Skip to Content

50 Best Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas for a Date Night at Home

Every good love story starts with a good meal.

By
valentines day dinner
C.W. Newell

Every item on this page was chosen by an editor from The Pioneer Woman. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Planning dinner for two this Valentine's Day? You've come to the right place. Here, you'll find the best Valentine's Day dinner ideas for you and your sweetie. But it's not stopping there! This list also has tons of Valentine's Day dinner recipes for families, friends, or even singles looking for a tasty meal on February 14. After all, there's nothing better than a big bowl of pasta or your favorite chicken recipe followed by a romantic movie and a box of Valentine's Day chocolates—no matter your relationship status.

Of course, there's a few of Ree and Ladd Drummond's favorite meals like steak and potato recipes. "I love a night in with my sweetie," Ree said about her previous Valentine's Day. Looking for a restaurant-quality meal to impress your loved ones? Try the chicken saltimbocca, lobster bisque, or the bacon-wrapped filets drenched in melted "cowboy butter." Then again, you can always cook "marry me chicken" if you're hoping for a proposal!

You can also opt for something a little more casual, along the lines of comfort food classics, like slow cooker beef stew, baked ravioli, and a chicken parmesan that's made in an air fryer. You'll also find a few Valentine's Day cocktails to wash it all down. End the night with a Valentine's Day dessert and your hearts (and stomachs) are sure to be full.

1

Steak au Poivre

valentine's day dinners
Will Dickey

This recipe is perfectly portioned for two people, so it's just right for date night! The classic French dish starts with a peppercorn-crusted pan-seared filet that gets smothered in a flavorful brandy sauce.

Get Ree's Steak au Poivre recipe.

SHOP PLATES

2

Caprese Chicken

valentine's day dinners
C.W. Newell

Take everything you love about Caprese salad and turn it into a hearty meal for you and your sweetheart. To do so, you'll coat chicken cutlets in fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, jarred pesto, and store-bought balsamic reduction.

Get Ree's Caprese Chicken recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Pasta with Shrimp and Pistachio Pesto

valentine's day dinners
Ryan Liebe

Does your partner love pasta? This is the meal for them! Linguine gets combined with fresh shrimp and tossed in a homemade pesto sauce made from spinach, parsley, and pistachios.

Get Ree's Pasta with Shrimp and Pistachio Pesto recipe.

4

Steak with Onion Cream Sauce

valentine's day dinners
Antonis Achilleos

It only takes 30 minutes of hands-on time to cook up this steak dinner. A creamy onion steak sauce is made in the same skillet, blending with all the leftover flavorful bits from the meat.

Get Ree's Steak with Onion Cream Sauce recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

White Lasagna

valentine's day dinners
Will Dickey

A bit more sophisticated than your typical lasagna, white lasagna is layered with thick noodles, veggies such as spinach and yellow squash, shredded mozzarella, and a creamy béchamel sauce containing pesto, parmesan, and artichoke hearts.

Get Ree's White Lasagna recipe.

SHOP BAKING DISHES

6

Kale Caesar Salad with Steak

valentine's day dinners
Ryan Liebe

It's an entrée and a side, all in one. A quick olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic marinade makes the steak strips extra tasty. For the salad, homemade parmesan croutons are the star!

Get Ree's Kale Caesar Salad with Steak recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Manicotti

manicotti
Danielle Daly

Manicotti is similar to lasagna but feels just a little bit fancier thanks to the cheese-stuffed pasta tubes. A hearty meat sauce and lots of melty cheese make it perfect for feeding a family or even dinner for two with leftovers.

Get the Manicotti recipe.

8

Marry Me Chicken

marry me chicken
C.W. Newell

This popular dish might just make your loved one drop to one knee! That's because it's full of creamy, flavorful sun-dried tomato sauce and tender chicken—plus, extra parmesan cheese.

Get Ree's Marry Me Chicken recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Air Fryer Parmesan Steak Fries

air fryer parmesan steak fries
Caitlin Bensel

Whether you serve chicken or steak, potatoes are always a good idea for a side dish. These beefed up fries are loaded with seasoning so they feel extra special on a night for your Valentine.

Get the Air Fryer Parmesan Steak Fries recipe.

10

Chicken Florentine

chicken florentine
Caitlin Bensel

This creamy dish looks and sounds elegant, but it's actually easy to make! Everything is cooked in one skillet, including the crispy chicken and the white wine and cream sauce.

Get the Chicken Florentine recipe.

SHOP SKILLETS

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Salisbury Steak

valentines day dinner salisbury steak
Caitlin Bensel

You don't have to spend a ton of money to make Valentine's Day special. This affordable variation on steak is actually made with ground beef. It's covered in a decadent, creamy mushroom sauce and served with a side of mashed potatoes.

Get the Salisbury Steak recipe.

12

Coconut Shrimp Curry

coconut shrimp curry
Will Dickey

The warmth form the curry and the creamy sauce make this dish a favorite for a cozy night in. Add some hot sauce to really heat things up, then serve it over a bed of rice.

Get the Coconut Shrimp Curry recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Beef Burgundy

beef burgundy
Danielle Daly

Red wine, beef, and mushrooms—what’s not to love? This hearty stew is a comforting dinner that's best served over a fluffy pile of mashed potatoes.

Get Ree's Beef Burgundy recipe.

14

Slow Cooker Bolognese

slow cooker bolognese
Will Dickey

Make February 14 pasta night this year! The slow cooked meat sauce will make a big batch so you can enjoy some with your sweetie on Valentine's Day and save the rest for during the week.

Get Ree's Slow Cooker Bolognese recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Surf and Turf

surf and turf
Danielle Daly

Impress your loved one with a restaurant-worthy meal like this twist on surf and turf that combines creamy shrimp and seared steak on one plate. All you need are mashed potatoes or your favorite veggie to round out the plate.

Get the Surf and Turf recipe.

SHOP DINNERWARE

16

Chicken Piccata

chicken piccata
Will Dickey

This might be a crispy chicken recipe, but it's really all about the creamy sauce! It's bright and lemony with just the right amount of heavy cream.

Get Ree's Chicken Piccata recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

Lobster Bisque

lobster bisque
Danielle Daly

Anything with lobster feels fancy, but this soup is actually made with lobster tails, which are more affordable. Don't worry though, there's still plenty of creaminess, richness, and elegance in the dish.

Get the Lobster Bisque recipe.

18

Pomegranate Martini

pomegranate martini
Danielle Daly

Add a pop of red to your Valentine's Day dinner by serving up a ruby-colored cocktail that's sweet and boozy. We love the way the little pomegranate seeds look like floating jewels!

Get the Pomegranate Martini recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

One-Pot French Onion Pasta

one pot french onion pasta
Danielle Daly

There's a reason French onion pasta went viral on TikTok—it’s packed with caramelized onions, noodles, and cheese! There's even those signature croutons on top.

Get the One-Pot French Onion Pasta recipe.

20

Bacon-Wrapped Dates

bacon wrapped dates
Will Dickey

These adorable bite-sized snacks are perfect for a Galentine's Day bash! They're sweet, cheesy, sticky, and spicy.

Get the Bacon-Wrapped Dates recipe.

SHOP PLATES

Watch Next 
valentines day dinner
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below