Dim the lights, cue the Valentine’s Day playlist, and fire up those candles for a decadent date night-in! Looking for the perfect meal to enjoy with that special someone? Whether that someone is a friend, loved one, or budding romance, here are 34 Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas (plus easy cocktails!) that pull out all the stops.
Want a sweet idea to finish your meal off? Try these easy Valentine’s Day dessert ideas!
Romantic Main Dishes
From cozy pasta dishes, to savory steak dinners and easy meals for two, step up your game this Valentine’s Day with these romantic mains (and side dishes below!).
Cheesy Baked Mostaccioli
This is the ultimate pasta dish that’s easy to make and super delicious. Mostaccioli noodles are tossed with an Italian meat sauce and topped with melty, gooey cheese for cozy casserole perfection!
Skillet Chicken Parmesan
A classic chicken parmesan recipe prepared easily in the skillet! This juicy chicken with sweet marinara sauce and cheesy, melted parmesan never fails to please.
The World’s Best Homemade Lasagna Recipe
What better way to celebrate love than with the world’s best lasagna? This no-fail recipe is out-of-this-world delicious and packed full of savory meat sauce and cheese.
Lobster Ravioli with Cream Sauce
There’s nothing better than a dish that has all of the luxury and none of the fuss! This creamy ravioli is filled with a gourmet blend of cheese and tender lobster and tossed in a garlicky white wine sauce.
Buttery Baked Lobster Tails
Simple, classic, seasoned and baked to perfection – these buttery lobster tails are the perfect Valentine’s Day treat. All the pizzazz of a restaurant-worthy dish, and your date will love it!
Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
If you’ve never made saucy eggplant parm in an air fryer before, it’s never too late to start! This classic vegetarian comfort food is just what your Valentine’s Day dinner calls for.
Stuffing Stuffed Chicken Breast
Thanksgiving isn’t the only special occasion to bring out all the fixings! Why not Valentine’s Day, too? These tender chicken breasts stuffed with classic stuffing are the perfect date night comfort food.
Instant Pot Coq au Vin
The Instant Pot makes this rustic French coq au vin so easy, there’ll be loads of time for fetching flowers. Meanwhile, you’ll have chicken pieces simmered in a wine broth with vegetables in no time, ooh la la!
Date Night Burst Tomato, Mushroom and Garlic Creamy Pasta
Date night is made easy with this 30-minute meal idea that doesn’t sacrifice flavor! Juicy tomatoes and shiitake mushrooms come together in this creamy, garlicky veggie pasta dinner.
Vegan Crab Cakes (Happy Hearts “Crab” Cakes) from Sweet Potato Soul
These meatless crab cakes are a homemade vegan delicacy, and so incredibly easy to make. With a crunchy crust on the outside and tender, moist “crab” on the inside, these are sure to impress any vegan (and even non-vegan!) sweethearts!
Lasagna Soup
This hearty, homey, comforting soup is made with all the beloved flavors of a fresh baked lasagna! Saucy, savory, and all in one bowl – it’s the perfect recipe to snuggle up with this Valentine’s Day.
Ultimate Cast Iron Cowboy Steak with Chimichurri
A cast iron Cowboy Steak recipe that’s sure to rope in your special someone! This bone-in ribeye is simply seasoned and cooked perfectly in the skillet, then topped with chimichurri for a satisfying steak dinner.
The BEST Creamy Pan Seared Tuscan Salmon Recipe
For something extra special for your special someone, try this easy recipe for the best ever Tuscan salmon! Seared salmon is covered in a creamy yet dairy free white wine sauce, and the result is amazing.
Fail-Proof Boneless Prime Rib Recipe
Christmas comes early with this effortless recipe for the juiciest, most savory prime rib you’ll ever cook. This boneless prime rib recipe is easy to prepare and definitely packs the wow factor!
Coffee-Rubbed Grilled Lamb Chops
Take date night dinner up a notch with this recipe for tender grilled lamb seasoned with a rich homemade coffee rub. Impressive, yet understated, and all-over delicious!
Grilled Cumin Lime Shrimp Tacos
Turn your V-Day celebrations into a true fiesta with these easy shrimp tacos seasoned with cumin and lime. Grilled shrimp is quick to make and tastes delicious with your favorite taco toppings!
Tender Oven-Baked Honey Butter Ribs
You don’t need a grill for epic baby back ribs! Just an oven and some Valentine’s Day inspiration. This is an easy recipe for sticky, savory ribs baked in the oven that won’t disappoint.
The Best Creamy Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Cozy up with this easy homemade alfredo sauce served over your favorite pasta! Creamy, full of flavor, and so simple, this family recipe is the best kind of indulgence.
Simple Side Dishes
You’ve selected and perfected your main course, now it’s time to choose your side dishes! Here are some ideas for quick and easy, tasty sides that won’t fail to impress.
Turkey Wild Rice Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Get everyone dressed up this Valentine’s Day – even the side dish! These giant portobello mushroom caps are overflowing with juicy turkey and creamy wild rice. A sprinkle of pomegranate seeds even keeps the color on-theme!
Instant Pot Loaded Baked Potatoes
These loaded baked potatoes are bound to knock your socks off, plus, they’re made easier in the Instant Pot. Topped with cheese, bacon, and veggies, you can’t go wrong with this quick version of a classic.
Caprese Stuffed Avocados
Like a salad, only better! This recipe takes a classic caprese salad and stuffs it into avocado halves for an update on the original that’s truly creamy and delicious! Complete with mozzarella balls, it’s the perfect fresh start to your date night meal.
Tex-Mex Crab Dip
Cheesy, zesty, spicy and full of flavorful crab, this hot dip recipe is the stuff that Tex-Mex dreams are made of! And it’s the perfect easy appetizer to get the evening started.
Honey Glazed Carrots
An easy veggie side dish, these tender baby carrots are tossed in an irresistible blend of honey and cinnamon. Cute and sweet, just like the chef! 😉
20 Minute Cornbread Muffins
You’ll love whipping up a batch of these moist and fluffy cornbread muffins, and not just because it takes only 20 minutes! Pair these muffins with meaty mains and cheesy pastas.
Sweet Potato Buttermilk Biscuits
These sweet potato biscuits made with buttermilk are flaky and just the right amount of sweet. Serve them as a side smothered in butter or drizzled in honey!
Cocktail Ideas
Warm-up or wind down your cozy evening with a perfectly crafted cocktail, made right in your own home! Nothing rings in the romance like these festive Valentine’s drink ideas.
Pomegranate Maple Cosmopolitan
This fun spin on a cosmo is a little sweet, a little tart, and a whole lot of yum! Prepared with ruby red pomegranate and sweetened with pure maple syrup.
Campari Spritz
Attention Aperol spritz fans: get your romantic evening started with the classic cocktail’s sophisticated cousin, the Campari spritz! Light and refreshing and oh-so-easy to make with just 3 ingredients.
Blackberry Smash Cocktail
Ring in your romantic evening with a refreshing cocktail made from mint and blackberries muddled together with lime, topped off with rum and ginger beer!
Pink Lemonade Margarita (Pink Senorita Cocktail)
You’re going to love the festive color of these easy pink lemonade margaritas! A lighter, pinker, on-theme version of the classic tequila cocktail.
Raspberry Sorbet Rosé Floats
Rosé all day takes on a whole new meaning with these fun and easy sorbet floats! This rosé cocktail is dessert in a glass!
Looking for even more Valentine’s Day dinner ideas? Visit the recipe finder for more inspiration for easy and romantic dinners for two!