10 Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Dinner Recipes That Look Fancy but Are Super Easy

You’re likely stressing about an elaborate Valentine’s Day dinner, but it’s surprisingly easy to whip up a fancy meal. You’re just a few ingredients away from impressing your loved one with a seafood pasta or beef Wellington.

What’s the simplest way to elevate your dinner game, and which recipes will save you from a culinary disaster on this special night?

1. Seafood Pasta Recipe

Indulge in a romantic seafood pasta dish with shrimp, scallops, and mussels.

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 pound scallops
• 1 pound mussels, scrubbed and debearded
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
5. Add the shrimp, scallops, and mussels to the skillet and cook until the seafood is opaque and the mussels are open.
6. Add the white wine, chicken broth, and tomato paste to the skillet, stirring to combine.
7. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes or until slightly thickened.
8. Stir in the dried basil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Combine the cooked pasta and seafood sauce, tossing to combine.
10. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

2. Quick Chicken Dinner

Tender chicken breast with a delicious honey mustard sauce.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, and thyme.
3. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
4. Brush the honey mustard sauce on both sides of the chicken breasts.
5. Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
6. Sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side.
7. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.
8. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

3. Easy Beef Wellington

Tender beef wrapped in puff pastry, perfect for a romantic dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 (1.5-2 pound) filet mignon
• 1/2 cup mushroom duxelles
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 puff pastry, thawed
• 1 egg, beaten (for brushing pastry)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season the beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Heat the butter in a skillet and sear the beef until browned on all sides.
4. Let the beef cool, then spread the mushroom duxelles over it.
5. Roll out the puff pastry and place the beef in the center.
6. Brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg.
7. Roll the pastry over the beef and press the edges to seal.
8. Place the Wellington on a baking sheet and brush with the remaining egg.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown.
10. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

4. Fast Valentine Dinner

Quick and delicious Valentine’s Day dinner for two.

Ingredients

• 1 pound beef strips
• 1 cup mixed vegetables
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add beef strips and cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add mixed vegetables, garlic, and soy sauce to the skillet.
4. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve hot and enjoy.

5. Simple Steak Recipe

Indulge in a tender and flavorful steak for Valentine’s Day.

Ingredients

• 1.5-2 pounds ribeye or strip loin steak
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Rinse the steak and pat it dry with paper towels.
3. Season the steak with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
4. Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over high heat.
5. Sear the steak for 2-3 minutes per side, or until a crust forms.
6. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and cook for 8-12 minutes, or until the steak reaches desired doneness.
7. Remove the steak from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

6. Romantic Chicken Dish

Tender chicken in a rich, creamy sauce makes a perfect Valentine’s Day dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 cup white wine

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and thyme.
3. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat and sauté the chicken until browned on both sides.
4. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
5. Add the sliced mushrooms to the skillet and cook until they release their moisture and start to brown.
6. Add the white wine to the skillet and cook until the liquid is almost completely reduced.
7. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer.
8. Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon some of the cream sauce over the top of each breast.
9. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
10. Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top of each chicken breast.
11. Serve hot and enjoy.

7. Last Minute Risotto

Creamy Last Minute Risotto is a quick and delicious Valentine’s Day dinner option.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Add the Arborio rice and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
5. Add the white wine and cook until the liquid is almost completely absorbed.
6. Add 1 cup of vegetable broth to the rice and stir until absorbed, repeat this process until all the broth is used.
7. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese.
8. Season the risotto with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Serve the risotto immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

8. Valentine Steak Dinner

Tender steak with a rich, savory sauce for a romantic dinner.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs filet mignon
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp butter
• Fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season the steak with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Sear the steak for 2-3 minutes per side.
5. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and cook for 10-12 minutes.
6. Remove the steak from the oven and let it rest.
7. Reduce the heat to medium and add butter to the skillet.
8. Pour in heavy cream and beef broth, whisking continuously.
9. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook until it thickens.
10. Slice the steak and serve with the sauce, garnished with parsley.

9. Easy Lamb Chops

Tender and flavorful lamb chops perfect for a romantic dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds lamb chops
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a small bowl, mix together garlic, olive oil, rosemary, salt, pepper, and paprika.
3. Brush the mixture evenly onto both sides of the lamb chops.
4. Place the lamb chops on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the lamb chops reach your desired level of doneness.
6. Let the lamb chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.

10. Quick Dinner Ideas

Seared salmon with garlic butter is a romantic and easy dish.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
3. Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Mix the garlic, butter, and lemon juice in a small bowl.
5. Brush the garlic butter mixture on top of the salmon fillets.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through.
8. Serve hot and enjoy.

Conclusion

You’ve got this – whip up a romantic dinner in no time! Your loved one will be swept off their feet by these easy, fancy recipes. With seafood pasta, beef Wellington, and simple steak, you’ll be the chef of love. Savor the moment, and let the flavors of love shine through in your last-minute Valentine’s Day dinner masterpiece.