Pack a Special Valentine's Day Lunch for the Ones You Love (2024)

Pack a Special Valentine's Day Lunch for the Ones You Love (1)

Waking up to a lovey-dovey Valentine's Day breakfast is sweet and we know you're already thinking about that romantic dinner for two, but what's the best way to celebrate February 14 as a holiday of love when you're at work or your kids are at school? The answer, of course, is to pack a Valentine's Day lunch. After all, there's nothing that will put a smile on your loved one's face faster than a steak sandwich and a heart-shaped cookie. Just don't forget to leave a sweet Valentine's Day message in the lunchbox!

Whether you're looking for cute Valentine's Day lunch ideas for kids or cozy winter recipes to share with your sweetheart, the list ahead has tons of ways to make an afternoon meal feel special. You can choose from mini calzones that are great for grabbing on the go or opt for a hearty soup recipe like chicken tortellini or turkey chili. If a heart-shaped food is what you're after, try making our homemade cheese pizza in the shape of a heart! Or grab your Valentine's Day cookie cutters to cut out heart-shaped pieces of bread, then use it for making Ree Drummond's chicken salad sandwiches. We've even included a few Valentine's Day treats—because this holiday wouldn't be complete without chocolate-covered strawberries!

1

Mini Calzones

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These meat-filled pizza pockets are great for grabbing on the go, so you can spend more time doing all those cute Valentine's Day activities! Just don't forget to marinara sauce for dipping.

Get the Mini Calzones recipe.

SHOP BAKING SHEETS

2

Lobster Bisque

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Make lunchtime feel special and elegant by whipping up this lobster bisque. The creamy soup made with Creole seasoning and warm garlic butter lobster tails is the ideal pairing for a grilled cheese sandwich.

Get the Lobster Bisque recipe.

3

Meatball Sub

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This is one sandwich that's sure to wow your loved one! The saucy, meaty, over-the-top subs are loaded with homemade meatballs and melty cheese. Be sure to hollow out some of the center of the bread to create a nice little place for the meatballs to sit.

Get the Meatball Sub recipe.

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4

Shrimp and Grits

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If you thought your sweetheart made you weak in the knees, just wait until you try this shrimp and grits! It's a comforting Southern classic with just the right amount of spice thanks to Cajun seasoning and jalapeño pepper.

Get Ree's Shrimp and Grits recipe.

5

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

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A big batch of chili is the perfect lunch for enjoying with family or a group of friends for your Galentine's Day party. Put out small bowls of toppings, like diced avocado, shredded cheese, and corn chips, and let your guests build their own chili bowls.

Get the Slow Cooker Turkey Chili recipe.

SHOP SLOW COOKERS

6

Heart Cookies

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Looking for a treat that doubles as a homemade food gift? Try baking a batch of heart-shaped sugar cookies topped with pink frosting and cute sprinkles. It's just about the sweetest way to celebrate February 14.

Get the Heart Cookies recipe.

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7

Pesto Caprese Panini

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Anything made with pesto is the key to Ree's heart! Use the herby spread with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and roasted red peppers on this grilled panini sandwich.

Get Ree's Pesto Caprese Panini recipe.

8

French Onion Soup

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You don't need a trip to Paris to get a taste of this classic French soup. The cheesy, savory dish is everything you want in a Valentine's Day lunch served right at home.

Get Ree's French Onion Soup recipe.

9

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

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Add a few of these flaky bites to your lunchbox alongside a thermos or container of soup. They're swirled with salty ham, melty cheese, and some ranch-flavored cream cheese for good measure.

Get the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels recipe.

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10

Fruit Salad with Grapefruit-Vanilla Syrup

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If you're looking to add something pink to your lunchbox, try a fruit salad made with grapefruit, strawberries, raspberries, and red grapes. It's a sweet way to say, "I love you!"

Get Ree's Fruit Salad with Grapefruit-Vanilla Syrup recipe.

SHOP GLASSES

11

Steak Sandwiches with Wasabi Cream Sauce

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Ree knows that the way to her hubby's heart is with a good steak recipe. And serving it up on a sandwich with melty Swiss cheese and a spicy sauce is a surefire way to make his heart sing at lunchtime.

Get Ree's Steak Sandwiches with Wasabi Cream Sauce recipe.

12

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

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Skip the fancy store-bought chocolates and make your own chocolate-covered strawberries instead! It's a fun activity that even your kids can help to do. Have them sprinkle on a variety of fun toppings like nonpareils, chopped pistachios, toasted coconut, and even freeze-dried strawberries.

Get the Chocolate Covered Strawberries recipe.

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13

Italian Meatball Soup

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This tomato-based soup is hearty and filling thanks to mini meatballs, potatoes, veggies, and freshly grated parmesan cheese. It's delicious on its own, but would also be great with a piece of garlic bread for dunking.

Get Ree's Italian Meatball Soup recipe.

14

Taco Salad

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Even a hungry cowboy will love this fresh salad bowl. That's because it's topped with plenty of ground beef, shredded cheese, jalapeño slices, or any of your favorite taco toppings. Oh, and plenty of tortilla chips on top!

Get the Taco Salad recipe.

15

Classic Cheese Pizza

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The perks of making pizza from scratch means that you can shape the dough any way you like—and on Valentine's Day, a heart-shaped pizza is the way to go! Our tips and tricks make it easy for you to feel like a pro.

Get the Classic Cheese Pizza recipe.

SHOP PIZZA CUTTERS

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16

Red Velvet Brownies

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These decadent treats combine three desserts in one: red velvet cake, brownies, and cheesecake! It's a holiday mash-up that's sure to impress a date.

Get the Red Velvet Brownies recipe.

17

Chicken Salad

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Here's a fun Valentine's Day idea: use heart-shaped cookie cutters to punch out shapes in your favorite sandwich bread. Then, use it to make little heart-shaped sandwiches for Ree's all-time favorite chicken salad.

Get Ree's Chicken Salad recipe.

18

Shrimp Scampi

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Keep your lunch quick and easy (yet still elegant) with this shrimp scampi that's ready in just 15 minutes! You can serve it with garlic bread or over angel hair pasta depending on your sweetie's preferences.

Get Ree's Shrimp Scampi recipe.

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19

Chicken Tortellini Soup

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Nothing will make you feel warm and cozy quite like a bowl of chicken soup! Instead of noodles, this recipe uses cheese-filled tortellini for even more comforting flavor.

Get the Chicken Tortellini Soup recipe.

20

Pan-Fried Ribeye

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Steak for lunch? Hey, it is Valentine's Day, after all! You can serve this perfectly seared ribeye over a big leafy green salad or even layer the slices onto a steak sandwich if you're on-the-go. Either way, it's so worth it!

Get Ree's Pan-Fried Ribeye recipe.

SHOP SKILLETS

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an expert in food and cooking, I can provide information related to all the concepts used in the article about Valentine's Day lunch ideas. I have extensive knowledge and experience in cooking and can offer insights and suggestions on various recipes and techniques.

The article discusses different lunch options and recipes that are suitable for Valentine's Day. It includes ideas for both kids and adults, with a focus on creating a special and romantic atmosphere. The recipes range from mini calzones, lobster bisque, meatball subs, shrimp and grits, slow cooker turkey chili, heart-shaped cookies, pesto Caprese panini, French onion soup, ham and cheese pinwheels, fruit salad with grapefruit-vanilla syrup, steak sandwiches with wasabi cream sauce, chocolate-covered strawberries, Italian meatball soup, taco salad, classic cheese pizza, red velvet brownies, chicken salad, shrimp scampi, chicken tortellini soup, and pan-fried ribeye.

Mini Calzones

Mini calzones are a convenient and portable option for lunch. They are essentially meat-filled pizza pockets that can be easily eaten on the go. The recipe suggests serving them with marinara sauce for dipping.

Lobster Bisque

Lobster bisque is a creamy and indulgent soup made with Creole seasoning and warm garlic butter lobster tails. It is a sophisticated and elegant choice for a Valentine's Day lunch and pairs well with a grilled cheese sandwich.

Meatball Sub

The meatball sub is a hearty and flavorful sandwich loaded with homemade meatballs and melty cheese. To create a nice little place for the meatballs to sit, it is recommended to hollow out some of the center of the bread.

Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and grits is a comforting Southern classic with a bit of spice from Cajun seasoning and jalapeño pepper. It is a delicious and satisfying option for lunch.

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

A big batch of turkey chili is perfect for enjoying with family or friends on Valentine's Day. The recipe suggests putting out small bowls of toppings, such as diced avocado, shredded cheese, and corn chips, and letting guests build their own chili bowls.

Heart Cookies

Heart-shaped sugar cookies topped with pink frosting and cute sprinkles are a sweet treat that doubles as a homemade food gift. They are a lovely way to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Pesto Caprese Panini

The Pesto Caprese Panini is a grilled sandwich made with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and pesto. It is a flavorful and satisfying option for lunch.

French Onion Soup

French onion soup is a classic French dish that is cheesy and savory. It is a comforting and delicious choice for a Valentine's Day lunch at home.

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Ham and cheese pinwheels are flaky bites swirled with salty ham, melty cheese, and ranch-flavored cream cheese. They are a tasty addition to a lunchbox and can be served with soup.

Fruit Salad with Grapefruit-Vanilla Syrup

A fruit salad made with grapefruit, strawberries, raspberries, and red grapes is a colorful and refreshing addition to a lunchbox. The recipe suggests making a grapefruit-vanilla syrup to add some sweetness to the fruit.

Steak Sandwiches with Wasabi Cream Sauce

Steak sandwiches with melty Swiss cheese and a spicy wasabi cream sauce are a delicious and satisfying option for a lunchtime treat. The recipe suggests using a good steak recipe and serving it up on a sandwich.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Making your own chocolate-covered strawberries is a fun and delicious activity. The recipe suggests sprinkling on a variety of toppings like nonpareils, chopped pistachios, toasted coconut, and freeze-dried strawberries.

Italian Meatball Soup

Italian meatball soup is a tomato-based soup with mini meatballs, potatoes, veggies, and freshly grated parmesan cheese. It is a hearty and flavorful option for lunch and can be served with garlic bread for dunking.

Taco Salad

Taco salad is a fresh salad bowl topped with ground beef, shredded cheese, jalapeño slices, and tortilla chips. It is a satisfying and flavorful option for a lunchtime meal.

Classic Cheese Pizza

Making pizza from scratch allows you to shape the dough into any shape you like, and on Valentine's Day, a heart-shaped pizza is a fun and festive option. The recipe provides tips and tricks for making a delicious homemade pizza.

Red Velvet Brownies

Red velvet brownies combine the flavors of red velvet cake, brownies, and cheesecake. They are a decadent and indulgent treat that is sure to impress.

Chicken Salad

Using heart-shaped cookie cutters to punch out shapes in sandwich bread, chicken salad sandwiches can be made into little heart-shaped sandwiches. It is a fun and creative Valentine's Day idea.

Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp scampi is a quick and easy dish that can be made in just 15 minutes. It can be served with garlic bread or over angel hair pasta, depending on personal preferences.

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Chicken tortellini soup is a comforting and flavorful soup made with cheese-filled tortellini. It is a warm and cozy option for a Valentine's Day lunch.

Pan-Fried Ribeye

Pan-fried ribeye is a delicious and indulgent lunch option. It can be served over a big leafy green salad or used to make a steak sandwich.

These are just a few of the lunch ideas mentioned in the article. Each recipe offers a unique and delicious way to celebrate Valentine's Day with a special meal. Whether you're looking for something quick and easy or more elaborate and elegant, these recipes provide plenty of inspiration for a memorable Valentine's Day lunch.

Pack a Special Valentine's Day Lunch for the Ones You Love (2024)

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