These Simple Dinner Ideas Will Make Your Valentine's Day So Romantic
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These Simple Dinner Ideas Will Make Your Valentine's Day So Romantic
If there's one knockout way to show someone you love them, it's by cooking them up a smashing dinner. You know, the type that requires a little time, and a sprinkle of love.
You could take inspiration from one of the most romantic nations on earth (yes, it's Italy) and make a sumptuous Caprese Steak, Creamy Tuscan Chicken or Nduja Pasta for the one you love. For a more Galentine's Italian vibe, perhaps a big bowl of Penna Alla Vodka with accompanying vod shots would do the trick.
Big fan of chilli heat? Spice it up with a super fragrant Coconut Fish Curry or Moroccan Lamb Tagine with all the tasty dips and sides and plenty of flatbreads or naan to mop up that lovely sauce.
Romantic meal classicists will absolutely love a Filet Mignon or French Onion Chicken, but if you're cooking for someone with a little sense of adventure, they'll dive straight into Baked Swordfish Steak, Cajun Jambalaya or Pineapple Salmon Skewers.
If you're looking for a healthier take on Valentine's Day dinner recipes, we've got you covered too. Give this super fresh Greek Salmon a go, or some super flavourful Lemon Garlic Prawns as part of a tapas spread.
Whether it's a Butternut Squash Risotto, Chicken Carbonara or Teriyaki Salmon Traybake , we've got 34 insanely-tasty Valentine's Day dinner ideas for you to work your way through. Just make sure you get every ingredient, yeah? No one wants a steakless steak fettuccine...
Delish - 2/35
Caprese Steak
It's making us totally capr-azy!
Get the Caprese Steak recipe.
- 3/35
Braised Chicken Thighs
These braised chicken thighs are no joke. They’re super flavourful, fall-off-the-bone tender, and thankfully you only need ONE pan to make them!
Get the Braised Chicken Thighs recipe.
EMILY HLAVAC GREEN - 4/35
Butternut Squash Risotto
A lot of butternut squash risotto recipes call for roasting the squash first. Not this one. Here, EVERYTHING cooks in the same pot, which means the butternut squash kind of becomes the sauce too. The results are insane.
Get the Butternut Squash Risotto recipe.
KATHRYN WIRSING - 5/35
Baked Swordfish Steak
Swordfish makes even the most mundane weeknight special.
Get the Baked Swordfish Steak recipe.
Ethan Calabrese - 6/35
Chicken Cacciatore
This easy chicken dinner will become your weeknight go-to.
Get the Chicken Cacciatore recipe.
Judy Kim - 7/35
Steak Fettuccine
Whenever we crave steak this dish is always what we want to make. It comes together quickly and is so full of flavour. It makes us forget chicken ever existed.
Get the Steak Fettuccine recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH - 8/35
Chicken And Sweet Potato Curry
This chicken and sweet potato curry is absolute comfort food goals. Thanks to the spices, it's gorgeously fragrant, and the addition of coconut milk makes it creamy.
Get the Chicken And Sweet Potato Curry recipe.
EMILY HLAVAC GREEN - 9/35
Chicken Carbonara
When you're looking for something comforting and carb-y, nothing fits the bill like a good carbonara. This version adds a bit of protein by way of sautéed chicken breasts, making it the perfect quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Get the Chicken Carbonara recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH - 10/35
Coconut Fish Curry
This indulgent fish curry is full of gorgeous spices like fenugreek powder, cumin and red chillies. Use whatever white fish you want, but we opted for cod. We all use whole coconut milk as we love the flavour, but swap for reduced-fat if you prefer.
Get the Coconut Fish Curry recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH - 11/35
Chicken Teriyaki
A little salty, a little sweet, a little sour, and just the tiniest hint of spice from crushed ginger: This chicken teriyaki is exactly what you'd want for dinner after a long day at work. Serve it up with a side of steamed rice and broccoli and make your mum proud that you're finally eating balanced, proper meals.
Get the Chicken Teriyaki recipe.
Ethan Calabrese - 12/35
Coriander Lime Chicken
Coriander and lime is a classic duo that we can't get enough of.
Get the Coriander Lime Chicken recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH - 13/35
Cajun Butter Steak
The cajun butter in this recipe is insanely delicious, you'll want to smother it over everything.
Get the Cajun Butter Steak recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH - 14/35
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
When dinner is this good you'll actually want to cook for yourself. This skillet chicken is easy to make and comes together quickly. You'll have a sauce so delicious you'll want to drink it straight from the pan.
Get the Creamy Tuscan Chicken recipe.
EMILY HLAVAC GREEN - 15/35
Baked Feta Pasta
Obviously roasting a block of feta with bursting tomatoes is going to be amazing. But is it good enough to break the internet? Our answer, begrudgingly, is yes. It's genius!
Get the Baked Feta Pasta recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH - 16/35
Marry Me Chicken
If you’re a sun-dried-tomato hater (we feel you), use FRESH ONES instead. It won’t have as much of a tangy kick, but it’ll still make folks fall at your feet. Oh and ironic name, right? 😏
Get the Marry Me Chicken recipe.
Ethan Calabrese - 17/35
Filet Mignon
Avoid the overpriced, stuffy steakhouse and cook it at home instead. It's really easy, but considering the steep price tag, you want to do it right.
Get the Filet Mignon recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH - 18/35
Teriyaki Salmon Traybake
This teriyaki salmon traybake is a great one-pot dish packed with colourful veggies including sweet potato, aubergine, broccoli, shiitake mushrooms and pak choi.
Get the Teriyaki Salmon Traybake recipe.
Hannah Hall - 19/35
Penna Alla Vodka
True story: this is the best vodka sauce any of us in the test kitchen have ever had. It's creamy but bright. The secret: tomato paste.
Get the Penna Alla Vodka recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH - 20/35
Cajun Jambalaya
Jambalaya is one of Creole cuisine's greatest creations. It's spicy, hearty, and incredibly flavourful. As with most things, the better ingredients, the better the end result will taste. Certain ingredients are very important to making this an authentic Creole dish.
Get the Cajun Jambalaya recipe.
Ethan Calabrese - 21/35
Crispy Pork Dumplings
These dumplings have a great bite from the cabbage and potato and a delightful crispy bottom!
Get the Crispy Pork Dumplings recipe.
Hannah Hall - 22/35
French Onion Chicken
We love that this recipe comes together in one pan and in less than an hour. Dunking good bread into the extra pan sauce is highly encouraged.
Get the French Onion Chicken recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH - 23/35
Nduja Pasta
Nduja pasta is one of our go-to meals. The soft, spicy salami is from the Calabrian region of Italy and is absolutely delicious with pasta.
Get the Nduja Pasta recipe.
Hannah Hall - 24/35
Greek Salmon
We love this meal because it comes with lots of veggies! If you want to be extra-healthy, serve the salmon over a bed of rocket or spinach.
Get the Greek Salmon recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH - 25/35
Honey Garlic Chicken
This easy weeknight dinner takes practically zero effort.
Get the Honey Garlic Chicken recipe.
Ethan Calabrese - 26/35
Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon
Searing fish might seem intimidating, but once you get the hang of it, it'll be second nature!
Get the Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH - 27/35
Lamb Koftas
Koftas are SUCH a great dinner choice, easy to make, but look seriously fancy. We love using a mixture of minced lamb and beef and serving with a tahini dressing, flatbreads and pomegranate.
Get the Lamb Koftas recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH - 28/35
Moroccan Lamb Tagine
Don't write off making a tagine if you don't own a tagine pot. We made ours in a Dutch oven and it comes out perfectly! The lamb simmers until it is completely tender, while making your kitchen smell like a fancy Moroccan restaurant.
Get the Moroccan Lamb Tagine recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH - 29/35
Lemony Asparagus Pasta
The key to acing this dish is to cook the asparagus until its tips are crispy and stalks slightly blistered. The slight char will add a whole other dimension to the enticing flavour of this vegetable.
Get the Lemony Asparagus Pasta recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH - 30/35
Lemon Garlic Prawns
Weeknight cooking can be exhausting. There's so much thinking that needs to happen. Mainly, is there enough time to make this? 🤔But this garlic butter prawns recipe requires almost no planning—all you need to do is pick up prawns!
Get the Lemon Garlic Prawns recipe.
Ethan Calabrese - 31/35
Lemon Pepper Chicken
This recipe starts on the stove top for a perfect golden sear then finishes in the oven for the juiciest, most flavourful results.
Get the Lemon Pepper Chicken recipe.
Ethan Calabrese - 32/35
Pasta Pomodoro
When it comes to pasta we want something simple and fast. Pasta Pomodoro is a step above from Spaghetti and Meatballs and highlights the freshness of tomatoes — pomodoro means 'tomato' in Italian. You're cooking down the tomatoes just enough to form a light sauce but keeping most of them intact. It's the freshest pasta and is best enjoyed outside with a mound of grated Parmesan.
Get the Pasta Pomodoro recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH - 33/35
Pineapple Salmon Skewers
Pineapple and salmon are a match made in heaven. Smoky, sweet, and just a little spicy, these skewers are a major crowd-pleaser. Make them for your next barbecue, and watch them disappear.
Get the Pineapple Salmon Skewers recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH - 34/35
Pork Stroganoff
Pork stroganoff is such an easy, flavourful dinner to make. Using pork fillet is perfect because it's such a tender cut, and really easy to cook with. Load your stroganoff up with mushrooms, mustard and sherry for the most delicious meal.
Get the Pork Stroganoff recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH - 35/35
Creamy Prawn Linguine
Linguine with tomatoes, greens, and prawns in a buttery sauce = bomb.
Get the Creamy Prawn Linguine recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH