Most years, Valentine's Day falls on a weekday. And when you've had a long day on the job, going out for a dinner reservation or even cooking a romantic meal at home can feel more like an obligation than a celebration. The solution: make your Valentine's Day dinner and dessert in advance for an easier, more enjoyable night come February 14. We've compiled a list of date night-approved recipes you can make a day or two before the holiday or make to freeze. And whether you take on the cooking and cleaning to give your beloved a break or prepare the meal together, you're both in for a treat with these recipes.
01of 18
Chef John's Lobster Mac and Cheese
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/241498-chef-johns-lobster-mac-and-cheese-nikki-chaney-8270598860ff4af69fc1c1d6b021e6ee.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (1)")
There's no doubt, Chef John's Lobster Mac and Cheese will always impress. "You can actually prep these ahead and bake before that romantic, possibly Valentine's, dinner. You probably want to take them out and let them warm up for 30 minutes before baking," Chef John says.
02of 18
Cannoli Cream Dessert
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/1153568-36742af9f75a4768af4095db850c0860.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (2)")
Layering buttery graham cracker crumbs with a sweet ricotta mixture mimics the flavor of a cannoli without the effort. Recipe contribtuor Lillian calls this two-serving dessert "perfect for a romantic evening!"
03of 18
Coconut Chicken Curry (Make-Ahead Freezer Meal)
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Thai-Chicken-Curry-2-2000-43116b5acf584247b0a7941c89d1006a.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (3)")
Ingredients like creamy coconut milk, spicy red curry paste, sweet potatoes, and brown sugar combine in a chicken dish so flavorful that you won't think anything of it being frozen. Thaw 24 hours in advance, cook the curry on high for four hours, and serve it over rice and topped with fresh cilantro and green onions.
04of 18
Kevin's Sea Shells
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/3669836-deac9d2566d14f148c9b082881aa4f39.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (4)")
Stuff large pasta shells with shrimp, sliced mushrooms, and an ultra-creamy sauce for a decadent dinner that many home cooks have made for their significant others, receiving rave reviews. It serves nine, so consider dividing the recipe into portions to freeze separately for easy thawing down the road.
05of 18
Strawberries Romanov
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/1498221-b96784e7f8c2430c9f5cca74795c33bf.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (5)")
Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, sour cream, and orange liqueur combine in a sauce that complements tart-sweet strawberries well. Shave some semisweet chocolate on top for more Valentine's Day flair.
06of 18
Cheesy Polenta Casserole
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2066355-82bf0161f0f2432b863f371bc8467a71.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (6)")
If polenta isn't part of your regular meal rotation, this Italian-inspired vegetarian casserole will change that. It's easy to make, and even easier if you make it ahead of time.
07of 18
Chef John's Crab Cakes
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/871730-ac87e372f68440219d80dfa6df68e578.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (7)")
This recipe maintains an average rating of five stars from home cooks who say it really shows off the crabmeat and even beats crab cakes they've ordered in restaurants. You can prepare these crab cakes the day before you cook them — time in the refrigerator will actually help them hold together while frying.
08of 18
Spicy Honey-Peanut Baked Chicken Thighs
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6469016-ba0a31f33daa4cb8a92f75279f6427ee.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (8)")
It just takes 10 minutes to prep our Spicy Honey-Peanut Baked Chicken Thighs, and marinating the chicken overnight will afford you an extra-easy dinner on Valentine's Day. Serve it over rice, noodles, or potatoes, all of which you can prep ahead, too.
09of 18
Mini Cherry Pies
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4575291-a0e53ca7a717446c91fd49a349ef784a.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (9)")
"I used to always make a traditional cherry pie and there would always be half a pie left over after serving. I love this mini version because I can make just two at a time. Perfect for me and my husband when we are eating dinner together," recipe contributor Lisawas says.
10of 18
Vietnamese Aromatic Lamb Chops
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/1060249-36f524a6dd074b53b4c9a5ffa1526aa4.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (10)")
Marinating these lamb chops overnight in chili powder, garlic, sugar, soy sauce, and citrus juices, you'll have most of the work done for you on Valentine's Day. Just roast the lamb chops in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes and brighten them with fresh cilantro before serving.
11of 18
Spinach and Ricotta Tortellini
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/256980-Spinach-Ricotta-Tortellini-Carsons-Mommy-78ed6bdefc804154ad4fca6be74701ae.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (11)")
Partner up to make pasta for a date at home ahead of time, then enjoy the finished product on Valentine's Day. "Serve with your favorite sauce. Great with a simple butter and sage sauce or with your regular tomato sauce," recipe contributor Alemarsi says.
12of 18
Mini Cheesecakes III
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/1277450-ee6d74c747f44c8ba2c78865b2f52c78.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (12)")
These top-rated mini cheesecakes hold up well in the refrigerator, and as a six-serving recipe, you can enjoy them after Valentine's Day, too.
13of 18
Cedar Plank Salmon
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2428619-734d3e56c1af42e494665839d09cd025.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (13)")
"This was an absolute hit! I made it for my boyfriends family," home cook MaggieMay says. "I changed a couple of things. I made the brine and marinated in a large tupperware container for two days before grilling and I also added three gloves of fresh garlic minced. I'm a garlic lover. We always soak the cedar plank for at least eight hours before using on the barbeque."
14of 18
Make-Ahead Freezer Chicken Parmesan
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/279629-make-ahead-freezer-chicken-parmesan-fabeveryday-7aeaa3a4aab949feb918fe9c10e6b1df.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (14)")
Prepare chicken Parmesan for the freezer by dividing the breaded and baked chicken, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese into separate bags. Reviewer Iluv2cook says it's "worth the extra wait."
15of 18
Quick Keto Chocolate Mousse
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6360856-2000-3da5439578d2414a8e72e669133ecf15.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (15)")
You don't have to follow a keto diet to find our Quick Keto Chocolate Mousse delicious. While you can whip up this dessert in just 10 minutes, the refrigerator will keep it nicely cool and preserve its consistency.
16of 18
Garlic Shrimp Pasta Bake
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4518035-7dfbe359b0e1404eac6a329c45def148.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (16)")
If you're feeding a family, our Garlic Shrimp Pasta Bake makes six servings, and easily reheats from the refridgerator. Be warned, however, that you may not want to share this five-star recipe with more than one person once you taste it.
17of 18
Strawberry Heart Bark
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/256434-berryheartbark-ar-feb-mar-b-0772-2000-45e10f23c22c48b2aae0e586439c8285.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (17)")
Give yourself and your sweetheart a treat you can enjoy all week with this semisweet chocolate and white chocolate bark. Decorate it with freeze-dried strawberries and add a sprinkling of conversation hearts for the occasion.
18of 18
Beef Bourguignon I
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/1188118-60bd7f2343b04865ae29b56e2b806305.jpg "18 Make-Ahead Valentine's Day Dinners and Desserts for Two (18)")
Marinating beef, carrots, and onions in wine and cognac with parsley, bay leaf, garlic, peppercorns, and salt for two days certainly pays off with this classic French dish. Finish preparing the recipe on Valentine's Day or the day before. It serves eight, but trust us: you'll want leftovers.
