Budget Valentine's Day dinner ideas

Wondering how to create a budget dinner for two on a budget? There's no need to blow the budget this Valentine's Day – plan a menu that's simple, budget-friendly and looks stunning on the plate. Cooking a romantic meal to impress is easier than you think. Simply choose an option from each of our selection of starters, mains and desserts for a night to remember. Pick a signature cocktail, too, and raise a glass to love.

We've designed a menu with various budget Valentine's Day ideas included to suit a range of diets, whether you're after a low-cost vegetarian feast or in the mood for a meaty main. Discover more celebratory recipes that won't break the bank in our party recipes on a budget collection.

Search more ideas for Valentine's gifts on a budget with our homemade edible gifts and gift kit recipes. For extra menu inspiration, check out more of our Valentine's Day menu ideas, along with our main collection of Valentine's Day recipes.

Budget Valentine's Day menu

Starter

An easy, elegant starter will set you off on the right foot. Ditch the potatoes and try these moreish courgette fries, scattered with a generous helping of parmesan for a sophisticated touch.

Or create a colourful, cheesy feast in the shape of our baked feta with sumac & grapes. The salty feta, sweet grapes and tangy sumac create a modern, complex mix of complementary flavours. For a splash of colour and excitement, there's our chargrilled mackerel with sweet & sour beetroot. The pickled beet wedges add extra tang to this moreish fish dish.

Get even more inspiration with our dinner party starter recipes.

Main course

For an impressive vegan main that's big on flavour, try our olive, cauliflower & harissa pasta. The dish boasts luscious ribbons of pappardelle, and a dollop of harissa brings vibrant warmth. Feel free to add more, depending on how spicy you both like it.

Take inspiration from potato dauphinoise for this rustic and cheesy potato patchwork pie, bursting with caramelised leeks and cheese. It's ideal for a cosy evening in.

If you're in the mood for a meaty main, we recommend our lemon pepper steaks with hazelnut salsa verde. The zingy green sauce really brings it to life – swap the celeriac chips for chunky homemade chips if you like. Alternatively, rustle up this olive-brine chicken featuring chicken thighs, a cheaper cut of of meat. It beats food waste by using up olive brine and makes a flavourful chicken dinner.

For more impressive low-cost meals packed full of delicious ingredients, try our cheap eats recipes.

Dessert

Make the most of a budget-friendly peanut butter for these pretty, jam-swirled blondies. Looking for an easy, indulgent chocolate dessert? You don't even need to turn the oven on for these fudgy, chocolate chip-studded microwave brownies. Go one step further and serve with a scoop of your favourite ice cream.

Indulge in this blitz-and-bake banana sticky toffee pudding for a comforting dessert. Add a splash of dark rum to the sponge batter as well as the sauce to make it a bit boozy.

Our five-minute mocha pots use just four basic ingredients and the result is rich and silky-smooth. If you fancy something fruity, our apple crumble sundaes are ready in no time. Cinnamon-spiced ginger biscuit crumble contrasts with soft, sweet apples and vanilla ice cream – a surefire way to someone's heart.

To satisfy a true sweet tooth, whip up this butterscotch banana pie with salted caramel. This storecupboard saviour looks a million dollars.

Like these budget recipes? Get more pocket-friendly meal ideas...

10 easy budget family meals
Our posh budget collection
Cheap baking ideas

What's your most impressive budget recipe? Leave a comment below...