These 27 Valentine's Day Dinner Recipes Are Sure To Level-Up Your Special Night In! (2024)

These 27 Valentine’s Day dinner recipes are just what you’re looking for if you are planning a special night in!

Happy Valentine’s Day/Week/Month!

Whether you feel it is “commercialized” or not, Valentine’s Day is here to stay and keeps predictably showing up every February 14th.

Personally, I think it is always a great idea to take time to tell those you love how much you treasure the relationship no matter if it is romantic, familial, or friendship.

Any day of the year actually.

Valentine’s Day meals can carry a lot of expectations and now, more than ever, folks are choosing to spend the evening at home instead of going out to a busy restaurant where waiting for a table will probably be involved.

So, I pulled together some lovely Valentine’s Day menu ideas, mostly entrees, to help get your creative juices flowing to pre-plan and shop for your Valentine’s Day dinner recipes at your leisure.

Some Valentine’s Day family dinner ideas are included as well if you are celebrating with your kiddos!

There’s a little something for everyone. And not everything romantic is heart-shaped, ya know.

This is the time of year when you want the meal to be just a little more special and sophisticated, though.

Take a look at the decadent Pork Loin With Wine & Herb Gravy, and the kid-friendly Heart Shaped Mini Calzone, the luscious, tropical Pan-Seared Mahi-Mahi With Pineapple Salsa, an extraordinary Balsamic Dijon Crusted Beef Tenderloin and the Easy Broiled Lobster Tail, which will pair nicely with so many sides.

Enjoy the day and let someone know how much you love them, with kind words, little gestures, and, of course, fantastic food!

My first Valentine’s dinner option is a loaded sheet pan nachos.

You read that right!

Homemade nachos!

So fun and easy and craveably delicious!

Beautiful potato slices are the nachos topped with a luscious cheese sauce followed by fabulously seasoned ground turkey.

The beauty of this recipe is you can personalize it with the toppings you love!

Some Valentine’s Day meals can be prepared multiple ways like this honey mustard salmon which can be cooked in an air fryer or oven or on the grill.

Four ingredients for a lovely honey mustard sauce and salmon with salt, pepper and a hint of dill.

It’s so good!

This recipe takes an item from Valentine’s Day menu ideas and flips it on its head with a much lighter take.

Whole wheat pasta with baked chicken parmesan is finished with a bit of marinara on top with mozzarella and parmesan.

No matter the age of your kids, Valentine’s Day family dinner ideas typically reflect the theme of hearts in some way.

Here it is seen by making a pizza in the shape of a heart!

Getting everyone involved in the rolling out and shaping of the dough is half the fun of being together and making memories!

Everyone gets to put on their own toppings too!

Mushroom lovers rejoice over this Valentine’s Day dinner!

Mushrooms and fettuccine in a luscious garlic, butter and fresh parmesan cheese is simply heavenly!

Use milk or cream, it’s up to you!

Baked risotto for Valentine’s dinner truly is divine!

A few minutes on the stove to saute butter, garlic and rice until fragrant.

Add in the prawns for twenty minutes of baking.

Recipe is for two but easily doubled for the family.

Definitely special!

Soup and salad make great Valentines Day meals!

The recipe is savory and satisfying with fresh carrots, an onion, and extra sharp cheddar cheese with frozen broccoli florets.

Could be served in a tasty bread bowl or with a crunchy side salad.

When you want to go all out on Valentines Day menu ideas, lobster comes to mind immediately!

This is one entree you can make for so much less than a restaurant will charge!

Add some veggies and rice for the complete meal or a steak if you feel super fancy.

You can follow this recipe through the steps of cutting, seasoning and broiling for a buttery lobster treat!

When choosing to celebrate with the kids, you will need some Valentine’s Day family dinner ideas.

I got you.

How about filling up a plate with adorable heart shaped chicken hand pies?

Think finger friendly mini-chicken pot pies.

Pie crust to the rescue and the filling is chicken and veggies!

Cute and yummy!

If lamb is your protein of choice for a Valentine’s Day dinner, this recipe is superb!

The key is in the seasoning made from mustard and herb paste both of which are worth the extra few dollars for the recommended brands.

It is that easy.

Excellent choice.

This Valentine’s dinner highlights a luxurious center cut pork loin roast with a wine and herb gravy that is thin, but rich with seasonings.

It uses a fair amount of wine so open a new bottle of whatever you enjoy best.

Complementary sides would be these Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes or these simple Buttered Noodles with Garlic Green Beans or a green salad.

If Valentine’s Day meals fall on a weekday or time to prepare is short, this Instant Pot recipe may be of great help in making these tender short ribs with meat falling off the bone!

The secret? Tart cherry juice!

Ready in about an hour.

Don’t these look goooood?

Salmon makes its way into many Valentine’s Day menu ideas!

Here salmon is mixed with potatoes, mayo and lemon juice into little cakes that are covered in panko and cooked till crisp in the oven or on the stovetop.

The sauce is light and refreshing as well.

Both parts can be made ahead which is super handy.

Valentine’s Day family dinner ideas do not have to be fancy, but instead just might be a recipe that everyone looks forward to.

For example, this chicken fried rice is amazing and quick to make, leaving more time for togetherness after the meal.

Excellent instructions to create the best fried rice you may have ever had!

If you’re new to Asian cooking, here’s our punch list of pantry items to keep on hand.

Elegant would be the description for this Valentine’s Day dinner recipe with a succulent beef sirloin and a lovely onion cream sauce.

There is butter, heavy whipping cream and feta cheese involved so you know it is gonna be out of this world delicious!

In the mood for fish, may I suggest this lovely steak-like fish of Mahi-Mahi for your Valentine’s dinner?

This white fish has a neutral taste, is reasonably priced and can be purchased fresh or frozen.

Being pan-fried gives it a lovely crust that has got flavor for days!

The fruit salsa for the top includes pineapple, red onion, cilantro, lime juice and salt.

Oh baby, it is delightful, especially with our Cilantro Lime Rice!

With so much access to wonderful fresh vegetables, herbs and spices, it’s a matter of plant-based eating as a healthful mindset.

For myself, my tastebuds are still catching up.

Looking for vegan Valentine’s Day meals? Here’s a good one. No, a GREAT one.

This pesto pasta with artichokes and chickpeas has some lovely texture and taste surprises with garlic, basil and pumpkin seeds!

Lots of pasta choices!

Easy and elegant Valentine’s Day menu ideas are most popular!

This recipe is so creamy since it uses milk, and the chicken comes out just perfect!

Serve over rice, pasta or with a side of veggies.

Valentine’s Day family dinner ideas with choices are best because everyone can make the entree to their liking!

For example, a huge taco bar is an excellent choice for Valentine’s.

Whether it is in a salad form or taco form, everyone can make it as they like and choose their toppings which is a win for everyone!

A cast iron skillet is going to give you a Valentine’s Day dinner you will remember!

Searing a ribeye steak on high heat is key before finishing it in the oven.

Buttery garlic mushrooms add the fine dining experience to this entree!

I highly suggest and give my “hearty” approval for this Valentine’s dinner of risotto.

Creamy rice with juicy shrimp, savory mushrooms and fresh avocados is heaven on earth!

Yes, yes there is some stirring involved, but it is worth every minute!

Simple and elegant!

Ravioli just reaches a pasta lover’s heart when it is part of Valentine’s Day meals!

This recipe can be made the day ahead which is really handy and creatively uses wonton wrappers not pasta.

The lemon butter sauce is fabulous and lobster makes any day special.

For the charcuterie board lovers out there, Valentine’s Day menu ideas abound.

Here three separate “boards” comprise the entire meal.

First, a traditional meat, grapes, olives, and nuts board.

Second veggies with a luscious dip.

Lastly, a seafood platter with oysters and shrimp.

The pictures are sure to inspire you!

Some Valentine’s Day family dinner ideas are SO adorable, which is exactly why the kids love and remember them so much!

This recipe for mini calzones in the shape of hearts will capture your heart and they are a finger food to boot!

Nice video plus step-by-step pictures to help!

Maybe spicing things up is more your plan for Valentine’s Day dinner!

If so, this Jamaican rasta pasta recipe will certainly help!

Colorful with peppers, comforting with pasta and the chicken has a zesty Jerk seasoning.

Next-level spice would be to add the cayenne pepper!

Consider a Fancy Dessert to finish off this special meal!

This Valentine’s dinner idea is straightforward and simple yet creative.

A salad with greens, blue cheese, blackberries, turkey bacon, and a green onion.

The dressing is made of olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette, honey, cinnamon and dried basil.

The most beautiful salad with the perfect combination of sweet and savory.

Add more bacon and nuts to make it a bit more filling, or use it as a side for a protein entree.

To conclude this list of Valentine’s Day dinner ideas, may I present a delightful beef tenderloin recipe.

Seasoned with a dijon mustard and balsamic vinegar mixture and topped with a lemon gremolata!

Cook to your preferred doneness and dazzle your loved one!

The bottom line

No matter who you are celebrating Valentine’s dinner with, there are Valentine’s Day menu ideas to fit your fancy!

Go ahead, set the table and fix a Valentine’s Day dinner that is delicious and very deserved.

If you’re in a soup mood, we just made this Seafood Chowder to die for.

We even have a few tips here on how to make Valentine’s Day even more special!