50 Romantic Dinners the Two of You Can Cook at Home
Prepare one of these easy recipes, open a bottle of red, and light a candle to set the mood.
There can be a lot of pressure to design the perfect Valentine's Day dinner menu for you and your partner. From heart-shaped dips to multi-layer cakes to extravagant seafood dishes, there is no shortage of ways to impress the one you love most over a candlelit dinner. And while you can certainly dine out on February 14, there is something special about preparing a romantic dinner at home while your favorite love songs play in the background and you sip from your glass of red wine. The following romantic dinner ideas cater to a variety of dietary preferences and all make for a delicious meal, while ensuring you spend most of your time sitting at the table rather than standing over the stove.
Cooking a meal together is a fun activity to do on Valentine's Day, especially if you are looking for an easy date night idea. You also don't have to go through the stress of finding a restaurant you'll both enjoy. Romantic dinners in the comfort of your home up the cozy atmosphere while still making the evening extra special, whether on Valentine's Day or if you're celebrating your anniversary. We've compiled dinner recipes for meat lovers, seafood lovers, pasta lovers, and those who follow vegetarian, plant-based, or vegan diets. At the end of the day, though, your partner will be impressed by anything you cook for (or with) them.
Ravioli with Creamy Mushrooms and Asparagus
This recipe combines the ease of store-bought ravioli with all your favorite veggies to spruce things up.
Pepperoni Pizza Dip
Bonus points if you have a heart-shaped, broiler-safe pot to serve in. But don't worry, the adorable pepperoni pieces will provide just as much wow factor without.
Get the Pepperoni Pizza Dip recipe.
Red Citrus Salad with Berries, Pears and Pomegranates
A plate of this salad will make your dinner look entirely on theme with the bold red colors from blood orange slices, pomegranate seeds, and raspberries. Drizzled honey makes it extra sweet.
Get the Red Citrus Salad with Berries, Pears and Pomegranates recipe.
Spiced Tomato Soup with Flatbread
A warming bowl of soup is the perfect dinner to prepare on a cold Valentine's Day evening. Cut the flatbread into heart shapes for an adorable touch.
Roasted Shrimp and Peppers with Creamy Rice
This easy weeknight dinner will look just as impressive as your order at your favorite seafood restaurant. Garlicky shrimp combine with fluffy arborio rice for a delicious combo you won't be able to stop spooning into your mouth.
Thai-Style Peanut Chicken Wraps
For a romantic dinner that doubles as a date-night activity, prep the insides of these wraps and then roll them up together with your partner.
Thai Beef and Vegetable Curry
This dish features yellow chiles and turmeric for bold flavors to spice up your evening.
Get the Thai Beef and Vegetable Curry recipe.
Salmon with Creamy Feta Cucumbers
This crispy salmon will be ready in only 20 minutes, and the creamy cucumbers are an unusual side that bring a different flavor profile to the dish.
Spring Veggie Pasta
This vegetarian recipe gets tons of bold favors from leeks, lemon, and garlic, plus it's a light dish that won't make you feel sluggish and full after dinner.
Get the Spring Veggie Pasta recipe.
Mushroom and Arugula Salad Pizza
If you love pizza but want something lighter and brighter than the usual red-sauce recipe, this arugula-topped recipe will give you all the deliciousness of pizza with a newfound freshness.
Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Grilled Asparagus and Scallions
This veggie-packed pasta only takes 20 minutes to prepare, and it's full of vegetables that have tons of antioxidants and vitamin C.
Get the Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Grilled Asparagus and Scallions recipe.
Lemony Salmon with Pesto Cauliflower Mash
This simple salmon is accompanied by a flavorful cauliflower mash that has tons of hidden protein from white beans.
Lemon-Thyme Chicken
This simple but flavorful chicken recipe will please even the pickiest eaters, and it's a recipe you'll return to over and over.
Get the Lemon-Thyme Chicken recipe.
Thyme- and Sage-Roasted Turkey
Making a whole turkey is a time-intensive but surefire way to make an impression on a romantic evening. This recipe is full of woodsy flavors from thyme and sage, and you can count on having leftovers for a few days.
Ham and Brie Quesadilla
Making finger food for date night is a fun way to mix things up, and this recipe features the accessibility and ease of a quesadilla with a fancy touch from the brie.
Get the Ham and Brie Quesadilla recipe.
Seared Lamb with Mustard Potatoes and Green Beans
This creative take on steak and potatoes subs lamb for the traditional beef steak and uses whole-grain mustard to add big flavor without a lot of calories or fat.
Get the Seared Lamb with Mustard Potatoes and Green Beans recipe.
Summer Squash, Mint, and Pecorino Pasta
If you're looking to add something fresh to your relationship, this summer squash, mint, and pecorino pasta is definitely it.
Seared Pork Chops with Cherries and Spinach
Anyone can cook a pork chop, but this sophisticated dish with a fresh cherry sauce and tasty spinach will show them just how much you care.
Vegetable and Three-Cheese Stuffed Shells
You really can't go wrong with cheesy shells in a delicious homemade marinara sauce. Plus, there's broccoli and spinach in there so you can get your greens in, too.
Rigatoni with Chicken and Broccoli Bolognese
Cuddle up with this yummy take on chicken and broccoli that's cozy and hearty.
Get the Rigatoni with Chicken and Broccoli Bolognese recipe.
Jamie Kravitz (she/her) is the digital editor at Woman's Day, where she oversees the brand's digital platforms and covers holidays, food, and more. Before joining WD in 2021, she was a digital editor at the Rachael Ray Show. Jamie has over five years of experience writing relationship, entertainment, home, and gifting content for publications including The Knot, Martha Stewart Weddings, Insider, and Elite Daily. She graduated from Emerson College with a BFA in Writing, Literature and Publishing and lives in Brooklyn with her cats, Lumos and Linus.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
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