Staying home for Valentine’s Day? Here are some recipes for a special, yet simple dinner with your loved ones!
A few tips for having a special dinner, whether it’s just you and your spouse… or you’re feeding the whole family on Valentine’s Day!
- Start looking for your main dish protein early. Snag your favorite cut of meat, or favorite seafood on sale! Toss in the freezer to save for Valentine’s Day, for a budget-friendly gourmet meal!
- Make as much as you can ahead of time, so you aren’t stressed when it’s time for dinner. Many of the recipes below are even freezer friendly if you REALLY want to get one step ahead.
- Ask the family for help! Valentine’s Day is all about love, and there’s nothing more lovely than everyone helping with some part of the meal.
- Bring out the nice dishes. Nice could just be non-paper plates, or it could be your Great Grandmother’s fine China. It’s not always fun doing the dishes, but it’s special to use those dishes every once in a while. So just do it.
- If you’re having a family dinner, toss some colored paper on the table and have everyone write one thing they love about each person at the table. GREAT conversation starter!
Recipes for Valentine’s Dinner at Home
Valentine's Dinner at Home Recipes
Bacon & Spinach Salad with Homemade Dressing Recipe
Start your dinner off right with this homemade salad!! Because...bacon!
Homemade Italian Breadsticks
Unlimited breadsticks... at home! 😉
Paleo Coconut Curried SalmonÂ
Salmon can be a little more expensive, but if you're looking to splurge a bit on your special meal - this is a must try! It’s crazy delicious and only calls for a few ingredients!
Slow Cooker Red Wine Beef Roast
Super simple, but tastes amazing and a little fancy 🙂
Scallops & Herbed Tomatoes
Again, another splurge type of meal. But so worth it!
Skillet Chicken Marsala
Easy, better-than-the-restaurant chicken marsala!
Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie
I feel like the title speaks for itself. And also, a scoop of ice cream on top is ESSENTIAL when serving!
Chocolate Hazelnut Brownies
An amazing, decadent chocolate lover's dream!
Recipes for Valentine’s Day Treats
Noah's Mommy says
Happy Valentines Day…that sounds so yummy…cheese fondue…awesome
Org Junkie says
That sounds awesome! I love fondue..cheese and bread…what more could a girl ask for 🙂
Michelle says
We’re having steaks here too! Hope it’s a nice evening 🙂
gail says
we have boycotted going out to eat for V-day since an incident a few years ago where we waited 45 minutes for a mediocre steak dinner! and you’re right it was about $50! ugh …
i’m making steak or lambsteaks, ceasar salad, baked potatoes, and something chocolate for dessert for 1/4 of the price. haven’t gone to the store yet, so i dont’ know exactly what it’ll cost but i know it’ll be under $20. gotta love it!
Susan says
Can you share your cheese fondue recipe?? That is what we are having tonight for dinner too, and we just spent over $10 at the store on cheese!
Thanks!
BumbleVee says
Happy heart day to you and your sweetie…
we gave up on restaurants years ago too. … so-so food and begrudging service just don’t cut it when you pay through the nose and then feel obliged to leave a tip… and hear your guy say something like… “I’d rather be eating at home… stuffed tenderloin or artichoke chicken….your dinners are better than this” ….
I got a lovely piece of tenderloin yesterday for $4.73. That’ll be two separate meals for the two of us,…or, tonight’s dinner and two lunches to freeze for him to take to work….add some spuds, veggies or salad… yum!
lifting my glass of wine in salute to us all… here’s to eating better and much cheaper at home!
Rona's Home Page says
My husband surprised me with dining out but didn’t make any reservations.
I did manage to get us a spot at Outback but we had to wait 30 minutes.
The dinner was delicious and the service was great. We even ended up talking with the family seated next to us.
Glad to hear that you had a terrific Valentine’s Day.
Rhianna says
Cheese fondue is very simple to make. My husband and I had it last Valentines day. The melting pot is my favorite restaurant but at $100 for two, I’d just rather make it myself. Just buy a quart of heavy whipping cream and a chunk of Swiss Gruyere cheese. The exact amount that you put in isn’t that important, just mix over med-high it until it melts and gets to the right consistency and add flour to thicken as it simmers. Then just steam some veggies, cut up and apple and some Italian bread, and you have a healthy and delicious dinner.