53 Valentine’s Dinner Ideas That Make the Case for Staying In
Let us start by saying this: Any dish can be an excellent Valentine’s recipe if made with love and shared with someone you care about. The simple act of cooking for someone is much more important than whether you splash out on caviar and lobster or a fancy bottle of Champagne. If that’s your thing, go right ahead, but you need not blow your budget to cook a romantic dinner for two.
Below, you’ll find our favorite Valentine’s Day dinner ideas, including creamy pasta, foolproof scallops, braised duck, and more. In a hurry? Consider picking up the pace with our favorite Instant Pot or air-fryer recipes. Once you’ve settled on a main course, it’s time to start thinking about appetizers and a Valentine’s Day dessert. Of course, we have those covered too. Chocolate, anyone?
Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell1/53Classic Sole Meunière
Sole Meuniere is not only one of our most elegant Valentine’s recipes—it’s also one of the easiest. The quick-cooking fish fillets will be ready in 15 minutes, start to finish.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele2/53
Slow-Cooker Pork Roast
But let’s say you want to take things slow. After soaking up an anchovy-infused spice rub, this pork roast cooks at a low heat until it’s falling apart—7 hours or so. That gives you plenty of time to set the table and light some candles.
- Photo by Kristin Teig3/53
Seared Scallop Piccata
Reimagine the classic Italian chicken recipe as a seafood-forward, caper-studded stunner. It pairs beautifully with a twirl of spaghetti.
- Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich4/53
Swordfish Steaks With Peppercorn Butter
Skip the ribeyes and sear swordfish steaks for your Valentine’s dinner. An easy compound butter seasoned with parsley, garlic, mixed peppercorns, and lemon zest makes it feel oh-so-fancy—but with just 25 minutes total time, it’s completely doable on a weeknight.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Simon Andrews5/53
Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb
This celebration-worthy rack of lamb recipe yields tender, rosy meat and a beautifully browned crust. Pair with mashed potatoes and roasted veggies for a holiday-worthy meal.
- Photo by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova6/53
Cheese Fondue
Former Epicurious digital director Maggie Hoffman always serves fondue on February 14. There’s just something festive about dipping cubes of bread and other bites into creamy melted cheese. This version is one of our most popular recipes from Gourmet—so you know it’s a winning Valentine’s meal.
- Photo by Aubrie Pick7/53
Chermoula Pork Chops With Labneh and Charred Shallots
Chermoula, a vibrant condiment of preserved lemon, spices, garlic, and parsley, brings big flavor to anything it touches. We love it draped over pork chops, but it also pairs well with chicken.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne8/53
Pasta al Pomodoro
Everyone’s favorite Italian pasta dish also happens to be an excellent Valentine’s recipe. Use long noodles like bucatini or spaghetti to manifest your Lady and the Tramp moment. (If you’re worried about splattering tomato sauce on your nice white blouse, go for fettuccine alfredo instead.)
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell9/53
Roasted Garlic and Parmesan Baked Halibut
If you’re intimidated by cooking fish but want a special entrée for V-day, start here. Almost all the work for this baked halibut dish happens in the oven, so you don’t have to worry about flipping or tearing delicate fillets.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich10/53
Wild Mushroom Risotto
This creamy, cheesy risotto is comfort food at its finest. If you can, source local wild mushrooms, such as hen of the woods or peppery chanterelles.
- Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh11/53
Duck à l’Orange
Gamey duck and sweet, juicy citrus are a match made in heaven, and no recipe shows off the classic combination quite like duck á l’orange. Though the name sounds fancy, it’s no more difficult to pull off than a whole roast chicken.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton12/53
Brioche-Crusted Salmon
Want to turn your standard weeknight salmon into a Valentine’s meal? Crown each filet with toasty, buttery brioche. Pair with a simple side salad for an elegant, impressive dinner.
- Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich13/53
Skillet Chicken Parmesan With Gnocchi
Chicken Parmesan in 35 minutes? Yes, it’s possible with this clever one-pan recipe from Epi food editor Jesse Szewczyk. Pair with a light green salad and a deep red wine.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by Lillian Chou14/53
Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐)
This pork and tofu stew gets complex burn from a combination of Sichuan chile flakes, fermented chile-bean paste, and mildly mouth-numbing Sichuan peppercorns.
- Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich15/53
Creamy Mushroom Lasagna
This creamy lasagna recipe lets the earthy flavor of mushrooms shine. You can assemble the lasagna up to one day ahead, so you’ll have time for that last-minute run to the store for roses.
- Photo and Food Styling by Joseph De Leo16/53
Quick Potato Gnocchi
These shortcut gnocchi, which start with a box of instant potatoes, are even more pillowy than time-intensive versions. Toss with olive oil, brown butter, or your favorite jarred pasta sauce.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Laura Rege17/53
Crispy Scallop Salad
If the love of your life can’t eat gluten, these crispy scallops are the perfect option for your Valentine’s Day menu. Sweet scallops get extra crispy on the outside and super tender inside when double-dredged in an Old-Bay-seasoned cornmeal mixture.
- Photo by Quentin Bacon18/53
Tachin Ba Morgh (Saffron Yogurt “Cake” With Chicken)
A crispy crust forms on the bottom of this saffron and yogurt rice cake. If you really want the wow factor, go for a dramatic tableside flip.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne19/53
Honey-Mustard Pork Tenderloin
When marinated in a tangy-sweet mixture of honey, mustard, and apple cider vinegar, pork tenderloin becomes unbelievably juicy. Halve the recipe if you’re cooking for two.
- Photo by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova20/53
Bouillabaisse
This stunning homemade bouillabaisse, packed with lobster, clams, mussels, and shrimp, will instantly transport you (and your date) to sunny Marseille. You can swap out the seafood for whatever looks fresh and is in your budget.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne21/53
One-Pot Chicken and Biscuits
If you’re craving comfort this Valentine’s Day, might we suggest this one-pot meal? It’s like chicken pot pie, but with a crumbly biscuit topping.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton22/53
Shrimp Scampi
Serve buttery, garlicky shrimp atop creamy risotto, tossed with al dente fettuccine, or alongside lots of crusty bread for sopping up every last drop of the sauce.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell23/53
Pork Chops With Fig and Grape Agrodolce
A fruity sauce for meat feels just right for Valentine’s Day. Here, fresh figs and grapes cook in balsamic vinegar and honey to create a sweet-and-sour sauce for juicy pork chops.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne24/53
Kung Pao Chicken
Pair hot chiles with floral, tingle-inducing Sichuan peppercorns for a take-out-inspired dinner that’ll really heat things up.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi25/53
Rosemary Rack of Lamb With Roasted Potatoes and Carrots for Two
This retro-feeling menu of lamb, miso-butter-basted potatoes, and honey-glazed carrots is a riff on one that appeared in the February 1977 issue of Glamour.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Liza Jernow26/53
Salmon Croquettes With Dill Sauce
Ballin’ on a budget? These salmon patties are made with canned fish, but they’re still tender, flaky, and delicious. Complete the meal with a frilly, delicate frisée salad.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton27/53
Braised Chile-Marmalade Duck Legs With Brussels Sprouts
Simmer duck legs in a chile-infused, marmalade-based braise until tender, then reduce the sauce to a sticky-rich lacquer to paint over the crispy skin.
- Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova28/53
Baked Salmon With Lemon and Thyme
The low heat of the oven makes it next to impossible to overcook the fish here. The simple dish needs nothing more than a squeeze of fresh lemon to finish it off.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell29/53
Hot Honey Pork Chops With Escarole and White Beans
This recipe is a full Valentine’s dinner in one. Use the hot honey in the glaze for the pork chops and the dressing for the warm bean salad.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell30/53
Roasted Cabbage Steaks With Crispy Chickpeas and Herby Croutons
Set roasted cabbage steaks on a bed of garlicky lemon mayo, then scatter crispy chickpeas over top for your favorite vegetarian Valentine.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks31/53
Wild Mushroom and Parsnip Ragout With Cheesy Polenta
Mushrooms and polenta are perfect partners, each one earthy and robust. Hazelnuts add crunch for a dynamic bite.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano32/53
Simple Roast Chicken
A classic roast chicken is the Valentine’s gift that keeps on giving. Use the leftovers to make chicken salad or a sandwich for work the next day.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne33/53
Porchetta-Style Roast Pork
Letting boneless pork shoulder bathe in garlic and spices overnight seasons it from the outside in. For dinner, pile slices onto a bed of polenta and serve with an Italian red wine, then enjoy leftovers on porchetta sandwiches.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce34/53
Vegetarian Lasagna With Easy Roasted Tomato Sauce
Stress-free lasagna may sound like an oxymoron, but we promise it’s true: The tomato sauce practically makes itself in the oven, and the whole casserole can be assembled up to 2 days in advance.
- Photo by Joe Woodhouse35/53
Dark Greens and Noodles With Yogurt
Inspired by Azerbaijan khingial, this cozy vegetarian entrée is extra special for date night thanks to the homemade pasta.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce36/53
Qaliyeh-e Khorma (Spicy Sweet-and-Sour Salmon With Dates)
Using both syrupy date molasses and pitted, sliced dates gives this salmon dish a rounded sweetness, balanced by tangy apple cider vinegar.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Joanna Keohane37/53
Beer-Steamed Mussels With Chorizo
If you prefer a six-pack of pilsner to a glass of Chardonnay, these beer-steamed mussels were made just for you—and they’re ready in just 30 minutes.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton38/53
Cacio e Pepe Noodles With Miso
Valentine’s Day dinner recipes should show you care, and homemade noodles do just that. Miso gives this take on the classic Pecorino-and-pepper pasta an extra-savory bite. (Psst: If you don’t have the time or desire to make hand-pulled noodles at home, feel free to use store-bought pasta—the dish will still be delicious.)
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce39/53
A Vegetarian’s Dream Sweet Potato Dinner
Pile crispy sweet potatoes, earthy mushrooms, and tender lentils onto a bed of whipped feta-tahini sauce to make this vegetarian masterpiece.
- Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht40/53
Lemony Salmon With Potatoes
Store-bought lemon curd doesn’t have to skew sweet; here, we use it in a glossy, mustardy glaze for baked salmon fillets. If you have any curd leftover, we highly recommend incorporating it into these Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton41/53
Chicken and Potato Gratin With Brown Butter Cream
Nestle split chicken legs into a mix of brown butter and cream before scattering crispy breadcrumbs over the top. This is cozy food—just the kind of Valentine’s Day meal we’re craving.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou42/53
Braised Butternut Squash in Spiced Coconut Gravy
For a romantic meal filled with warming spices, opt for this coconut-milk-braised butternut squash.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton43/53
Spiced Yogurt-Marinated Cornish Hens With Sweet Onion-Roasted Potatoes
A savory yogurt marinade spiced with black pepper, ginger, and turmeric simultaneously seasons and tenderizes these pint-size birds.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova44/53
Chicken Paillards With Schmaltz Bread Salad
Pounding boneless, skinless chicken breast to even thickness helps it cook it quickly and evenly. For extra flavor, sear it in rendered chicken fat, then use that same fat to toast croutons for a crispy topping.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Christopher Barsch45/53
Shrimp With Chochoyotes in Smoky, Herby Broth
This brothy soup is packed with herbs, buttery shrimp, and cloud-like masa dumplings. Check out this guide if you’re not sure where to buy fresh masa (or masa harina) near you.
- Photo by Eva Kolenko46/53
Spicy Unstuffed Pasta Shells With Roasted Garlic and Chèvre
Molten roasted garlic, buttery goat cheese, and just enough red pepper flakes to add a little oomph: This browned and bubbly pasta bake is so much greater than the sum of its parts.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by John Bjostad47/53
Chicken Tagine With Apricots and Almonds
This Moroccan chicken tagine recipe is savory, a little bit sweet, and wonderfully aromatic, thanks to a blend of cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and black pepper.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton48/53
Eggplant Parmesan
Homemade eggplant parm is truly a labor of love, making it a perfectly fitting Valentine’s Day recipe.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Dana Bonagura49/53
Oven Risotto With Crispy Roasted Mushrooms
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton50/53
Fusilli in Creamy Vegan Asparagus Pesto
Saving room for Valentine’s Day dessert? Pair al dente fusilli with a punchy vegan pesto for a lighter entrée that won’t leave you stuffed.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Judy Mancini51/53
Low-Fuss Crispy Roast Chicken
As the fat renders in this easy roast chicken dish, it soaks into a bed of sliced potatoes and onions, resulting in a deliciously crisp and juicy bird with a built-in side dish.
- Photo by Jennifer Chase52/53
Chicken Satsivi (Chicken in Walnut Sauce)
Transform ground walnuts into a creamy, dreamy sauce for chicken. For pops of color, sprinkle the finished dish with fresh pomegranate seeds; you can buy the pre-packaged arils or learn how to cut a pomegranate. Use any surplus juice in a ruby-hued Valentine’s Day cocktail.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone53/53
The Ripper’s Pasta With Uni and Caviar
Uni and caviar? Now that’s a Valentine's meal. If you’re not going all out with caviar, you can top this pasta dish—inspired by one served at Le Bernadin in NYC—with less expensive salmon roe or bonito flakes instead.
Emily Johnson
David Tamarkin
Anna Stockwell
Emily Johnson