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Valentine’s Day Menu: 40 Recipes to Give the Perfect At-Home Surprise for your Loved One!
Valentine's Day celebrates love with food playing a pivotal role, symbolizing affection and intimacy. Cooking at home offers a personal touch, transforming meal preparation into an act of love. This choice allows for creative, tailored menu options, making the celebration more intimate and meaningful than dining out. Here's 40 recipes, divided for tastes and types of dish, to give you ideas for the perfect menu for your loved ones!
By Cookist
Valentine's Day is a special occasion that highlights the central role of food in expressing love and affection within relationships. Sharing a meal is a timeless gesture of love, offering a way to connect and create lasting memories. On this day, the tradition of cooking at home for your loved one gains particular significance. It represents a thoughtful alternative to dining out, allowing for a more personalized and intimate celebration. Preparing a meal together or for your partner becomes an act of care, showcasing your dedication and understanding of their tastes.
Opting to stay in and cook on Valentine's Day opens up endless possibilities for menu ideas, from simple breakfasts in bed to elaborate dinners by candlelight. This choice not only sidesteps the crowded and impersonal nature of restaurants but also injects a unique, personal touch into the celebration. Cooking at home embodies a labor of love, making the dining experience profoundly special and tailored to the occasion.
To help you come up with menu ideas for this special day to spend with your loved one, we have gathered a number of recipes, to satisfy all tastes, to unite and create the perfect menu for you and your partner: come take a look at the 40 recipes we have chosen for you, to prepare for Valentine's Day in the best possible way!
Breakfast in Bed
1. Queen Elizabeth’s pancakes recipe: here’re to make them at home! 
How to make fluffy pancakes in minutes.
Read the recipe 2. Strawberry Chocolate Muffins: the delicious dessert recipe 
Strawberry chocolate muffins are an easy dessert recipe. Soft, moist and crumbly, they're made with fresh strawberries that add the right amount of tartness and juiciness.
Read the recipe 3. Puff pastry apple tarts: easy to make and super delicious 
This is an easy treat that everyone will love.
Read the recipe 4. Valentine’s Strawberry Heart Tart: surprise your love with this delicious dessert 
Do you want to tell in a special way that you love him or her? Surprise your great love by serving this delicious dessert after a romantic dinner. And if you still do not have a partner, it is also a nice way to show your friends how much you love them, I am sure that after giving them to try this delight, they will love you much more.
Read the recipe 5. Chocolate Shortbread Heart Cookies: the easy recipe for fancy, romantic cookies 
Chocolate shortbread heart cookies are a delicious recipe for special occasions. They're impressive, with crisp edges and a soft, melting texture on the inside.
Read the recipe Appetizers & Aperitifs
6. Heart-Shaped Pizzas: the Recipe for a Quick and Tasty Appetizer for Valentine’s Day 
Heart-shaped pizzas are mini margherita pizzas, shaped in the romantic form of a heart, perfect to put on the table the night of Valentine's Day as an appetizer, or even during happy hour.
Read the recipe 7. Fig Crostini: the recipe for an easy, delicious appetizer 
Fig crostini are a quick, easy appetizer perfect for summer season. Super tasty, the salty prosciutto pairs well with tangy cream cheese and sweet figs, and honey.
Read the recipe 8. Savory Lady’s Kisses: the recipe for a delicious and tasty appetizer 
Savory lady's kisses are an appetizing variant of the famous hazelnut biscuits typical of the Piedmontese gastronomic tradition, in particular of the city of Tortona. These are delicious shortbread biscuits flavored with parmesan cheese, filled with a delicate cheese cream and scented with chopped chives.
Read the recipe 9. Puff pastry spoons with cheese and salmon: your aperitif even more special! 
how to make fun puff pastry spoons appetizer for a party.
Read the recipe 10. Oysters Rockefeller: an effortless recipe for a popular appetizer 
For a show-stopping appetizer that will impress your guests, there's nothing like serving up oysters Rockefeller. Oysters Rockefeller was created in New Orleans in the late 19th century. The rich dish gets its name from John D. Rockefeller, who was the richest man in America at the time.
Read the recipe Pasta & Rice Main Courses
11. Shrimp Scampi: the effortless recipe for an elegant seafood pasta 
Shrimp scampi is an elegant, fast dish to serve for special occasions too. It's made of shrimp cooked with garlic, white wine, lemon, and butter served over al dente pasta.
Read the recipe 12. Mushroom Risotto: the recipe for a classic dish of Italian cuisine 
Mushroom risotto is a creamy, vegetarian Italian main dish. It's made of Arborio or Carnaroli rice, mushrooms, white wine, hot vegetable broth, butter, grated parmesan cheese.
Read the recipe 13. Speck and Cheese Risotto: the recipe for the rich and creamy main course 
Speck and taleggio cheese risotto is a tasty and energizing main course, perfect for a winter Sunday. The pleasantly bitter taste of red radicchio, a typical vegetable of this season, perfectly matches the sweetness of taleggio cheese and the sapidity of speck strips, for a creamy and refined dish.
Read the recipe 14. Baked Lasagna Bolognese: the Original Italian Recipe 
Baked lasagna, also known as lasagna bolognese, is a traditional first course of Emilian cuisine based on ragu meat sauce, egg pasta, béchamel and parmesan.
Read the recipe Meat Courses
15. Braised Short Ribs: a hearty, cozy, family favorite to make when it’s cold outside 
Braised short ribs is the perfect main dish to enjoy during a chill day. Tender rib meat that falls off the bone is braised in red wine and broth with herbs and aromatic veggies.
Read the recipe 16. Chicken Parmesan: the best-ever recipe for the beloved Italian-American dish 
Chicken parmesan is a tasty Italian-American recipe everyone loves. Tender, moist chicken breasts is coated in crispy breadcrumbs, topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella and baked until golden brown.
Read the recipe 17. Roast Duck: the delicious recipe for a phenomenal holiday dinner 
Roast duck is a perfect holiday main dish. With a sweet-savory balsamic, lemon and honey glaze, crispy skin, and tender, juicy meat, this simple roast duck is delicious.
Read the recipe 18. Lamb Korma: an easy recipe for an incredibly flavorful Indian dish 
Full of wonderful spices and succulent lamb in a rich, creamy sauce, lamb korma is a phenomenal tasting Indian dish that is loved by people all over the world. Kormas are a classic Mughlai dish made from meat, vegetables, or a combination of the two. This tasty lamb curry is a meaty version of vegetarian korma.
Read the recipe 19. Beef Wellington: the traditional English recipe to make a perfect beef Wellington 
Beef Wellington is a rich, impressive main course, perfect for holidays or special occasion. Beef tenderloin fillet is coated with mushroom paté and ham, wrapped in buttery puff pastry and finally baked.
Read the recipe Fish & Seafood Courses
20. Lobster Tail: the best recipe for a popular mouthwatering seafood dish 
Lobster tail is a perfect recipe to serve during special occasions. With its rich, buttery flavor these tender, juicy lobster tails are sure to be a hit.
Read the recipe 21. Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon: Sweet, Savory and Always Delicious 
Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon is a little sweet, a little savory and always satisfying for an easy weeknight dinner. To make this fish dinner recipe, you’ll whip up a quick and easy honey and soy sauce-based sauce.
Read the recipe 22. Mussels Marinara: The Traditional Recipe of Mussels Marinara 
The mussels marinara are a tasty fish appetizer simple and fast to prepare, you just must clean the mussels and make them open in a frying pan. Despite its simplicity, this basic recipe always manages to surprise the palate.
Read the recipe 23. Broiled tilapia Parmesan: a delicious and flavorful fish recipe 
Broiled tilapia parmesan is a delicious fish preparation that has amazing flavors, is rich and an extremely filling preparation. It takes not even half an hour to prepare this yummy preparation requiring absolutely no cooking skills and creamy yet crisp crust coating the fish fillet.
Read the recipe 24. Garlic Lemon Scallops: the flavorful seafood recipe everyone will love 
Garlicky, lemony, and rich. These Pan Seared Garlic Lemon Scallops are everything you want in a seafood recipe. Depending on where you live, scallops might be more expensive, but they’re worth the cost. It’s the perfect ingredient for a fancy seafood dish.
Read the recipe Vegetarian & Vegan Alternatives
25. Cauliflower Buffalo Wings: a tasty, healthy vegan recipe to serve at your next party 
Cauliflower buffalo wings are an easy appetizer recipe. Tangy, savory, spicy, they're fast, vegan, oil, and gluten-free. Crispy yet tender, serve them with your favorite dipping sauces.
Read the recipe 26. Vegan Mac and Cheese: the best-ever comfort dish recipe for a vegan macaroni and cheese 
Vegan mac and cheese is a quick, easy main dish recipe. It's made of a savory, cheesy flavor thanks to nutritional yeast, while cashews add a creamy texture.
Read the recipe 27. Vegan Shepherd’s Pie: a meat-free version of the classic comfort food dish 
This easy-to-make vegan shepherd's pie is the meat-free version of the much-loved Irish comfort food dish. It's made of lentils and mixed veggies, and topped with creamy mashed potatoes.
Read the recipe 28. Moroccan stew: the nutritious vegetarian dish packed with a rich flavor 
Moroccan stew is a fantastic vegetarian-friendly dish that even meat-eaters will love. Loaded with vegetables and nutrient-rich chickpeas, this North African dish is both protein-packed and full of incredible flavors. It gets its unique taste thanks to spices like cumin, cinnamon, ginger, and paprika – all common ingredients in Moroccan cuisine.
Read the recipe 29. Vegetarian Meatloaf: the easy main dish recipe for a vegetarian-friendly meatloaf 
Vegetarian meatloaf is an easy, healthy main dish recipe. Cook the sliced veggies, blend them in a food processor, combine them with the remaining ingredients, and bake.
Read the recipe Side Dishes
30. Paprika potatoes: the recipe for a tasty spicy side dish 
Paprika potatoes are a tasty and spicy side dish, ideal to serve as an alternative to classic baked potatoes for Sunday lunch with the family or a dinner with guests.
Read the recipe 31. Roasted Carrots: an easy, mouthwatering side dish 
Roasted carrots are a versatile side dish perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. Quick and easy, naturally sweet carrots are roasted with garlic, salt and pepper until tender and golden brown.
Read the recipe 32. Oven-Roasted Asparagus: the recipe for a quick healthy side dish 
Oven roasted asparagus is an amazing spring side dish. It's a super simple way to prepare asparagus and it's endlessly versatile to boot. Roast asparagus is healthy, flavorful, and goes well with meat, chicken, fish, grains – you name it! And if you love that vibrant fresh flavor, roasting is the best way to preserve that delicious asparagus taste.
Read the recipe 33. Roasted Flower Onions: the delicious, impressive recipe for lotus flower onions 
Roasted flower onions are an easy, impressive side dish or appetizer recipe. Made with onions, oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, they're tender and shaped like a lotus flower.
Read the recipe 34. Roasted Butternut Squash: simple and delicious side dish 
The most important thing about cutting butternut squash before roasting it is to use a sharp, heavy knife. Dull knives are more likey to slip and hurt you. Start by slicing the top (stem end) and bottom off of the squash. This gives you two flat surfaces to steady your squash on. Next, cut the squash in half widthwise, right where the neck starts to bulge out.
Read the recipe Desserts
35. Heart-Shaped Cake: the perfect dessert to make this Valentine’s Day 
Heart-shaped cake is an easy dessert for Valentine's Day. Lighter-than-air, moist and soft, you don't need a heart-shaped pan to make this vanilla-chocolate cake.
Read the recipe 36. Heart-shaped Cheesecake: an impressive, delicious Valentine’s Day dessert 
This Valentine's Day impress your date with this no-bake heart-shaped cheesecake. It's made of a crunch crust, raspberries, cream cheese, Greek yogurt and topped with raspberry sauce.
Read the recipe 37. Mixed Berry Cheesecake: the recipe for a delicious, no-bake dessert 
The mixed berry cheesecake is a fresh, impressive, no-bake dessert with a crumb base, a creamy filling and a delicate mixed berry topping.
Read the recipe 38. Chocolate Lava Cake: the easy recipe for the yummiest dessert 
Chocolate lava cake is a single portion, impressive dessert perfect for special occasions. It's made of a soft, spongy cake with a melting, creamy, piping hot dark chocolate filling.
Read the recipe 39. Heart Shaped Raspberry Rolls: a recipe super romantic 
Oh, with the change of the weather and the month of love just around the corner… I am already delving in to some romantic thought, which I am otherwise too occupied to ponder over! And, I guess that must be the sad reality for many of us….
Read the recipe 
Every dish has a story
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