Valentine’s Day has a way of sneaking up, and after a long workweek, the last thing anyone wants is a dinner that feels like another task. You still want something that looks like you put in effort, but motivation is running low, and takeout feels a little too lazy. These recipes get you there without a ton of prep, complicated steps, or a sink full of dishes. They’re quick, easy, and still make the night feel like something more than just another Friday.
Creamy Tomato Farfalle
Farfalle pasta, creamy tomato sauce, peas, and crispy prosciutto come together in a dish that’s both easy and filling. Comfort food without the work.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tomato Farfalle
Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon
No thawing, no problem. This salmon goes straight from the freezer to the air fryer, getting crispy on the outside and flaky inside. The maple mustard glaze brings big flavor with almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon
Sheet Pan Turmeric Salmon
Salmon, garlic cherry sauce, and roasted broccoli all cook on one pan, making cleanup almost non-existent. The turmeric gives the fish a deep golden color and a little extra flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Turmeric Salmon
Easiest Braised Leg of Lamb
Slow-cooked until fall-apart tender, this lamb leg barely needs any hands-on time. Just a few ingredients and a low oven temp do all the work, leaving you with meat that shreds easily for wraps, bowls, or just eating straight off the plate.
Get the Recipe: Easiest Braised Leg of Lamb
Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp
Bucatini pasta, juicy shrimp, and cherry tomatoes make this a quick and easy meal that still feels a little fancy. Ready in under 30 minutes, so you don’t have to spend your whole night in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp
Pecan Crusted Chicken
Crispy, crunchy, and coated in a honey Dijon yogurt sauce that takes it over the top. This one gets rave reviews every time, and it’s just as easy as tossing chicken in breadcrumbs.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Crusted Chicken
Cod Piccata
A seafood take on the classic piccata, this one brings together flaky cod, lemon, capers, and a buttery pan sauce. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and a great way to break out of a chicken rut.
Get the Recipe: Cod Piccata
Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto
Forget standing over a hot stove. The Instant Pot handles everything, giving you rich, creamy risotto without the arm workout. Arborio rice soaks up broth, wine, and herbs while mushrooms bring deep, earthy flavor. Set it, forget it, and spend that extra time enjoying the night instead of stirring.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto
Strawberry Balsamic Salmon
Sweet, tangy, and just fancy enough for a Valentine’s dinner without any complicated steps. The glaze—made from balsamic vinegar, honey, and strawberries—coats flaky salmon for a dish that looks like it came from a restaurant but takes almost no effort. Serve it over rice or with a simple salad, and you’re set.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Balsamic Salmon
Pasta Bake
Everything you need for a great dinner, all in one pan. Pasta, rich tomato sauce, spinach, and creamy plant-based ricotta bake together until bubbly and melty. No standing at the stove, no extra dishes—just a hearty, feel-good meal that lets you actually enjoy your evening.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Pasta Bake
Creamy Vegan Mushroom And Herb Risotto
All the creamy comfort of risotto, no dairy required. Arborio rice simmers with sautéed mushrooms and fresh herbs, turning into something that feels like effort but isn’t. Skip the takeout, pour a glass of wine, and let this dish handle the romance for you.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Vegan Mushroom And Herb Risotto
Puff Pastry Pizza
Store-bought puff pastry is the ultimate shortcut for crispy, flaky pizza. Load it up with your favorite toppings, bake it off, and you’ve got something fun, easy, and way better than delivery. Great for a laid-back Valentine’s night where you still want something special.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Pizza
Chicken Piccata Pasta
Bright, bold, and ready in 25 minutes. This creamy lemon sauce clings to tender chicken and pasta, balancing richness with a hit of fresh citrus. If you like big flavors without spending hours in the kitchen, this is the way to go.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata Pasta
Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Chicken, orzo, and a velvety sun-dried tomato sauce all cook together in one pan, making this an easy but impressive dish. Garlic, thyme, and basil round it out with deep, comforting flavors. It’s the kind of meal that makes people fall in love—hence the name.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Vegetable Hash Skillet Dinner
Fast, filling, and made in one pan. This hash brings together crispy potatoes, sautéed veggies, and just the right amount of seasoning for a meal that hits the spot without much work. Add an egg on top if you’re feeling extra fancy.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Hash Skillet Dinner
Steak Alfredo
Creamy fettuccine Alfredo with juicy steak and sun-dried tomatoes? Hard to beat. This take on the restaurant favorite gives you everything rich and comforting about the original, without needing to leave the house.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Steak Alfredo
Sous Vide London Broil
Want steakhouse-quality dinner with barely any effort? Sous vide makes it happen. This method takes a budget-friendly cut and turns it into something buttery and tender with just 10 minutes of prep. Cook it low and slow, then sear it off for that perfect crust.
Get the Recipe: Sous Vide London Broil
Creamy Lemon Smoked Salmon Pasta
Rich, creamy, and bright with fresh lemon, this pasta feels fancy but comes together fast. Smoked salmon adds a little something extra, while arugula brings a peppery kick. Easy to pull off, great to eat.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Lemon Smoked Salmon Pasta
Beef Carbonara
A spin on the classic carbonara, this dish swaps pancetta for beef, keeping all the creamy, cheesy goodness. It’s quick, rich, and made with simple ingredients you probably already have.
Get the Recipe: Beef Carbonara
Butter Chicken Pie
Buttery, spiced chicken tucked inside a flaky puff pastry crust. This one takes a little time, but most of it is just waiting for the marinade to work its magic. The result? A golden, crispy pie packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Butter Chicken Pie
Pasta with Pancetta and Peas
Pancetta, garlic, and a splash of white wine come together in a simple sauce that coats pasta and sweet peas. It’s easy, fast, and way more interesting than just another spaghetti night.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Pancetta and Peas
Caprese Chicken
Juicy chicken, fresh mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes all come together under a drizzle of balsamic glaze. The whole thing bakes up in no time, giving you a dinner that’s fresh, flavorful, and way better than takeout.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Chicken
Cioppino
This seafood stew brings a mix of clams, mussels, shrimp, and white fish together in a garlicky tomato broth. It’s rich, brothy, and great with a big piece of crusty bread to soak everything up. Surprisingly easy to make, but looks like something out of a five-star restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Cioppino
Cacio e Pepe
Four ingredients, big payoff. Spaghetti, Pecorino Romano, butter, and black pepper come together in a creamy, cheesy sauce with zero effort. Proof that simple food can still feel special.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Steak Stir Fry
Thin slices of steak, crisp veggies, and a sweet-savory sauce come together in under 30 minutes. A fast way to get a great dinner on the table without resorting to another frozen meal.
Get the Recipe: Steak Stir Fry
Cheesy Baked Ziti
Layers of alfredo, Boursin, and marinara sauces make this baked ziti extra rich and creamy. Topped with mozzarella and Parmesan, it bakes up into a gooey, cheesy masterpiece that feeds a crowd (or just two people who really love pasta).
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Baked Ziti
Creamy Steak Pasta
Steak and pasta covered in a rich, creamy sauce—this one doesn’t need much selling. If you’re trying to impress someone who loves a hearty meal, this is a solid move.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Steak Pasta
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
