Easy Valentine’s Dinner Ideas from Instagram
Forget hectic reservations and overpriced menus. This Valentine’s Day, consider staying in and cooking a romantic dinner for two with your partner!
Cooking for your partner (or cooking together) is a wonderful way to add a touch of creativity, intimacy, and fun to your Valentine’s Day celebration. It allows you to connect on a deeper level, create lasting memories, and truly nourish your love for each other.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, the experience is rich with sensory delights – the aroma of spices, the sizzle of ingredients in the pan, and the taste of a dish made with care. And unlike dining out, you have control over the menu, ambiance, and pace of the meal. The relaxed environment encourages open conversation, laughter, and deeper emotional connection.
To help get your dinner menu ideas flowing, we curated a list of appetizers, salads, main courses, and desserts sure to take you through a culinary journey. Mix and match from any of our favorite Instagram recipe creators, and make this Valentine’s Day one to remember!
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Appetizer
Arancini by @vincenzosplate
Arancini are scrumptious, plump rice balls that originate from Sicily. These delightful appetizers are stuffed with a savory mixture of ragu, peas, and mozzarella, then deep-fried to achieve a crispy exterior. The recipe is straightforward and involves coating the rice balls in fresh breadcrumbs, which adds an extra layer of crispiness, making them irresistibly delicious.
These arancini are an ideal starter for a Valentine’s Day dinner because they are not only mouthwateringly tasty but also have an elegant and indulgent quality that makes them perfect for a special occasion. The combination of creamy mozzarella, rich ragu, and the crispy outer shell creates a delightful contrast of textures and flavors that are sure to impress your loved one. Additionally, their size and presentation make them easy to serve and enjoy as a romantic appetizer.
Stuffed mushrooms by @natashaskitchen
This stuffed mushroom recipe is a quick and easy appetizer, perfect for gatherings or making for your partner. The mushrooms are filled with a rich and flavorful mixture of cream cheese, parmesan, garlic, and crispy bacon bits. The recipe uses bite-sized cremini mushrooms, making them ideal for serving as a finger food. The preparation is straightforward: clean the mushrooms, remove the stems, and stuff them with the cream cheese mixture. After baking for 15 minutes at 400°F, the mushrooms are ready to be served, garnished with additional parsley.
Having these stuffed mushrooms for Valentine’s Day adds a touch of elegance and indulgence to the occasion. Their bite-sized nature makes them a perfect starter for a romantic dinner, allowing couples to enjoy a delicious, savory treat without feeling too full before the main course. The combination of creamy cheese and bacon in a tender mushroom cap is both satisfying and sophisticated, making it an ideal choice for a special evening. Additionally, the simplicity of the recipe means less time in the kitchen and more time to enjoy with your loved one.
Tomato bruschetta by @themeditteraneandish
This tomato bruschetta recipe is a quick and delightful Italian appetizer, taking just 15 minutes to prepare. It features blistered sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and a tangy balsamic glaze served over crispy grilled bread.
The recipe is simple: cook cherry tomatoes in olive oil until they blister, then add minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Grill slices of French baguette brushed with olive oil, and then top them with the tomato mixture, basil ribbons, and an optional drizzle of balsamic glaze.
This dish is an excellent starter to share with your loved one on Valentine’s Day. Its preparation and presentation are both elegant and straightforward, making it a stress-free yet impressive option. The combination of warm, juicy tomatoes and crisp bread creates a delightful contrast of textures, while the fresh basil and balsamic glaze add layers of flavor. This dish is perfect for a romantic evening as it’s light and refreshing, allowing you to enjoy the rest of your meal without feeling too full.
Salad
Burrata salad by @theanthonykitchen
This Burrata Salad is an elevated version of Caprese salad, featuring creamy burrata cheese, fresh basil, arugula, and sweet tomatoes, topped with a balsamic glaze and served with toasted baguette slices. It’s easy to make, offering a gourmet experience at home. The salad combines the mild, buttery flavor of burrata with peppery arugula, tomatoes, and basil, dressed with balsamic reduction and olive oil.
This salad is perfect for a Valentine’s Day dinner due to its elegant presentation and delightful combination of flavors and textures. It’s a light and fresh starter that sets a romantic tone for the evening without being too heavy, allowing you to enjoy the rest of your meal comfortably.
Chicken Caesar salad by @everything_delish
This homemade version of a chicken Caesar salad takes a beloved favorite to new heights with a delectable dressing you’ll want to savor and a sprinkle of crunchy, toasted breadcrumbs. For a lighter option before the main course, simply omit the chicken. Enjoy preparing this delightful salad and share the love this Valentine’s Day.
Whip up a grilled chicken Caesar salad with toasted breadcrumbs by combining optional seasoned chicken breasts, breadcrumbs made from hamburger buns or bread mixed with herbs and avocado oil, and a homemade Caesar dressing with lemon juice, garlic, anchovies, egg yolks, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Cook the chicken in an air fryer, toast the breadcrumbs in the oven, and blend the dressing ingredients. Toss chopped romaine lettuce with Parmesan, add the chicken and breadcrumbs, and drizzle with dressing for a delicious start to your Valentine’s Day dinner!
Roasted beet salad by @peelwithzeal
Enjoy a refreshing and healthy roasted beet salad with a unique twist! This salad replaces traditional lettuce with watercress, and features julienned green apple and radishes for a mix of tartness and tang. Sunflower seeds add an extra crunch, complemented by a simple mustard vinaigrette. It’s perfect for prepping the morning of your romantic Valentine’s dinner date.
You’ll start by mixing watercress, pre-roasted beets, julienned green apple, radishes, and sunflower seeds. For the dressing, whisk together minced shallot, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, champagne vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, and season with kosher salt and pepper. Combine the salad ingredients in a bowl, toss with the mustard vinaigrette, and garnish with sunflower seeds for a healthy and flavorful dish.
Main Course
Beef Wellington by @thatsavagekitchen
Impress your Valentine with a sumptuous beef Wellington, a dish renowned for its elegance and flavor. This recipe starts by sautéing shallots, mushrooms, garlic, and thyme, seasoned with a pinch of salt and black pepper, and enhanced with a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon in olive oil. The center of the dish is a 2 lb. center-cut beef tenderloin (Chateaubriand), seasoned with coarse salt, black pepper, and olive oil, then coated in Dijon mustard and wrapped in prosciutto. It's encased in puff pastry and baked at 400°F for 35-45 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 117°F.
The pastry is brushed with a mixture of egg and water, then sprinkled with flaky salt. The finishing touch is a rich red wine demi-glace made by reducing beef stock and red wine, then enriching it with butter. Serve this Beef Wellington to create an unforgettable and romantic dining experience.
Pan-seared chicken piccata by @ssam.ttaylor
For a simple yet delicious Valentine’s dinner date, try this Pan Seared Chicken Piccata recipe. Begin by thinly slicing chicken breasts, seasoning them with salt and pepper, and lightly coating them in flour. Pan sear the chicken until cooked and set aside. In the same pan, create a flavorsome sauce with butter, olive oil, capers, and white wine. Let the wine simmer, then add chicken broth, lemon juice, minced garlic cloves, and cornstarch to thicken the sauce. Once thickened, return the chicken to the pan, and finish by garnishing with parsley and parmesan cheese. This easy-to-make dish offers a delightful balance of flavors, making it an excellent choice for impressing your Valentine.
Blackened salmon with lemon butter sauce by @eatwell101
This blackened salmon with lemon butter sauce recipe is a quick and flavorful dish, ready in under 30 minutes. The salmon is seasoned with a blend of paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, basil, cayenne, salt, and pepper, then cooked in a skillet until crispy and blackened. The dish is topped with a homemade lemon butter sauce made from butter, parsley, garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, black pepper, and lemon juice. The salmon is best served with sides like mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or sautéed vegetables.
Having this blackened salmon as a light dinner option before dessert on Valentine’s Day is ideal. The dish is flavorful yet not overly heavy, ensuring you and your loved one can enjoy the dessert course without feeling too full. The combination of the spicy, crispy salmon with the tangy and rich lemon butter sauce creates a sophisticated and satisfying meal. Additionally, the quick preparation time allows for more quality time spent together, making it a perfect choice for a romantic evening.
Dessert
Hot chocolate mug cake by @identicalrecipes
Here we have a quick and easy dessert that can be made in a microwave using simple ingredients like granulated sugar, cocoa powder, hot cocoa mix, water, egg whites, vanilla extract, baking powder, and all-purpose flour. The cake is often cooked directly in a mug, making it a convenient and low-maintenance dessert option. Toppings like marshmallows and chocolate chips can be added for extra flavor and texture.
Making a hot chocolate mug cake for your loved one on Valentine’s Day is a wonderful idea because it’s a low-effort yet delicious dessert. It’s perfect for those who want to prepare something sweet and special without spending too much time in the kitchen. The individual serving size of the mug cake adds a personal touch, and the warm, chocolatey flavor is sure to be a hit. Don’t forget to serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Brookies by @harrisonwebb97
Brookies, a heavenly hybrid dessert that marries the soft chewiness of cookies with the rich fudginess of brownies. For the cookie layer, cream together 225g of unsalted butter with 310g of soft dark brown sugar and 115g of caster sugar, creating a sweet and buttery base. Add a touch of lightness with ½ tsp of bicarbonate of soda and a hint of complexity with 1 tsp of sea salt. Blend in 2 eggs and 1 tsp of vanilla extract for richness and aroma, then gently fold in 350g of all-purpose flour to form a soft dough. Stir in 180g of dark chocolate pieces for a decadent chocolatey burst.
The brownie layer offers a deep, cocoa-rich experience. Whisk 250g of caster sugar with 4 eggs until light and fluffy, then pour in 250g of melted butter for a velvety texture. Sift in 75g each of cocoa powder and self-raising flour, ensuring a perfectly risen, moist brownie. Mix in 200g of dark chocolate pieces for an extra layer of indulgence and 1 tsp of vanilla extract for a subtle hint of flavor.
Layer these two mixtures in a baking dish to create Brookies, an irresistible treat that's both a cookie and a brownie, offering the best of both worlds in every bite.
“The best” tiramisu by @bakewithzoha
This best classic Italian tiramisu recipe is a detailed guide for creating a dessert with a perfect balance of ladyfingers and mascarpone cream. It’s creamy, light, and not too sweet, with a strong coffee flavor. Key ingredients include high-quality mascarpone cheese, eggs, sugar, ladyfingers, strong black coffee, and cocoa powder, with optional additions like rum, salt, and vanilla. The recipe involves making mascarpone cream, assembling layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and cream, chilling, and dusting with cocoa powder.
Preparing this tiramisu for Valentine’s Day is ideal for those wanting to put in extra effort or show ambition. It’s a sophisticated and indulgent dessert that demonstrates care and skill, making it a memorable part of a special Valentine’s Day celebration.
Prep for your Valentine’s dinner today!
Connect Grocer’s List to your Instagram profile, for free.
Tag @grocerslist in the IG comments of a recipe you like.
We’ll email your recipe ingredients instantly.
Checkout with Instacart and start cooking the same day!
