Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse to skip the crowded restaurants and create a memorable dining experience right in your own kitchen. Cooking a special meal for your partner is a heartfelt gesture that shows just how much you care — and it doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you're an experienced home chef or a beginner, these romantic "table for two" recipes are guaranteed to impress your Valentine without the stress of a reservation.
1. Coq Au Vin
What is Coq Au Vin you ask? It's basically a magical combination of win, lardons, mushrooms, and garlic in a big pot with chicken. Needless to say, it's a flavorful meal.
When your loved one comes home and asks what's for supper, your response will pleasantly surprise them when you say the name of this French dish.
2. Seared Scallops
Have you ever been to an extremely high-class restaurant where they serve small portions for a large price? If you have, you would know that it's not about quantity, but rather, quality.
These scallops are just that - high quality and placed strategically with the perfect balance of flavors. Serve a light arugula salad on the side and have a decadent chocolate treat for dessert.
3. Garlic Basil Barramundi Skillet with Tomato Butter Sauce
The best meals are made in a skillet so that there are very few dishes to wash afterward! This frees up extra time for you to spend with your Valentine.
For this recipe, simply add all the ingredients to the skillet and you'll be ready to dig in before you know it! Add some fresh basil for extra flavor.
4. Stuffed Chicken Breast with Mozzarella and Spinach
Stuffed chicken is one of those meals that is so easy to make but looks super impressive at the same time. These are the types of meals that you want to keep making even after Valentine's Day!
Whether your significant other like mozzarella or goat cheese, spinach or roasted red pepper, you can customize this recipe to suit your loved ones taste buds.
5. Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken pot pie is a fantastic Valentine's Day meal because you can make it in small pots that make the meal look extremely impressive and professionally made.
Pair with some home cooked bread and a fresh salad for a complete meal that will knock both of your socks off!
6. Greek Style Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are so underrated these days! They are packed with flavor and tons of beneficial ingredients that will leave you feeling satisfied without the bloat.
The best part is that when you make stuffed peppers with red peppers, it is perfectly themed for Valentine's day!
7. Chicken in Cream Sauce
Who doesn't love a little chicken with cream sauce?! For this meal, start your loved one out with a light salad that will introduce them to the meal.
Next, serve up the chicken on either rice or beside some garlic mashed potatoes. Don't forget to roast some veggies for added nutritional benefits!
8. One Skillet Pork Chop & Veggie Dinner
We may be biased, but this meal is pretty incredible, not just because we made it! Between the generous scoop of butter, rosemary flavoring, and delicious veggies, your Valentine won't be able to pick which part of the meal was their favorite.
9. Pesto Chicken Pasta with Oven Roasted Tomatoes
Delicious. A good bowl of pasta is amazing for your hungry partner, but also good for the soul! Pasta is a dish from Italy where romance is alive and well.
Serve this pasta dish with a glass of fine wine, and finish with a homemade dessert or a treat from your date's favorite bakery.
10. Mushroom Pasta with Goat Cheese
This quick and easy pasta dish is so delicious you won't know what hit you. The key to creating gourmet dishes is the policy that less is more. Maybe the measurements are bigger, but the amount of ingredients doesn't have to be a mile long.
This is quite simply the art of pairing flavors together that play off one another and create the perfect foodie experience.
11. Chicken Fricassee
This one-pan meal is actually a classic French dish that's somehow both easy and incredibly delicious! Chicken, mushrooms, wine and a few other ingredients come together perfectly.
Serve it on a bed of rice and freshly cooked peas, alongside a glass of your favorite white wine. It's sure to be a date night hit!