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Make the perfect Valentine’s Day menu!! From main dishes to desserts, we’ve got all of the Valentines dinner ideas!

More Collections: Valentines Desserts, Italian Dinner Recipes, Italian Appetizers

Collage of Valentine's dinner recipes.

We Love Love!

We know that Valentine’s Day is often associated with romantic love, but it can be celebrated with anyone special in your life.

Over the years, we have made a variety of meals to celebrate – from Heart Shaped Pizza to Steak, and today we wanted to share some menu ideas for you to use in your own family.

Heart day dishes to love:

  • Make it special. We’ve tried to make it a special night for the family and usually have a fun and festive dinner with the whole family.
  • Celebrate all day. From breakfast to desserts, some recipes can help your loved ones feel special all day long.
  • Variety. I searched for easy, yummy recipes as well as ones that use fun colors of red and pink.
A printable valentines placemat on a countertop with a plate of donuts sitting on top of it.

Make it Special

Before we share some of the recipes, we wanted to give a few ideas of things you can do to make the Valentine’s Day dinner (or breakfast) even more special.

  1. Heart attack the kids’ door with hearts and notes with compliments or reasons why you love them.
  2. Make homemade valentines with the kids and Valentine’s boxes.
  3. Go to your local library and check out Valentine books to read together.
  4. Share “10 Things I LOVE About You” with one another.
  5. Play your favorite games together.
  6. Show love to others by serving them. Find a family service project in your area. One of my favorite websites to search on is JustServe.org.
  7. Include fondue dinner. Whether it’s savory (cheese) or sweet (caramel or chocolate with fruit), the kids will love it!
  8. Use plastic champagne glasses for sparkling cider or another yummy drink to make it more special.
  9. Add some candles to your dinner for a more romantic touch.
  10. Use our printable Valentine’s placemats.
  11. Keep all the food pink or red to make it extra festive!
  12. Use fresh fruit or herbs to garnish any of your dishes – from a lemon on a drink to berries, to herbs on your meat, it makes it look fancier.
  13. Sprinkle the table with conversation hearts or other Valentine’s candy. Or add a small box of chocolates to each plate as a treat for after dinner.
  14. Make Sugar Cookies for a treat and let the kids frost and decorate them after dinner.

Tips for Picking Your Menu

The best way to figure out the menu you’d like to make for the night is to first figure out what you’d like to make for the main dish.

The main dish will help you plan the sides and the desserts, but who are you making it for?

  • The whole family?
  • Just the two of you?

Pick the main dish and from there you can plan everything else to create an amazing Valentine’s menu!


Top Valentines Day Dinner Recipes

Here are some of our favorite dinner ideas for the whole family (our favorite is found below).

1 Heart Shaped Pizza

Main Course Heart Shaped Pizza
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 28 votes
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2 Steak Marinade

Main Course Steak Marinade
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 78 votes
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3 Best Pork Chop Recipe

Main Course Best Pork Chop Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 592 votes
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4 Spaghetti Recipe

Main Course Spaghetti Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 357 votes
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5 Swiss Chicken Bake Recipe

Main Course Swiss Chicken Bake Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 7 minutes

Recipe Video

4.94 from 443 votes
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6 Baked Salmon Recipe

Main Course Baked Salmon Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 17 votes
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7 Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

Main Course Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 374 votes
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8 Easy Lasagna Recipe

Main Course Easy Lasagna Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.88 from 88 votes
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9 Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe

Main Course Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 6 votes
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10 Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe

Main Course Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 18 votes
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Valentine’s Day Side Dishes

Now that you’ve picked what you want to make for the main dish, you should have a better idea of what you’d like for the sides.

Below we have listed out some of our favorites to pair with the main dishes above.

11 Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe

Side Dish Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 15 votes
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12 Crescent Rolls

Bread Crescent Rolls
Total Time: 2 hours 32 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 192 votes
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13 Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 90 votes
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14 Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe

Bread Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 27 minutes

Recipe Video

4.96 from 64 votes
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15 Asparagus Roll Ups

Appetizer, Side Dish Asparagus Roll Ups
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.92 from 34 votes
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16 Cheddar Bay Biscuit Recipe

Bread Cheddar Bay Biscuit Recipe
Total Time: 14 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 5 votes
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17 Garlic Knots Recipe

Side Dish Garlic Knots Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 13 votes
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18 Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe

Side Dish Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 13 votes
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19 Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 11 votes
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20 Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Recipe

Appetizer, Side Dish Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Recipe
Total Time: 16 minutes

Recipe Video

4.95 from 18 votes
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21 Strawberry Harvest Salad Recipe

Salad Strawberry Harvest Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 14 votes
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22 Baked Parmesan Asparagus Recipe

Side Dish Baked Parmesan Asparagus Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 4 votes
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23 Sauteed Green Beans Recipe

Side Dish Sauteed Green Beans Recipe
Total Time: 12 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 2 votes
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24 Wedge Salad Recipe

Salad Wedge Salad Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 4 votes
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25 Steak and Tortellini Salad Recipe

Salad Steak and Tortellini Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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26 Asparagus Salad Recipe

Salad Asparagus Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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27 Roasted Tomatoes Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Tomatoes Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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28 Spinach Tortellini Salad Recipe

Salad Spinach Tortellini Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
4.89 from 27 votes
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29 Brussel Sprouts and Bacon Recipe

Side Dish Brussel Sprouts and Bacon Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 6 votes
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30 Ambrosia Salad Recipe

Salad, Side Dish Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 9 votes
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Valentine’s Day Dessert Ideas

Now, to the best part – DESSERT!

There are so many treats you may want to make for your Valentines dinner, but we wanted to share some of our favorites.

If you’d like to see even more ideas, be sure to check our post ALL ABOUT Valentine’s Desserts with even more options – all from chocolate to pink and red to fruity!

31 Valentine Cookies Recipe

Dessert Valentine Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 17 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 120 votes
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32 Valentine Sugar Cookies

Dessert Valentine Sugar Cookies
Total Time: 18 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 19 votes
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33 Valentine’s Charcuterie Board Recipe

Appetizer Valentine’s Charcuterie Board Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes
5 from 4 votes
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34 Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Dessert Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 80 votes
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35 Red Velvet Poke Cake Recipe

Dessert Red Velvet Poke Cake Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 13 votes
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36 Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe

Dessert Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe
Total Time: 23 minutes
5 from 17 votes
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37 White Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Cookies Recipe

Dessert White Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 19 minutes
4.92 from 12 votes
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38 Cherry Almond Cupcake Recipe

Dessert Cherry Almond Cupcake Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 12 votes
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39 White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Recipe

Dessert White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Recipe
Total Time: 9 hours 30 minutes
4.78 from 9 votes
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40 Crème Brûlée Recipe

Dessert Crème Brûlée Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 8 votes
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41 Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe

Dessert Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 128 votes
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42 Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe

Dessert Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 266 votes
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43 Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe

Dessert Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe
Total Time: 13 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 61 votes
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44 No Bake Cheesecake

Dessert No Bake Cheesecake
Total Time: 6 hours 25 minutes
5 from 27 votes
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45 Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Dessert Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 80 votes
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46 Strawberry Shortcake Bars Recipe

Dessert Strawberry Shortcake Bars Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 70 votes
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47 Dessert Kabobs Recipe

Dessert Dessert Kabobs Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 11 votes
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48 Cheesecake Cupcakes Recipe

Dessert Cheesecake Cupcakes Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 55 votes
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49 Strawberry Cookie Recipe

Dessert Strawberry Cookie Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 54 votes
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50 Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Dessert Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 48 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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Valentine’s Day Drinks

Last, but not least, are the drinks!! It’s always fun to have a festive and delicious drink with your Valentine’s meal.

But, not to worry – don’t feel like making anything?! Sparkling apple cider is always great and kids love how fancy it is. Cherry 7UP is another tasty option – it’s pink, kid-friendly, and delicious.

51 Pineapple Pink Lemonade Soda Recipe

Drinks Pineapple Pink Lemonade Soda Recipe
Total Time: 3 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 307 votes
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52 Shirley Temple Recipe

Drinks Shirley Temple Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
5 from 12 votes
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53 Pudding Milkshake Recipe

Drinks Pudding Milkshake Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
5 from 5 votes
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54 Red Velvet Milkshake Recipe

This Red Velvet Milkshake is fun to make and will please your Valentine!
Drinks Red Velvet Milkshake Recipe
Total Time: 7 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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55 Watermelon Juice Recipe

Drinks Watermelon Juice Recipe
Total Time: 8 minutes

Recipe Video

4.94 from 32 votes
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56 Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Recipe

Drinks Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
4.63 from 8 votes
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57 Best Strawberry Lemonade

Drinks Best Strawberry Lemonade
Total Time: 5 minutes
5 from 5 votes
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58 Sonic Cherry Limeade Recipe

Drinks Sonic Cherry Limeade Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 77 votes
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Our Go-To Family Valentines Dinner Recipe

For our delicious, go-to Valentine’s Dinner Recipe that our kids love, try this Heart Shaped Pizza. It’s a family favorite!

Here is the recipe:

5 from 6 votes

55+ Valentine’s Dinner Ideas – {Pizza, Spaghetti + More}

By: Lil’ Luna
Adorable homemade heart shaped pizza is deliciously simple. This tasty dish is ready to enjoy in only 30 minutes!
Servings: 2
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 ball pizza dough homemade or store-bought
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 30 pepperoni
  • ¼ cup pizza sauce
  • 1 ½ cup shredded mozzarella
  • 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons chopped parsley or basil *optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a pizza pan with parchment paper, set aside.
  • Fold each pepperoni in half and cut into heart shapes using kitchen shears. Place on a paper towel lined plate and microwave for 15 seconds on high. Dab any excess grease off, set aside.
  • Lightly flour a surface, roll dough into a heart shape, about 16 inches in width. Fold edges over and press to create the crust. 
  • Transfer pizza dough to prepared baking sheet. Brush with olive oil, then dock the crust with a fork to prevent bubbles from forming.
  • Place in the oven and bake for 6 minutes. Remove and spread sauce over top, then add cheeses and pepperoni. 
  • Return to the oven and bake for 8-12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the pepperoni is crispy. Remove from the oven and top with fresh parsley or basil, if desired. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 2g, Calories: 1395kcal, Carbohydrates: 100g, Protein: 70g, Fat: 80g, Saturated Fat: 35g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 191mg, Sodium: 3549mg, Potassium: 344mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 1519IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 1153mg, Iron: 7mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Making this recipe? Tag us!
Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

Make it Special

Whether you’re planning a romantic meal at home for just the two of you, or a festive family dinner, you’re sure to find the perfect Valentine’s Day recipes on this list.

More Collections: Easy Dinner Ideas, Sunday Dinner Ideas, Chicken Dinner Ideas

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Recipe Rating




3 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I really love this idea. I have used your homemade dough recipe several times and think it will be perfect for this cute dish.

  2. 5 stars
    I love all these fun special ideas! Every thing you need for a great Valentine’s Day is right here. Thank you Lil Luna!

  3. 5 stars
    I love making my family a special Valentine’s dinner & I refer to this site every year for ideas! Loving that heart shaped pizza. Anything shaped into a heart is extra special!