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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    24 Deliciously Simple Dinner Options to Celebrate Love This Valentine's Day

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on February 12, 2025, updated February 8, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Valentine's Day is the perfect occasion to whip up something special for your loved one. Whether you're planning a cozy night on the couch or a elegant dinner for two, these 24 simple dinner ideas will help you create a memorable meal without the stress. From comforting classics to fresh and vibrant dishes, there's something here for every couple to enjoy together.

    Shrimp Asparagus Risotto

    A spoonful of shrimp risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy risotto is packed with shrimp and asparagus, bringing together the fresh flavors of lemon, basil, and parmesan. It's a quick and easy dinner that can be ready in just 40 minutes, perfect for a special occasion.

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    Tea Brined Duck Breast

    Tea Brined Duck Breast.
    Photo Credit: G-Free Foodie.

    Brining duck breasts is a simple way to achieve juicy and tasty meat. Preparing duck breasts is more straightforward than you might expect!

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    Chicken Stuffed with Feta Cheese

    Feta stuffed chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken filets topped with Feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil create a delicious dish perfect for a special dinner. This is a great option for celebrating Valentine's Day.

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    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    Garlic butter shrimp pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick and tasty dish that combines juicy shrimp with perfectly cooked pasta in a rich garlic butter sauce. This is a great meal for a special dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

    Marry me chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta is ready in just 20 minutes and is sure to impress everyone at the table. With a tasty mix of crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs, it’s a simple yet delicious meal for a special night.

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    Squid Ink Risotto

    Squid Ink Risotto.
    Photo Credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

    Risotto al Nero is a classic Venetian dish that’s sure to impress anyone. This simple version uses frozen seafood mix, making it easy to prepare for a special dinner.

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    Mexican Sea Bass with Mango Salsa

    Mexican Sea Bass with Mango Salsa.
    Photo Credit: Beyond Mere Sustenance.

    Mexican Sea Bass with Mango Salsa is a delicious dish that combines creamy avocado crema with fresh mango salsa. With its vibrant flavors and healthy ingredients, this meal is perfect for a special occasion or just a regular weeknight dinner.

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    Salmon Risotto with Leeks & Lemon

    Salmon Ristotto with Leeks & Lemon
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This Salmon Risotto is a flavorful dish that you can whip up in under 40 minutes without needing to stir constantly. It's a great option for dinner parties or a quick weeknight meal, featuring lemon, leeks, and parsley for a touch of elegance.

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    Filet Medallions with Blackberry Sauce

    Filet Medallions with Blackberry Sauce.
    Photo Credit: A Table Full of Joy.

    Filet Medallions with Blackberry Sauce is a rich and flavorful dish that’s great for a special dinner. It’s simple to prepare and ideal for celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, or any occasion.

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    Pan Fried Cod with Chorizo, Peas and Leeks

    Pan Fried Cod with Chorizo, Peas and Leeks.
    Photo Credit: Krumpli.

    Pan fried cod loin with chorizo sausage, peas, and leeks is a fantastic meal that's simple to prepare and sure to wow your guests. This dish is perfect for a special Valentine's Day dinner.

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    Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

    Shrimp scampi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Scampi can be made in just 10 minutes, offering a delicious option for a special meal. The combination of garlic, lemon, chili, and parsley fills your kitchen with a wonderful aroma.

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    Creamy Parmesan Basil Chicken

    Creamy Parmesan Basil Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Fox & Briar.

    This Creamy Parmesan Basil Chicken is a simple yet delicious dish that feels like a restaurant meal. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner and packed with flavor.

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    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Little Chef Within.

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta is simple to prepare and has the flavor of a restaurant dish, making it ideal for a romantic dinner or any time you want to impress someone. The creamy sun-dried tomato sauce coats the pasta and seasoned chicken, ensuring this meal will quickly become a family favorite.

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    Air Fryer T-Bone Steak with Homemade Garlic Butter

    T-bone steak with garlic butter.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Juicy T-bone steaks can be made quickly and easily in your air fryer. Pair them with homemade garlic butter or your favorite sauce for a hearty dinner.

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    Mushroom Truffle Risotto

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This no-stir Mushroom Truffle Risotto is packed with flavor from mushrooms, white truffle oil, and white wine, and you can whip it up in under 40 minutes. It's a fantastic dish for a dinner party that will leave your guests impressed, so keep the easy preparation a secret!

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    French Onion Pork Chops

    French onion pork chops.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Create juicy and tender boneless pork chops in the air fryer, while whipping up a quick and flavorful pan sauce on the stove.

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    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

    15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This 15-minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts is a quick and easy dish that packs a lot of flavor. It's great on its own, but adding some mozzarella or burrata cheese takes it to the next level.

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    Pork Chops with Red Wine & Mushrooms

    Cast iron skillet pork chops.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These Cast Iron Pork Chops are quick to prepare and full of flavor, perfect for a special dinner. With garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, they are seared and simmered in red wine, resulting in incredibly juicy chops.

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    Duck With Orange Sauce

    Duck Breasts with Orange Sauce
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Duck Breasts with Orange Sauce is a fantastic dish that combines the rich flavor of duck with a sweet and tangy orange sauce. This is a great option for a special dinner, and it's surprisingly simple to prepare ahead of time.

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    Smoked Sausage Pasta

    Smoked Sausage Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Deliciously Homecooked.

    Smoked sausage pasta is a hearty and tasty dish that's quick to prepare. With a creamy sauce, savory smoked sausage, and pasta all cooked together, this is a satisfying meal perfect for any night.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple meal uses just 8 ingredients and is perfect for a tasty dinner any night. With tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it's a dish that everyone will love.

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    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Salty Marshmallow.

    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is a beloved dish that everyone enjoys. This simple pasta meal is packed with flavorful sausage and a rich, creamy parmesan sauce, and it can be on your table in just 20 minutes!

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    Seared Duck Breast with Cranberry Rosemary Sauce

    Seared Duck Breast with Cranberry Rosemary Sauce.
    Photo Credit: Newel Tasting Table.

    Seared Duck Breast with Cranberry Rosemary Sauce is perfect for a special dinner or holiday celebration. It's easier to prepare than you might think!

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    Pappardelle Pesto with Vegetables

    Pappardelle Pesto with Vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    Pappardelle pesto pasta is easy to make and comes together in no time. With its thick noodles and tasty pesto, this dish offers a delicious meal at home in under 30 minutes, packed with colorful veggies for added nutrition.

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN  and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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