Here are 20 Valentine's Day meal ideas for couples who just want to stay in for the night.
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Pasta Bolognese
(Boston Globe/Getty Images)
This is a quick-and-easy classic that packs a ton of flavor and makes for a great date night dinner any time of the year. Serve with a bottle of red wine and a little candlelight to up the romance factor. Find the recipe here.
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White Wine Chicken
(The Sydney Morning Herald/Fairfax Media, Getty Images)
A pinot grigio or un-oaked chardonnay are great for cooking chicken breasts as the centerpiece of your V-Day dinner. Pair with a side of greens and light dressing--and more wine for you and your main squeeze, of course. Find the recipe here.
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Mushroom Risotto
(Martha Stewart Living/marthastewart.com)
This restaurant favorite is surprisingly easy to recreate at home with a variety of mushrooms AND kinds of rice. Top with a little grated Parmesan and black pepper and you have a meal both of you will enjoy. Find the recipe here.
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Kale Caesar
(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times, Getty Images)
It's a shame this superfood gets such a bad wrap--it makes the best Caesar salad! Wow your date with a hearty salad made of blanched kale leaves--this will make the kale easier to toss with dressing later--and just add homemade croutons to the top. Find the recipe here.
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Salmon
(Boston Globe/Getty Images)
When in doubt, salmon fillets are always a great date-night-in choice. Season it to restaurant-level perfection with lemon, butter, garlic, and basil. Find the recipe here.
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Beet Salad
(Fairfax Media/Getty Images)
Seemingly fancy and packed with flavor, beets paired with feta and topped with balsamic vinegar will make you and your date feel as though you are dining at a swanky restaurant instead of staying indoors. Find the recipe here.
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Roasted Winter Vegetable Salad
(Susan P. @littleredkitchn/Twitter
Up your veggie game! Late winter is great for roasting carrots and beetroot for a salad that's surprising and unexpected. Your Valentine will definitely be impressed. Find the recipe here.
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Pork Scallopini
(FoodieCrush.com)
Skip the heavy sauce that typically accompanies this tasty meat dish and opt for lemon and capers. Find the recipe here.
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Homemade Fig Pizza
(Boston Globe/Getty Images)
Making pizza together is a great way to get your Valentine to cook with you. Opt for this pizza pie that swaps out sauce for fig butter, then is topped with gorgonzola cheese, arugula and prosciutto. Find the recipe here.
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Spinach & Mandarin Orange Salad
(imaginept.com)
You and your Valentine looking to beat the cold weather blues? A spinach salad with mandarin oranges will having you dreaming of summertime dates! Since the usual berries for this salad aren't in season during February, mix in nuts and a sesame dressing. Find the recipe here.
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Grilled Artichokes
(Robert Lachman/Los Angeles Times, Getty Images)
Valentine's Day falls right around the kickoff of artichoke season, so get to grilling! Half artichokes and throw them in the oven or on an indoor grill. These make for a great side to you V-Day entree. Find the recipe here.
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Linguine with Clams
(Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times, Getty Images)
A classic! Keep your clams in the shell for presentation purposes--just because you stayed home for Valentine's Day doesn't mean you can't present your date with some five-star flair! Find the recipe here.
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Frisee Salad
(Ricardo DeAratanha/Los Angeles Times, Getty Images)
A green that lends itself well to creating a tasty winter salad. Add white chicken and grapes, or bacon slices and a couple hard-cooked eggs to make this side stand up to whatever entree you whip up. Find the recipe here.
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Stuffed Chicken Breast
(The Washington Post/Getty Images)
It looks extra fancy, but it quite easy to put together and tastes delicious. A mix of nuts, bread crumbs and spices--add walnuts, spinach or even cheese for an extra kick--can be rolled up in smashed chicken breast, secured with a toothpick and shoved in the oven in no time. Find the recipe here.
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Cream of Broccoli Soup
(Wichita Eagle/Tribune News Service, Getty Images)
For those in colder locales: Snuggle up with a bowl of this hearty soup, made with broccoli, potato, onion and chicken stock. Use as much spice as you and your honey like and throw it in the Cuisinart, and voila! Quick and delicious night-in meal. Find the recipe here.
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Steak & Eggs
(Paleo Diet Recipes/ @MyPaleoCookbook, Twitter)
Skip the carbs and frills this Valentine's Day and prepare this cozy and protein-packed meal! Perfect for the couple that wants to eat in and head out and about--a great breakfast before an activity-packed V-Day. Find the recipe here.
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Open-Faced Breakfast Lox "Sandwich"
(Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times/cooking.nytimes.com)
What if your big Valentine's Day meal is breakfast? Skip the smelly onions and bagel--which will call for you to have a side of mints if you want a V-Day smooch afterwards--and opt for a slice of dark toast, smoked lox and cucumber slices. Find the recipe here.
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Cheese & Chocolate Plate
(kevineats.com)
You don't have to go to a high-end restaurant to have a tasty cheese and chocolate spread like the one pictured. Check out the Bristol Farms' blog--a personal favorite--for tips and inspiration for putting your own plate together. Find the recipe here.
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Tiramisu
MediaNews Group/Bay Area News via Getty Images
Skip the dinner and go straight for dessert! This classic dessert is great for if you feel like putting a little extra love into your Valentine's Day treat. Check out AllRecipes.com for a large variety of tiramisu recipes.
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Rhubarb Pie
(Dessert Recipes/ Twitter)
Use this V-Day to usher in a real spring time treat. Rhubarb pie is a great dessert choice for those that aren't fond of the usual Valentine's Day chocolates but still want to satisfy their sweet tooth. Find the recipe here.
Chelena Goldman grew up on a street where the boys played street hockey and yelling at baseball and football over the radio was a standard -- making life as a sports geek the perfect fit. She believes in dominance on the blue line, good red wine, and the theory that you can never be too overdressed for any occasion. You can find her gabbing away on Twitter at @ChelenaGoldman.
