Valentine’s Day Recipes No Matter How You’re Celebrating

Some great recipes for dinner, drinks, and dessert.

I feel like there’s people who do or don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. February 14th can look a lot of different ways depending on the season of life you’re currently in. Maybe you’re cooking dinner at home for two, maybe you’re hosting a Galentine’s night with friends, maybe you’re wrangling kids and making something festive, or maybe you’re treating yourself to a really good meal and dessert for one (which I fully support, by the way).

I’m not someone who needs Valentine’s Day to be over-the-top or complicated. What I do love is using it as an excuse to cook something that feels a little more special than a regular weeknight dinner. That might mean a cozy, slow-cooked meal, a fun cocktail, or a dessert’s a little more indulgent and celebratory.

So I’ve pulled together a few of my favorite recipes that would be perfect for Valentine’s Day (or Galentine’s Day). I’ve got some great mains, some fun drinks, and some delicious desserts for you, your partner, your kids, your girls, or whoever.

Pick what fits your plans!

Looking for some easy ways to elevate the mood and vibe of the night without making it too formal or breaking the bank? Here are a few of my favorite items:

• Pretty glasses for the cocktails or mocktails

• Some candles

• Small serving boards for desserts like the strawberries or cookies

• Galentine’s Party Inspo

These are all a little more simple than just a simple steak and potatoes or spaghetti and meatballs situation. Perfect for if you want to make your partner a special meal at home or you want to treat yourself to something a little outside of the norm.

If you love the taste of crispy chicken, warm marinara sauce, and melty mozzarella cheese, then you will love my Quick and Easy Chicken Parmesan- a better-for-you take on the classic Italian dish that comes together in under 30 minutes. It’s baked, not fried, giving it a healthier spin, but is still packed with all of the flavor that you know and love. Serve it over a bed of pasta, and you have the perfect, restaurant-quality dinner, ready in minutes.

Creamy, cozy, and all made in one pan. My One-Pan Marry Me Chicken Orzo has become popular for a reason — it feels indulgent but is still totally doable, which makes it great for Valentine’s Day when you don’t want a pile of dishes afterward.

Light, fresh, and simple, but still special. This Easy Broiled Salmon with Lemony Couscous is a great option if you want something that feels balanced and nourishing without sacrificing flavor and presentation.

It’s Valentine’s Day — the perfect time to fall in love with this Micro Chop Caesar Salad. This salad is everything that you know and love about a chicken caesar salad, but chopped finely enough to be scooped up with tortilla chips or enjoyed with a spoon. Plus, it’s topped with a giant parmesan crisp that is baked to perfection and adds the perfect, crunchy texture to the top of the salad.

This is perfect if you’re leaning into comfort and don’t mind letting the oven do most of the work. This Miso Ginger Orange Chuck Roast is one of my most popular recipes. It’s rich, flavorful, and deeply comforting. Here’s my favorite dutch oven for making roasts.

Slow-braised, cozy, and undeniably special — these Fall-Off-the-Bone Braised Red Wine Short Ribs are perfect if you want Valentine’s dinner to feel extra special. Even better they take only about 20 minutes of hands-on prep, and after that the oven does all the heavy lifting.

Need a plant-based dish? These Marry Me Chickpeas have all the cozy, creamy flavors of the classic “Marry Me” dishes — but without the meat. This one is hearty, satisfying, and perfect for serving over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread.

What better way to celebrate the season of love by sharing a delicious drink with your sweetie? My Frozen Cherry Margarita is the perfect drink to celebrate the occasion, and it’s not only delicious but also easy to make. It’s sweet, it’s creamy, and it’s perfectly festive for a Valentine’s or Galentine’s celebration!

This frozen rosé-based drink comes together with a blend of rosé wine, lemonade, and a homemade lemon syrup that is a little sweet, and a little tart, and totally delicious.

Whether you want something chocolatey, fruity, or single-serving.

Valentine’s Day is all about indulging in sweet treats with your loved ones, and what could be better than a warm, gooey cinnamon roll straight from the oven? This year, why not try something a little different with my vegan, refined sugar-free Single Serving Strawberry Cinnamon Roll – a healthier twist on the classic dessert.

It’s time to run to your kitchen and grab your sheet pan, because this is The Best Healthy Sheet Pan Strawberry Shortcake. It’s made from a light and airy gluten-free cake that is then topped with your favorite whipped topping and delicious, sugar-coated strawberries.

Imagine for a moment if your favorite candy bar got a healthy and delicious high-protein twist – except with this recipe, you don’t have to imagine. These are my Snickers Mousse Cups, and these rich and creamy cups are filled with all of the ingredients of a classic Snickers bar that you know and love.

If you’re looking for the perfect melt-in-your-mouth, sweet and salty, chewy chocolate chip cookie, then look no further than my Brown Butter Milk Chocolate Pistachio Cookies. These cookies come together with a mixture of nutty brown butter, salty pistachios, and creamy milk chocolate, for the perfect holiday cookie that covers all of your bases. Oh, and did I mention, it’s also gluten-free? It only takes a few simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes to make these delicious and festive holiday cookies!

What better way to celebrate this occasion than with a sweet treat that is not only delicious but also low in sugar? Introducing my Drunken Strawberries- aka strawberries with Prosecco and vodka- , the perfect way to sweeten up your special day with your loved one or your “Galentines”.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t need a perfectly planned evening to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s just about cooking something you’re excited to eat and enjoying the moment you’re in — whether that’s with a partner, your kids, friends, or just yourself.

I hope this roundup gives you a few ideas that feel doable, comforting, and fun. 💗