10 Beginner-Friendly Valentine's Day Dinners That Will Have You Kissing Your Reservation Goodbye
The best way to woo your valentine this year? Make them a homemade romantic dinner from the heart. If you usually always take your valentine out on the town, then it might seem daunting to think about preparing a restaurant-worthy meal right at home. Luckily, we have plenty of easy, foolproof dinners that will make you seem like a master chef in no time (even you procrastinators).
A romantic dinner can mean different things to different people, so I’ve included options here based on what your sweetheart loves. Our creamy Tuscan vegan pasta is the ultimate special vegan dinner, lemon-brown butter salmon will wow any pescatarian, and our spaghetti squash carbonara is the keto dinner that won’t have you missing the carbs. Looking to perfect a classic fancy dinner? Our reverse sear steak will guarantee the best steak of your life (seriously—the crust is to die for), and our original Marry Me chicken is proposal-worthy for a reason. It’s a surprisingly easy recipe to master—make it once, then experiment with all of our Marry Me variations that have fueled our obsession.
Whatever you decide to make, skip the busy, hard-to-book romantic restaurant this year—let one of these foolproof dinners do all the talking.
Reverse Sear Steak
Reverse searing, so-called because it starts by cooking the steak in the oven low-and-slow and finishes it over high heat in the pan (literally the reverse of a typical pan-sear process), promises a beautiful, evenly-cooked result with a gorgeously browned crust that will likely be the best steak of your life.
Get the Reverse Sear Steak recipe.
Chicken Cacciatore
Rooted in Italian tradition, chicken cacciatore—meaning “hunter-style”—was originally a rustic dish made with whatever was on hand. Our modern take keeps that comforting vibe but makes it fool-proof for any home cook. This version brings perfectly tender chicken and a rich tomato sauce to your table every time.
Get the Chicken Cacciatore recipe.
Butter Beans Alla Vodka
Penne might be the classic accompaniment for vodka sauce, but in our bean-obsessed kitchen, butter beans are the carb of choice. Soft and creamy, these underrated canned staples are ready to step into the spotlight—tossed in a skillet of rich tomato sauce spiked with vodka and showered with extra Parm.
Get the Butter Beans Alla Vodka recipe.
Cottage Cheese Alfredo
Classic creamy Alfredo sauce already had a place in our hearts, but adding cottage cheese and spinach took the love to new heights. The cottage cheese-based sauce comes together in a blender or food processor in a few seconds, then simmered to thick, velvety, cheesy perfection before getting tossed with fresh spinach and al dente fettuccine.
Get the Cottage Cheese Alfredo recipe.
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta
Marry me shrimp pasta features a rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce loaded with shrimp, tender spinach, and fragrant herbs, all tossed with perfectly al dente pasta. Taking inspiration from our beloved marry me chicken, this is a new spin on a classic that’s both indulgent and still very easy to make.
Get the Marry Me Shrimp Pasta recipe.
Lemon-Brown Butter Salmon
Hearty salmon fillets are pan-seared in browned butter with lemon zest and lemon juice, then topped with a flurry of freshly chopped herbs. This is the kind of quick meal you can pull off without missing a beat. Pair it with an easy-to-assemble salad or our foolproof mashed potatoes for a full meal that will rival your favorite restaurant.
Get the Lemon-Brown Butter Salmon recipe.
Boston Roll
The Boston roll is a classic of Americanized sushi. Rolled uramaki-style, with the rice wrapped around the nori, the fillings are a simple mix of poached shrimp, crunchy cucumber, and rich avocado.
Get the Boston Roll recipe.
Spaghetti Squash Carbonara
We love carbonara in just about any form, but this spaghetti squash carbonara is something special. Roasted spaghetti squash is tossed in a creamy rich sauce with crispy pancetta bits for a new spin on the classic Italian staple. Yes, it’s low-carb and gluten-free—and it’s also just plain delicious.
Get the Spaghetti Squash Carbonara recipe.
Creamy Tuscan Vegan Pasta
Far too often, we've tried vegan sauces that just don’t quite get the creaminess down right, so we decided to solve this problem outright with this instant classic: creamy Tuscan vegan pasta. This recipe takes a note from our classic creamy Tuscan chicken, but made vegan-friendly while still maintaining the creaminess you know and love.
Get the Creamy Tuscan Vegan Pasta recipe.
Cowboy Butter Steak
Not to be confused with our equally delicious cowboy steak, this recipe calls for searing a bone-in ribeye, then basting it with a zesty, smoky butter until the outside has a perfectly brown crust, and the inside is tender and medium-rare. The best part? The butter comes together while the pan heats up, using pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
Get the Cowboy Butter Steak recipe.
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