recipe.
Marry Me Chicken
This popular dish might just make your loved one drop to one knee! That's because it's full of creamy, flavorful sun-dried tomato sauce and tender chickenâplus, extra parmesan cheese!
Get Ree's Marry Me Chicken recipe.
Air Fryer Parmesan Steak Fries
Whether you serve chicken or steak, potatoes are always a good idea for a side dish. These beefed up fries are loaded with seasoning so they feel extra special on a night for your Valentine.
Salisbury Steak
You don't have to spend a ton of money to make Valentine's Day special. This affordable variation on steak is actually made with ground beef. It's covered in a decadent, creamy mushroom sauce and served with a side of mashed potatoes.
Get the Salisbury Steak recipe.
Chicken Florentine
This creamy dish looks and sounds elegant, but it's actually easy to make! Everything is cooked in one skillet, including the crispy chicken and the white wine and cream sauce.
Get the Chicken Florentine recipe.
Coconut Shrimp Curry
The warmth form the curry and the creamy sauce make this dish a favorite for a cozy night in. Add some hot sauce to really heat things up, then serve it over a bed of rice.
Get the Coconut Shrimp Curry recipe.
Beef Burgundy
Red wine, beef, and mushroomsâwhatâs not to love? This hearty stew is a comforting dinner that's best served over a fluffy pile of mashed potatoes.
Get Ree's Beef Burgundy recipe.
Slow Cooker Bolognese
Make February 14 pasta night this year! The slow cooked meat sauce will make a big batch so you can enjoy some with your sweetie on Valentine's Day and save the rest for during the week.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Bolognese recipe.
Chicken Piccata
This might be a crispy chicken recipe, but it's really all about the creamy sauce! It's bright and lemony with just the right amount of heavy cream.
Get Ree's Chicken Piccata recipe.
Surf and Turf
Impress your loved one with a restaurant-worthy meal like this twist on surf and turf that combines creamy shrimp and seared steak on one plate. All you need are mashed potatoes or your favorite veggie to round out the plate.
Get the Surf and Turf recipe.
Lobster Bisque
Anything with lobster feels fancy, but this soup is actually made with lobster tails, which are more affordable. Don't worry though, there's still plenty of creaminess, richness, and elegance in the dish.
Get the Lobster Bisque recipe.
Pomegranate Martini
Add a pop of red to your Valentine's Day dinner by serving up a ruby-colored cocktail that's sweet and boozy. We love the way the little pomegranate seeds look like floating jewels!
Get the Pomegranate Martini recipe.
One-Pot French Onion Pasta
There's a reason French onion pasta went viral on TikTokâitâs packed with caramelized onions, noodles, and cheese! There's even those signature croutons on top.
Get the One-Pot French Onion Pasta recipe.
Air Fryer Salmon
Valentine's Day doesn't need to be complicated, especially when it falls on a weekday. Here, the flaky salmon is cooked in just 10 minutes so you can focus on more important things, like writing your Valentine's Day card.
Get the Air Fryer Salmon recipe.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
These adorable bite-sized snacks are perfect for a Galentine's Day bash! They're sweet, cheesy, sticky, and spicy.
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Dates recipe.
Paella
Chicken, shrimp, chorizo, and riceâthis flavorful dinner is definitely impressive. Though the traditional method is made in a very wide pan over an open fire, our version makes it easy using a 12-inch cast iron skillet.
Get the Paella recipe.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
You can recreate that classic scene from Lady and the Tramp after making this bowl of spaghetti and meatballs! It's one of the most romantic (and yet simple) dishes around.
Get Ree's Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe.
Shrimp and Grits
These creamy, cheesy grits will make you weak in your knees! Then, you go ahead and top them with buttery Cajun shrimp and Ree says "they become my dearest obsession."
Get Ree's Shrimp and Grits recipe.
Caesar Salad
Making steak for dinner? Don't forget to serve it up with this classic steakhouse side. The key is to make a homemade dressing!
Get the Caesar Salad recipe.
Champagne Punch
We can't think of anything cuter for Valentine's Day than a pink, bubbly punch! It has just the right amount of sweetness from white-cranberry-strawberry juice.
Get the Champagne Punch recipe.
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