Planning a dinner menu—elaborate or easy—is usually a big headache. The very last thing I need on Valentine’s Day is to be scrambling within the kitchen, frantically scrolling by way of Pinterest for inspo, or, worst of all—resorting to pizza supply for dinner. In case your aim this 12 months is to plan your menu upfront, these recipes are good to your Valentine’s Day dinner (at-home version).
From expertise, I do know that cooking for 2 isn’t at all times a stroll within the park. Fortunately, these apps, entrees, and desserts are perfect for 1-2. (However You probably have leftovers, the extra the merrier!). From easy salads to wealthy and savory mains, look no additional for the final word Valentine’s Day dinner at-home concepts.
17 Valentine’s Day Dinner at Dwelling Concepts
Sit again and benefit from the love within the air. These menu concepts will make your Valentine’s Day dinner at dwelling a (tasty and romantic) breeze.
Appetizers
Cheeseboard for Two
Charcuterie is at all times a date-night favourite, however the meeting can get dear. Developing a smaller board match for 2 is an easy choice for a Valentine’s Day appetizer. Throw in a bit of little bit of the whole lot—candy darkish chocolate, salty olives, and creamy brie.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: Whereas a cheeseboard can look elaborate, it takes little time to assemble. Plus, you received’t refill earlier than the primary course!
Easy Inexperienced Salad from By way of Carota
Valentine’s Day dinner isn’t about an over-the-top expertise—it emphasizes intimacy and ease. Focus extra in your firm and fewer on meal prep with this straightforward inexperienced salad tossed in a shallot vinegarette and topped with toasted walnuts.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: This salad requires little prep time and is simple to toss collectively. It’s an awesome choice for whenever you’d reasonably go all-in on the primary course or dessert.
Pesto Parmesan Potatoes
Consolation meals are a should for any romantic dinner in my e book. These pesto parmesan potatoes are each elegant and extremely scrumptious. With the proper ratio of salty to savory, they’re the proper sidekick for any lighter most important dish like fish or hen.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: Who doesn’t love potatoes? This dish is a step up out of your typical baked or pan-friend spuds, making them a tasty addition that’s equally as gorgeous.
Simple Bruschetta
Bruschetta is an easy means so as to add a little bit of coloration to your desk. Maintaining with4 the theme of reds and pinks for V-day, these cherry tomatoes add a burst of taste and coloration. Pair with a little bit of nutty pesto and a top quality baguette for a little bit of an Italian-inspired aspect.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: Its ease is what makes bruschetta an awesome appetizer choice for an intimate dinner. How may you flip down such a flexible addition to any menu with substances you in all probability have within the fridge?
Olive Oil & Rosemary Focaccia
Ah, bread. In any kind, I stay up for having fun with its heat fluffiness as a complement to any most important course. Do-it-yourself focaccia is a simple option to elevate any meal, and it’s easier than that sourdough you’ve been that means (however dreading) to make.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: Add a little bit of olive oil and spices to dip, and also you’ve bought your self a restaurant-ready addition to your Valentine’s Day menu. Your S.O. will probably be blown away—assured.
Ricotta Board With Pears
Boards make appetizers ten occasions easier with out missing in taste or pizzazz. This board pairs wealthy and creamy ricotta with contemporary and crunchy sliced pears to create a textural wonderland in each chew.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: Other than its unbelievable taste, this ricotta board is a stunner in any setting. Plus, the substances whet the palate with out leaving you too stuffed for the primary course, making it an awesome choice forward of a heartier dish.
Most important Course
Vegetarian Coq au Vin
This vegetarian Coq au Vin is the final word dinner for 2. It’s the proper portion measurement that received’t depart you with leftovers for days and comes collectively with out an excessive amount of trouble. Plus, for those who’re seeking to maintain issues meat-free or simply lighter for the night, you’ve met your match.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: This dish is an all-around winner on the subject of Valentine’s Day Dinner at dwelling concepts. It boasts the consolation meals factor when paired with creamy mashed potatoes whereas nonetheless being refined and chic.
Zucchini Pasta
Pasta is the best way to my coronary heart, and I’m certain lots of you and your valentines agree. That being mentioned, this zucchini pasta is the proper option to incorporate a fan favourite into your date night time menu whereas nonetheless mixing it up from the everyday penne or linguine.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: This dish is a superb steadiness of taste and texture whereas retaining issues mild. It additionally creates a possibility to include a veggie into your menu with out getting ready a separate aspect.
Sheet Pan Veggie Bowl with Yogurt and Herbs
Speak about easy—this sheet pan veggie bowl is a should when time is of the essence. This bowl is the proper mixture of hearty veggies and creamy yogurt in each chew. Plus, sheet pan recipes make clean-up a breeze.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: With much less time within the kitchen, this sheet pan meal provides you extra room to give attention to selecting a film to settle in with or to bake a candy deal with together with your S.O.
Spring Potato Pizza With Burrata and Asparagus
Okay, I do know I mentioned I attempt not to resort to pizza on V-day, however this potato pizza is considered one of my exceptions. To start with, it’s selfmade and much more scrumptious than the greasy pepperoni you’d get elsewhere, and second, it options an unbelievable mixture of taste with contemporary arugula and subtly candy burrata. Seems like a winner to me.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: This pizza is much from a final resort on Valentine’s Day. Its presentation alone makes it an awesome menu choice. Plus, it’s the proper measurement for 2.
Gradual-Baked Salmon with Citrus, Fennel, and Herbs
Salmon is at all times an awesome concept on the subject of cooking for 2, as 1-2 filets are typically the proper measurement for a pair. In case you’re on the lookout for an elevated option to cook dinner this fish on Valentine’s Day with out the effort of grilling however with equal quantities of taste, this slow-baked salmon will fulfill all of your wants.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: Merely prep and throw this salmon within the oven for a stress-free most important course. It’s a lighter choice that pairs properly with a heartier aspect like potatoes or quinoa.
Candy and Spicy Braised Quick Ribs
I can’t get sufficient of those candy and spicy quick ribs. They’re the proper serving measurement the place me and my accomplice can get pleasure from as a lot as we please with a bit left over. Plus, they’re a bit completely different from our typical weekly menu, making them good for this special day.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: In case you’re seeking to put extra effort into your Valentine’s Day dinner menu, these quick ribs have you ever lined. Pair with creamy polenta or roasted veggies for a well-balanced and elevated night meal.
Bonus: Dessert!
Traditional Chocolate Poundcake
It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day and not using a little little bit of chocolate! Camille’s chocolate poundcake isn’t simply gorgeous—it’s the proper little bit of chocolate heaven that may be loved post-dinner and even the following day.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: Chocolate—want I say extra?
Salted Caramel Pots de Creme
Private desserts make eating only a bit extra enjoyable. These pots de creme are value each second spent creating them. Simply take a look at that presentation—it virtually screams romantic dinner for 2.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: If chocolate isn’t your factor (no disgrace), this salted caramel choice nonetheless brings all of the sweetness you’re on the lookout for in your V-day dessert.
Chocolate Chip Tahini Shortbread Cookies
I like to mix candy and savory flavors when curating desserts and Daphne Ouncess chocolate chip tahini shortbread cookies just do the trick. Assume nutty sesame seeds, buttery shortbread, and indulgent darkish chocolate sprinkled all through. Bonus: the dough freezes superbly, so you’ll be able to get pleasure from them past February 14th.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: Who doesn’t love sharing a plate of cookies whereas snuggling up on the sofa with a comfortable bev and luxury film? I’m bought.
Double Chocolate Cookie Skillet
In case you, like myself, love whipping out the forged iron for particular events, this double chocolate cookie skillet is for you. Prime with a little bit of vanilla ice cream, seize two spoons and dig in.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: This skillet cookie retains issues easy and dishes to a minimal.
Raspberry Tiramisu
With a contact of coloration and freshness from raspberries paired with espresso and cream enhances, this raspberry tiramisu is a romantic and indulgent dessert choice. Whereas I’d make this candy deal with each time the craving strikes, the pop of fruity purple makes it good for Valentine’s Day.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: Making a baking-dish dessert is an effective way to accommodate these with a giant (or small) candy tooth post-dinner.
