Valentine’s Day falls on a weeknight this year so it may or may not be convenient for you to enjoy a dinner out with your sweetheart. If you’re planning to celebrate at home, here are 35 lovely dinners that are easy enough for a weeknight yet elegant enough for date night.
My husband and I think it’s important to celebrate our relationship throughout the year so a date on the calendar doesn’t matter to us. These are some of our favorite date night dinners!
Be sure to serve my Classic Creme Brulee for Two for the perfect sweet ending to any of these meals!
Fish and Seafood
Preparing fish and seafood at home is not as difficult as you may think! Make one of these recipes for your sweetheart and you'll never put off enjoying fish and seafood until you're eating out again!
Mediterranean Fish en Papillote has all the classic flavors of that sunny region all wrapped up in a parchment paper parcel!
Pistachio Crusted Fish with Lemon Dill Aioli is an easy restaurant-quality meal that's perfect for date night and it's ready in 30 minutes!
Baked Veracruz-Style Fish (Pescado A La Veracruzana) is an easy, light, colorful and super-flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight or date night!
Butter-Basted Halibut with Lemon-Braised Baby Vegetables is perfect for a spring dinner for two! It's light, fresh and the perfect way to showcase this beautiful fish!
Blackened Halibut with Mango and Avocado Salsa is sure to become your new favorite fish dish! You’ll never buy blackening spice again once you try this homemade blend!
Indian Spiced Sea Bass with Braised Red Lentils is a healthful way to spice up a winter night!
Pomegranate and Orange Glazed Salmon with Stir-Fried Vegetables is healthful, light and easy to make! Omega-rich salmon and fresh vegetables are topped with a slightly spicy fruity glaze!
Baked Fish with Cherry Tomato-Olive Sauce and Lemon Chive Asiago Orzo makes an easy springtime dinner for two that rocks with flavor!
Seared Salmon with Baby Kale Quinotto and Warm Roasted Cherry Tomato Salad is a beautiful restaurant-style dish that's "better-for-you" all the way around. Perfect for a casual dinner for two yet elegant enough for guests!
Seared Sea Scallops with Jalapeno Brown Butter and Mango Buttermilk Risotto is a lovely and flavorful dinner for two that's perfect for a memorable evening!
Seared Sea Scallops with Tomato, Red Onion and Balsamic Salsa is a light, elegant, restaurant-quality dish for two!
Shrimp, Scallop and Artichoke Lasagna is perfect for an easy, elegant romantic Valentine's Day dinner at home! Best of all, it can be made ahead!
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!
Pistachio Encrusted 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!
Seared Sea Scallops with Spicy Bacon Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce and Tagliatelle made with Bertolli® is easy and perfect for an Italian-inspired romantic dinner for two!
Shrimp Scampi with Artichokes is a lovely, easy spring-inspired classic Italian dish that's perfect for a spring date night dinner!
Shrimp and Corn Risotto with Bacon is an American twist on traditional risotto and he perfect summer comfort food!
Chicken
These easy chicken recipes are perfect for sharing with your sweetie. Some are healthy, some are spicy and all of them are delicious!
Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic is a classic French country dish that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or your most elegant dinner party. Paired with budget-friendly chicken thighs, all that garlic mellows into buttery goodness for a dish you'll fall in love with!
Chicken Marrakesh with Jeweled Couscous is like a quick culinary escape to Morrocco! The couscous comes together quickly while the chicken bakes. The two together make a stunning presentation!
Bruschetta Chicken with Zucchini Noodles is Italian-inspired, light, fresh, healthful and easy as summer itself. Perfect for low-carb, Paleo or gluten-free diets, too!
Crab-Stuffed Chicken Breasts are elegant enough for a dinner party yet easy enough for a weeknight! A perfect date night dinner for two!
Spice up the night with your loved one with this Indian-inspired dinner for two! Serve with plenty of brown basmati rice to soak up this flavorful sauce.
Korean Braised Chicken Thighs use the most flavorful and budget-friendly part of the chicken for a dish you'll crave again and again!
Chicken Pinot Noir with Wild Mushrooms and Fresh Basil is a dish with a European flair! A rich, yet light wine sauce with earthy wild mushrooms is perfect for transitioning from summer to fall!
Chicken in Rosa Sauce with Roasted Red Bell Pepper and Spinach is perfect for your romantic Valentine's Day dinner at home! This simply delicious romantic Tuscan-inspired meal will have you asking for amoré!
Beef, Pork and Lamb
These beef, pork and lamb dishes are the perfect easy and delicious indulgence for date night!
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!"
Lighter Beef Stroganoff is a healthier twist on a rich and luxurious dish with aristocratic origins. This lightened-up version, scaled for two servings, makes it perfect for today.
Spicy Tahini Pork Medallions with Harissa Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges is a super-tasty dinner for two! You'll enjoy making this spicy, flavorful dish for that special someone and it's also the perfect easy dinner you can make together! It's so good, my husband practically licked his plate!
Pecan-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon - Mustard Sauce is perfect for elegant entertaining! It's easy, elegant and can be prepped ahead.
Sicilian Stuffed Pork Chops with White Wine and Caper Sauce is an elegant way to dress up a dinnertime staple–the pork chop!
Parmesan and Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops are easy to prepare and perfect for a spring special occasion for two.
Gemma @ MakeupMuddle says
So many delicious recipes. I’ve bookmarked three of them, and I can’t wait to try them – especially the Orange-Glazed Salmon. I feel like I can almost taste it just from your images 🙂 xo
Carol says
Hi, Gemma, Thanks so very much and hope you enjoy!