Written by Lindsay Grohs
Whether you are celebrating Valentine’s Day with your significant other, your girls, your boys, or by yourself, you should be enjoying delicious food! This Valentine’s Day dish guide will give you inspiration for snacks, meals, and desserts that will leave your taste buds in awe. You are sure to be love-struck by these phenomenally creative plates. Let’s get into it!
1. Char-CUTE-rie Board
Charcuterie boards are a classic for any party, no matter what the occasion. However, charcuterie boards are not just limited to parties. A solo or duo charcuterie board can also be a wonderful treat! So, grab a board that makes your heart happy and get started. I suggest starting with some crackers. I usually feature about 3-4 different kinds of crackers on my board. These can include water crackers (light and pair well with bold cheeses), butter crackers (pair well with creamy cheeses), and saltine crackers (add a simple crunch to any other charcuterie item). For this board specifically, I also suggest adding graham crackers for an extra touch of sweetness.
Once you have those spread across your board in a few different areas, add the meats. In honor of Valentine’s Day, I suggest creating salami roses, which can be done by wrapping and layering small slices around the top of a wine glass and then flipping it over. Other meats you can feature on your board include prosciutto and ham. The next item to layer on your board is the cheeses. Cheeses such as brie, white cheddar, ricotta, feta, and mascarpone are all good Valentine’s Day options as they offer a mix of sweet, buttery, and nutty flavors. If you are feeling fancy, you can make the cheeses heart-shaped using a heart-shaped cookie cutter. The last thing to add to your board is your fruit. Adding strawberries and raspberries will ensure a pop of red on your masterpiece.
2. Heart-Shaped Pizza
The next item on your Valentine’s Day menu is a fan favorite: heart-shaped pizza! A previous article of mine provides you with a simple and quick pizza recipe you can use for this dish. To form the heart shape, simply use your fingers to shape the edges of the dough when you are stretching it out. If you want to take this one adventurous step further, you can use mini heart-shaped cookie cutters to make toppings, such as pepperoni, ham, and extra cheeses heart-shaped as well to match the vibe.
3. Meat Your Match Meatballs
Meatballs are a must for any event, especially Valentine’s Day. However, for this recipe, we'll be doing a sweeter spin on meatballs. Start with this simple meatball recipe by Betty Crocker. While the meatballs are straightforward, the sauce is where the magic happens. To make the sauce, combine either cranberry sauce or raspberry preserves and your choice of barbeque sauce. This provides for a sweet and tangy coating on the meatballs. This sauce not only turns the meatballs from average to excellent but also adds to the festiveness of Valentine’s Day. (Especially if you garnish the meatballs with rosemary, rose petals, or microgreens.)
4. Sweetheart Sliders
These sliders combine simplicity with bursts of flavor in every bite. Made with mini beef patties, melted cheddar or Swiss cheese, and buttery brioche buns, Sweetheart Sliders have the perfect balance of savory goodness. You can shape the buns or patties into hearts for an extra romantic flair. Plus, you can top the patties with a dollop of pink aioli made with mayo and beet juice for the final Valentine’s Day touch. These sliders will hit the spot whether you're celebrating love or friendship or are simply indulging in comfort food.
5. Mini Quiches
Mini quiches are a versatile and delicious addition to any Valentine’s Day spread. They are easily customizable to fit your theme, whether through the ingredients, shape, or garnish. For a fresher and more vibrant option, I recommend trying Caprese mini quiches, featuring cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Alternatively, if you are feeling in a savory mood, indulge in ham, Swiss, and chive mini quiches. These quiches incorporate diced ham, cheddar cheese, chopped chives, and a honey mustard sauce for dipping. Overall, both of these bite-sized treats are bursting with color and flavor, adding a touch of love to your celebration. You can find the full recipes here and here.
6. Red Velvet Cookies
Red velvet cookies are sure to impress your guests with their rich flavors and elegant Valentine’s Day charm. They offer a deep richness with the tanginess from the buttermilk in the red velvet combined with the boldness of the cocoa. Plus, you can top them with white chocolate peanut butter hearts for a strong but beautiful nutty contrast to the red velvet and chocolate notes. Simple yet sophisticated, these cookies are a standout addition to your menu. You can find the recipe here.
7. Strawberry Jam, Bacon, and Brie Crescent Rolls
This delightful dish will have your mouth bursting with lovely, sweet flavors. The strawberry jam adds a bit of fruitiness to each bite. The brie cheese adds a nutty creaminess to the dish that balances the sweetness of the jam. The bacon adds a savory, salty crunch to the dish. And the crescent roll brings it all together as it adds a buttery, flaky texture to the creation. This simple yet elegant recipe is perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day.
Full Recipe:
8. “Love Letter” Pop-Tarts
These homemade Pop-Tarts are a perfect treat for a Valentine’s Day brunch, snack, or dessert. The combination of flaky pastry, sweet raspberry jam, and creamy filling makes them a fun, nostalgic treat with a romantic twist! These tarts are sure to win over hearts!
Full Recipe:
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Which sweetheart-approved dish will you make first?