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Top 30 Valentine’s Day meals

By Emily Lambe – Digital assistant, bbcgoodfood.com

Looking for a romantic dinner to make on Valentine's Day? See our top meal suggestions, including classic steaks, indulgent pasta dishes and more.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at home with our delicious dinner ideas. Whether you’re a beginner or a kitchen pro, we have a selection of recipes for every skill level including classic steak, hearty pasta dishes and super-rich comfort food. Make date night extra special with our showstopping mains.

Complete your meal with our Valentine’s Day dessert recipes such as chocolate fondant, panna cotta and chocolate torte. Pair your dinner with a Valentine’s Day cocktail, like a sweet passionfruit martini, a citrusy cosmopolitan or a strong espresso martini.

If you’d prefer to do less cooking on Valentine’s Day, try a restaurant meal kit and recreate your favourite dishes at home. Our review includes special occasion boxes with luxury ingredients and vegan boxes for dietary restrictions.

Best Valentine’s Day meals

1) Sirloin steak

You can’t go wrong with a classic steak. Our method uses oil and butter for a nice brown crust. Season with crushed garlic and fresh thyme for a subtle flavour. Serve with chunky chips, fondant potatoes or hasselback potatoes. Pair with one of our delicious steak sauce recipes.

2) Stuffed pasta bake bolognese

This showstopping dish isn’t your average pasta bake. Stuff pasta shells with a cheesy filling made from mascarpone and mozzarella, then pair with a meaty bolognese. Bake until the top is golden and bubbling, and the pasta is tender. Find more rich dishes in our comfort food collection.

3) Crispy za’atar chicken pilaf with pomegranate

Nestle crispy za’atar chicken pieces amongst pistachio pilaf rice for an irresistible supper. The chicken thighs are succulent and the skin is perfectly crisp. The za’atar gives a sharp, scented and lingering savoury taste that is fragrant, herbal and citric. Try pairing with our dark chocolate & passion fruit tart.

4) Beef stroganoff

Learn the secret to tender beef in our next-level beef stroganoff. Porcini powder gives it the wow factor. Top with a generous dollop of soured cream, then scatter with parsley and a pinch of paprika. Your other half will be weak at the knees.

5) Roast chicken risotto

Elevate a standard risotto to something out-of-this-world with a few tweaks – think chicken crackling and truffle oil. It’s also great for using up leftover roast chicken.

6) Spaghetti puttanesca

Spaghetti puttanesca is a timeless pasta dish filled with thrifty storecupboard ingredients. Cook up this classic sauce in one pan, then toss with spaghetti for a simple Valentine’s Day meal. Ours is filled with anchovies, black olives and capers.

7) Ratatouille

Vegetables are slow-cooked in a dish that sings of summer. Serve with toasted bread, or for a more substantial meal, as a side with roasted meat or fish. This healthy dish packs in your five-a-day, and it’s vegan.

8) Grilled lobster tails

What could be more decadent than lobster tail covered in lemon and herb butter? This recipe is surprisingly easy to make and comes together in just 30 minutes. Simply prepare the lobster tails and grill for 10 minutes until cooked through. Finish with a drizzle of infused butter and a scattering of fresh herbs.

9) Beef bourguignon

Take beef bourguignon to new heights with our ultimate recipe. It tastes better a day or two after cooking, which means you can make it ahead and enjoy a stress-free Valentine’s, tucking into melt-in-the-mouth beef and hearty veg in a red wine sauce.

10) Melty cheese & potato pie

Drawing from the apres-ski classic tartiflette, this indulgent pie transforms into a cheesy fondue with creamy sliced potatoes and crisp puff pastry. Super-indulgent and perfect for an extra special date night dinner.

11) Smoky steak with Cajun potatoes & spicy slaw

Steak and Cajun potatoes make a tasty meal for two – perfect for special occasions like Valentine’s. Make our simple spicy slaw with red cabbage, onion, mayo, soured cream and chipotle.

12) Spaghetti & meatballs

Make the ultimate meatballs in a rich tomato sauce for your Lady and the Tramp moment. They’re made with a mix of beef and pork mince, with ciabatta breadcrumbs and a melty mozzarella or fontina middle.

13) Creamy salmon, leek & potato traybake

Nestle leeks, potato and capers around salmon fillets, and pour over a creamy garlic and caper sauce. Such little effort and washing-up will leave you with all the more time with your amore.

14) Paella

Choose the freshest ingredients for our world-class paella. Serve this classic Spanish seafood dish in the pan for a flavourful fiesta.

15) Baked chicken arrabbiata

Make this easy baked chicken arrabbiata with tomatoes, peppers and spinach for a simple Valentine’s Day meal. Serve with the pasta of your choice.

16) Tomato & mascarpone risotto

Creamy mascarpone makes this risotto rich and full of flavour. A sprinkle of parmesan and fresh basil are the perfect finishing touches.

17) Vegan wellington

A decadent wellington is perfect for a special occasion. This clever vegan version is made with a mixture of mushrooms, black beans and vital wheat gluten, wrapped in pastry. Make a rich gravy with red wine, soy sauce, tomato purée and stock.

18) Macaroni cheese lasagne

Combine two comfort classics for the ultimate hug in a bowl. Make a rich ragu sauce with pancetta, beef and veggies. Top with creamy macaroni cheese, then grated cheddar and mozzarella. Bake until golden brown and bubbly.

19) Slow-cooked pork, cider & sage hotpot

Warm up on a chilly Valentine’s Day with this glorious slow-cooked pork hotpot, cooked in cider and sage. It’s topped with a crispy layer of potatoes and sage leaves.

20) Baked garlic prawns with roasted peppers & gremolata toasts

Baked Garlic Prawns With Peppers Gremolata Toasts

Looking for an easy Valentine’s Day dinner that looks impressive? Say hello to these baked prawns, cooked with roasted red peppers and topped with garlic and herbs.

21) Next level spaghetti carbonara

Make the ultimate spaghetti carbonara with a creamy sauce and crisp pancetta or guanciale. Top with an extra egg yolk to really show you care.

22) One-pot paneer curry pie

What’s more comforting than a curry topped with golden pastry? This one-pot paneer pie is filled with a makhani-style filling, sure to woo anyone you serve it to.

23) Pot-roast chicken with stock

You can’t go wrong with a classic roast chicken on Valentine’s Day. We slow-roasted this with plenty of stock to ensure it’s succulent and moist. Serve with your favourite roast dinner trimmings.

24) Baked cod with creamy mushroom & leek orzo

Rustle up our baked cod with orzo, creamy mushrooms and leeks in just 20 minutes. It’s a super-speedy supper – so there’s no excuse not to make a pudding, too.

25) Creamy mushroom pasta

Make this creamy mushroom pasta dish for an elegant veggie Valentine’s offering. Cream, parmesan, white wine, lemon and parsley make this full of flavour.

26) Rump steak

It’s a classic for a reason. Try our perfect method for cooking a simple rump steak with these easy, foolproof steps. Serve with fluffy chips and a green salad.

27) Creamy fish & leek pie

Make a comfort food classic Valentine’s-worthy with king prawns, salmon and haddock, topped with a golden, cheesy mash.

28) Sausage ragu

This flavourful sausage ragu is a great way to keep Valentine’s Day affordable. Any leftover sauce can be frozen for the next time you want to ignite some passion!

29) Salmon en croûte

Wow that special someone with a super-cheffy salmon en croûte. Our pro tips will guide you through, resulting in succulent salmon, soft cheese and dill encased in crisp puff pastry with a pickled cucumber side. You’ll never eat out again.