Valentine’s day. A day filled with love, cards, flowers, hearts, and of course, cupid.
While going out to a posh restaurant with your other half is always an option, I tend to find there’s something so much more romantic about sitting down for a home-cooked meal.
Pop some roses in a vase, get that romantic music playing, and light some candles and you’ve got the perfect ambiance for a lovely intimate night together. The only question left now…what are you going to cook?
1. Prime Rib
If you want a meal that looks and tastes like it was made in a restaurant, then you’ll want to follow this recipe.
You’ll be sure to have your partner impressed with this copycat Texas Roadhouse prime rib (see also ‘13 Delicious Leftover Prime Rib Recipes‘).
As far as imitation meals go, this one is pretty spot on.
While some can be put off experimenting with prime rib (it’s an expensive cut of meat!) this recipe is quite simple and has loads of hints and tips to help you create a dish that will blow the minds of all that try it.
2. Pomegranate Maple Lamb Chops
Want to unleash your inner chef and cook something that sounds super posh and also tastes fantastic? Then give this delicious recipe a try.
It’s really simple and what’s great is that it really doesn’t take that long to cook either, you’re looking at about 8 minutes on the grill, and bam, you’re all set to go.
Don’t worry though, the compliments for the food will last you much longer than 8 minutes.
3. Fillet Mignon
If you’re looking to impress your significant other then how could you possibly go wrong with fillet mignon?
It’s an expensive cut of meat but with expense comes decadence.
The cut of meat itself is so delicious but paired with butter, garlic, thyme, and rosemary it makes for a mouth-watering dish that makes me hungry just writing about it.
And for something so famously fancy you’d think it would be extremely difficult to cook, but good news, it really isn’t.
4. Potato & Burrata Pizza
Carbs on carbs usually sounds like a no go right? But come on, it’s Valentine’s day, if you can’t be a little naughty with your food today, when can you?
And if there are two things I love more than anything in the world it’s pizza and potatoes, so it would be silly not to combine the two!
5. Crab Cakes
There was a point where I would only ever order crab cakes and never cook them myself because ‘they weren’t worth the effort.’
This was a very misguided statement, and I have learned from my past mistakes.
These crab cakes are ridiculously easy to make and oh do they taste divine – crispy and crunchy on the outside and flaky and tender on the inside.
6. Skillet Gnocchi With Sausage And Broccoli Rabe
This is one tasty meal that helps you cheat a little bit for extra credit this valentines day.
Honestly, one bite of this meal and you’d believe that you’d been slaving away over the stove for hours upon hours, but it actually only takes thirty minutes to cook.
This pretty meal is packed full of flavor and is sure to keep you in the good books for a long while afterward.
And it’s probably a good thing it only takes thirty minutes to cook because I have a feeling that after Valentine’s day you’ll be cooking it fairly often.
7. Chicken Parmesan
Sometimes you can’t go wrong with a classic, and if this is something your partner may order regularly at restaurants, it could be a really romantic idea to cook them their favorite meal at home.
Plus, if you think the chicken parm you’ve tried is nice, well, you’ve not seen anything yet.
The chicken is so juicy and tender and yet you still get that real crisp and crunch as you bite into it.
Then with the flavorsome marinara sauce poured (or in my case drenched) over the top with a generous portion of melted cheese, just makes it a meal straight from heaven.
8. Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad With Cilantro Vinaigrette
If you’re looking for something a little bit lighter that is still unbelievably tasty, then this is the recipe for you.
I absolutely love this salad because it literally tastes like summer in a bowl.
The delicious leafy greens with that juicy and tender chipotle chicken, sweetcorn, and strawberries drizzled in the cilantro vinaigrette just mix together perfectly to make my favorite salad that I’ve tried to date.
9. Lobster Mac & Cheese
Mac and cheese is such a comfort food meal and it’s super tasty cheesy deliciousness.
However, it’s not really fancy enough on its own to be worthy of a Valentine’s day dish without elevating it a little.
All it takes though, is one fancy ingredient, to make this meal become a real indulgent treat.
And that one fancy ingredient is lobster. Lobster mac and cheese is amazing and trust me, this meal will disappoint nobody.
10. Pistachio-Crusted Pork Tenderloin With Apple And Escarole Salad
I tend to find that it can be quite difficult to actually find a pork recipe (see also ‘30 Best Leftover Pork Recipes‘) where the pork isn’t somewhat tough and a little dry. Not this one.
It literally melts in your mouth as you bite into it and its buttery, tender, and delicate slices are to die for.
The bright-green ground pistachios and spices really improve the overall aesthetic of the dish.
And if you’re after great taste with not a lot of fuss when it comes to cooking, this recipe is perfect for you since it cooks from beginning to end on a single baking sheet.
11. Sirloin Tip Steak
For those of us who are trying to celebrate on a budget, a sirloin tip steak is a great option that doesn’t compromise on taste and only on price.
While it may not be quite as nice of a cut as a ribeye or a T-bone steak, sirloin is still a really tasty option, given the right recipe.
Follow the recipe here, and you’ll be sure to have a posh-tasting meal that hasn’t broken the bank to make.
The only question now is rare, medium, or well done?
12. Spiralized Winter Vegetable Gratin
Calling all vegetarians, this is a delicious meal option for you.
This dish is a take on the original potatoes au gratin but instead of potatoes, we’ve packed this dish full of the best winter veggies available.
And then, of course, there’s cheese. Lots and lots of cheesy goodness that has me salivating just at the thought of this dish.
13. Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon
Is there anything better than a thick, hearty, rich stew, especially with some buttered tiger bread on the side to dip the sauce in?
This meal uses ingredients such as melt-in-the-mouth beef, bacon, carrots, mushrooms, and potatoes.
Now you’ll need about 10 hours or so to let this bad boy cook, but trust me it’s worth the wait.
Imagine all those flavors developing over time. And don’t worry, you’re only needed at the very beginning, after that the slow cooker does all the work for you.
14. Seared Scallops With Green Peas, Mint, And Shallots
Now, I know that people are usually off-put by scallops (see also ‘30 Best Scallop Recipes For Lovers Of Seafood‘), finding them a tricky meal to master.
But this recipe couldn’t make cooking this fancy meal any easier.
The whole meal uses less than ten ingredients and it’ll only take you around 20 minutes to pull off this delicious masterpiece.
Here’s a quick tip for success, ensure that your scallops are as dry as possible.
Moisture is what will stop you from getting that gorgeous golden sear which is arguably the nicest part.
15. Coq Au Vin
Does anyone cook food quite as deliciously as the french? Coq au vin translates to chicken cooked in wine. And man, oh, man, this is one scrumptious dish.
It has such tasty flavors such as wine, onion, mushroom, and bacon and not only does it taste good but it looks absolutely stunning too.
That sauce is so glossy and deep in color. Make sure you don’t forget some chunky bread for dunking.
16. Vegetable Wellington With Mushrooms And Spinach
Gorden Rasmey may be famous for his great tasting beef wellington, but you’re sure to be known for this tasty meal once you give it a shot.
This is the perfect option for vegetarians that don’t want to compromise when it comes to flavor.
I also tend to find that this is a little lighter than your average beef wellington, so it won’t end the night once you’ve finished the meal due to a food coma. It’s super easy to make but is packed full of goodness.
17. Shrimp Scampi
Most luxurious pastas have a thick creamy or rich tomato sauce so you may be a little apprehensive about this recipe.
But you shouldn’t be. While it may look a little plain, it is absolutely anything but.
This shrimp scampi has a lovely white wine sauce and has complimentary flavors such as garlic butter and lemon.
It’s such a tasty meal that won’t sit too heavy in your stomach so you can still enjoy the rest of your romantic evening (see also ‘28 Romantic Dinner Ideas You Need to Try‘).
18. Manicotti
Vegetarian or not, you want to seriously consider cooking this meal for your valentine’s day meal.
Now when I say that this is so good, I really mean it. First of all, who doesn’t enjoy a creamy pasta dish? With this recipe it’s impossible not to adore pasta.
A blend of three super tasty cheeses (ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella) is mixed with garlic, herbs, and a whole host of seasonings and then stuffed inside some large manicotti pasta shells.
And then if that wasn’t yummy enough, the pasta is then slathered in a rich marinara sauce and then even more cheese is spread over the top of the sauce.
This is tasty enough to soften even the hardest of meat-lovers hearts. It’s a great all-rounder that everyone will adore.
19. Gluten-Free Cauliflower Gnocchi Pomodoro
Of course I wouldn’t forget about all my fellow gluten-free friends.
If you’re needing to stay clear of gluten but still want a meal that will taste super yummy, then try this recipe.
After all, why should your dietary requirements stop you from eating tasty treats?
This pasta is made from cauliflower and is also super-low in carbs, so it’s a pretty healthy option too.
It’s super easy to make and it tastes so very nice. They’re like little pockets of cheesy fluffy goodness.
20. Tuscan Chicken In Parmesan Cream Sauce
Creamy chicken is such an elegant dish, don’t you think?
It’s one of my favorite types of dishes to order when I’m at a restaurant, so how could I possibly not find a scrumptious recipe to recreate the masterpiece at home?
Chicken and parmesan are as much a match made in heaven as you and your significant other are. Perfect.
And this meal that you’re about to share is all the proof you’ll need. This dish is sure to get you salivating as you cook it.
21. Balsamic Cranberry Roast Chicken
Truly decadent and delicious, this recipe really takes roasted chicken to an entirely different level.
The skin has that perfect crunch to it and yet the meat just falls apart as you try to touch it – perfection.
Most chicken skillet meals will ask you to brown off your chicken before you finish it in the oven, but there’s none of that faff here.
Oh no, this simple meal is pretty much a chuck it in and let the oven do the rest. But don’t worry, I won’t tell if you don’t – you can still take all the credit.
22. Seafood Pasta With Shrimp And Scallops
There’s something about seafood, especially scallops, that just screams fancy and luxurious.
And those two words certainly describe this phenomenal pasta dish. Really buttery pasta is delicious enough, but to then add the garlic sauce, shrimp, and scrummy scallops (see also ‘The 27 Best Side Dishes To Serve With Scallops‘) makes it the perfect meal.
If your significant other is a seafood lover, it would be almost rude not to cook this dish for them. It has everything you could ask for flavor-wise.
There’s sweetness, saltiness, there’s a whole host of flavor-explosions that you and your tastebuds will thank me for later.
23. Cheese Fondue With Beer And Bourbon
I just really like the idea of scooting closer together at the table to dunk your favorite dippers into a devine cheese sauce for date night. It’s almost like you can snuggle up as you munch away.
It just seems like a really romantic setting to me. And if it does to you too, you might want to give this a try.
The cheese mix is absolutely to die for, and what’s great about fondue is that you can choose all your favorite foods for dunking.
Whether that’s a selection of delicious deli meats or scrumptious veggies, you’ll be able to easily pick away until you’re finally full.
24. Lemon Parmesan Risotto With Peas
Risotto is definitely a restaurant type dish that I don’t often make at home, so it’s always fun to try and push the boat out a little for a special occasion.
And the lemon in this dish is the secret ingredient that really makes it extraordinary.
There’s something so delicious about the creamy yet savoury texture, but that hit of citrus just hits different.
It may look fairly plain and simple, but I can guarantee that not only will you want a second bowl, but that you’ll be sure to lick it squeaky clean savoring each and every last drop.
25. Seared Duck Breasts With Blood Oranges
Duck is such a delicious meat that can often go overlooked, but it really shouldn’t be.
And after tasting this take on the classic duck a l’orange, I’m sure duck will be at the forefront of your mind.
The tender juicy meat mixed with the citrus bursts that come from the blood orange balance each other out so beautifully.
26. Slow Cooker Beef Ragu With Pappardelle
As you’ve probably noticed, I love a good pasta recipe. But imagine a good pasta recipe with an eight hour slow-cooked piece of flank steak (see also ‘16 Beef Chuck Steak Recipes‘).
Are you drooling yet, because I am! The meat becomes so soft and tender that it literally just falls apart on your fork.
This combined with a flavorsome sauce and some tasty pappardelle pasta creates one amazing pasta dish.
I think this might actually be the best pasta dish I’ve tried to date. But don’t hold me to that, because I fall in love with each and every pasta dish I try.
27. Wild Mushroom And Parsnip Ragout With Cheesy Polenta
This hearty ragout has a great earthy flavor from the varied mushrooms and then it is served with some yummy garlic sauteed spinach. Delicious
28. Crispy Baked Cod
If you want something healthy that still tastes great then give this cod recipe a go.
The cheesy crust gives it a great texture and the fish flakes apart as it is spiered with a fork.
29. Chicken Tikka Masala
What about a fakeaway for tea? Indian food is one of my absolute favorite takeaways and you can’t go far wrong with a chicken tikka masala (see also ‘The 28 Best Indian Chicken Recipes‘) and rice.
Prepare the curry from scratch to get a really tasty dish.
30. Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
Scallops wrapped up in bacon on a bed of pineapple quinoa is a great dish that is sure to go down as a fancy treat.
It takes just 30 minutes to prepare too, so it won’t take you long to make. Just how we like it.
31. Sweet Potato Tortellini
What an impressive vegetarian entree option. It is so delicious.
Yummy sweet potato packed inside wonton wrappers with an impressive hazelnut sauce to drizzle over the top.
32. Spinach & Pesto Spiral Chicken
Dress this up or dress this down, either way it’s the perfect meal, it’s elegant enough for a special occasion but simple enough that you could actually make it any day of the week. And oh, did I forget to mention – it tastes divine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Most Common Valentine’s Day Meal
Steak is without a doubt probably the most popular meal shared between couples on this day.
How Do I Make A Romantic Meal At Home
Pick a delicious meal, get some candles, a nice bottle of wine, and some rose petals.
Create some ambience and play some romantic music and you should be all set.
What Are The Top 5 Most Romantic Foods
According to google monthly searches the top 5 are wine, honey, figs (see also ‘40 Fig Recipes That You Will Absolutely Love‘), chocolate, and strawberries.
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