30 Romantic Dinner Ideas for Two to Make for Valentine's Day

By Sheena Chihak
Updated January 09, 2021
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Credit: Andy Lyons
Dinner for two, done right! 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.
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Air Fryer Scallops with Lemon Herb Sauce

Credit: Jennifer Causey
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Whip up a restaurant-worthy dish in just 20 minutes thanks to your air fryer ($40, Target). 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.

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Stout-Soaked Porterhouse with Beer Butter

Credit: Andy Lyons
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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.

Related: How to Choose a Steak (Even if a Fancy Butcher Isn’t Handy)

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Easy Boiled Lobster

Credit: Blaine Moats
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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.

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Scallop and Asparagus Alfredo

Credit: Jason Donnelly
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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.

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Avocado Egg Bake

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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.

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Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi

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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.

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Pasta with Swiss Chard

Credit: Blaine Moats
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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. To make this one extra special, serve the dish in matching colorful ceramic pasta dishes ($10, West Elm).

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Slow-Cooked Beef and Vegetables for Two

Credit: Scott Little
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Plug in your petite slow cooker ($25, Target) and get ready to make a set-and-forget easy Valentine’s Day recipe for two. We scaled down the classic pot roast recipe so it's perfectly portioned for the two of you. (That way you won’t have leftovers for days and days!)

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Crispy Almond Fish with Potato Crisps

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Give fish and chips a fancier feel by skipping the fryer in favor of a nutty breading that bakes up crisp. Serve with DIY baked potato chips. It's a healthy dinner idea for two that comes together in about 30 minutes in one pan, leaving you time to prep dessert (or pop a bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate).

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Golden Squash Bisque

Credit: Jason Donnelly
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Show your loved one you think they're "golden" with this silky sushine-hued soup. Start with hearty winter squash, then stir in Greek yogurt to add protein and a creamy texture. A generous bit of curry powder amps up the golden color in the cozy dinner idea for two. Serve this one in individual soup mugs ($16, Crate & Barrel).

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Beef Tenderloin with Balsamic Tomatoes

Credit: Karla Conrad
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A dish this elegant yet easy is rare to find. (See what we did there?!) Serve a sophisticated, healthy dinner for two that looks as impressive as it tastes, thanks to a balsamic reduction, tomatoes, and thyme. The recipe requires only five ingredients and 25 minutes to make—give or take, depending on your doneness preference.

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Tuscany Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Credit: Andy Lyons
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A stuffing of Fontina cheese, fresh sage, and roasted peppers transforms a basic chicken breast into an elegant dinner idea for two. Use that bottle of white wine you opened to make the sauce as your meal wine pairing. (Or try one of these romantic recipe and vino combos!)

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Arugula and Tomato Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette

Credit: Scott Little
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Serve Champagne in your glass and on your salad plate, too. This side-dish salad is ideal to complement your entrée and features champagne vinegar in the dressing. Ooh, la la! Leafy greens and toasted nuts start your dinner for two in elegant style.

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Easy Marinated Shrimp Scampi

Credit: Blaine Moats
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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.

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Eggplant, Garlic, and Herb Pasta

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Crank up the heat and serve a vegetarian meal that's a little spicy. Balance the heat of fiery red chiles with a big sprinkle of fresh mint and ricotta salata cheese. If you or your sweetie is gluten-free, swap quinoa for the whole wheat pasta in this easy dinner recipes for two.

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Chimichurri Steak

Credit: Andy Lyons
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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.

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Citrus Salmon Fillets with Raspberry Salsa

Credit: Scott Little
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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.

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Chia-Crusted Oven-Roasted Tuna with Mango Fruit Salsa

Credit: Adam Albright
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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.

Related: How to Cook Tuna Perfectly

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Ham and Spinach Two-Cheese Pasta

Credit: Blaine Moats
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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. For a special holiday touch, serve the meal in heart-shaped ramekin dishes ($30 for a 2-pack, Williams Sonoma).

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Pressure Cooker Lemon and Dill Fish Packets

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This fish recipe is one of our favorite dinner ideas for two because it practically cooks itself in an Instant Pot ($70, Target) 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.

Related: How to Use an Instant Pot

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Risotto with Chicken and Spring Peas

Credit: Blaine Moats
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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.

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Grilled Flank Steak Salad

Credit: Blaine Moats
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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 ($36, Williams Sonoma) if the weather isn’t cooperating to grill outdoors.

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Meaty Ragu with Pasta

Credit: Scott Little
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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.

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Spicy Beef and Broccoli Noodle Bowl

Credit: Andy Lyons
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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.

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Pan-Seared Tenderloin Steak with Sauce

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Make your Valentine's Day dinner romantic with this pan-seared steak tenderloin recipe. The sauce adds a tangy finish with a mix of dry red wine, onion or garlic, beef broth, and heavy cream.

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Mediterranean Tabbouleh Salad with Chicken

Credit: Blaine Moats
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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.

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Mini Crab Cakes with Orange Aïoli

Credit: Blaine Moats
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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.

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Italian Sausage and Spinach with Pasta

Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
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Try this hearty pasta dish for your romantic menu—skillet-cooked sausage, sweet peppers, and onions add a great flavor to regular weeknight spaghetti. All in just 35 minutes! Top the easy dinner recipes for two with plenty of Parmesan cheese just before serving.