17 Easy Romantic Valentine's Day Dinner Recipes Anyone Can Cook

February 06, 2020
This Valentine’s Day, impress your special someone with these recipes anyone can cook—even beginner cooks. All ready in 30 minutes or less, you can make a memorable meal without spending all day in the kitchen. From creamy steak dinners to savory pastas, these classics turn up the romance and cut down on kitchen stress. Not to mention, they are perfectly portioned for two.
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1 of 17

Chicken Saltimbocca

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This healthy chicken saltimbocca recipe makes an impressive, yet fast, classy dinner. Serve this Italian-inspired chicken with roasted broccoli rabe and creamy polenta to round out this elegant meal. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March/April 2015

 
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Seared Salmon with Green Peppercorn Sauce for Two

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In this recipe for two, a simple sauce of piquant green peppercorns, lemon juice and butter tops seared salmon. Green peppercorns come from the same plant as black ones, but are harvested before they mature. Typically packed in vinegar, they have a refreshingly sharp flavor. Look for them near the capers in most supermarkets. Serve with smashed red potatoes and sautéed kale. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September/October 2012

 

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Air-Fryer Scallops

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A quick and impressive dinner, scallops turn succulent and tender in the air fryer. The lemon-herb sauce is the perfect way to bring zest to each bite. Be sure to cook the scallops to temperature. They may not brown in the fryer, so don't wait for a golden crust to tell you they're ready. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

 
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Cube Steak with Mushroom-Sherry Sauce for Two

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Cube steak is a tougher cut of meat pounded to make it tender. We like it because it cooks quickly and is inexpensive--perfect for a weeknight dinner. Look for presliced mushrooms to save even more time on prep. Serve with: Mashed potatoes and grilled broccoli rabe. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March/April 2010

 

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Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken with Mushroom Marsala Sauce for Two

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Paper-thin slices of prosciutto are turned into a salty, crispy “crust” in this quick chicken thigh recipe with mushroom sauce that serves two. Serve with mashed potatoes and steamed greens. Source: EatingWell Magazine, November/December 2013

 

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Fennel & Shrimp Fra Diavolo for Two

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Sweet shrimp and fennel are just the thing to pair with spicy, garlicky tomato sauce in this healthy makeover of an Italian pasta recipe. If you're not a fan of heat, adjust the amount of crushed red pepper to taste. Serve with a green salad with a red-wine vinaigrette or sautéed green vegetables.

 
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Seared Salmon with Pesto Fettuccine for Two

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The brightness of basil pesto is a nice match for the buttery flavor of salmon in this quick and healthy dinner recipe. Refrigerated pesto, found near fresh sauces and salsas at most stores, is prettier and has a better taste than jarred varieties.

 

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Wine-Glazed Steak

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This sirloin steak owes its bold flavor to a tantalizing mix of red wine, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and honey. Try it for a quick 30-minute dinner. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

 

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Spaghetti Carbonara with Peas for Two

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Our healthy spaghetti carbonara recipe for two is lower in calories and fat than a traditional spaghetti carbonara recipe, plus it boasts more than 9 grams of fiber per serving from whole-wheat pasta. For the best flavor, use Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. The eggs in the sauce are not fully cooked; if you're concerned about consuming undercooked eggs, use pasteurized-in-the-shell eggs in this spaghetti carbonara recipe. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2013

 
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Smoky Mustard-Maple Salmon for Two

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It doesn't get much easier--or more delicious--than this speedy recipe for roast salmon for two topped with a smoky maple-mustard sauce. The sweetness of the maple balances the tangy mustard; smoked paprika or ground chipotle adds another layer of flavor. Ask at the fish counter to have the salmon cut into four 4-ounce fillets with the skin removed. Serve with roasted green beans and whole-wheat couscous tossed with pecans and chives. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September/October 2011

 

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Prosciutto-Wrapped Shrimp with Arugula Salad for Two

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This recipe for jumbo shrimp wrapped in thin strips of prosciutto and served on a lemony bed of arugula is a practically effortless recipe for two. Wrap your shrimp and make the dressing ahead of time, and you'll have dinner on the table even faster. Serve with toasted whole-wheat baguette sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. Source: EatingWell Magazine, November/December 2012

 

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Boneless Pork Chops with Mushrooms & Thyme

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Although this supper is made to serve two, you can double or triple the recipe so it becomes a family meal that's big on taste but still very healthy. If you'd rather not use vermouth, substitute unsweetened apple juice. Source: EatingWell Magazine, August/September 2005

 
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Chicken Breasts with Mushroom Cream Sauce

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The secret to a good cream sauce is always the same: not too much cream or it can be overpowering, masking the more delicate flavors. Here it contains a bountiful amount of mushrooms and is served over chicken breasts. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March/April 2008

 

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Garlic Shrimp on Spinach

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Parmesan cheese lends an intriguing flavor accent to garlic- and lemon-steamed shrimp in this recipe. And it's under 200 calories per serving. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

 

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Kale, Sausage & Pepper Pasta

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This entire healthy pasta recipe cooks in one skillet, so there's only one pot to clean! Try it with any greens you have in the fridge, such as chard or spinach. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Fall 2019

 
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Seared Scallops with Mint Pesto

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A refreshing mint, almond and Parmesan cheese topper is a tantalizing flavor partner for these plump, tender sea scallops. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

 

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Lemon-Garlic Sardine Fettuccine for Two

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Even sardine skeptics will enjoy this lemony pasta with crispy breadcrumbs. Substitute a 5- to 6-ounce can chunk light tuna for the sardines if you prefer. If you are using tuna or can't find sardines packed in tomato sauce, add 1 tablespoon tomato paste with the lemon juice in Step 4. Serve with a salad of bitter greens tossed with a lemon vinaigrette and a glass of pinot grigio. Source: EatingWell Magazine, November/December 2010

 
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