Main course recipes for Valentine's Day
While many mark Valentine's Day with a bouquet of flowers and a reservation at their favourite restaurants, preparing a romantic meal at home together is just as special. But before you light the candles and pour the wine, you first need to decide what to cook come the 14 February, which is why we have collated our favourite main dish recipes for the occasion, including seafood, steak and vegetarian show-stoppers. So good, even Cupid would approve!
Gnocchi Cacio e Pepe
Traditionally made with spaghetti, this dish is so quick and easy to make it’ll become a weekly staple.
Recipe: Gnocchi Cacio e Pepe
Singapore Chilli Crab and Prawns
This crab and prawn dish is easy to make and perfect for a mid week meal.
Recipe: Singapore Chilli Crab and Prawns
Côte de Boeuf with Rosemary Salt Fries and Truffle Mayo
A côte de boeuf is the French name for a single bone-in ribeye steak, which makes a superb special occasion meal for two, especially when paired with crispy chips and a rich dip.
Recipe: Côte de Boeuf with Rosemary Salt Fries and Truffle Mayo
Crab and Asparagus Clafoutis
We’ve used a mix of white and brown meat to maximise the flavour of this savoury dish.
Recipe: Crab and Asparagus Clafoutis
Roast Rack of Venison with Port and Blueberry Sauce
A Hogmanay inspired, impressive dinner party recipe.
Recipe: Roast Rack of Venison with Port and Blueberry Sauce
Chorizo and Kale Risotto
Just a few ingredients make this flavourful risotto.
Recipe: Chorizo and Kale Risotto
Spaghetti Vongole
You can use any shellfish you like here; cockles are a cheaper alternative to clams and mussels would also work well. If you don’t like tomatoes, you can leave them out and the recipe will be just as delicious. This venetian dish is also the perfect romantic dinner to impress, half the recipe if making for a special someone.
Recipe: Spaghetti Vongole
Polenta with Garlicky Wild Mushrooms
The butternut squash adds sweetness to the polenta and helps to keep it softer and smoother.
Recipe: Polenta with Garlicky Wild Mushrooms
Chicken Borscht with Rye Dumplings
This vibrant soup is sure to warm up a chilly day and can be easily adapted to become vegetarian. The rye bread flavour is authentic, but you can use fresh brown breadcrumbs too if you like.
Recipe: Chicken Borscht with Rye Dumplings
Rolled Crackling Pork Belly with Peach Stuffing
Pull out all the stops with this rolled crackling pork belly, packed with peach stuffing.
Recipe: Rolled Crackling Pork Belly with Peach Stuffing
Lentil and Sage Stuffed Aubergine
Tinned lentils and fresh veggies make for a thrifty yet delicious meat free main.
Recipe: Lentil and Sage Stuffed Aubergine
Mackerel and Kale Salad
This winter salad is full of flavour and texture.
Recipe: Mackerel and Kale Salad
Egg Yolk Ravioli with Beurre Noisette
Nothing says ‘special occasion’ quite like making your own pasta. And the best part is the egg yolk remains runny, the perfect dramatic way to kick off a meal.
Recipe: Egg Yolk Ravioli with Beurre Noisette
Lamb with Red Wine and Lentils
This hearty lamb and lentil dish will warm you up on cold winter nights
Recipe: Lamb with Red Wine and Lentils
Earl Grey Tea-Smoked Salmon
If you love salmon, try our recipe for smoking it at home. Make sure your kitchen is well ventilated!
Recipe: Earl Grey Tea-Smoked Salmon
Beef Wellingtons with Garlic Mash
A super easy beef Wellington, perfect for a Sunday lunch. A piece of beef fillet can be cut into evenly sized steaks for precise cooking.
Recipe: Beef Wellingtons with Garlic Mash
Luxury Bisque Fish Pie
A family favourite made extra luxurious for special occasions, this fish pie is particularly good for Christmas
Recipe: Luxury Bisque Fish Pie
Chestnut-Stuffed Chicken
Try using this stuffing inside a Portobello mushroom for a veggie alternative.
Recipe: Chestnut-Stuffed Chicken
Italian Pork Chops
If possible, buy free range or organic pork – you'll be rewarded with better taste as well as texture.
Recipe: Italian Pork Chops
Herby Fennel and Lamb Traybake
The mixture of fresh herbs adds brightness to this lamb traybake recipe, but you can replace the thyme and rosemary with their dried versions (using about 1/2tsp and 1tsp respectively).
Recipe: Herby Fennel and Lamb Traybake
Twice Baked Goat's Cheese Souffles
An indulgent classic, soufflés make a fantastic addition to any table. These soufflés pair especially well with spiced red cabbage and cranberry sauce.
Recipe: Twice Baked Goat's Cheese Souffles
Crab and Tomato Open Lasagne
A delicious and speedy twist on classic lasagne.
Recipe: Crab and Tomato Open Lasagne
Sweet Potato, Spinach and Goat's Cheese Rotolo
This centrepiece pasta supper looks as good as it tastes.
Recipe: Sweet Potato, Spinach and Goat's Cheese Rotolo
Artichoke Pesto Ravioli
A super-speedy veggie supper
Recipe: Artichoke Pesto Ravioli
Individual Beetroot Wellington
Beetroot and goat’s cheese are a match made in heaven, and even more delicious when enveloped in pastry.
Recipe: Individual Beetroot Wellington
Steak with Blue Cheese and Mushroom Pappardelle
This luxurious steak, blue cheese and mushroom pasta dish is quick to prepare and sure to satisfy.
Recipe: Steak with Blue Cheese and Mushroom Pappardelle
Luxury Truffle Mac and Cheese
This American classic includes 3 types of cheeses, and is transformed by a drizzle of luxurious truffle oil
Recipe: Luxury Truffle Mac and Cheese
Steak Your Claim with Crush On You Tomatoes
Steak comes alive with a flavourful butter – and this one’s ready in minutes.
Recipe: Steak Your Claim with Crush On You Tomatoes
Turn Up The Heat Lobster Thermidor
An expensive treat, but well worth the cost. If you don’t fancy halving the lobster then ask your fishmonger to do the hard work for you
Recipe: Turn Up The Heat Lobster Thermidor
Queen of Hearts Tart
These elegant tarts are served at room temperature so there’s no rush to get them to the table hot.
Recipe: Queen of Hearts Tart
Heartbeet Soup
This simple, satisfying soup is an earthy yet elegant main for non-meat eaters. If you like, crumble over some goat’s cheese for a protein boost.
Recipe: Heartbeet Soup
Duck with Rhubarb and Sloe Gin
Rhubarb cuts through the richness of duck wonderfully.
Recipe: Duck with Rhubarb and Sloe Gin
Steak with the Best Pan Sauce
The creamy, punchy sauce is made while the steak rests – so tasty, so easy!
Recipe: Steak with the Best Pan Sauce
Crab Pasta Shells
We've used a mixture of brown and white crabmeat for flavour, but use all white meat, if you prefer. To make a vegetarian version, replace crabmeat with 150g crumbled goat's cheese, and the fish stock with vegetable stock.
Recipe: Crab Pasta Shells
Fondue Bread Bowl
This cheesy Swiss classic fondue makes a fun DIY dinner idea for date night.
Recipe: Fondue Bread Bowl
Pea and Pancetta Carbonara
This carbonara uses peas as added freshness, plus garlicky breadcrumbs to give it a delicious crunch.
Recipe: Pea and Pancetta Carbonara
Smoky Spanish Mussels
This simple Spanish dish is full of moreish, smoky flavour.
Recipe: Smoky Spanish Mussels
Easy Cod Traybake
For this dish, you can use any white fish fillets you like.
Recipe: Easy Cod Traybake
Lobster Macaroni Cheese
We've used a tin of lobster bisque and prawns to make a cheat's lobster macaroni cheese recipe. But they'll never know!
Recipe: Lobster Macaroni Cheese
Steak Tagliata
Serve this delicious recipe just warm, or even at room temperature.
Recipe: Steak Tagliata
One-pot Prawn Laksa
This one-pot prawn laksa noodle soup is both fresh tasting and creamy with coconut milk.
Recipe: One-pot Prawn Laksa
Vegan Mushroom Risotto
This gorgeous vegan risotto is oh-so creamy - you'd think it wasn't vegan!
Recipe: Vegan Mushroom Risotto
Smoked Salmon and Vodka Gnocchi
The alcohol burns off to leave a rich taste, but you can always leave out the vodka, if you are serving this to the family.
Recipe: Smoked Salmon and Vodka Gnocchi
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