Holidays & Occasions Valentine's Day The 59 Best Valentine's Day Recipes Of All Time By Lisa Cericola Lisa Cericola Lisa Cericola has been on staff at Southern Living since 2015. As Deputy Editor, Lisa manages the food and travel departments and edits those sections of each issue, as well as digital content. Previously, she was the features editor at Food Network Magazine and has more than 15 years of experience writing, editing, and managing photo shoots for print and digital lifestyle brands. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on April 11, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar Valentine's Day is a heavenly holiday in which we get to nibble on heart-shaped boxes full of chocolates and candies in lieu of the usual suspects like apple slices, Cheez-its, and yogurt cups. So why not serve a date night meal that feels just as special? When it comes to picking Valentine's Day dinner recipes, make the menu something to remember. No, make it something so good that Cupid himself would be smitten. First, skip the casseroles. (Because casseroles just aren't that romantic. There, we said it.) Second, don't be afraid to be a little kitschy. Slow-cooked braised lamb shanks? Molten red velvet cakes? Now that's a menu that'll make us blush. This year, we've got you covered with soups, salads, main dishes, and desserts that'll be sure to win over every sweetheart, secret admirer, and suitor. These Valentine's Day recipes will leave them love-struck. 01 of 59 Sheet Pan Hanger Steak and Vegetables Victor Protasio; Prop Styling; Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Using a sheet pan is the easiest way to cook an entire meal at one time. A mixture of softened butter, seasonings, and herbs give this steak dinner a special finishing touch. Get The Recipe 02 of 59 Chocolate Martini Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Now here's a Valentine's drink you're bound to adore. This indulgent chocolate martini is a delicious option for your V-Day celebrations and there are so many ways to make it your own. Top it with chocolate shavings and espresso or cocoa powder, or garnish with a strawberry and a dollop of whipped cream. Get The Recipe 03 of 59 Pork Chops with Dijon-Buttermilk Sauce Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Pork chops are a forever favorite, and when they're adorned with a spoonful of our fan-favorite Dijon-Buttermilk sauce, you'll fall in love with them all over again. Get The Recipe 04 of 59 Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar Instead of grabbing a box of chocolate-covered strawberries this year, treat your Valentine to this homemade cheesecake that has the same flavor but is even more decadent. Get The Recipe 05 of 59 Caesar Salad with Garlicky Croutons Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer Skip the bagged salad for the special occasion and serve a homemade Caesar salad as the first course. Get The Recipe 06 of 59 Garlicky Roasted Spatchcock Chicken Alison Miksch Have you heard the rumor that making roasted chicken increases your odds of getting a proposal? It's not exactly science, but this recipe might help. Get The Recipe 07 of 59 Lobster Mac and Cheese Jennifer Davick; Styling: Rachael Burrow; Recipe: Darcy Lenz This classic side dish is elegant enough to be the main course when upgraded with lobster. Get The Recipe 08 of 59 Shrimp on Seasoned Crackers with Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Step up your appetizer game by topping seasoned crackers with shrimp, cream cheese, and pepper jelly. Get The Recipe 09 of 59 German Chocolate Cake Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Strong-brewed coffee and German's sweet chocolate baking bars give each layer of cake just the right amount of flavor that's perfect for pairing with the showstopping Coconut-Pecan Frosting. Get The Recipe 10 of 59 Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch You can serve this appetizer with the tomato skin on or off, whichever you prefer. Get The Recipe 11 of 59 Baked Tortellini Alfredo With Mushrooms Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Thanks to refrigerated tortellini, this pasta dish will be ready to serve in just 25 minutes. Get The Recipe 12 of 59 Braised Lamb Shanks with Parmesan-Chive Grits Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Considering how fancy and date night-worthy this dish looks, you'd never guess that this sophisticated supper was made in a slow cooker. Get The Recipe 13 of 59 Chocolate Cobbler Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall The method used for this cobbler includes pouring boiling water over the batter. This creates pockets of pudding between the tender sections of cake. Get The Recipe 14 of 59 Valentine's Day Cake Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar No special pan is required to create this heart-shaped cake. Get The Recipe 15 of 59 Slow-Cooker Lemon-Asparagus Risotto Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis We concocted this recipe so that even beginner chefs can make a creamy, silky risotto at home. You could serve this as a light side with a protein of your choice or enjoy it as a main dish before an indulgent dessert. Get The Recipe 16 of 59 No-Bake Peanut Butter-Fudge Ice-Cream Pie Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Do you have a Reese's Cup lover in your midst? This mile-high creamy pie is just what you need to really impress. Get The Recipe 17 of 59 Chicken Scallopini Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners Our Test Kitchen recommends choosing a wine you like to drink for this recipe so you can enjoy the rest of the bottle with your meal. Get The Recipe 18 of 59 Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox We're here to impress, right? Skip the crab cakes—so expected. Try your hand at these salmon cakes, instead. Get The Recipe 19 of 59 Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox This traditional meat sauce makes a comforting choice for Valentine's Day—and it's perfect for busy cooks. You can set it in the slow cooker and leave it alone. Get The Recipe 20 of 59 Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes Photographer: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Ranking; Prop Stylist Julia Bayless Potatoes work well with every main dish, whether it's steak or ham, scallops or salmon, and this creamy dish is sure to please. Get The Recipe 21 of 59 Pork Tenderloin with Farro Salad Victor Protasio; Prop Styling; Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall You'll need just 20 minutes to treat your sweetheart to this easy yet delicious dinner so even if you're short on time, you can still enjoy a homemade meal together. Get The Recipe 22 of 59 Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox This jewel-toned salad is just as delicious as it is pretty. Festive Valentine reds and pinks are sure to impress any holiday guests. Get The Recipe 23 of 59 Buttermilk Drop Biscuits Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos Give your buttermilk biscuits a special makeover for a fancy date night. Get The Recipe 24 of 59 Red Velvet Brownies Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners You can't go wrong serving these colorful brownies smothered in rich cream cheese frosting for dessert. Get The Recipe 25 of 59 Cast-Iron Steak Salad Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn While a main-dish salad isn't the typical fare for Valentine's Day, this one is a flavorsome exception. Get The Recipe 26 of 59 Roasted Tomato-Cheddar Soup Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos This classic soup with a cheesy twist is always a great pick, especially on cold winter nights. Get The Recipe 27 of 59 Slow-Cooker Pot Roast Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton For many, comfort food evokes the feeling of love, and this traditional pot roast is the perfect example. Serve with our Crispy Potatoes. Get The Recipe 28 of 59 Molten Red Velvet Cakes HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ Molten and miniature, these red velvet cakes basically scream "Valentine's Day dessert." Get The Recipe 29 of 59 Crab-and-Bacon Linguine Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox White wine, heavy cream, and bacon combine to make a pan sauce that feels oh-so indulgent. (As if crab linguine even needs help in that department.) Get The Recipe 30 of 59 Air Fryer Steak Photography and Styling: Caitlin Bensel Steak for two comes together with just 10 minutes of hands-on time with the help of your air fryer. Finish with homemade herb butter for a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own home. Get The Recipe 31 of 59 Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake with Caramel Buttercream Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox Is there really any reason to not make this easy, decadent, and oh-so-yummy chocolate fudge cake? Didn't think so. Get The Recipe 32 of 59 White Chocolate Raspberry Loaf Cake Photo: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Styling: Kay Clarke, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall This pretty pound cake can also be made with fresh strawberries instead of raspberries, or you can use a mixture of both. Get The Recipe 33 of 59 Turkey with Shallot-Mustard Sauce and Roasted Potatoes Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke The turkey cooks in the slow cooker for ultimate hands-off ease in this Valentine's Day dinner that would impress company, too. Get The Recipe 34 of 59 Cacio e Pepe Heidi's Bridge If desired, you can add a protein like chicken or shrimp to the side of this easy yet always impressive pasta dish. Get The Recipe 35 of 59 Mocha Bark Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley This recipe combines deep coffee flavors, which complement a classic chocolate bark beautifully. Get The Recipe 36 of 59 Ancho Chile Flank Steak and Sweet Potato Tacos Alison Miksch Who says tacos can't be romantic? When they're filled with ancho-chile-spiced flank steak and roasted sweet potato, they certainly are. Get The Recipe 37 of 59 Fudgy Flourless Chocolate-Pecan Cookies Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Even Cupid would make a special appearance for these intensely rich chocolate cookies. So rich, in fact, they snub even a pinch of flour. Get The Recipe 38 of 59 Shrimp Scampi Linguine Luca Trovato This recipe is as decadent as it is simple. Quick-cooking shrimp also make a good choice if your Valentine's dinner falls on a weeknight. Get The Recipe 39 of 59 Pecan-Crusted Chicken and Tortellini with Herbed Butter Sauce Photo: Jennifer Davick A nutty, smooth dish ready for your Valentine's date in 30 minutes? Yes, please. Get The Recipe 40 of 59 Best-Ever Crab Cakes with Green Tomato Slaw Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox Celebrate the day of love with pure crispy decadence—in the form of these best-ever crab cakes. Serve as a main dish or an appetizer! Get The Recipe 41 of 59 Deep-Dish Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Alison Miksch Make your date night feel young again. This skillet cookie should be served warm with a hefty scoop of vanilla ice cream. Get The Recipe 42 of 59 Lemon-Lime Meringue Pie Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling; Tina Bell Stamos "My love for you is as strong yet tender as the peaks on my meringue pie." At least, that's what we'd say. Get The Recipe 43 of 59 Pasta with Shrimp and Tomato Cream Sauce Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Anna Hampton Maybe you didn't get to take that romantic weekend to the beach—or maybe you did. Either way, this pasta gives a taste of the coast. Get The Recipe 44 of 59 Ginger-Plum Slump Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones Something about warm, stewed fruits in a cast-iron skillet makes us swoon. This ginger-plum recipe feels worlds away from your basic peach cobbler. Get The Recipe 45 of 59 Creamy Rice with Scallops Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox Scallops are the steak of the sea—so splurge this Valentine's Day by making these and serving with risotto-like creamy rice. Get The Recipe 46 of 59 Bourbon-Chocolate Cake with Browned Buttercream Frosting Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop styling: Lydia Pursell Adding a splash of bourbon to both the cake and the icing give this dessert a decadent flavor any bourbon lover will enjoy. Get The Recipe 47 of 59 Herb-Crusted Roasted Leg Of Lamb GREG DUPREE; PROP STYLING: AUDREY DAVIS; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL You know it's a special occasion when the Herb-Crusted Roasted Leg of Lamb hits the table. Few main dishes are quite as special as this one. Get The Recipe 48 of 59 Scalloped Potatoes Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen Scalloped potatoes are an ideal side for many occasions, and they're sure to accompany seamlessly whatever Valentine's Day main dish you choose. Get The Recipe 49 of 59 Banana Pudding Cheesecake Jennifer Davick Two Southern favorites—cheesecake and banana pudding—create one show-stopping dessert your significant other will love. Get The Recipe 50 of 59 Dark Chocolate Sablés Iain Bagwell This elegant cookie is delicate and crumbly – just baking perfection. The result is a beautiful cookie that needs just 20 minutes of active work. Get The Recipe 51 of 59 Cherry-Nectarine Pandowdy Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones Achy, breaky heart? Try ooey, gooey dessert! Nectarines and cherries make a fabulous duo. Get The Recipe 52 of 59 Vidalia Onion Soup Southern Living Using Vidalia onions adds even more flavor to this classic soup. Serve it as a starter or pair it with a salad for the main course. Get The Recipe 53 of 59 Oysters Rockefeller Southern Living Oysters are heralded as one of the most romantic foods—so serve them up with a Southern twist by making this dish that originated in New Orleans. Get The Recipe 54 of 59 Brennan's Bananas Foster Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Karin Olsen Bananas Foster would be a fun dessert to make together, and the result is oh-so-tasty. Get The Recipe 55 of 59 Carrot-Pineapple Mini Bundt Cakes with Buttermilk-Vanilla Icing Cedric Angeles; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox These cakes look so elegant when plated, and they couldn't be any easier to make. Get The Recipe 56 of 59 Roasted Lamb With Fresh-Herb Sauce Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Fresh herbs elevate this roasted lamb dish to something truly special (and utterly memorable for Valentine's Day dinner). Get The Recipe 57 of 59 Dark Chocolate-Pistachio-Orange Kisses Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis If you can master the art of a meringue then you're sure to wow your Valentine with these deliciously citrusy and decadent kisses. Get The Recipe 58 of 59 Homemade Mashed Potatoes Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall Add the simplest, most comforting side to make your Valentine's Day dinner a cozy night to remember. Get The Recipe 59 of 59 Pecan-Coated Pork Loin Roast Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Break out the pecans to make a showstopping main dish of tender, roasted pork loin. Get The Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit