Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Home with these Romantic Meal Ideas

Want to do something special this Valentine’s Day
but don’t want the hassle of leaving your house?
Find out how to celebrate at home with romantic
meal ideas from HelloFresh.

Are tasty meals at home the best way to celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to involve fancy restaurants and big itineraries. Sometimes, the best way to celebrate is to relax in the comfort of your own home with your loved one. In fact, when we surveyed the people of Ireland to find out exactly how they like to spend the 14th, we found that home cooked food was the key to their hearts:

83%

consider the cost of dining out for Valentine's Day overpriced

81%

would be impressed if their partner cooked them a meal they hadn't tried before

66%

agree the way to someone's heart is through their stomach

61%

would want their partner to cook a wider variety of meals

83%

consider the cost of dining out for Valentine's Day overpriced

81%

would be impressed if their partner cooked them a meal they hadn't tried before

66%

agree the way to someone's heart is through their stomach

61%

would want their partner to cook a wider variety of meals

How to create the perfect home cooked Valentine’s Day dinner

If you, like many couples across the nation, are choosing to celebrate Valentine’s Day at home, there are lots of ways you can make your romantic meal extra special. Cuisines with rich flavours such as French and Italian are often a great option for Valentine’s Day, as they feel both indulgent and elegant. It’s also a good idea to cook a recipe you’ve both never tried, so that it feels like more of an experience. Here are some more of our top tips to make the best home cooked Valentine’s Day dinner:

Choose a cuisine and stick to it - If you’re making a French main meal, why not make a French starter and dessert too? That way, the flavours will complement one another and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported abroad
Prep ahead - Try to do all of your food prep before you sit down with your loved one, so that you don’t sacrifice too much quality time for cooking
Embrace the theme - Have fun with cooking and don’t be afraid to make all things heart-shaped and pink. Heart pizza bases are easy to shape, while sprinkling a few dried raspberries on a dessert adds extra pizazz
Keep it simple - Try to stick to recipes that are easy to follow, as you don’t want to feel stressed or strapped for time
Clean as you go - Choose a recipe that doesn’t require too much clean-up, as nothing kills the romantic ambience like dirty dishes

The Best Romantic Meal Ideas

From indulgent French dishes to tasty Thai favourites, there are countless romantic dishes you can make at home this Valentine’s Day. To make things as smooth as possible, we’ve put together a list of the most impressive meals that are also incredibly easy to make…

Coq Sans Vin

Coq sans vin, literally translating to ‘chicken without wine’, is a take on the French classic, coq au vin. The only difference is that - well, you guessed it - this version doesn’t require wine, making it a lot easier to cook. It’s a rich, hearty dish made up of chicken, bacon, broth and potatoes, and can be easily prepped ahead as the majority is cooked in one big pot. Find out how to make the French favourite with this recipe from HelloFresh.

Roasted Red Pepper Flatbread

No meal says Valentine’s Day quite like a giant red love heart, which is why this roasted red pepper flatbread is perfect. Simply cut a little triangle from your flatbreads to make a heart shape and top with passata, bell peppers, cheese and rocket. Not only is this quick, easy and mess-free, it’s also low in calories and two of your five-a-day, meaning you can celebrate Valentine’s Day and hit your health goals. Read our recipe for step-by-step instructions.

Tofu Pad Thai

If you or your Valentine is vegan, you can’t go wrong with Tofu Pad Thai. The popular stir-fry dish can be whipped up in just 20 minutes, with garlicky peanut sauce that’s mouthwateringly good. If you’d like to spruce up the dish to feel even more special, Pad Thai is great served with sides such as sesame-topped broccoli, steamed dumplings and fish cakes. Filling the table with an Asian feast is such an exciting way to celebrate Valentine’s Day at home! Get the Tofu Pad Thai recipe here.

Pan-Seared Salmon in Herby Butter

Salmon is often a go-to Valentine’s Day meal because it’s impressive, indulgent and full of flavour. We recommend pan-frying salmon in a chive butter sauce for the utmost flavour, pairing it with roast veg and potatoes. Herby butter salmon is great with a whole host of sides, but because it’s so rich on its own, simple roast potatoes are just as effective - especially as they’re delicious when soaked with the sauce. Try the Pan-Seared Salmon in Herby Butter recipe for yourself.

Cacio e Pepe

Pasta is perfect for a home cooked Valentine’s dinner, especially when it’s served at a candlelit table with wine. Cacio e Pepe, literally meaning ‘cheese and pepper’ is a simple, fool-proof dish that’s loved by all. If you’re serving a full three course dinner, this recipe is a great option as its traditional flavours are very complementary, particularly with starters like burrata and desserts such as chocolate mousse. See our step-by-step Cacio e Pepe recipe.

Steak and Cauliflower Rice

If you’re looking for a healthier romantic meal idea, serving steak with a nutritious side is a good option. Cauliflower rice is low in calories, high in fibre and one of your five-a-day, all the while feeling a little fancier than typical vegetables and rice. This steak and cauliflower rice recipe from HelloFresh is under 650 calories and helps you cook your meat to perfection.

Order a Valentine’s Day Food Box From HelloFresh

To make your home cooked romantic dinner even easier, why not order a Valentine’s Day food box from HelloFresh? Here, you can take your pick from our delicious Valentine’s Day specials and choose between themed, veggie, low-calorie, family or classic options. By choosing a food box, you’ll get all your ingredients pre-portioned along with step-by-step recipes to make cooking a breeze. That way, you’ll take the stress out of your romantic meal, so you’ll be able to focus on quality time with your loved one.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Home with these Romantic Meal Ideas

Want to do something special this Valentine’s Day but don’t want the hassle of leaving your house? Find out how to celebrate at home with romantic meal ideas from HelloFresh.