My Favorite Valentine’s Day Menu Ideas are a collection of five menus that will please every palate. Whether you are making a meal for that special someone or hoping for some bites to celebrate Galentine’s Day, these Valentine’s menus are for you! After all, the best part about Valentine’s Day is the food, right??
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Do you have any plans?
For the Man and I, Valentine’s Day is not really a giant over-the-top celebration like most other holidays are. We tend to use the day as an excuse to spend some quality time together, and what’s more special than spending time together over a meal?
I really wanted to round up some new and fun menus for you all this week, just in case you don’t have a big night out planned. So here are my 4 favorite Valentine’s Day menu ideas! From Valentine’s Day dinner ideas to brunch to Galentine’s Day, there’s a little something here for everyone! Hopefully it’ll either inspire you to cook, or perhaps it’ll help solve your worries of what to make for your loved one next week.
Note: this is an updated version of the original post published on February 5, 2019 with all new menus!
First, I am sharing my favorite sweet and savory bites, along with a boozy sangria for your Galentine’s Day gathering.
These recipes are perfect for getting your gal pals together to celebrate your general fabulousness! The appetizers can be served all together, or just select one if that’s more your speed. All three go well on a cheese board too if you want to skip the main dish and stick to a girl dinner of snacks.
Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates
Easy Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates are a sweet and savory appetizer that’s always the star of the party. With only a few ingredients, you can whip up this easy recipe in no time for your next gathering.
Crispy Prosciutto
Crispy Prosciutto is a crunchy, savory snack that’s super simple to make in the oven! In less than 15 minutes, you can add this fried prosciutto to a charcuterie board or crumble it up to use as garnish on soups, salads, pasta, pizza, and more.
Marinated Mozzarella Balls
Simple Marinated Mozzarella Balls are a quick and easy appetizer that always wow’s a crowd. It’s the ideal snack with the cheese soaked in oil, garlic, and fresh herbs. Serve it with crusty bread or as a part of your charcuterie/cheese board!
Rigatoni al Forno
Rigatoni al Forno, also known as baked rigatoni, is the ultimate comfort food. Rich and meaty homemade sauce is combined with rigatoni and tons of cheese, then baked until golden brown and gooey. It’s an easy recipe that feeds a crowd, and can even be made ahead of time!
Tuscan White Bean Soup
This simple and hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup is the perfect winter soup. Full of creamy white beans, fresh vegetables, and wilted greens, it will keep you satisfied and warm you from the inside out. It’s an easy recipe that everyone will love, and one you can easily prep ahead of time for later in the week or to freeze.
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies will prove to you that fruit is meant to be combined with chocolate, ALWAYS. They are gooey, extra chocolatey, and chewy so they definitely need to make an appearance on your Valentine’s (or Galentine’s!) Day table.
Valentine’s Day Sparkling Sangria
Valentine’s Day Sparkling Sangria will give your romantic day extra sparkle, or will give you and your single girls something to giggle over as you swap dating war stories.
Second, for those of you who want to go over-the-top with your cooking chops on date night, I’ve got a fancy menu for you to indulge in.
Even though I name this a “fancy” dinner menu, it’s really not as hard to make as you might think. You can choose between the main dishes depending on what you feel like serving. If you really want to go over-the-top, consider adding lobsters tails to the plate with the steak (beef tenderloin, of course) for a surf and turf combination.
Pan Seared Scallops with Bacon Cream Sauce
Pan Seared Scallops with Bacon Cream Sauce are cooked perfectly, then served up on a bed of that dreamy bacon-packed sauce… If you are looking to impress anyone with your skills in the kitchen, this is the one dish that’ll steal their hearts every single time.
BBQ Beef Tenderloin
BBQ Beef Tenderloin is an elegant and simple way to make an impression this season. It’s so easy to prepare, and when served with a creamy horseradish sauce, it’s the star of any winter gathering.
Roasted Chicken with White Wine And Fresh Herbs
Roasted Chicken with White Wine & Fresh Herbs is an easy weeknight meal that can double as the perfect dinner party meal. Breaking down the chicken and cooking it in pieces makes the cooking time faster and the skin nice and crispy!
Red Velvet Truffle Cake for Two
Red Velvet Truffle Cake for Two is the romantic luscious dessert you and your loved one will swoon over finishing together on Valentine’s Day! Moist, rich red velvet cake is layered with a velvety chocolate truffle frosting, creating an indulgent dessert perfectly portioned for two (plus a little leftover for a midnight snack ????).
Cherry Vodka Sour
A Cherry Vodka Sour is bursting with the natural sweetness of cherries and smooth vodka. The cocktail is the ideal balance of tart and sweet, perfect to sip on all summer long!
Don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen? Never fear, because my third menu has you covered with the easiest dinner menu EVER, that’s also so romantic.
This meal is all about ease and efficiency, while also making the best impression possible! I lean on tools like the Instant Pot and air fryer to make these recipes come to life. Plus the dessert can be made well in advance!
Caprese Bruschetta
Discover the ultimate taste of summer with Caprese Bruschetta! Juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic basil come together on a crusty bed of bread to create a burst of flavors that perfectly capture the essence of the season. From backyard barbecues to picnics in the park, Caprese Bruschetta is the go-to appetizer that will impress your guests and leave them craving for more.
Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu
Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu is ready in just one hour and it’s so easy to make! With simple ingredients and tender beef, the rich and flavorful sauce is truly the perfect winter meal. Serve it on papparadelle, spaghetti, mashed potatoes, gnocchi, and more.
Air Fryer Scallops with Chive Lemon Butter
Air Fryer Scallops with Chive Lemon Butter are tender, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make! You don’t have to worry about the grease associating with frying and when served with a chive lemon butter, it’s an easy meal that goes with so many different side dishes.
Chocolate Tart with Hazelnut Crust
A Chocolate Tart with Hazelnut Crust is the elegant dessert that is deceptively simple to make. The dark chocolate ganache filling is creamy and rich, topping a toasted hazelnut pastry. The addition of tart berries on top makes for a killer combo for any gathering!
Strawberry Gin Smash Cocktail
A refreshing Strawberry Gin Smash cocktail is just the summery drink to celebrate with! It is a delightful blend of juicy strawberries, floral gin, and a splash of citrus to create a tantalizing and vibrant drink. Perfectly balanced and bursting with flavor, this cocktail is a fruity twist on a classic favorite.
Fourth, for those of you who LOVE brunch, you will adore the flavors in my favorite brunch menu of ALL TIME.
Honey Butter Biscuits
Homemade Honey Butter Biscuits are where fluffiness meets flakiness, with just a touch of honey. These irresistible biscuits are perfect for pairing with any meal whether you are dunking them in soup or using them as a base for a sandwich.
Easy Lemon Curd
This creamy homemade lemon curd recipe is a burst of tangy flavor for your desserts or breakfast spreads! With just a few simple ingredients, you can make the perfect lemon curd every time with this recipe.
Cranberry Jam
Tart and sweet Homemade Cranberry Jam is an easy recipe that’s ideal for your favorite breakfasts, desserts, and more. You can use fresh or frozen cranberries. With just 5 ingredients, you’ll find yourself making this over and over again!
Savory Dutch Baby
An airy, light, and savory breakfast dish that is incredibly easy to make. The batter comes together in the blender!
Turkish Eggs Platter
Creamy, savory, and hearty, this is a fun platter to share for everyone!
Red Velvet Muffins
Red Velvet Muffins have all the classic red velvet flavor, but for breakfast! Studded with white chocolate chips, these simple fluffy muffins are the ideal treat on any morning.
Raspberry Chocolate Croissant French Toast Bake
This Raspberry Chocolate Croissant French Toast Bake is how I bring a little bit of Parisian pastry into my weekly breakfast routine. Using croissants makes for a flakier French toast casserole, and the pops of fruit and chocolate send it over the top! You can make it the same day or let it chill overnight, then bake tomorrow morning.
Strawberry Mimosa
A strawberry mimosa is the simplest take on the traditional orange mimosa, with an added burst of fruity goodness! You can use fresh or frozen strawberries to make the simple strawberry orange mixture. Serves 6.
The only question is, which one will you make for Valentine’s Day this year?!
valentine’s day must-haves
There isn’t much you need to make Valentine’s Day special for your boo!
Do they love flowers? Give them a gorgeous bouquet in this stunning vase to really make it extra special!
Setting the mood to me means CANDLES CANDLES CANDLES. These pillar candles are an awesome deal!
If you are wanting to serve up some bubbly, make it a little extra special with a new set of champagne flutes
that aren’t too pricey! Alternatively, serve a glass of red wine in stemless wine glasses.
