By Arielle Weg-Zager
When I first started dating my now husband, I knew our first Valentine’s Day dinner would set the tone for how we celebrated the most romantic night of the year moving forward. And while a candlelit meal at a buzzy New York City restaurant sounded nice, I always found Valentine’s Day dinner menus to be overpriced and a little underwhelming. So, I set out to cook him an unforgettable meal at home. Years later, what I don’t remember is the actual food I made. What I do remember is lugging heavy grocery bags for a multi-course feast and an entire sheet pan of coffee cake I had made onto a crowded subway in mid-February. While the situation was not ideal, the night was still a blast, and we vowed to make date night at home the norm for Valentine’s Day—but to keep it simple.
The next year was when our tradition of homemade pizza began. It was an opportunity to make something budget-friendly, quick, and with just a few ingredients, but still romantic and special. We spent the night listening to an Italian trattoria-inspired playlist, rolling out store-bought pizza dough, designing our own pies with a slew of delicious toppings, popping open a bottle of red wine, and dining on our meal with a classic romantic comedy. Our annual homemade pizza night has become a no-pressure Valentine’s Day I have come to cherish, and I hope to extend it to our family one day as a yearly tradition.
This Heart-Shaped Pizza recipe is a romantic place to start if you want to make homemade pizza a part of your yearly Valentine’s Day dinner too. All you’ll need is refrigerated pizza dough, pizza sauce, cheese, and all of your favorite toppings. I’m a veggie-lover, so I sauté spinach, onions, mushrooms, broccoli, and bell peppers as a topping, and my husband is a major fan of anchovies and loves to pile those on high, too. We’ve even swapped out refrigerated pizza dough for prepared flatbreads for a quicker meal in the past.
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And while my go-to Valentine’s Day dinner is homemade pizza, you and your Valentine can find a meal that feels special to you to celebrate with every year right at home. Here are some other fantastic Valentine’s Day-worthy recipes to make at home that are simple, quick, budget-friendly, and oh-so-good.
Easy Marry Me Chicken
The name says it all, but this recipe will surely make you fall in love this Valentine’s Day. Juicy chicken thighs are quickly cooked in a velvety tomato cream sauce and are ready for date night in just 15 minutes. Serve alongside a green salad and some fluffy rolls for a truly special evening.
Get the recipe: Easy Mary Me Chicken
Sweet Potatoes and Creamed Spinach with Steak
If a special night out usually means a steakhouse, this elegant dinner is the stellar alternative. Frozen spinach and cream cheese create a decadent creamed spinach that would rival any restaurant, while roasted sweet potato wedges are a tasty accompaniment. A perfectly grilled New York strip steak elevates the plate for a special night in within budget.
Get the recipe: Sweet Potatoes and Creamed Spinach with Steak
Easy Homemade Potato Gnocchi
Instant mashed potatoes make pillowy soft homemade gnocchi, without the hassle of cooking the potatoes from scratch. The simple swap makes this a speedy dinner while maintaining the fun and romantic DIY portion. We serve it with a simple butter sage sauce, but any sauce combination you love will work.
Get the recipe: Easy Homemade Potato Gnocchi
Steak in Cajun Shrimp Sauce over Parmesan Grits
Surf and turf are a classic duo, just like your romantic duo! Quick grits help speed up the meal while keeping it special, while beef strip steak and shrimp offer a budget-friendly option that still feels like date night. Finally, the luxurious cream and tomato Cajun sauce helps transport you from the kitchen table, right to the streets of New Orleans.
Get the recipe: Steak in Cajun Shrimp Sauce over Parmesan Grits
Surf and Turf for Two
Speaking of surf and turf, this pairing of beef strip steak and scallops is refined, yet budget-conscious and simple enough to make in 20 minutes. Microwavable spinach saves you from cleaning an extra pan, so you can get to your romantic evening even quicker.
Get the recipe: Surf and Turf for Two
As a bonus: Be sure to include a Valentine’s Day treat to end the meal, like Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Hearts, Chocolate Lava Cakes with Raspberries, or Heart-Shaped Cherry Hand Pies, which would be a very romantic way to end the evening.
Arielle Weg is the digital editor of SavoryOnline and has been writing about food, nutrition, and health for over 7 years. She collects cookbooks and loves nothing more than cooking elaborate meals for her friends or exploring the local restaurant scene.
