Finding the perfect place for Valentine’s Day and making a dinner reservation can be stressful. Especially if you live in a city with too many options or an area with little to no options. Going out to eat for Valentine’s Day can also be expensive depending on where you decide to go. An at-home dinner is a great option for those who prefer the intimacy between just you two, or if you or your partner have any anxiety about going out, so why not plan a fine dining meal at home that’s less expensive, more intimate and tastes even better?

Food is the best way to a person’s heart and you can go all out in impressing your date with a nice appetizer, full-course meal and dessert. Nothing says “I Love You” like a delicious and moist chocolate cake, creamy pasta or a juicy steak. Not only do you both get to eat something cooked fresh and delicious, but a home-cooked meal is one of the best Valentine’s Day gifts you can give someone.

We all probably have those folders on Instagram and TikTok filled with recipes we have yet to make. Dig into the archive to create something special, pull out a cookbook, or check out these Valentine’s Day dinner ideas below. Starter, entree and dessert: they’ll be tortellini in love with you.

Vodka Pasta

For a while, vodka pasta was the trending pasta on TikTok, especially after Gigi Hadid’s viral vodka pasta recipe. Here’s what you’ll need to create this pinkish creamy tomato-based pasta.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Vodka
• Pasta Noodles (Rigatoni works best, but use what you prefer)
• Heavy Cream
• Diced Onions
• Minced garlic
• Seasonings: Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Red Pepper Flakes and Parsley
• Freshly Grated Parmesan
• Tomato Paste
• Butter
• Olive Oil

For this quick and easy pasta recipe, start by boiling your pasta in some water with salt. Rigatoni is the most used pasta for this recipe, but you can also use ziti, tortellini, penne, fettuccini, or whichever you prefer. Cook the pasta until al dente on the package instructions. In a pan, sauté your onions and garlic in olive oil. Add a few of your seasonings to the pan, then add your tomato paste and cook for about 30 seconds. Deglaze the pan with a shot of vodka. If you prefer not to use alcohol, deglaze with water or chicken broth instead. After letting that simmer for about a minute or so, add in your heavy cream and stir to combine. Let this simmer for about 2-3 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

Next, season the sauce to your liking and add your freshly grated parmesan cheese. Take a little bit of your pasta water and put it in the sauce, then add your pasta to it. Stir until the pasta noodles are evenly coated, then add a few cubes of cold butter to make the pasta creamy and glossy. Serve on a nice plate and top the pasta with parsley and more grated parmesan. If you want to take this recipe to the next step, you can add some meat to it. Pancetta or crispy chicken pair well with this pasta. Enjoy!

Ribeye Steak with Sides

A classic Valentine’s Day and the perfect dish for a romantic dinner, make a ribeye steak with sides as your Valentine’s Day Dinner Idea. Pair your steak with classic sides like asparagus and rice or make some roasted potatoes with broccolini. If you’re feeling adventurous, a little surf and turf with some shrimp never hurt anybody. Some mac and cheese served in a mini cast iron pan will also show you’re food is restaurant quality. Here’s what you’ll need.

Ingredients:

• Steak
• Butter
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Steak Seasonings (salt, pepper, and whatever else you prefer)
• Olive Oil
• Garlic Cloves
• Butter

Ideas for sides:

• Mashed Potatoes (garlic or regular)
• Mac and cheese
• Roasted Potatoes
• Fries (garlic parmesan or regular)
• Shrimp
• Lobster
• Broccolini
• Asparagus
• Mixed Vegetables
• Loaded Baked Potato
• Brussel Sprouts
• Garlic Butter Mushrooms
• Lobster Mac and Cheese
• Eggs (Steak and Eggs Breakfast for Dinner Meal)

This recipe is pretty self-explanatory and easy to make. Start by seasoning your steak and letting it sit at room temperature for up to 30 minutes. Heat your cast iron skillet on medium heat and add in your olive oil. Cook the steak for about six to seven minutes on each side, or to your liking. Some will prefer a medium-well while others prefer a well-done steak. It’s important to ask your partner how they like their steak cooked. Reduce your heat to medium-low, then add your butter, garlic, rosemary and thyme to baste the steak. Continue cooking until your steak is to your liking. Serve with any of the sides listed above, a starch and a vegetable pair well with this meat.

Caesar Salad and Soup For Your Starter

Get creative and make an entire menu for this Valentine’s Day dinner idea. Print out a menu with the starter items, course and dessert for an extra and thoughtful touch. For a starter item, make a salad or soup for you and your date to enjoy. A Caesar salad is a basic salad that you’ll find on just about any restaurant menu and it’s also easy to make. For soup, choose from a variety of different ones listed and serve whichever one you and your partner would prefer.

Caesar Salad Ingredients:

• Lettuce
• Olive Oil
• Freshly Grated Parmesan
• Mayo
• Anchovy Paste
• Dijon Mustard
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Garlic
• Mayo
• Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
• Salt and Pepper

In a large bowl, combine your olive oil, mayo, anchovy paste, dijon mustard, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Add in your garlic and parmesan, then your salt and pepper. Taste the dressing to see if anything needs to be added. Toss your salad in the dressing then plate it. Add some croutons and shaved parmesan on top for presentation. Spice things up a bit by adding your favorite meat to the salad. Grilled chicken, sliced ribeye, salmon or shrimp all pair perfectly with this delicious and filling salad.

Soup Ideas:

• Lobster Bisque
• Tomato Bisque
• Baked Potato Soup
• Broccoli Cheddar Soup (TikTok Viral)
• Chicken Tortilla
• Lasagna Soup (TikTok Viral)
• Marry Me Chicken Soup (TikTok Viral)

Any of these soups would be the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner starter. While some of these are TikTok viral soups that many chefs and food influencers are creating, some of these options can also be found on the menu of fine dining restaurants. If you’re in a time crunch, pick up some soup from your local grocery store, heat that up on the stove, and add your own flair and touches to it to make it look and taste homemade.

Marry Me Chicken

If you find yourself regularly scrolling through TikTok and looking at recipes, the Marry Me Chicken recipe has probably popped up on your for you page at some point. And, spoiler alert, this chicken will make your date want to marry you.

Ingredients:

• Olive Oil
• Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breasts
• Minced Garlic
• Thyme Leaves
• Chicken Broth
• Heavy Cream
• Sun-dried Tomatoes
• Freshley Grated Parmesan
• Seasonings: Salt, Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, or any additional seasonings that you like

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Add some olive oil to a large and oven-safe pan. Season your chicken with your preferred seasonings and cook in the pan for about five minutes on both sides. Set your chicken to the side after it’s done cooking and in that same pan, add more olive oil. Incorporate your garlic, red pepper flakes, and thyme into the pan. Pour your heavy cream into the pan, then add your chicken broth and sun-dried tomatoes. Season that sauce to your liking, add parmesan and bring to a simmer to let thicken. Add your chicken to the skillet and let the flavors combine in the oven for about ten minutes. Plate this up, serve with a side or two of your choice and enjoy.

After Dinner Dessert Ideas

Valentine’s Day is the day for love and the day for sweets. Of course, you’ll need a dessert planned for after the meal, and we’ve got you covered. Here are a few Valentine’s Day after-dinner dessert ideas.

• Valentine’s Day Cookies
• Chocolate Cake
• Churro Cheesecake (TikTok Viral)
• Ice Cream
• Chocolates
• Candy
• Raspberry White Chocolate Bars
• S’mores Bars
• Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes (TikTok Viral)
• Chocolate Raspberry Cake
• Pound Cake
• Red Velvet Cheesecake
• Oreo Truffles
• Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls (TikTok Viral)