40 Valentine's Day Dinner Recipes You'll Fall For

Food is the surest path to a Southerner's heart.

Food is the surest path to a Southerner's heart, and these Valentine's Day dinner recipes are guaranteed to seal the deal. Instead of fighting the crowds at an overbooked restaurant, show your special someone that you care and cook for them at home. We've collected some of our favorite recipes for a romantic night this Valentine's Day. 

Whether you're cooking for a meat lover, a vegetarian, a seafood fan, or a pasta enthusiast, we have a recipe to make them love you even more. These recipes may look impressive and taste amazing, but they don't require much kitchen experience. You can whip up a special Valentine's Day menu even if you're not a seasoned cook. Many of these recipes feed four to six people, but you can easily scale them down to a dinner for two. 

Choose a recipe that will delight your significant other, set the table with your best dishes (bonus points for flowers and cloth napkins), pop open a bottle of wine, and prepare to rake in the compliments.

Herb-Crusted Roasted Leg of Lamb

Lamb is a special occasion dish, and this version, roasted with fresh herbs, will impress. The recipe serves a crowd, but you can adjust it based on your needs. Slice the lamb against the grain and serve with sauce.

Gulf Crab Cakes with Lemon Butter

Crab cakes signify a special, indulgent meal. This simple recipe lets the seafood shine. Following the chill time helps crab cakes to hold their shape.

Chicken-Parmesan Meatballs

Try this new take on classic Chicken Parmesan, which comes together in about half an hour. Take all the flavors and ingredients you love and combine them into meatballs for this skillet dish. Substitute ground turkey in the meatballs if you prefer.

Smoky-Sweet Baked Salmon

Nothing beats a quick seafood recipe. Using parchment packets to cook salmon helps create a smoky and sweet fish that is also a healthier option. Orange slices balance out the mustard mixture in this recipe.

Spicy Grilled Chicken Breasts

The secret to this recipe is the brine, which should soak through the chicken to help it retain its moisture. The chicken is juicy and perfectly seasoned, with a kick of spicy flavoring. Choose from three different sauces to pair with this chicken recipe.

Shrimp and Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta

Create a colorful dish by mixing yellow and red tomatoes into this pasta, made even better when topped with basil. Cook shrimp faster by purchasing peeled and deveined shrimp. For an elegant touch, grate your own Parmesan cheese for a restaurant-quality meal.

Seared Scallops with Lemon-Herb Rice

Prepare this succulent seafood dish in under an hour. Scallops are not only easy to prepare, but they are a relatively healthy option. Top with parsley and lemon juice for a beautiful and fragrant presentation.

Baked Pork Tenderloin

This tenderloin recipe uses a simple seasoning blend of salt and pepper to create moist pork. If you prefer, add more flavoring using your favorite spices. This extremely versatile dish pairs well with vegetables dressed in a lemony vinaigrette.

Shrimp Scampi Linguine

This dish is as decadent as it is simple, coming together in 15 minutes. The butter-and-garlic-prepared shrimp pairs perfectly with chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice. Keep an eye on the shrimp, as it cooks quickly, and you don't want to overcook it.

Pan-Seared Flank Steak with Herb Sauce

This surprisingly simple dish can make any dinner feel special. Ask your butcher or shop for flank steak that has a uniform thickness, so every part of the meat will cook evenly. Save the extra herb sauce to top on other dishes.

Orange-Rosemary Roast Chicken

For crispy chicken skin, brown it in a skillet and then transfer it to the sheet pan to finish cooking in the oven. Prepare this dish for a seamless blend of sweet and savory flavors. The vinegar, honey, and orange dressing is the perfect finishing touch to this dish.

Lobster Mac and Cheese

This dish, designed to impress, combines the cheesy goodness of mac-and-cheese with chunks of lobster for a sophisticated touch. Gruyère cheese is the ideal complement to lobster, especially when paired with white Cheddar cheese. Top with breadcrumbs and broil until golden brown.

Chicken Lombardy

This quick dish is as elegant as it gets. Start by pan-frying the chicken to give it a golden crust, and finish cooking in a baking pan. If you enjoy chicken marsala, this dish is a cheese-covered upgrade.

Baked Chicken Roulade

To get chicken the same thickness, place it between two sheets of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin. To secure the spinach mixture, use wooden picks after topping it with asparagus. After creating the sauce, spoon over the top and serve immediately.

Fettuccine-and-Asparagus al Burro

Try this fettuccine dish that means "buttered." Similar to the popular Alfredo sauce, this pasta dish uses high-quality cheese instead of whipping cream. Sprinkle pancetta on top to finish.

Cast-Iron Pork Cacciatore

Typically made with chicken, this "cacciatore" recipe is a delicious version of the vegetable and tomato sauce dish. Pork chops that aren't too thick work best for this recipe. If you can't find Castelvetrano olives, substitute another green olive or caper.

Spicy Baked Snapper, Greens, and Carrots in Parchment

In 30 minutes, you can prepare a sheet-pan seafood dish that looks and tastes like a restaurant-quality dish. Prepare this dish with skin-on or skinless fish. When ready to serve, garnish the baked snapper with chopped cilantro.

Braised Lamb Shanks with Parmesan-Chive Grits

Lamb shanks prepared in a slow cooker make this sophisticated dish simple. Trim the excess fat and tendons along the bone for the best taste. Despite the six-hour cook time, this active cooking time is still under an hour.

One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice

The honey-chile sauce makes this one-dish chicken recipe a winner. Prepare the chicken by shredding and refrigerating it overnight. Finish this dish by stir-frying it the following day and serving it with rice and vegetables.

Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing

Try this spin on a classic dish by switching salmon for crab in these crispy cakes. The salmon mixture is simple enough, containing chives, salt, pepper, mayonnaise, and chopped salmon. Top with a buttermilk dressing before serving.

One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards

Make this meal in one dish to simplify the cooking and clean-up process. This recipe combines pasta and chicken with sausage, mushrooms, red onion, and collard greens. This versatile recipe allows for substitutions, so customize the vegetables and pasta to your preferences.

Honey-Mustard Baked Salmon with Vegetables

Pair the crunchy breadcrumb exterior of this baked salmon with the tangy honey-mustard topping. The sheet pan cooking method helps this recipe come together in 30 minutes. To ensure each piece of fish cooks evenly, choose center-cut filets, which tend to be more uniform.

Cast-Iron Cowboy Steak

Enjoy a thick, juicy, bone-in steak made in a cast-iron. Seal in the flavor using this technique and a few dashes of herbs. This dish is ideal for a special occasion or a typical weeknight dinner.

Crab-and-Bacon Linguine

Buttery jumbo lump crab pairs perfectly with this pan sauce, created by combing white wine, heavy cream, and bacon. This elegant dish uses bacon, pasta, and crab to form a delicious trifecta of foods. It makes any meal feel like a special occasion.

Lemony Baked Cod, Potatoes, and Artichokes in Parchment

Steaming fish on parchment paper is a simple yet impressive way to get dinner on the table. Lemon helps to meld the flavors of this light and flaky cod. When the parchment paper puffs up, you will know the fish is ready.

Slow-Cooker Ginger, Sweet Tea, and Whiskey Short Ribs

Tangy, sweet-tea-infused sauce covers these short ribs for an easy-to-prepare dinner. Give the meat a zesty flavoring by topping it with parsley, scallions, and lemon zest. Simmer the meat slowly on a LOW setting for about seven hours.

Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole

Casserole might not be your first idea when considering what to make for a romantic evening, but this chicken, mushroom, and sage dish is surprisingly elegant. Parmesan cheese and herbs give this final product an irresistibly creamy texture. Before serving, let this dish stand for a few minutes.

Eggplant Rollups

Enjoy this lower-carb alternative to lasagna, which also looks impressive. Make sure to salt the eggplant slices enough to help absorb the excess moisture. This cheese-filled dish only requires a few ingredients and some everyday pantry items.

One-Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo

You would never guess it only takes one pot to make this flavorful dish. It's essential not to skip or rush the step requiring you to brown the chicken, as this is where the flavor-building process begins. To help the noodles fit in the pot, break them in half so each can fully submerge in the liquid.

Molasses-Soy Glazed Salmon and Vegetables

Molasses and soy create a tangy glaze that perfectly matches this salmon. In about 35 minutes, this relatively healthy and delicious dinner assembles into a flavorful dish. For best results, buy fish filets thick enough so the entire meal will cook evenly.

Roasted Beef Tenderloin

Roasted beef tenderloin is ideal for a special occasion. Prepare this meat by covering it with oil, salt, and pepper. Serve hot or cold with Vidalia Onion and Vinegar Sauce.

Almond-Crusted Tilapia

This simple seafood dish is prepared in under 30 minutes with only six ingredients. If your tilapia filets are too large, cook them in batches, so each piece cooks evenly. This almond-crusted recipe works just as well with catfish, flounder, or orange roughy as a substitute.

Sheet Pan Hanger Steak and Vegetables

Ideal for chilly winter evenings, this recipe gives you all the flavors of grilled steak with the convenience of using a sheet pan. Softened butter, seasonings, and herbs help make this hanger steak flavorful. Sweet potatoes and green beans pair perfectly on this one-pan dish.

Honey-Soy-Glazed Salmon with Veggies and Oranges

Serve a delicious, no-fuss seafood dish in under 30 minutes. Honey, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard add a unique flavoring, enhanced by the spiciness of crushed red pepper. Finish the dish with toasted sesame seeds for a garnish.

Baked Ziti With Meatballs

Orange juice adds a citrusy twist, helping to enhance the traditional marinara flavoring. Customize this dish by mixing in your choice of mushrooms, spinach, and pepperoni. Serve with warm homemade bread.

Pork Chops with Spring Onions, Farro, and Asparagus

Enjoy a healthier alternative to traditional gravy-covered pork chops with this easy-to-make dish. Start by browning the meat in a skillet before transferring it to a farro-filled baking dish. These pork chops pair well with whole grains like quinoa or couscous.

Chipotle-Maple Chicken Thighs with Candied Acorn Squash

This dish is the perfect meal for someone who enjoys a combination of sweet and spicy flavors. This chicken gets its spice from an adobo sauce and dried chile powder mixture, balanced by sweet maple syrup. After baking, briefly set the chicken under the broiler for a crispy finish.

Sheet Pan Greek Chicken with Roasted Potatoes

You won't believe this sheet pan chicken uses pantry staples, including cinnamon and nutmeg, to enhance its flavoring. Combined with fresh tomatoes, lemons, and herbs, this chicken takes an hour to cook but only 15 minutes of active cooking time. When purchasing bone-in chicken breasts, choose pieces about the same size, so it cooks evenly.

Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce over Pappardelle Pasta

Enjoy Bolognese without the hassle of simmering a sauce all day. Substitute fettuccine for pappardelle if that's all you have available. After cooking, top with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Ready in 20 minutes, this homemade stir-fry has restaurant-quality flavoring. Beef and broccoli, combined with rice, are flavored with a combination of soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and brown sugar. Top with scallions, salt, and crushed red pepper for extra seasoning.

You need dessert after dinner—especially on Valentine's Day. Here are 41 Delicious Valentine's Day Desserts You'll Fall in Love With.

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Read the original article on Southern Living.