These Delicious Recipes Are Better Than a Dozen Roses

Whether your idea of a romantic meal is steak au poivre, mac and cheese or an all-dessert feast, the best Valentine’s Day recipes are all about indulgence. And while there are few things sexier than a good cheese pull, that doesn’t mean your menu has to be ultra-rich and heavy (though we’ve got a fabulously meaty lasagna recipe for you, if that is your bag).

So, to help out all the happy couples — or single food-lovers looking to indulge in some tasty self-love — we compiled some of our all-time favorite romantic recipes. Along with Valentine's Day dinner recipes and dinner ideas for two, there's sweet-tooth satisfying Valentine's Day treats like homemade peanut butter cups, chocolate-dipped pretzels, and Valentine's Day cookies, cookies and more cookies. Kick off the morning with a hearty sheet pan breakfast bake (or better yet, some homemade French toast) and finish it off with a perfectly seared NY strip steak, or a vegan bolognese or cauliflower steak if you’re leaning plant-based. We also highly recommend throwing in a couple of Valentine’s Day cocktails if you want to really class things up.

Most of these recipes take a little extra time to make, but they’re well worth the time and effort — a bit like finding the right person to share your life with.