Planning a dinner menu—elaborate or easy—generally is a large headache. The very last thing I would like on Valentine’s Day is to be scrambling within the kitchen, frantically scrolling by means of Pinterest for inspo, or, worst of all—resorting to pizza supply for dinner. In case your objective this 12 months is to plan your menu upfront, these recipes are excellent on your Valentine’s Day dinner (at-home version).
From expertise, I do know that cooking for two isn’t all the time a stroll within the park. Fortunately, these apps, entrees, and desserts are perfect for 1-2. (However When you’ve got 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 House Concepts
Sit again and benefit from the love within the air. These menu concepts will make your Valentine’s Day dinner at residence a (tasty and romantic) breeze.
Appetizers
Cheeseboard for Two
Charcuterie is all the time a date-night favourite, however the meeting can get expensive. Establishing a smaller board match for 2 is a straightforward choice for a Valentine’s Day appetizer. Throw in somewhat little bit of all the pieces—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 gained’t replenish earlier than the principle course!
Simple Green Salad from Via 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 ideal choice for whenever you’d quite go all-in on the principle course or dessert.
Pesto Parmesan Potatoes
Consolation meals are a should for any romantic dinner in my guide. These pesto parmesan potatoes are each elegant and extremely scrumptious. With the right ratio of salty to savory, they’re the right sidekick for any lighter principal 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 beautiful.
Easy Bruschetta
Bruschetta is a straightforward means so as to add a little bit of shade to your desk. Maintaining with4 the theme of reds and pinks for V-day, these cherry tomatoes add a burst of taste and shade. Pair with a little bit of nutty pesto and a high quality baguette for a little bit of an Italian-inspired aspect.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: Its ease is what makes bruschetta an ideal appetizer choice for an intimate dinner. How might you flip down such a flexible addition to any menu with components you most likely 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 principal course. Home made focaccia is a simple solution to elevate any meal, and it’s simpler than that sourdough you’ve been which 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 received your self a restaurant-ready addition to your Valentine’s Day menu. Your S.O. might 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 recent and crunchy sliced pears to create a textural wonderland in each chew.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: Apart from its unbelievable taste, this ricotta board is a stunner in any setting. Plus, the components whet the palate with out leaving you too stuffed for the principle course, making it an ideal choice forward of a heartier dish.
Foremost Course
Vegetarian Coq au Vin
This vegetarian Coq au Vin is the final word dinner for 2. It’s the right portion measurement that gained’t go away you with leftovers for days and comes collectively with out an excessive amount of problem. Plus, for those who’re seeking to preserve 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 in relation to Valentine’s Day Dinner at residence concepts. It boasts the consolation meals component when paired with creamy mashed potatoes whereas nonetheless being refined and stylish.
Zucchini Pasta
Pasta is the best way to my coronary heart, and I’m certain lots of you and your valentines agree. That being stated, this zucchini pasta is the right solution 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 good stability of taste and texture whereas preserving issues gentle. It additionally creates a chance to include a veggie into your menu with out making ready a separate aspect.
Sheet Pan Veggie Bowl with Yogurt and Herbs
Discuss easy—this sheet pan veggie bowl is a should when time is of the essence. This bowl is the right 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 deal with selecting a film to settle in with or to bake a candy deal with along with your S.O.
Spring Potato Pizza With Burrata and Asparagus
Okay, I do know I stated I try not to resort to pizza on V-day, however this potato pizza is one in all my exceptions. Initially, 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 recent arugula and subtly candy burrata. Feels like a winner to me.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: This pizza is way from a final resort on Valentine’s Day. Its presentation alone makes it an ideal menu choice. Plus, it’s the right measurement for 2.
Slow-Baked Salmon with Citrus, Fennel, and Herbs
Salmon is all the time an ideal concept in relation to cooking for 2, as 1-2 filets are usually the right measurement for a pair. When you’re on the lookout for an elevated solution to prepare 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 principal course. It’s a lighter choice that pairs properly with a heartier aspect like potatoes or quinoa.
Sweet and Spicy Braised Short Ribs
I can’t get sufficient of those candy and spicy quick ribs. They’re the right serving measurement the place me and my associate 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 excellent for this big day.
What Makes It Date-Evening Prepared: When you’re seeking to put extra effort into your Valentine’s Day dinner menu, these quick ribs have you ever coated. Pair with creamy polenta or roasted veggies for a well-balanced and elevated night meal.
Bonus: Dessert!
Classic Chocolate Poundcake
It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day with out a little little bit of chocolate! Camille’s chocolate poundcake isn’t simply beautiful—it’s the right 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 price each second spent creating them. Simply have 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 really like to mix candy and savory flavors when curating desserts and Daphne Ozs 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 offered.
Double Chocolate Cookie Skillet
When 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 shade 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 every time the craving strikes, the pop of fruity purple makes it excellent 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.
