25 Easy Valentine’s Day Recipes to Make Tonight
Whether you’ve got a special evening for two planned or you’re making it a family affair – we’ve got you covered with starters, mains, and desserts that are celebration-worthy. Set the table, light the candle, and pull out the fancy glasses for something sparkling.
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
If my kids had to pick an all-time favorite meal, this is it. Our homemade spaghetti with meat sauce features a slow-simmered, rich tomato meat sauce made with perfectly browned ground beef, Italian sausage, a balanced tomato sauce, and traditional Italian seasonings. Serve with al dente spaghetti, a salad, and garlic bread.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.
Date Night Gnocchi
Date night gnocchi is a 30-minute dinner winner you can pull out for date nights, special occasions, or just because it’s so delicious! Butternut squash, kale, and chicken all come together in a creamy Alfredo sauce that your special someone will love!
Get the Recipe: Date Night Gnocchi.
Chocolate Shortbread Recipe
Indulge in these rich, dark chocolate slice-and-bake shortbread cookies. With a perfect balance of crunchy texture and unsweetened cocoa flavor, these cookies are an irresistible treat for chocolate lovers. They are ideal for gifting or enjoying with a cup of coffee.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Shortbread Recipe.
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
This Italian dish seems a little complicated, but it’s really quite simple. Use high-quality butter, cheese, and pasta for this dish, as it’s about all that’s in it! It’s easy enough for a quick dinner but nice enough to turn it into a date night meal, too.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe.
French Onion Soup
There is nothing like French onion soup! This recipe makes it easy to make at home. You will love the rich base, complete with plenty of melted cheese over the top. You can have this on the table in just an hour for a great dinner any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup.
Black Truffle Pasta
Black truffle pasta is an elegant and simple vegetarian dish you can have on the table in minutes! The pasta sauce is a cashew cream sauce. Adding truffles to this pasta dish adds a lot of big flavor.
Get the Recipe: Black Truffle Pasta.
Iced Valentine’s Day Thumbprint Cookies
Classic thumbprint cookies with a sweet surprise in the center! These soft, buttery cookies are filled with icings, making them a perfect addition to any holiday cookie tray or a fun snack anytime.
Get the Recipe: Iced Valentine’s Day Thumbprint Cookies.
Chicken & Gnocchi Dumplings
This is the perfect dinner when you’re craving chicken and dumplings, but not up to the task of making the traditional dish. Shredded chicken, store-bought gnocchi, and a mirepoix of vegetables in a creamy sauce are the heart and soul of this cozy recipe. It’s major comfort food!
Get the Recipe: Chicken & Gnocchi Dumplings.
Lemon Baked Halibut Recipe
This mouthwatering baked halibut recipe will make you feel like a pro chef! Halibut is known for its delicate flavor and flaky texture, so we’re keeping the preparation simple to let those natural flavors shine. Serve with a simple veggie and a carb for special occasions – no matter how you serve it, you’ll have a nutritious, delicious, and restaurant-quality meal.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Baked Halibut Recipe.
Raspberry Truffles Recipe
These raspberry truffles are the perfect indulgence. They are coated in chocolate and have a tangy raspberry center, making them a luxurious treat for special occasions or whenever you crave something sweet.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Truffles Recipe.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo
This creamy Tuscan chicken orzo makes an incredible one-pot meal with major flavor you’d expect from a restaurant. Everything comes together in about 45 minutes, making it surprisingly quick and easy too. Serve with some crusty bread or garlic bread to ensure you don’t let any of that sauce go to waste.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo.
Chocolate Strawberry Birds
These chocolate strawberry birds are a cute and whimsical treat! With fresh strawberries, decadent chocolate, and a touch of creativity, they are the perfect dessert for springtime or a special occasion.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Strawberry Birds.
Louisiana Cajun Chicken Pasta
This copycat chicken dish tastes just like the popular meal from the Cheesecake Factory. The chicken is coated with a delicious mix of panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan, creating a crispy exterior you’re going to love. The pasta and chicken are served in a creamy, spicy New Orleans sauce with classic Cajun flavors.
Get the Recipe: Louisiana Cajun Chicken Pasta.
Cioppino
Cioppino is a fancy way of saying fish stew, but a dish this delicious needs a fancy name! Lobster tails, mussels, shrimp, and fresh fish filets combine a few other ingredients for a fantastic meal. Serve with a fresh loaf of bread for dipping!
Get the Recipe: Cioppino.
Valentines Pretzels
These Valentine’s pretzels are sweet, salty, and irresistible, perfect for celebrating the holiday. With a candy coating and sprinkles, they’re a fun and easy treat for kids and adults and almost too cute.
Get the Recipe: Valentines Pretzels.
Pan-fried Garlic Butter Prawns
This pan-fried garlic butter prawns recipe is simple but impressive for a date night at home. Whole shell-on prawns are cooked in butter and garlic with a few squeezes of lemon juice to brighten the dish for a simple, flavorful dish you’ll love! Serve with pasta or risotto or as a starter.
Get the Recipe: Pan-fried Garlic Butter Prawns.
Reverse Sear New York Strip Steak
If you are looking for an irresistible steak to serve for a date night at home, this is the recipe for you. This method is fool-proof and leaves you with a delicious juicy steak with perfectly charred edges every single time. Don’t forget to top it with steak butter!
Get the Recipe: Reverse Sear New York Strip Steak.
Lemon Risotto
Lemon risotto makes such a tremendous at-home date dinner. It is creamy, bright, and downright delicious. While it feels like a fancy dish to savor, it is easy to make. Serve with seafood or a veggie side dish.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Risotto.
Creamy Lobster Risotto
This lobster risotto has rich flavor, chunks of tender lobster tails, and perfectly cooked rice for a dreamy date night meal you might love. Serve it with an easy veggie side and a glass of wine (or NA wine) for a special restaurant-worthy meal at home. It’s surprisingly easy to make at home!
Get the Recipe: Lobster Risotto.
Heart Rice Krispie Treats
These Valentine’s Krispie treats are a simple, no-bake dessert perfect for last-minute celebrations. With a crispy, marshmallow base and heart-shaped decorations, they’re as fun to make as they eat.
Get the Recipe: Heart Shaped Rice Krispie Treats.
Chicken Cutlets
If you’re looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner, you’ll love how versatile and delicious these are. These chicken cutlets are pure comfort food. They come together quickly and work with almost anything, from pasta to salads to a simple squeeze of lemon.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cutlets.
Heart Shaped Pizza
Why order takeout when you can make a fun, heart-shaped pizza at home? It’s crispy, cheesy, and customizable with your favorite toppings. It’s perfect for date night, Valentine’s Day, or just because pizza always deserves extra love!
Get the Recipe: Heart Shaped Pizza.
Red Velvet Sugar Cookies
These red velvet sugar cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with vibrant color. It is topped with cream cheese frosting and cookie crumbles, a delicious treat perfect for any holiday or celebration.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Sugar Cookies.
Surf and Turf
Surf and turf is the ultimate luxury meal! Tender steak and succulent lobster – what else do you need? Sharing it for date night at home means getting this special meal for a decent price. Add a veggie and your favorite drinks.
Get the Recipe: Surf and Turf.
Saffron Risotto
This is the most aromatic and delicious risotto recipe to recreate at home. This dish offers restaurant-quality flavors, from the golden color to the creamy, buttery texture with a mild saffron flavor. Serve with a green veggie or protein if desired.
Get the Recipe: Saffron Risotto.
