30 Restaurant-Quality Recipes for Valentine’s Day at Home

Skip the crowded restaurants this Valentine’s Day with the limited overpriced menu and make one of these 30 Restaurant-Quality Recipes for Valentine’s Day at Home!

Graphic of four photos for 30 Restaurant-Quality Recipes for Valentine's Day at Home with artichokes, creme brulee, Marry Me Chicken and braised beef short ribs.

If you’re staying in as we are, you don’t have to miss out on a lovely, elegant dinner!

Try some fall-off-the-bone Wine-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Cauliflower Leek Puree. Or perhaps quick and easy Crab-Stuffed Chicken Breasts or seafood such as Shrimp and Corn Risotto or Seared Scallops with Spicy Bacon Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce is more your style! Top off a lovely dinner with Creme Brulee for Two or healthy Chocolate Avocado Mousse for the perfect sweet ending!

No matter what you’re looking for, here are 30 restaurant-quality recipes for appetizers and starters, beef, chicken, fish, seafood, vegetarian, soup and dessert. They’re all easy to prepare for your sweetie or along with your sweetie!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Appetizers and Starters

Get the romance started with these easy recipes! Add a simple green salad after the appetizer or go all out with Hot Bacon Dressing over spinach or this Stacked Tomato Salad.

Artichokes in Instant Pot
Don't boil away the delicate flavor of artichokes! These Instant Pot Artichokes are super easy to make and they're ready in about 30 minutes. A simple garlic butter dipping sauce is the perfect accompaniment!
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Instant Pot Artichokes (With Garlic Butter) in white oval serving bowl with lemon wedges.
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail, otherwise known as Cóctel de Camarónes, doesn't resemble an American shrimp cocktail at all.  This cool, elegant version is chock full of crunchy vegetables and shrimp in a spicy, tangy tomato sauce that's refreshing with just the right amount of heat! Perfect for hot weather dining!
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Mexican Shrimp Cocktail in glass garnished with lime wedge and shrimp.
French Onion Soup for Two
French Onion Soup is a classic that is always in season! This version is scaled perfectly for a lovely dinner for two!
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French Onion Soup for Two - Close-up shot with spoon lifting out some of the soup

Main Course – Beef

Who doesn’t love a tender, juicy steak or fall-off-the-bone wine-braised short ribs? Get all my beef and lamb recipes at Beef and Lamb Recipes.

Beef Tenderloin Fillets with Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms and Red Wine Sauce
Beef Tenderloin Fillets with Spinach Cambozola Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms and Red Wine Sauce is entree and side dish all in one.  You might call this dish seriously “over-the-top!”
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Beef Tenderloin Fillets with Spinach Cambozola Stuffed Mushrooms and Red Wine Sauce with steak knife on plate set on wood cutting board.
Surf and Turf – Steak au Poivre and Broiled Lobster Tail
Is there anything better than Surf and Turf? Steak au Poivre and Broiled Lobster Tail with Roasted Asparagus is the perfect, easy, elegant, romantic restaurant-quality meal you'll both love!
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Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs with Cauliflower Leek Puree
The enticing aroma in your kitchen as these beef short ribs slowly simmer in a rich, savory red wine-based sauce until they're fall-off-the-bone tender is just the delicious beginning! Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs paired with creamy Cauliflower Leek Puree is a lovely comforting meal using an economical cut that's easy yet impressive enough for guests!
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Two bowls of Braised Beef Short Ribs with Cauliflower Leek Puree.

Main Course – Pork

Simple and delicious pork dishes scaled perfectly for two! Give Spicy Tahini Pork Medallions with Harissa Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges a try because they’re sure to spice up the night!

Pecan-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon Mustard Sauce
Pecan-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon – Mustard Sauce is perfect for elegant entertaining!  It's easy, elegant and can be prepped ahead.
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Pecan-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon - Mustard Sauce - Straight-on hero shot of pork tenderloin on wood cutting board with pecans and fresh thyme scattered around
Sicilian Stuffed Pork Chops with White Wine and Caper Sauce
Sicilian Stuffed Pork Chops with White Wine and Caper Sauce is an elegant way to dress up a dinnertime staple–the pork chop!
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Sicilian Stuffed Pork Chops with White Wine Caper Sauce in white dish.

Main Course – Chicken

Easy, restaurant-quality chicken recipes you and your partner are sure to love!

Marry Me Chicken For Two
The classic Marry Me Chicken recipe scaled perfectly for two–the way it should be. This famous creamy chicken dish with sun-dried tomatoes is super easy to make and perfect for any date night.
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Marry Me Chicken in white bowl with angel hair pasta and fork garnished with fresh basil leaves.
Chicken Marsala Meatballs with Baked Parmesan Polenta
Chicken Marsala Meatballs with Baked Parmesan Polenta is a fun twist on classic Chicken Marsala. It’s comforting, delicious and is sure to bring a taste of Italy to your table!
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Chicken Meatballs Marsala with Parmesan Polenta in white bowl with fork.
Crab Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Crab Stuffed Chicken Breasts are elegant enough for a dinner party yet easy enough for a weeknight! A perfect date night dinner for two!
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Pesto and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Chicken with Roma Tomatoes
Pesto and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Chicken with Roma Tomatoes is easy, elegant and a delicious way to use some of your summer basil pesto and tomatoes.  This makes an impressive date night dinner that looks like you fussed!
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Pesto and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Chicken with Roma Tomatoes - Finished dish being served with serving fork from white baking dish
Chicken Milanese
Chicken Milanese is a classic Italian dish that's super easy to make and comes together in about 45 minutes. A simple Cherry Tomato Salad with balsamic vinaigrette served over peppery arugula makes a bright, fresh summery side dish. All combine for a restaurant-quality combination!
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Chicken Milanese with Arugula and Cherry Tomato Salad garnished with fresh basil sprigs and lemon wedges.

Main Course – Fish and Seafood

Here are some inspired fish and seafood recipes that are easy and delicious!

Baked Tilapia with Spinach Pecan Pesto
Baked Tilapia with Spinach – Pecan Pesto is an easy recipe that makes a great, healthy weeknight dinner that's also elegant enough to serve to guests!
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Baked Tilapia with Spinach Pecan Pesto - Straight-on close-up shot of finished dish garnished with chopped pecans and lemon wedges
Prosciutto-Wrapped Halibut with Herb Caper Butter
Prosciutto-Wrapped Halibut with Herb – Caper Butter is an easy yet elegant, restaurant-quality dinner for two you'll both love! Lovely, mild, sustainable halibut is wrapped in salty, savory prosciutto, browned then draped in a lemony herb and caper compound butter.
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Close-up photo of Prosciutto-Wrapped Halibut with Herb - Caper Butter with lemon wedges in black skillet.
Blackened Halibut with Mango and Avocado Salsa
Try this Blackened Halibut recipe for a healthy dinner idea for two with a tropical twist! Mild, fresh halibut is coated in a homemade blackening spice mixture, seared to form a lightly charred crust, then topped with a lively mango and avocado salsa.
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Blackened Halibut with Mango - Avocado Salsa on white plate with fork garnished with cilantro and lime wedge with a piece removed to show the inside of the fish.
Grilled Mahi Mahi with Cilantro-Ginger Pesto
Make a quick culinary escape to the tropics with this light, fresh and healthy Grilled Mahi Mahi with Cilantro-Ginger Pesto! Great for a weeknight or date night, it's ready in about 30 minutes!
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Piece of Mahi-Mahi with Cilantro - Ginger Pesto on a fork.
Sweet Corn Risotto with Seared Sea Scallops and Basil Salsa Verde
Sweet Corn Risotto with Seared Sea Scallops and Basil Salsa Verde is a beautiful, delicious, summery date night dinner for two!
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Seared Sea Scallops with Sweet Corn Risotto and Basil Salsa Verde - Another shot of dish in white serving bowl garnished with fresh basil
Pistachio Crusted Sea Scallops with Champagne Risotto and Roasted Asparagus
Pistachio Crusted Sea Scallops with Champagne Risotto and Roasted Asparagus is a beautiful, restaurant-quality meal that's easy to prepare at home.  Perfect for any private celebration for two!
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Pistachio Encrusted Scallops with Champagne Risotto and Roasted Asparagus on white plate with ornate fork.
Seared Scallops with Smoky Sweet Corn Puree
Seared Scallops with Smoky Sweet Corn Puree is a wonderful way to use leftover grilled corn and enjoy an elegant dinner for two at the same time!
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Seared Scallops with Smoky Corn Puree on white plate with fork.
Seared Sea Scallops with Spicy Bacon Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce
Seared Sea Scallops with Spicy Bacon Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce is easy and perfect for an Italian-inspired romantic dinner for two!
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Seared Sea Scallops with Spicy Bacon Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce in white bowl with pasta twirled around a copper fork.
Shrimp and Corn Risotto with Bacon
Shrimp and Corn Risotto with Bacon is an American twist on traditional risotto and the perfect for a casual date night dinner at home!
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Shrimp and Corn Risotto with Bacon in white bowl with serving spoon.
Shrimp Scampi with Artichokes
Shrimp Scampi with Artichokes is a lovely, easy spring-inspired classic Italian dish that's perfect for a spring date night dinner!  You can use baby artichokes or frozen!
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Main Course – Vegetarian

Meatless recipes that are better than any restaurant!

Healthier Eggplant Parmesan Stacks
Eggplant Parmesan Stacks are a fresher and lighter way to enjoy this Italian classic! Easy to make and can be made ahead.
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Eggplant Parmesan Stacks in earthenware baking dish being lifted out with fork.
Oven Risotto with Kale Pesto and Roasted Mushrooms
Oven Risotto with Kale Pesto and Roasted Mushrooms is the easy way to make risotto!  This hands-free method produces perfect risotto every time!
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Oven Risotto with Kale Pesto and Roasted Mushrooms - Overhead hero shot of dish in white bowls on pale blue background

Side Dishes

Super sides that are elegant and easy!

Au Gratin Potatoes for Two
A delicious and simple side dish, cheesy, creamy Au Gratin Potatoes for Two is the perfect addition to your date night dinner. Pairs beautifully with so many main courses!
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Two oval dishes of Au Gratin Potatoes for Two with fork digging into one.
Steakhouse Creamed Spinach
If you love the creamed spinach the great American steakhouses serve, you're going to love this recipe! Made with fresh spinach, it's easy to make and can be enjoyed right out of the skillet or made ahead of time and baked later!
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Steakhouse Creamed Spinach in white oval bowl with serving spoon.
Asparagus Cordon Bleu
Asparagus, prosciutto, melty cheese and a crispy breadcrumb topping combine for a side dish that's impressive and elegant enough for your finest dinner party! Best of all, Asparagus Cordon Bleu is easy and can be assembled in advance.
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Photo of Asparagus Cordon Bleu in white rectangular baking dish on blue background.

Desserts

Perfect sweet endings to your lovely restaurant-quality meal!

Classic Vanilla Creme Brulee for Two
Classic Vanilla Creme Brulee for Two is the perfect sweet ending to any special meal you make at home! This sinfully rich heavenly dessert is easy to make at home and can be made well ahead of time.
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Classic Creme Brulee for Two garnished with red raspberries and blueberries.
Chocolate Avocado Mousse
Sinfully rich and healthful peacefully coexist in this refined sugar-free dessert! Chocolate Avocado Mousse is so simple to prepare you won't believe it!  Best of all, it's Paleo-friendly with a vegan option.
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Chocolate Avocado Mousse in square dessert glass with raspberry and chocolate shavings with two spoons.

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4 Comments

  1. You’re killin me!!!! Everything looks so fabulous! I am going to try them all. Thanks for the inspiration!
    Happy Valentines Day!

  2. WOW, I was looking for inspiration for V-day menu ideas and Voila! Here are 25 amazing recipes. For us there are several tried and true dishes included. Now the dilemma is repeat a fave or try a new! Thanx for sharing!

    1. Hi, Jim and thanks so very much! Hopefully, next Valentine’s Day we can all head out to our favorite restaurant again but this year is definitely going to be spent at home! Thanks again!