Valentine’s Dinner Ideas: 30 Easy Romantic Recipes

Valentine’s dinner ideas are on everyone’s mind as February 14th approaches! Let’s ditch the crowded restaurants and create an unforgettable romantic dinner right at home. With these Valentine’s dinner ideas, you can impress your loved one with a delicious, restaurant quality meal made with love.

This year, I’m sharing my recipe for Pan Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter Sauce and Asparagus Risotto. It’s an elegant dish that’s surprisingly simple to make. Let's explore some Romantic Valentine’s Recipes!

Why You Will Love This Valentine’s dinner ideas Recipe

This pan seared scallops recipe is perfect for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner because it’s both elegant and approachable. The scallops are tender and sweet, the lemon butter sauce is bright and decadent, and the creamy asparagus risotto is the ultimate in comfort food. Plus, it’s ready in under an hour, leaving you more time to spend with your loved one.

I developed this recipe when I wanted to create a special meal for my husband without spending hours in the kitchen. Everyone deserves time to savor the magic. It's all about enjoying the romance of a shared, lovingly prepared meal. Believe me, presenting a dish like this says "I love you!" far more eloquently than battling restaurant reservation lines.

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Ingredients Needed for This Valentine’s dinner ideas Recipe

For the Pan Seared Scallops:

• 1 pound large sea scallops, patted dry
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Asparagus Risotto:

• 6 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

How to Make This Valentine’s dinner ideas Recipe

1. Prepare the Risotto: In a saucepan, heat the chicken broth and keep it warm over low heat.

2. In a large, heavy bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the Arborio rice and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.

4. Pour in the white wine and cook, stirring, until it is absorbed.

5. Begin adding the warm chicken broth, 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each cup to be absorbed before adding the next. This process will take about 20 25 minutes.

6. While the risotto is cooking, steam or boil the asparagus until tender crisp, about 5 minutes.

7. Once the risotto is creamy and the rice is al dente, stir in the asparagus, Parmesan cheese, and butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

8. Prepare the Scallops: While the risotto is finishing, pat the scallops dry with paper towels. This is key for getting a good sear.

   7. Season the scallops with salt and pepper.

9. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Heat until butter is melted.

10. Add the scallops to the skillet and sear for 2 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan; work in batches if necessary.

11. Remove the scallops from the skillet and set aside.

12. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.

13. Pour in the white wine and lemon juice, and bring to a simmer.

14. Cook for 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

15. Stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.

16. Serve: Spoon the asparagus risotto onto plates and top with the pan seared scallops. Drizzle with the lemon butter sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy this delicious valentine's day recipe.

How to Serve This Valentine’s dinner ideas Recipe

Serve this elegant dish immediately while the scallops are hot and the risotto is creamy. Garnish with extra chopped parsley and a lemon wedge for added freshness. A crisp glass of chilled white wine, like a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, pairs perfectly with the seafood and lemon butter sauce. For a romantic touch, serve with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce!

How to Store This Valentine’s dinner ideas Recipe

Leftover scallops are best consumed the next day. They will lose some of their seared texture, but are still delicious. Store scallops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The asparagus risotto can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan or microwave, adding a splash of broth or water to prevent it from drying out. Freezing is not recommended for either the scallops or the risotto, as their texture will suffer.

Tips to Make This Valentine’s dinner ideas Recipe

• Don't Overcook the Scallops: Overcooked scallops are rubbery! Ensure a perfect sear, get your pan hot and don't over crowd.
• Use High Quality Ingredients: Fresh scallops and good quality Arborio rice make a big difference in the flavour.
• Warm the Broth: Using warm broth for the risotto helps it cook evenly and release its starches properly.
• Pat Scallops Dry: Be sure to pat the scallops as dry as possible before searing to get that perfect golden crust.

Helpful Notes for This Valentine’s dinner ideas Recipe

• Arborio rice is a short grain rice specifically used for risotto. Its high starch content creates the creamy texture characteristic of risotto.
• Sea scallops are larger and meatier than bay scallops. If you use bay scallops, reduce the cooking time accordingly.
• Feel free to adjust the amount of lemon juice and garlic to your liking. If you prefer a richer sauce, you can add a tablespoon of heavy cream at the end.

Variation of This Valentine’s dinner ideas Recipe

• Shrimp Scampi Variation: Replace the scallops with large shrimp for a equally delicious alternative.
• Mushroom Risotto Variation: Swap the asparagus for sautéed mushrooms for a hearty and flavorful risotto to pair with Romantic Valentine’s Recipes. It's a great veggie dish!
• Spicy Scallops Variation: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the lemon butter sauce for a little heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

This Pan-Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter Sauce and Asparagus Risotto is more than just a recipe; it’s an experience. It’s about creating a special moment with your loved one, sharing a delicious meal, and making lasting memories. So, this Valentine’s Day, skip the restaurant reservations and try these Valentine’s dinner ideas for a truly unforgettable evening and some Romantic Valentine’s Recipes. Nothing says "I love you" like a lovingly prepared, home cooked meal. Let me know how it turns out!

Valentine’s Dinner Ideas: 30 Easy Romantic Recipes

Pan Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter Sauce and Asparagus Risotto, a perfect romantic dinner recipe for Valentine’s Day. Elegant and delicious restaurant quality at home.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 2 servings
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition:

Calories: 750
Protein: 40g
Carbs: 60g
Fat: 35g

Ingredients

• 1 pound large sea scallops, patted dry
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 6 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Risotto: In a saucepan, heat the chicken broth and keep it warm over low heat.
2. In a large, heavy bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the Arborio rice and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
4. Pour in the white wine and cook, stirring, until it is absorbed.
5. Begin adding the warm chicken broth, 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each cup to be absorbed before adding the next. This process will take about 20 25 minutes.
6. While the risotto is cooking, steam or boil the asparagus until tender crisp, about 5 minutes.
7. Once the risotto is creamy and the rice is al dente, stir in the asparagus, Parmesan cheese, and butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Prepare the Scallops: While the risotto is finishing, pat the scallops dry with paper towels. This is key for getting a good sear.
9. Season the scallops with salt and pepper.
10. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium high heat.
11. Add the scallops to the skillet and sear for 2 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan; work in batches if necessary.
12. Remove the scallops from the skillet and set aside.
13. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
14. Pour in the white wine and lemon juice, and bring to a simmer.
15. Cook for 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
16. Stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
17. Serve: Spoon the asparagus risotto onto plates and top with the pan seared scallops. Drizzle with the lemon butter sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy this delicious valentine’s day recipe.

Notes

• For a richer sauce, you can add a tablespoon of heavy cream at the end.
• Serve immediately.