Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and whether you’re cooking for two or feeding the whole family, I’ve got you covered with these fantastic 19 Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas and easy recipes!
Think juicy steak, creamy pasta, succulent seafood, and even pork and chicken recipes that’ll make Cupid jealous. Plus, these main dish ideas are quick and easy to prepare—because who wants to spend all day in the kitchen?
Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner for two or something a bit more family-friendly, these recipes will make your heart (and stomach) happy! 💘
1
Filet Mignon with Red Wine Mushroom Sauce Recipe
Filet Mignon with Red Wine Mushroom Sauce is a perfect date night or Valentine's Day dinner for two! Tender juicy filet mignon is pan-seared, then finished in the oven until it is melt-in-your-mouth tender and then topped with a hearty red wine sauce reduction with sliced earthy mushrooms.
Filet Mignon with Red Wine Sauce
2
Oven Baked Short Ribs with Red Wine Sauce Recipe
Easy Oven Baked Short Ribs with Red Wine Sauce are the answer to your dinner party dreams. They are full of flavor, classic comfort food, and so tender the beef falls off the bone. Braised beef short ribs are also the perfect make-ahead main dish for a special holiday dinner or a fabulous dinner party.
Short Ribs with Red Wine Sauce
3
Blue Cheese Crusted Filet Mignon Steak Recipe
Filet Mignon with Blue Cheese Crust is a butter-tender, juicy and decadent steak topped with an unforgettable blue cheese crust and cooked to perfection.
Blue Cheese Crusted Filet Mignon
4
Chili-Rubbed Ribeye Steak with Maple-Bourbon Butter Recipe
Chili-Rubbed Ribeye Steak with Maple-Bourbon Butter is a foolproof recipe featuring restaurant-quality steak, seasoned with a chili powder-brown sugar rub, pan-seared in a cast-iron skillet, and finished in the oven.
Chili Rubbed Ribeye Steak
5
Steakhouse-Style Blackened Steak Recipe
If you like quick and easy meals, you will fall in love with this simple recipe for blackened steak. Before cooking, the steak filets are topped with a mix of savory herbs and spices which form a flavorful crust when the meat is pan-seared in a hot cast-iron skillet.
Blackened Steak
6
Best Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Recipe with Brown Sugar
The Best Bacon Wrapped Shrimp are amazingly delicious, with sweet and smoky bacon glazed with brown sugar and chili powder. An easy recipe, it's simple to prepare and utterly addictive.
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
7
Crab Stuffed Shrimp Recipe Easy & Elegant
Decadent Crab Stuffed Shrimp will make you feel like you're dining in an elegant restaurant. Delicious sweet crab meat and plump, briny shrimp are a match made in heaven. And while it may look fancy, you won't believe how easy this recipe is to prepare.
Crab Stuffed Shrimp
8
Pan Fried Shrimp Recipe
This quick and easy recipe for Pan Fried Shrimp features fresh, succulent, salty Gulf shrimp. They are lightly coated with seasoned flour and then pan-fried in a small amount of olive oil until they are golden brown, crispy, and delicious.
Pan Fried Shrimp
9
Creamy Shrimp Pasta with Blue Cheese Recipe
Easy Creamy Shrimp Pasta features tender and juicy shrimp cooked in a delightfully rich pasta sauce made with butter, cream cheese, and blue cheese. Served over pasta and packed with flavor, this lovely main dish is both hearty and satisfying!
Blue Cheese Shrimp Pasta
10
Blackened Grouper Recipe
In this recipe, the blackening seasoning infuses the grouper with a subtle spicy flavor that hits all of the right notes, and a quick sear in cast-iron skillet seals in the fish's briny sweetness for a truly delicious dish.
Blackened Grouper
11
Mushroom Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Bacon Recipe
This spectacular Mushroom Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Bacon will add a touch of elegance to any meal. It features a butterflied pork tenderloin stuffed with a mushroom and bacon filling, which is so delicious you could serve it as a side dish all by itself.
Mushroom Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
12
Easy Roasted Herb Crusted Roasted Pork Tenderloin Recipe
Succulent and fragrant Roasted Herb Crusted Roasted Pork Tenderloin is easy enough for a quick weeknight meal with the family. But, it also makes a perfect entree for a dinner party or special occasion.
Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin
13
Pork Braciole Recipe
A traditional Italian recipe but with a southern twist, this Pork Braciole is fork-tender medallions of pork tenderloin stuffed with a cornbread mixture and then simmered in a flavorful homemade marinara sauce.
Pork Braciole
14
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Discover the magic of Million Dollar Chicken Casserole. Creamy, cheesy, and topped with a Ritz cracker crust, it’s the ultimate comfort food.
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
15
Easy French Onion Soup Chicken Casserole Recipe
French Onion Soup Chicken Casserole with egg noodles is the ultimate comfort food and will quickly become a family favorite. It has everything you could ever want in a winning chicken dinner recipe.
French Onion Soup Chicken Casserole
16
Easy Cordon Bleu Chicken Casserole Recipe
Oven-baked Cordon Bleu Chicken Casserole has all of the flavor and crispiness of the classic dish but none of the mess. It's quick and easy to prepare and, best of all, it can be made ahead.
Cordon Bleu Chicken Casserole
17
Easy Chicken Crepes with Mushrooms
Make-ahead savory Chicken Crepes with Mushrooms are perfect for a romantic date night dinner or a dinner party. These easy chicken and mushroom crepes are blanketed in a cheesy mornay sauce. Not only do they look sensational, but you won't believe how delicious they are.
Chicken Crepes
18
Chicken Marsala Pasta with Mushrooms Recipe
Easy Chicken Marsala Pasta with Mushrooms is the very definition of comfort food, a great family-friendly weeknight meal, and it's a perfect make-ahead dinner party recipe.
Chicken Marsala Pasta
19
Chicken Divan with Curry (Make-Ahead)
Chicken Divan with Curry is an iconic, much-loved, made-from-scratch southern chicken casserole that has been around for decades. Made without canned soup, this retro casserole is full of crisp fresh broccoli, tender chicken, and the best-ever homemade, cheesy mornay sauce with sour cream.
Chicken Divan
Valentine’s Day dessert recipes to serve with your dinner
Bonus: How to Create a Romantic Valentine’s Day Tablescape on Any Budget
1. Start with What You Have – Look around your house for items that can be repurposed:
- If you don’t have a white tablecloth, use a plain white sheet as a tablecloth or runner.
- Borrow candles, fairy lights, or mason jars from other rooms.
- Grab a scarf or fabric scraps to add texture to your table.
2. Set the Mood with Lighting
- Candles: Opt for tea lights, taper candles, or leftover scented candles in glass jars.
- DIY Lanterns: Place a string of fairy lights in a clear vase or jar for a glowing centerpiece.
- Dim the Lights: Let the warm glow of your candles or fairy lights shine.
3. Create a DIY Centerpiece
- Fresh Flowers: Grab an affordable bouquet from the grocery store, split it into smaller bunches, and arrange them in mason jars or wine glasses.
- Seasonal Greenery: Use clippings from your yard (e.g., eucalyptus, evergreen, or ferns) for a natural touch.
- Edible Centerpiece: Arrange fruit (like strawberries, grapes, or pomegranates) in a decorative bowl or tray. Bonus: You can snack on it later or even use it for dessert!
4. Add Personal Touches
- Handwritten Notes: Write a sweet note or love quote on small cards and place them at each setting.
- DIY Place Cards: Use paper hearts or small pieces of cardstock, and write each guest’s name in fancy script or fun markers.
- Photo Memories: Use small picture frames to display romantic photos or fun family moments as part of the table decor.
5. Elevate with Layers
- Stack plates for an elegant look: a dinner plate, salad plate, and a folded napkin on top.
- Use chargers (or even large plates) under dinnerware for extra flair.
- Layer cloth napkins over your everyday ones to add pops of color.
6. Get Creative with Napkins
- Heart Fold: Fold napkins into a heart shape for a cute detail. (Plenty of tutorials online can guide you!)
- Napkin Rings: Create napkin rings by tying twine, ribbon, or raffia around napkins and tucking in a small flower or sprig of greenery.
7. Budget-Friendly Decor Hacks
- Dollar Store Finds: Check your local dollar store for candles, glasses, or even decorative hearts.
- Printable Decorations: Print Valentine’s-themed designs (like hearts, quotes, or menus) and frame them or use as accents.
- DIY Confetti: Punch out heart shapes from construction paper or even leftover wrapping paper for fun table scatter.
8. Don’t Forget the Final Details
- Scatter rose petals (real or faux) across the table for a romantic vibe.
- Use red or pink dishware, glasses, or even folded napkins to bring in Valentine’s colors.
- Play soft music in the background to complete the mood—because a romantic atmosphere isn’t just about looks!
⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ Did you make any of these recipes? I’d be thrilled to hear what you thought! Did you add your own twist or have a tip to share?
Drop a comment below—I read every one—and don’t forget to leave a star rating. Your feedback not only makes my day but also helps others find and perfect this recipe.
Thanks for stopping by Grits and Pinecones! Your visit means the world to me. I hope you’ll swing back soon for more Southern-inspired goodness. 💛
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