The best main courses for Valentine's day

The Good Housekeeping Cookery Team

21 January 2025 at 9:27 am·8-min read

valentines mains — Valentine's Main Courses Hearst Owned

While many mark Valentine's Day with a bouquet of flowers and a reservation at their favourite restaurants, preparing a romantic meal at home together is just as special. But before you light the candles and pour the wine, you first need to decide what to cook come the 14 February, which is why we have collated our favourite main dish recipes for the occasion, including seafood, steak and vegetarian show-stoppers. They're so good that even Cupid would approve!

Gnocchi Cacio e Pepe

Traditionally made with spaghetti, this dish is so quick and easy to make it’ll become a weekly staple.

Recipe: Gnocchi Cacio e Pepe

Singapore Chilli Crab and Prawns

This crab and prawn dish is easy to make and perfect for a mid week meal.

Recipe: Singapore Chilli Crab and Prawns

Lamb with Creamy Spinach Polenta

This gorgeous dinner option is so speedy to make, needing only 15mins of cook time, and is perfect with a glass of red wine.

Recipe: Lamb with Creamy Spinach Polenta

best valentines main recipes — Mike English

Côte de Boeuf with Rosemary Salt Fries and Truffle Mayo

A côte de boeuf is the French name for a single bone-in ribeye steak, which makes a superb special occasion meal for two, especially when paired with crispy chips and a rich dip.

Recipe: Côte de Boeuf with Rosemary Salt Fries and Truffle Mayo

Crab and Asparagus Clafoutis

We’ve used a mix of white and brown meat to maximise the flavour of this savoury dish.

Recipe: Crab and Asparagus Clafoutis

best crab recipes crab and asparagus clafoutis — Good Housekeeping - Hearst Owned

Roast Rack of Venison with Port and Blueberry Sauce

A Hogmanay inspired, impressive dinner party recipe.

Recipe: Roast Rack of Venison with Port and Blueberry Sauce

Chorizo and Kale Risotto

Just a few ingredients make this flavourful risotto.

Recipe: Chorizo and Kale Risotto

Spaghetti Vongole

You can use any shellfish you like here; cockles are a cheaper alternative to clams and mussels would also work well. If you don’t like tomatoes, you can leave them out and the recipe will be just as delicious. This venetian dish is also the perfect romantic dinner to impress, half the recipe if making for a special someone.

Recipe: Spaghetti Vongole

Polenta with Garlicky Wild Mushrooms

The butternut squash adds sweetness to the polenta and helps to keep it softer and smoother.

Recipe: Polenta with Garlicky Wild Mushrooms

Chicken Borscht with Rye Dumplings

This vibrant soup is sure to warm up a chilly day and can be easily adapted to become vegetarian. The rye bread flavour is authentic, but you can use fresh brown breadcrumbs too if you like.

Recipe: Chicken Borscht with Rye Dumplings

Rolled Crackling Pork Belly with Peach Stuffing

Pull out all the stops with this rolled crackling pork belly, packed with peach stuffing.

Recipe: Rolled Crackling Pork Belly with Peach Stuffing

Lentil and Sage Stuffed Aubergine

Tinned lentils and fresh veggies make for a thrifty yet delicious meat free main.

Recipe: Lentil and Sage Stuffed Aubergine

veggie main lentil and sage stuffed aubergine — Myles New - Hearst Owned

Mackerel and Kale Salad

This winter salad is full of flavour and texture.

Recipe: Mackerel and Kale Salad

mackerel and kale salad best kale recipes — Hearst Owned

Egg Yolk Ravioli with Beurre Noisette

Nothing says ‘special occasion’ quite like making your own pasta. And the best part is the egg yolk remains runny, the perfect dramatic way to kick off a meal.

Recipe: Egg Yolk Ravioli with Beurre Noisette

Lamb with Red Wine and Lentils

This hearty lamb and lentil dish will warm you up on cold winter nights

Recipe: Lamb with Red Wine and Lentils

best lamb recipes lamb with red wine and lentils — Kate Whitaker - Hearst Owned

Earl Grey Tea-Smoked Salmon

If you love salmon, try our recipe for smoking it at home. Make sure your kitchen is well ventilated!

Recipe: Earl Grey Tea-Smoked Salmon

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Beef Wellingtons with Garlic Mash

A super easy beef Wellington, perfect for a Sunday lunch. A piece of beef fillet can be cut into evenly sized steaks for precise cooking.

Recipe: Beef Wellingtons with Garlic Mash

Luxury Bisque Fish Pie

A family favourite made extra luxurious for special occasions, this fish pie is particularly good for Christmas

Recipe: Luxury Bisque Fish Pie

Chestnut-Stuffed Chicken

Try using this stuffing inside a Portobello mushroom for a veggie alternative.

Recipe: Chestnut-Stuffed Chicken

Italian Pork Chops

If possible, buy free range or organic pork – you'll be rewarded with better taste as well as texture.

Recipe: Italian Pork Chops

pork chop recipes — Good Housekeeping - Hearst Owned

Herby Fennel and Lamb Traybake

The mixture of fresh herbs adds brightness to this lamb traybake recipe, but you can replace the thyme and rosemary with their dried versions (using about 1/2tsp and 1tsp respectively).

Recipe: Herby Fennel and Lamb Traybake

Twice Baked Goat's Cheese Souffles

An indulgent classic, soufflés make a fantastic addition to any table. These soufflés pair especially well with spiced red cabbage and cranberry sauce.

Recipe: Twice Baked Goat's Cheese Souffles

vegetarian christmas recipe twiced baked goat's cheese souffles — Good Housekeeping UK - Hearst Owned

Crab and Tomato Open Lasagne

A delicious and speedy twist on classic lasagne.

Recipe: Crab and Tomato Open Lasagne

Sweet Potato, Spinach and Goat's Cheese Rotolo

This centrepiece pasta supper looks as good as it tastes.

Recipe: Sweet Potato, Spinach and Goat's Cheese Rotolo

easy pasta recipes sweet potato, spinach and goat's cheese pasta — Good Housekeeping UK - Hearst Owned

Artichoke Pesto Ravioli

A super-speedy veggie supper

Recipe: Artichoke Pesto Ravioli

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Individual Beetroot Wellington

Beetroot and goat’s cheese are a match made in heaven, and even more delicious when enveloped in pastry.

Recipe: Individual Beetroot Wellington

Steak with Blue Cheese and Mushroom Pappardelle

This luxurious steak, blue cheese and mushroom pasta dish is quick to prepare and sure to satisfy.

Recipe: Steak with Blue Cheese and Mushroom Pappardelle

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Luxury Truffle Mac and Cheese

This American classic includes 3 types of cheeses, and is transformed by a drizzle of luxurious truffle oil

Recipe: Luxury Truffle Mac and Cheese

Steak Your Claim with Crush On You Tomatoes

Steak comes alive with a flavourful butter – and this one’s ready in minutes.

Recipe: Steak Your Claim with Crush On You Tomatoes

Turn Up The Heat Lobster Thermidor

An expensive treat, but well worth the cost. If you don’t fancy halving the lobster then ask your fishmonger to do the hard work for you

Recipe: Turn Up The Heat Lobster Thermidor

Queen of Hearts Tart

These elegant tarts are served at room temperature so there’s no rush to get them to the table hot.

Recipe: Queen of Hearts Tart

Heartbeet Soup

This simple, satisfying soup is an earthy yet elegant main for non-meat eaters. If you like, crumble over some goat’s cheese for a protein boost.

Recipe: Heartbeet Soup

Duck with Rhubarb and Sloe Gin

Rhubarb cuts through the richness of duck wonderfully.

Recipe: Duck with Rhubarb and Sloe Gin

Steak with the Best Pan Sauce

The creamy, punchy sauce is made while the steak rests – so tasty, so easy!

Recipe: Steak with the Best Pan Sauce

Crab Pasta Shells

We've used a mixture of brown and white crabmeat for flavour, but use all white meat, if you prefer. To make a vegetarian version, replace crabmeat with 150g crumbled goat's cheese, and the fish stock with vegetable stock.

Recipe: Crab Pasta Shells