53 Date Night Recipes That Are Just A Little Bit Fancy (Perfect For Valentine's Day Or Any Special Occasion) (2024)

Start off date night with some light bites like these crostini topped with creamy Brie cheese, crispy apple, and salty prosciutto.

Recipe:Apple, Brie, and Prosciutto Crostini Recipe

In case you've been searching for the secret to love, it's melty cheese.

Recipe:Pan-Fried Feta With Peppered Honey

Deliciously decadent, yet so easy to whip up, these spinach and artichoke puff pastry pinwheels make any evening feel like a celebration.

Recipe:Puff Pastry Spinach and Artichoke Pinwheels

Recipe:Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Recipe:Hot Crab Dip

Fancy open-faced toast — like this version with fluffy whipped ricotta, pistachios, and a little, sweet drizzle of honey — makes for the perfect appetizer.

Recipe:Whipped Ricotta Toast With Pistachios and Honey

Consider yourself warned: This burrata-packed side dish might just steal the dinner show.

Recipe:Brown Butter Farro With Mushrooms and Burrata

Can't swing a trip to Paris this Valentine's Day? Bring a little bit of France into your very own home with this steak in pepper sauce (just don't forget the frites).

Recipe:Steak au Poivre

This hearty main just happens to be totally vegetarian, but you'd probably never realize it.

Recipe:Mushroom and Butter Bean Ragù With Cheesy Polenta

Serve these Maryland-style crab cakes with your favorite grain, a big salad, or some roasted vegetables for a complete meal that is simple yet satisfying.

Recipe:Old Bay Crab Cakes

This classic chicken recipe calls for halibut instead of poultry, but you can really use any semi-firm white fish. Anything from monkfish to cod will taste amazing in the lemon caper sauce.

Recipe:Halibut Piccata

The secret ingredient in this flavor-packed pasta: white miso paste. Combined with browned butter, walnuts, sage, and pecorino, the flavor is pretty much irresistible.

Recipe:Spicy Miso Brown Butter Pasta

Grab any of your favorite seafood — like mussels, clams, shrimp, lobsters, or fish — and turn it into a cozy tomato-based soup that'll warm you right up.

Recipe:San Francisco Cioppino

This Asian-inspired glaze— a blend of sesame oil, garlic, ginger, hoisin sauce, and rice vinegar — turns your average pork chops into a delicacy. Serve it with rice or a simple cabbage slaw.

Recipe:Hoisin Glazed Pork Chops

If your love language is cheese, look no further.

Recipe:Classic Cheese Fondue Recipe

Restaurant-quality risotto at home is possible, and all that's required is a little bit of stove-top stirring.

Recipe:Pumpkin Risotto With Bacon and Parmesan

Or, if your love language is carbs, here ya go.

Recipe:Pasta Pomodoro With Chicken and Goat Cheese

Forget any fears you might have about cooking fish at home. Slow cooked at a low temperature, it's guaranteedto be perfectly fork tender.

Recipe:Slow-Baked Salmon With Herb Shallot Butter

Grab your favorite store-bought ravioli and turn it into a seriously impressive dish worthy of a special occasion.

Recipe:Date Night Creamy Tuscan Ravioli

It may look totally fancy, but this simple-meets-elegant dinner can be on the table in about 40 minutes. All it takes is a little bit of stirring.

Recipe:Shrimp Risotto

With a few simple tips, cooking incredible steak at home is a breeze. Plus, it's way more affordable than any rib eye you could order at a restaurant.

Recipe:Cast-Iron Rib-Eye Steak With Chimichurri

This pesto is so rich and decadent, you won't believe there's no cream or dairy at all.

Recipe:Vegan Pesto Cream Gnocchi

Nothing says "I love you" like a homemade chocolate dessert.

Recipe:Molten Chocolate Brownie Bites

What says "I appreciate you" like an art project and dessert in one?

Recipe:Ombré Raspberry Lemon Cookies

Add a little zest to your date night with these citrus-packed lemon bars.

Recipe:Cream Cheese Lemon Bars

Pro tip: Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream à la mode for the full effect.

Recipe:Rustic Spiced Pear Galette

Dessert or breakfast, the choice is yours.

Recipe:Nutella Crepes

Grab two spoons and dig on in.

Recipe:Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

Strawberriesare red, blueberries are blue, your date will fall in love over this tiramisu.

Recipe:Triple Berry Tiramisu

All you need are four ingredients: pecan sandies, cream cheese, pecans, and powdered sugar. Just form the mixture into balls and dip it in vanilla chocolate.

Recipe:Pecan Sandie Truffles

It may not be summertime, but sangria is always in season. This winter version is crisp and refreshing and packed with winter fruits.

Recipe:Winter Pear Sangria

Turn your kitchen into a co*cktail bar with this pretty-in-pink drink. The secret ingredient is egg white.

Recipe:Clover Club co*cktail

Campari (or Aperol, if you prefer) gives this whiskey drink its appealing clementine color.

Recipe:Paper Plane co*cktail

Transport yourself to the beach with the help of this seriously refreshing cucumber co*cktail. Add some jalapeño, too, if you like it spicy.

Recipe:Cucumber Margaritas

It's a special occasion, so pop the champagne and use it to make this fruity and bubbly co*cktail.

Recipe:Pomegranate and Orange Champagne Punch