Starter to Dessert: Delicious Valentine’s Meal Ideas

Hosting your Valentine’s meal at home this year? You don’t need a fancy restaurant for a romantic evening for two. You can rustle up an indulgent, intimate meal for a loved one who deserves it – all with our Valentine’s Day recipes.

So say goodbye to swamped venues and slow service, and hello to a quiet, romantic night in for two – with restaurant-quality food to match. From Valentine’s starters and mains, to delicious Valentine’s Day desserts that will leave you wanting more, our Valentine menu ideas are filled with flavour and completely foolproof.

Our Romantic Valentine’s Day Recipes

Your Valentine’s meal comes with its own set of rules, traditionally leaning towards the more romantic Valentine’s Day recipes to match the atmosphere of the night. Whether you’re an experienced rustler-upper of fine cuisines or it’s your first time trying something outside the realms of simple suppers, there are Valentine’s meal ideas for all tastes and abilities to try this year.

Valentine’s Day Starters

Your starter will set the tone for the evening – so go big or go home (or, in this case, to another room!). With our Valentine’s starters you’re sure to impress.

The Versatile Seafood

Okay, so not everyone is a fan of seafood. But for those that are, you can’t go wrong with prawns. Light and easy to prepare, prawns are perfect for whipping up a quick – yet versatile – Valentine’s Day starter. Lightly fried in a little butter or oil and served up on their own, with a touch of rocket or in an accompanying broth, they’re the perfect way to get things started! Looking to spice things up a little? A sprinkling of chilli wouldn’t go amiss in this delicious Valentine’s Day starter.

The Sophisticated Vegetable

For a vegetarian Valentine’s starter alternative, asparagus is another versatile romantic food for the big day. Pan seared in a little butter and seasoned with salt and pepper, or baked with lemon slices, vine tomatoes and seasoning, this Valentine’s Day recipe is simple but effective – and super easy, too. Serve the asparagus on its own, or pair with fried button mushrooms and some warm bread for something a little more filling.

The Go-to Soup

If your Valentine is a stickler for soup, whip up a batch of their preferred choice – whether that’s a seasonal favourite like carrot and coriander, or something a little more wholesome like chicken noodle or minestrone. A good stock blitzed together with your favourite veg and added meat (or veggie alternative) of choice is the perfect way to start off the evening.

Valentine’s Day Main Courses

The showstopper… The main event… It’s time for your Valentine’s Day main course. From luxury steak to hearty, warming stews, there are a great deal of Valentine’s meal ideas to choose from when it comes to the main dish. Here are just a few of our favourites…

The Warming Stew

Your Valentine’s meal is nothing without an impressive main. A slow-cooked, wholesome stew is often the best way to say “I love you” after a long day – a warming hug on a plate. So why not treat them to a beef and red wine take on your traditional stew recipe, and add a touch of sophistication to this Sunday classic? Combine diced beef with vegetables and a beef and red wine stock before leaving to cook – giving you plenty of time to plan the rest of your Valentine’s Day recipes.

The Classic Pasta

No list of Valentine’s menu ideas would be complete without an authentic Italian dish. Spaghetti or linguini tossed with a tomato and basil sauce, accompanied by fish or meat, is a great way to combine some of your favourite flavours to make a Valentine’s Day main course that you’ll both remember.

The Perfect Steak

For meat lovers, there’s often only one way to go for your Valentine’s meal ideas – steak. Customised with a select choice of accompaniments and a complementing sauce, steak can be served up completely to your Valentine’s liking. Want to gain some extra brownie points? Find out how to cook the perfect steak to nail this Valentine’s Day recipe first time.

Valentine’s Day Desserts

Lastly, it’s time for the Valentine’s Day dessert – the icing on the cake, if you will. This is the perfect opportunity to get really indulgent… Here are just a few Valentine’s meal ideas for a little inspiration.

The ‘Any’ Cake

Just as things appear to start winding down, you can bring out the showstopper. Cheesecake, cupcakes, layer cake – cakes of any kind are always well received after a delicious Valentine’s meal, and February 14th is no different. Homemade is always best if you can, so put your skills to the test and bake them something they’ll remember. But you can always head down to your local SPAR to find a pre-made option if your baking skills are lacking. Either way, if you want to try something that will really leave a lasting impression, add their favourite confectionery for a personalised twist!

The Luxury Fruit Salad

For the lazy chef who wants to make just as good an impression, a fruit salad might sound easy. But in the spirit of romance, there’s no better way to invite indulgence to your Valentine’s meal than to introduce a chocolate fountain to your dessert. Dip strawberries, cherries, pineapple, apple and more in the chocolate mix and share together – taking that regular fruit salad to the next level.

The Custom Trifle

As customisable as they come, a trifle is a quick fix for a Valentine’s Day dessert. For those who don’t quite fancy tackling a bake, trifles are the perfect solution. Fill a cup with chocolate, cake, sweets and fruit, as well as a custard, sauce or cream of your choice. The best part is, you can’t go wrong! Just mix, match and serve.

Stock Up on Valentine’s Meal Ingredients at SPAR

When it comes to Valentine’s meal ideas, there’s no real right or wrong answer. Simply take to the kitchen and whip up anything you know your date will enjoy. Already made other plans this year? Surprise them with a Valentine's Day breakfast instead.

Prepared your Valentine’s Day recipes and ready to start? Pick up everything you need to bring these Valentine menu ideas to life at your local convenience store. Or if you’ve ran out of time, why not cheat a little just this once with one of our Deliciously Easy Meals? Impress all year round by signing up to our E-newsletter to stay up to date with all seasonal recipes, guides and more.