Holidays & Entertaining Valentine's Day Valentine's Day Recipes 21 Romantic Dinner Ideas for Two to Make for Valentine's Day Dinner for two, done right! By Sheena Chihak, RD Sheena Chihak, RD Instagram Sheena Chihak is a registered dietitian, former food editor and current edit lead for BHG with over 15 years of writing and editing experience for both print and digital. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Sarah Martens Sarah Martens Instagram Sarah Martens is the Senior Editor overseeing food at Better Homes & Gardens digital. She has been with the BHG brand for over 8 years. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on January 11, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Andy Lyons This year, skip the restaurant scene and plan a safe (and romantic) dinner at home. Savor one of these special dinner ideas for two at your dining room table. Whip up a homemade romantic Valentine's Day dinner recipe as a couple with our handpicked recipes featuring elegant seafood, succulent steaks, sophisticated salads, and more. 01 of 21 Air Fryer Scallops with Lemon Herb Sauce View Recipe Jennifer Causey Whip up a restaurant-worthy dish in just 20 minutes thanks to your air fryer. Finish the cooked scallops with a zesty sauce that's filled with fresh flavors like lemon, garlic, capers, and parsley. Test Kitchen Tip: Be sure to check the scallop's internal temperature when they are done cooking. They may not brown in the air fryer. 02 of 21 Stout-Soaked Porterhouse with Beer Butter View Recipe Andy Lyons Calling all ale aficionados! Treat your sweetheart to an elegant Valentine's Day dinner recipe with this stout-soaked porterhouse and rich homemade beer butter. The juicy, tender porterhouse is the perfect size to share with your loved one. How to Choose a Steak (Even if a Fancy Butcher Isn't Handy) 03 of 21 Easy Boiled Lobster View Recipe Blaine Moats This recipe for classic boiled lobster proves it only looks intimidating. Master this easy seafood recipe in just 30 minutes—just enough time to make clarified butter for serving. Serve the finished lobster on a large platter with a sprinkle of chopped chives and fresh lemon wedges. 04 of 21 Scallop and Asparagus Alfredo View Recipe Jason Donnelly Now here's a beautifully balanced pair. Decadent cheese sauce meets protein-rich, lean scallops in this showy, restaurant-style entree. The saucy and sophisticated easy dinner recipe for two is ready in just 30 minutes. 05 of 21 Avocado Egg Bake View Recipe Hannah Bigot This avocado recipe is a showstopper and that uses only four ingredients! A slice of ham and an egg nestle inside a creamy avocado half for upscale presentation. If your significant other is a fan of breakfast for dinner, this is the perfect dinner for two for you. 06 of 21 Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi View Recipe Skip a heavy carb-filled meal in favor of this lighter take on shrimp scampi using spaghetti squash instead of pasta. Seafood is a natural for a romantic meal. Bonus: This healthy dinner idea for two—seasoned perfectly with lemon, white wine, and parsley—will leave room for a festive dessert. 07 of 21 Pasta with Swiss Chard View Recipe Blaine Moats Give steak and seafood a break. Nowhere does it say those are mandatory ingredients of a Valentine's Day dinner recipe. This colorful vegetarian pasta recipe is a perfect dinner for two. Swiss chard offers that little something extra, while ricotta and Parmesan provide indulgent flavors your sweetheart won't be able to resist. 08 of 21 Marinated Shrimp Scampi View Recipe Blaine Moats Our simple recipe for shrimp scampi uses a flavorful marinade of garlic, lemon peel, crushed red pepper, and dry white wine. Prepare a vegetable side dish while the shrimp marinates for a complete romantic dinner for two. 09 of 21 Chimichurri Steak View Recipe Andy Lyons Introducing: A complete flavor fiesta! Switch up your Valentine's Day recipes for two with a steak dish that showcases bold international cuisine. Chimichurri—a tart, bright green sauce from Argentina—is poured liberally over the charbroiled steak. 10 of 21 Citrus Salmon Fillets with Raspberry Salsa View Recipe Scott Little When you're searching for a Valentine's Day dinner idea, high-protein salmon is a delicious and healthy choice to put on the table. Pair with our homemade fruit salsa made from raspberries, jalapeño peppers, and oranges. 11 of 21 Chia-Crusted Oven-Roasted Tuna with Mango Fruit Salsa View Recipe Adam Albright Talk about a heart-healthy dinner for two! Both tuna and chia seeds are loaded with healthy omega-3 fats. Plus all the beautiful fresh fruit on top fills your plate with vitamins and minerals. We can think of no better meal to show your love. How to Cook Tuna Perfectly 12 of 21 Ham and Spinach Two-Cheese Pasta View Recipe Blaine Moats Cheese? Yes, please! Make a warm and hearty pasta casserole for your Valentine's Day dinner. The mix of Parmesan, ham, and spinach is sure to wow. Serve the easy Valentine's Day recipes for two in individual-size ramekins to dress it up for the occasion. 13 of 21 Pressure Cooker Lemon and Dill Fish Packets View Recipe Adam Albright This fish recipe is one of our favorite dinner ideas for two because it practically cooks itself in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker. That means the healthy dinner for two requires just five minutes of cooking time! To make this seafood dinner look elegant, remove the ingredients from the parchment paper and top the perfectly flaky fish with dill and lemon. How to Use an Instant Pot 14 of 21 Risotto with Chicken and Spring Peas View Recipe Blaine Moats If you haven't already, cancel that reservation. Instead of dining out, make your loved one our version of classic Italian risotto for a super-memorable Valentine's Day dinner recipe. Peas, carrots, chicken, and spinach transform the rice dish into a satisfying main course. 15 of 21 Grilled Flank Steak Salad View Recipe Jason Donnelly Spice up an everyday salad with marinated grilled steak. Sear sweet peppers, corn, and green onions on the grill to add bright color and flavor to a bed of romaine lettuce. Top it all with a tasty cilantro dressing. Test Kitchen Tip: Sear the meat indoors on a grill pan if the weather isn't cooperating to grill outdoors. 16 of 21 Air-Fried Salmon with Horseradish Rub View Recipe Caitlin Bensel Planning to celebrate Valentine's Day on a weeknight? This easy dinner idea requires just 10 minutes of hands-on time. Mix up a spicy topping using fresh horseradish, capers, and parsley. Spread it over salmon fillets and air fry for 20 minutes until crisp. 17 of 21 Meaty Ragu with Pasta View Recipe Scott Little Say "I do!" to ragu. The easy Valentine's Day recipe for two can be on your table in 45 minutes. Pappardelle or tagliatelle (thick, flat noodles) are best for soaking up the tasty sauce. 18 of 21 Beef and Broccoli Noodle Bowl View Recipe Andy Lyons Beef, egg noodles, and broccoli cooked in a peanut sauce add Asian flair to your romantic evening. Serve this dish with a sprinkling of green onions and a side of sticky rice to round out the meal. 19 of 21 Chicken and Tabbouleh Salad View Recipe Blaine Moats Go Greek in this do-ahead dinner. (Read: More time to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail!) Greek flavors mingle in the chilled grain recipe that tops slices of grilled chicken breast. Test Kitchen Tip: Make the salad the night before and grill the chicken breast the day of for a less-stress, easy dinner idea for two. 20 of 21 Mini Crab Cakes with Orange Aïoli View Recipe Blaine Moats Make dinner at home a special occasion with these mini crab cakes. Orange aïoli—a mix of mayo, sour cream, orange juice, and herbs—pairs nicely with the mild sweetness of crabmeat. Serve the cakes on a bed of spinach for a special presentation. 21 of 21 Greek Feta Burgers View Recipe Jason Donnelly Craving casual fare? Try this your easy Valentine's Day recipe for two that will transport you to the Greek isles and a backyard cookout all at once—and in just about half an hour. Top lean beef burgers with a zesty cucumber-herb yogurt sauce for a pairing (almost) as perfect as you and your plus one. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit