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

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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.

Instant Pot Artichokes (With Garlic Butter) in white oval serving bowl with lemon wedges.
5 from 2 votes

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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Mexican Shrimp Cocktail in glass garnished with lime wedge and shrimp.
4.55 from 85 votes

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

This authentic, elegant Mexican Shrimp Cocktail—endorsed by my lovely Mexican sister-in-law—is packed with crunchy vegetables and shrimp in a spicy, tangy tomato base that's refreshing with just the right amount of heat. Perfect for hot weather dining! Pinned over 47,000 times!
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French Onion Soup for Two - Close-up shot with spoon lifting out some of the soup
4.73 from 37 votes

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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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 Cambozola Stuffed Mushrooms and Red Wine Sauce with steak knife on plate set on wood cutting board.
4.50 from 6 votes

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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5 from 1 vote

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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Two bowls of Braised Beef Short Ribs with Cauliflower Leek Puree.
4.84 from 6 votes

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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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 on wood cutting board with pecans and fresh thyme scattered around it.
4.72 from 38 votes

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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Sicilian Stuffed Pork Chops with White Wine Caper Sauce in white dish.
4.75 from 4 votes

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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Main Course – Chicken

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

Marry Me Chicken in white bowl with angel hair pasta and fork garnished with fresh basil leaves.
4.75 from 4 votes

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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Chicken Meatballs Marsala with Parmesan Polenta in white bowl with fork.
4.84 from 6 votes

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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One serving of Crab-Stuffed Chicken Breasts over asparagus on white marble slab.
4.44 from 69 votes

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 - Finished dish being served with serving fork from white baking dish
4.62 from 21 votes

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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Chicken Milanese with Arugula and Cherry Tomato Salad garnished with fresh basil sprigs and lemon wedges.
4.67 from 6 votes

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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Main Course – Fish and Seafood

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

Baked Tilapia with Spinach Pecan Pesto - Straight-on close-up shot of finished dish garnished with chopped pecans and lemon wedges
5 from 3 votes

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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Close-up photo of Prosciutto-Wrapped Halibut with Herb - Caper Butter with lemon wedges in black skillet.
4.67 from 9 votes

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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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.
4.52 from 37 votes

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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Piece of Mahi-Mahi with Cilantro - Ginger Pesto on a fork.
5 from 2 votes

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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Seared Sea Scallops with Sweet Corn Risotto and Basil Salsa Verde in white bowl.
4.78 from 9 votes

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! The creamy risotto pairs perfectly with the golden crust of the scallops, while the vibrant basil salsa verde adds a fresh and herbaceous finish. It's an elegant yet approachable dish sure to impress your loved one!
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Pistachio Encrusted Scallops with Champagne Risotto and Roasted Asparagus on white plate with ornate fork.
4.46 from 11 votes

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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Seared Scallops with Smoky Corn Puree on white plate with fork.
4.86 from 21 votes

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 Sea Scallops with Spicy Bacon Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce in white bowl with pasta twirled around a copper fork.
5 from 12 votes

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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Shrimp and Corn Risotto with Bacon in white bowl with serving spoon.
4.60 from 47 votes

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 Scampi with Artichokes in skillet.
5 from 2 votes

Shrimp Scampi with Artichokes

If you’re craving something quick, elegant, and bursting with flavor, this Shrimp Scampi with Artichokes is the perfect dinner solution. It takes everything you love about classic scampi—garlicky butter sauce, a splash of white wine, tender shrimp—and gives it a fresh twist with the addition of briny artichokes.
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Main Course – Vegetarian

Meatless recipes that are better than any restaurant!

Eggplant Parmesan Stacks in earthenware baking dish being lifted out with fork.
4.88 from 8 votes

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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Oven Risotto with Kale Pesto and Roasted Mushrooms - Overhead hero shot of dish in white bowls on pale blue background
5 from 5 votes

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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Side Dishes

Super sides that are elegant and easy!

Two oval dishes of Au Gratin Potatoes for Two with fork digging into one.
4.45 from 52 votes

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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Steakhouse Creamed Spinach in white oval bowl with serving spoon.
4.67 from 6 votes

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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Photo of Asparagus Cordon Bleu in white rectangular baking dish on blue background.
5 from 2 votes

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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Desserts

Perfect sweet endings to your lovely restaurant-quality meal!

Classic Creme Brulee for Two garnished with red raspberries and blueberries.
4.62 from 57 votes

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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Chocolate Avocado Mousse in square dessert glass with raspberry and chocolate shavings with two spoons.
5 from 2 votes

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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About Carol

Carol is a personal chef with 22 years of experience cooking food people want to eat! Here, you'll find expert techniques, time-saving tips, and flavor-packed dishes you'll be proud to serve family and friends.

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4 Comments

  1. Toni says:

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

    1. Carol says:

      Hi, Toni! Thanks so very much! Hope you enjoy and hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

  2. Jim Huff says:

    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. Carol says:

      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!