23 Valentine’s Day Food Ideas to Wow Your Partner

This Valentine’s Day, what better way to win the heart of your lover than with a delicious meal?

Enjoying a romantic meal together is a great way to spend Valentine’s Day. If you want to really impress, you’ll want to start planning and preparing early on. Get a head start using some of the Valentine’s Day food ideas below and avoid any last-minute kitchen disasters from burning up your love life. 

Valentine’s dinner at home

A candlelit table with flowers is a great way to set the mood for the night, but what you set on the plate is even more important. Check out these Valentine’s Day dinner ideas for some inspiration.

1. Chicken parmigiana

A Valentine’s Day dish should be succulent and indulgent. Breaded chicken smothered in parmesan cheese, fresh mozzarella, and tomato sauce definitely check those boxes, plus it is fairly easy to make in just over an hour.

2. Sous-vide steak

Sous vide is a method of cooking in which the meat is placed in a sealed plastic bag and placed in a hot water bath. After cooking to temp, the meat is removed and browned in a skillet or on a grill before serving. Steak prepared this way yields a tender cut of beef cooked to perfection. You can cook sous vide style at home with common kitchen tools, but it is easier with a specialized sous vide machine.

3. Pasta puttanesca

Fragrant and flavorful, pasta puttanesca combines olives, capers, anchovies, garlic, and tomato sauce together into an Italian classic fit for sharing.

4. Shrimp scampi

Cooked in a broth of lemon, white wine, and butter, shrimp scampi is a delicacy that is sure to satisfy any seafood-loving romantic interest on Valentine’s Day. Pair with linguini noodles and a salad for a complete meal.

5. Tuscan chicken

Take your significant other on a culinary journey to Italy with this delicious recipe idea. With low heat and rich flavor, this is a perfect themed dish for Valentine’s Day.

6. Garlic-roasted salmon

Salmon is always a fan favorite for romantic dinners, and this particular recipe is no exception. As simple as it is tasty, if your loved one also loves fish, give this recipe a try.

7. Heart-shaped homemade pizza

This dish idea just screams “Valentine,” and it’s ideal for pizza-loving couples. Make this recipe your own by switching up the toppings for a truly special dinner.

Valentine’s Day picnic ideas

If you want to try something different, consider taking your sweetheart for a romantic picnic. If it is too cold where you live to eat outside, you can always bring the basket and checkered blanket inside. Here are some Valentine’s day menu ideas for a romantic picnic:

8. Cheese board

A cheese board for two is easy to make and fun to share together. Combine a mix of hard a soft cheeses like fontina, brie, smoked gouda, and stilton with an assortment of crackers or bread. Add additional accouterments like olive tapenade, flavored almonds, and fig preserves. 

9. Fresh raw oysters on the half shell

When it comes to sensual foods, nothing beats fresh raw oysters. Serve over ice with lemon wedges and indulge in your fresh oysters.

10. French dip sandwiches

French dip sandwiches are indulgent roast beef and Swiss sandwiches served on a soft baguette. Be sure to bring an insulated container full of hot beef broth for dipping so that you and your partner can share the experience together.

11. Lobster mac and cheese

Rich and velvety mac and cheese combined with tender pieces of lobster meat makes for one out-of-this-world combination that is sure to delight your paramour. 

12. Four-cheese ravioli

Cream cheese, ricotta, mozzarella, and provolone create a winning flavor combination perfect for stuffing handmade ravioli pillows. This is a chance to show off your budding culinary skills, as ravioli is a basic pasta you can make at home without any special kitchen gadgets. 

Valentine’s Day brunch ideas

Surprise them with breakfast in bed for a full day of spoiling and pampering. What better way to start the day than with one of these Valentine’s Day breakfast ideas.

13. Eggs Benedict

Practice makes perfect when it comes to mastering the poached eggs used to make a classic eggs Benedict. Complete with Canadian ham, English muffin, and an ample drizzle of silky hollandaise sauce.

14. Croque madame sandwich

Kick up your normal breakfast sandwich with the French classic Croque madame. The hot sandwich consists of ham and melted Gruyere cheese on rye, with a poached or fried egg on top.

15. Waffles with fresh berries

Hot waffles in bed with berries, maple syrup, and hand-whipped cream will sweep just about anybody off their feet. Just don’t forget the waffle iron.

16. Creme brûlée French toast

Try this trendy take on French toast to excite the taste buds of your beloved. Featuring a crackly brown sugar, these custard-like slices will become their new favorite.

17. Huevos rancheros

If this South of the Border classic isn’t a staple in your breakfast nook, making it for Valentine’s will be quite the special treat. Serve a fried egg with refried beans on a tortilla and top with fiery ranchero sauce that is as hot as your desire. 

Valentine’s Day desserts ideas

Skip the box of chocolates and show your true love how much you care when you cook up some sweet desserts of your own. No Valentine’s Day is complete without delectable and sensual treats such as these.

18. Chocolate lava cake

The ultimate Valentine’s day dessert, chocolate lava cake is actually easier to make than you might think. But you still should practice first, just in case!

19. Tiramisu

Ladyfingers soaked in espresso, layered with mascarpone cream, and other indulgent elements make this Italian dessert a winner for Valentine’s Day.

20. Strawberry trifle

This layered cake combines angel food cake, strawberries, and sweet cream and chills them in a deep dish overnight. Though it’s served cold, this trifle will melt your partner’s heart.

21. Cheesecake

Take a basic cheesecake recipe and dress it up with chocolate chips, raspberry compote, or anything else your companion’s heart desires.

22. Chocolate-covered strawberries

The good news is if you waited until the last minute to pick up Valentine’s day dessert, many grocery stores carry chocolate-covered strawberries. 

23. French macarons

Prove your devotion when you master making these delicate almond cookies. These require expert timing and kitchen skills to make correctly, so you better start practicing.  

Additional Resources Related to Valentine’s Day Food

If you found this guide helpful and you’re looking for more related Valentine’s Day content, check out our other posts:

• Adorable Valentine Cookie Ideas + Recipes
• Dinner Ideas for Two
• Sweet Valentine’s Day Gift Basket Ideas

A Valentine’s Day to remember

Express your love with food this Valentine’s Day. Nothing shows you care more than a delicious home-cooked meal. Set the right mood and dig in!

Grab it now on Instacart:

Anova Sous Vide Precision Cooker Kit (each)

Bonne Maman Preserves, Fig (13 oz)

USA Fresh Oysters ()

USA Fresh Oysters ()

Euro Classic Imports Wheat French Soft Baguette (11.99 oz)

McCormick® Hollandaise Sauce Mix (1.25 oz)

Vermont Creamery Italian Style Cream Cheese Mascarpone (8 oz)

Angel Food Cake (each)

Chocolate Covered Strawberries (8 oz)

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