Italian cuisine has always been deeply connected to love, romance, and shared moments around the table, making it a natural choice for Valentine’s Day. From rich pastas and delicate seafood to elegant appetizers and comforting risottos, Italian dishes are designed to be enjoyed slowly, with conversation, wine, and warmth. Cooking an Italian-inspired meal at home allows you to recreate the feeling of a romantic trattoria without leaving your kitchen.
This curated collection of Italian Valentine’s Day dinner ideas brings together visually stunning, flavorful, and heartfelt dishes that feel special yet approachable. Whether you’re planning a full multi-course dinner or selecting just a few standout recipes, these dishes are perfect for celebrating love through food. Each recipe reflects classic Italian flavors with a romantic Valentine’s touch, ideal for an unforgettable evening.
1. Avocado Tomato Tartare
Ingredients
- Ripe avocados – 2
- Cherry tomatoes – 1 cup, finely diced
- Olive oil – 2 tbsp
- Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
- Salt – ½ tsp
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 2
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Course: Appetizer
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 3 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Sugar: 3 g
2. Puff Pastry Hearts with Ham and Cheese
Ingredients
- Puff pastry sheets – 1
- Cooked ham – 6 slices
- Gruyère or mozzarella – 1 cup
- Egg – 1 (for wash)
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: Italian
- Course: Appetizer
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 10 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 2 g
3. Potato Roses
Ingredients
- Yukon gold potatoes – 3 large
- Olive oil – 3 tbsp
- Parmesan cheese – ½ cup
- Salt – 1 tsp
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: Italian
- Course: Side Dish
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 260
- Protein: 6 g
- Fat: 14 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 1 g
4. Shrimp Cocktail
Ingredients
- Shrimp – 1 lb
- Lemon juice – 2 tbsp
- Olive oil – 1 tbsp
- Cocktail sauce – ½ cup
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Course: Appetizer
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 190
- Protein: 28 g
- Fat: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 6 g
5. Prawn Tartare with Grana Padano Wafer
Ingredients
- Raw prawns – 12 large
- Olive oil – 2 tbsp
- Lemon zest – 1 tsp
- Grana Padano – ½ cup
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian
- Course: Appetizer
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 230
- Protein: 24 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugar: 0 g
6. Porcini Mushroom Soup with Parmesan Crisps
Ingredients
- Porcini mushrooms – 1 lb
- Onion – 1 medium
- Vegetable broth – 4 cups
- Parmesan cheese – ½ cup
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian
- Course: Soup
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 260
- Protein: 8 g
- Fat: 14 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 4 g
7. Heart Ravioli with Ricotta and Thyme
Ingredients
- Fresh pasta sheets – 12
- Ricotta cheese – 1 cup
- Parmesan cheese – ½ cup
- Fresh thyme – 1 tbsp
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian
- Course: Main
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 18 g
- Fat: 20 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 2 g
8. Heart-Shaped Caprese Skewers
Ingredients
- Cherry tomatoes – 1 cup
- Fresh mozzarella balls – 1 cup
- Basil leaves – 12
- Balsamic glaze – 2 tbsp
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian
- Course: Appetizer
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 8 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 3 g
9. Scarlet Spaghetti with Anchovies and Walnuts
Ingredients
- Spaghetti – 12 oz
- Anchovies – 4 fillets
- Walnuts – ½ cup
- Tomato paste – ½ cup
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian
- Course: Main
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 20 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Sugar: 5 g
10. Pink Risotto
Ingredients
- Arborio rice – 1½ cups
- Beet purée – 1 cup
- Vegetable broth – 4 cups
- Parmesan cheese – ½ cup
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian
- Course: Main
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 480
- Protein: 12 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 6 g
11. Sautéed Mediterranean Scallops
Ingredients
- Sea scallops – 1 lb
- Olive oil – 2 tbsp
- Garlic – 2 cloves
- Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian
- Course: Main
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 310
- Protein: 34 g
- Fat: 14 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugar: 1 g
12. Lobster Linguine
Ingredients
- Linguine – 12 oz
- Lobster meat – 1 lb
- Butter – 4 tbsp
- Garlic – 3 cloves
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian
- Course: Main
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 620
- Protein: 42 g
- Fat: 26 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 3 g
13. Creamy Burrata Pasta
Ingredients
- Pasta – 12 oz
- Burrata cheese – 8 oz
- Cherry tomatoes – 1 cup
- Olive oil – 2 tbsp
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian
- Course: Main
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 540
- Protein: 18 g
- Fat: 28 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 4 g
14. Veal Cutlets Milanese
Ingredients
- Veal cutlets – 4
- Breadcrumbs – 1 cup
- Eggs – 2
- Olive oil – ½ cup
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian
- Course: Main
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 610
- Protein: 40 g
- Fat: 36 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 1 g
15. Beef Carpaccio
Ingredients
- Beef tenderloin – 1 lb
- Olive oil – 2 tbsp
- Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
- Parmesan shavings – ½ cup
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian
- Course: Appetizer
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 340
- Protein: 36 g
- Fat: 20 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugar: 0 g
16. Lemon Butter Shrimp
Ingredients
- Shrimp – 1 lb
- Butter – 4 tbsp
- Lemon juice – 2 tbsp
- Garlic – 3 cloves
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Course: Main
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 390
- Protein: 32 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugar: 1 g
17. Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Ingredients
- Jumbo pasta shells – 20
- Ricotta cheese – 1½ cups
- Spinach – 1 cup
- Marinara sauce – 2 cups
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian
- Course: Main
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 24 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 6 g
18. Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts – 4
- Heavy cream – 1 cup
- Sun-dried tomatoes – ½ cup
- Spinach – 1 cup
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Course: Main
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 610
- Protein: 44 g
- Fat: 42 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 2 g
19. Truffle Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- Yukon gold potatoes – 3 lbs
- Butter – ½ cup
- Cream – ¾ cup
- Truffle oil – 1 tbsp
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Course: Side Dish
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 7 g
- Fat: 24 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 3 g
20. Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
Ingredients
- Green beans – 1 lb
- Olive oil – 2 tbsp
- Garlic – 3 cloves
- Parmesan cheese – ½ cup
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian
- Course: Side Dish
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 210
- Protein: 8 g
- Fat: 14 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 3 g
21. Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries (Italian Style)
Ingredients
- Fresh strawberries – 1 lb
- Dark chocolate – 8 oz
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Course: Dessert
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 190
- Protein: 2 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 12 g
22. Strawberry Panna Cotta
Ingredients
- Heavy cream – 2 cups
- Sugar – ½ cup
- Gelatin – 2 tsp
- Strawberry purée – 1 cup
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: Italian
- Course: Dessert
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 360
- Protein: 6 g
- Fat: 26 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 22 g
FAQs
Can these dishes be combined into a full Italian Valentine’s menu?
Yes, they are designed to work together across appetizers, mains, sides, and desserts.
Are these recipes suitable for home cooking?
Absolutely, they are restaurant-inspired but approachable for home kitchens.
Can I prepare some items in advance?
Many sauces, sides, and desserts can be prepared ahead to reduce stress.
