Home Holidays Valentine's Day
ByKatie Bandurski
Taste of Home's Editorial Process
Updated: Apr. 09, 2024
It's love at first bite with these romantic Valentine's Day dinners. Elegant scallops, flavorful steaks and more impressive meals will have your sweetheart swooning in no time.
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Saucy Beef with Broccoli
When I’m looking for a fast but special entree, I turn to this beef and broccoli stir-fry. It features a tantalizing sauce made with garlic and ginger. —Rosa Evans, Odessa, Missouri.
Sometimes cooking for just two people can be trickier than cooking for a crowd. We have a bunch ofdinner ideas for twothat are easier than you think.
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Also, check out these romantic dinner recipesfor more ideas!
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Herb-Stuffed Roasted Cornish Hens
If you’re looking for an elegant Valentine’s Day dinner, we suggest these Cornish hen recipe. As a bonus, the crisp, tasty potatoes cook right alongside the meat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Open up a bottle of wine, put on some tunes, and whip up one of these refined but easy date night recipes. You may just find yourself making date night a weekly ritual.
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Asparagus ‘n’ Shrimp with Angel Hair
We’ve all heard that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so when I plan a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, this shrimp asparagus pasta with angel hair is one dish I like to serve. It is easy on the budget and turns out perfectly for two. —Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland
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Salmon with Spinach Sauce
You won’t have to fish for compliments from your partner with this tasty recipe. Poaching is a quick and healthy way to prepare an entree as delicate as fish, keeping it moist and tender while cooking. And the flavorful spinach sauce adds a pretty green accent to the pink salmon. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Cast-Iron Skillet Steak
If you’ve never cooked steak at home before, it can be a little intimidating. That’s why I came up with this simple steak recipe that’s so easy, you could make it any day of the week. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
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Ground Beef Wellington
What could beat the smiles and compliments of the one you love on Valentine’s Day? This recipe is easy enough for weeknights yet fancy enough to serve for special occasions. —Julie Frankamp, Nicollet, Minnesota
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Asparagus-Stuffed Air-Fryer Chicken Rolls
This is an elegant-looking dish but is really quite simple to make. I serve it to company a lot but also make it many weeknights, especially when asparagus is in season. —Louise Ambrose, Kingston, New York
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Pressure-Cooker Pork Ribs
These easy ribs are delicious enough for dinner for two on Valentine’s Day. —Paula Zsiray, Logan, Utah
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This quick and healthy chicken and peppers recipe tastes like a naked taco and is bursting with fresh flavors. And it can all be prepared in the same pan for easy cleanup—it's a win-win! —Doris Heath, Franklin, North Carolina
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Best Veal Scallopini
I found the best veal scallopini recipe in a magazine and adjusted it to suit my family's tastes. Delicate, fine-textured veal requires only a short cooking time, making this simple entree even more attractive. —Ruth Lee, Troy, Ontario
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Parmesan Pork Tenderloin
I am of Danish descent and love all things pork, both old recipes and new. Here's a dish I came up with myself. —John Hansen, Marstons Mills, Massachusetts
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Slow-Cooker Italian Chicken
My father used to love it when I made this slow-cooker Italian chicken. Since it includes a flavorful tomato sauce, it's especially good served over pasta or rice. —Deanna D'Auria, Banning, California
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Chicken Scampi
This chicken scampi recipe is so delectable it’s a shoo-in for Valentine’s Day. I’m often asked to double it when family members visit over the holidays. —Janet Lebar, Centennial, Colorado
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Deviled Chicken Thighs
I make this dish when I invite my next-door neighbor over for supper. It's just enough for the two of us. The tasty chicken is tender and moist with a bit of crunch from the cashews. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
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Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo
This easy Alfredo sauce is creamy, comforting and coats fettuccine noodles in fine fashion. This recipe is wonderful as is, but sometimes I like to add sliced fresh mushrooms and black olives that have been sautéed in butter and garlic. —Jo Gray, Park City, Montana
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Air-Fryer Fish and Chips
Looking for easy air-fryer recipes? Try this simple air-fryer fish and chips. The fish fillets have a fuss-free coating that’s healthy but just as crunchy and golden as the deep-fried kind. Simply seasoned, the crispy fries are perfect on the side. —Janice Mitchell, Aurora, Colorado
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Merlot Filet Mignon
Although this is such a simple recipe, you can feel confident serving it to any guests. The rich sauce adds a touch of elegance. Just add a salad and rolls. —Jauneen Hosking, Waterford, Wisconsin
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Air-Fryer Scallops
I never liked seafood until my husband urged me to try scallops, and now I love it. With the crunchy breading, these air-fryer scallops are the best you'll ever have. —Martina Preston, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania
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Goat Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Chicken
This spinach-stuffed chicken breast recipe is special to me because it has so much flavor, yet not too many calories. I love Italian food, but most of the time it is too heavy. This is a healthy twist on an Italian dish! —Nicole Stevens, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
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Air-Fryer Garlic-Butter Steak
This quick and easy air-fryer steak recipe is restaurant quality. It's about to become a staple at your house! —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
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Air-Fryer Pork Chops
These air-fryer pork chops get their rich flavor from Creole seasoning and Parmesan cheese. —Dawn Parker, Surrey, British Columbia
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Slow-Cooked Beef Tips
These slow-cooked beef tips remind me of a childhood favorite. I cook them with mushrooms and serve over brown rice, noodles or mashed potatoes. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
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Pressure-Cooker Chicken Paprika
I truly appreciate the speed of the pressure cooker. We use it often to make these tender paprika chicken breasts with a sauce that gets its richness from sour cream. —Holly Ottum, Racine, Wisconsin
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Pressure-Cooker Mushroom Pork Ragout
Savory, quickly made pork is luscious served in a delightful tomato gravy over noodles. It’s a nice change from regular pork roast. I serve it with broccoli or green beans on the side. —Connie McDowell, Greenwood, Delaware.
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Air-Fryer Almond Chicken
My husband bought an air fryer about 6 months ago, after seeing it on television. We have used it at least twice a week and love how delicious the food has been. The chicken recipes that we have tried are especially good because of how moist the chicken remains. We started a low-carb diet and did not want to use bread crumbs, so we tried the chicken with almonds. It's a favorite now. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia
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Bacon-Wrapped Filets with Scotched Mushrooms
I got the idea for bacon-wrapped filet mignon when I saw some on sale in the grocery store. The rest was inspired by my husband, because he once made a Scotch and ginger ale sauce. This elegant recipe is for two, but it can easily be doubled. —Mary Kay LaBrie, Clermont, Florida
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Walnut and Oat-Crusted Salmon
I think this recipe gives you the most omega-3 fatty acid bang for your buck! —Cristen Dutcher, Marietta, Georgia
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Crab-Stuffed Manicotti
I love pasta, and my husband loves seafood. I combined them to create this dish, and he raved that it's the best meal ever. —Sonya Polfliet, Anza, California
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Balsamic-Salmon Spinach Salad
This salmon spinach salad is really healthy and super fast. It's an absolute cinch to make after a long workday. —Karen Schlyter, Calgary, Alberta
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Turkey Breast Tenderloins with Raspberry Sauce
Sweet and tangy raspberry sauce is a perfect complement to versatile turkey tenderloins. In fact, this sauce is so good, you’ll be tempted to eat it with a spoon. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
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Asparagus-Stuffed Chicken Breast
With its pretty presentation and sensational flavors, this rich asparagus stuffed chicken breast makes any meal feel special. —Louise Ambrose, Kingston, New York
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Parmesan Pork Medallions
Here's one of the best pork medallion recipes I've found. With my own special tweaks, I have served this tender pork countless times for family and friends. It takes very little prep time and adapts easily to serve any number. —Angela Ciocca, Saltsburg, Pennsylvania
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Maple Pork Ribs
A luscious maple-mustard sauce will take your next plate of ribs to a new level. —Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas
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Pork Tenderloin with Wine Sauce
Here’s a fast and easy, great-tasting meal that's as big on flavor as it is low in fat and calories. I serve it with fresh green beans and mashed potatoes. —Nancy LaVoice, Wexford, Pennsylvania
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Steak Strips with Dumplings
Take in a parade on the Fourth or spend a day by the lake and come home to this slow-cooked specialty all ready to eat! The recipe’s from John Smalldridge of Princeton, Idaho.
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Seafood Fettuccine Alfredo
I like to serve this lovely seafood Alfredo, featuring scallops and shrimp, with crusty Italian bread. Sprinkled with tomato and parsley, the dish looks as mouthwatering as it tastes. —Jimmy Spellings, Oakland, Tennessee
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Cheesy Chicken Parmigiana
My husband used to order chicken parmigiana at restaurants. Then I found this recipe in our local newspaper, adjusted it for two and began making the beloved dish at home. After more than 50 years of marriage, I still enjoy preparing his favorite recipes. —Iola Butler, Sun City, California
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Moroccan Chicken Thighs
My husband and I love Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food. This recipe is very flavorful, so it's quickly become one of our favorites. —Susan Mills, Three Rivers, California
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Flavorful Salmon Fillets
Compliments are a sure thing when I fix these fabulous salmon fillets. A tasty marinade pumps up the flavor and keeps them moist and tender. —Krista Frank, Rhododendron, Oregon
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Four-Cheese Stuffed Shells
More cheese, please! You'll get your fill from saucy jumbo pasta shells loaded with four kinds—mozzarella, Asiago, ricotta and cottage cheese. Do the prep work, and then freeze according to the recipe directions to have a ready-to-bake meal for a future busy night. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Baked Crab Cakes
Reel in a breezy taste of the seashore with these easy and delicious baked crab cakes. For a heftier "burger," make two larger patties and serve on buns. —Amelia Sunderland, Nashville, Tennessee
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Simple Herbed Scallops
Living in Kansas, fresh seafood can be hard to come by. Luckily, frozen scallops aren't. This dish offers coastal flavor to those of us in the Midwest. —Sarah Befort, Hays, Kansas
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Spicy Turkey Tenderloin
Here's a full-flavored dish that will really wake up your taste buds.
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Pork Schnitzel with Sauce
I make big fans whenever I serve this pork schnitzel recipe. German-style schnitzel is usually made with veal. I substituted pork to save money without sacrificing flavor. —Diane Katzmark, Metamora, Michigan
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Juicy Air-Fryer Cornish Hens
This easy air-fryer recipe will help you put a gourmet meal on the table in 30 minutes. Perfect for weeknights! — Katrina Adams, Mount Olive, Alabama
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Air-Fryer Ground Beef Wellington
Trying new recipes—like this air-fryer Wellington—is one of my favorite hobbies. I replaced the filet mignon with ground beef, while still keeping the beefy goodness. —Julie Frankamp, Nicollet, Minnesota
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Originally Published: January 14, 2019
Author
Katie Bandurski
As Taste of Home's senior shopping editor, Katie connects readers with the best gifts, kitchen gear and home items on the market. An avid foodie and a holiday enthusiast, Katie is an expert at cultivating meaningful moments. Before joining the shopping team, Katie worked as a digital staff writer at Better Homes & Gardens and on the Taste of Ho...
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