Effortless Valentine’s Day menu ideas

Discover easy recipes for two below, then check out our main collection of Valentine’s Day recipes. For simple tipples to serve with your food, see our easy cocktail recipes. If you're looking for a gift for your favourite foodie, see our top picks in our Valentine’s Day gift guide. Now discover the most romantic UK hotels.

Find more stress-free recipes in our effortless entertaining recipes and no-oven effortless recipes.

Effortless Valentine's Day menu ideas

Comfort food menu

Starter: Cheese grazing board

Set the tone for the evening with a comfort-forward cheese grazing board. To make it suitable for two, choose from one of three baked cheeses: lemony baked goat’s cheese, baked camembert in a cob or baked feta with chipotle. Serve with plenty of crackers, crudités and chutneys.

Main: Spatchcock chicken traybake

This simple one-tin dinner promises big flavour, thanks to harissa-coated roast chicken, crispy chorizo and caramelised orange. This recipe cuts corners by using pre-cooked basmati rice. It serves up to four, so it's great for leftovers the following day.

Dessert: Raspberry chocolate pots

You need just three ingredients to whip up this silky, decadent pudding: dark chocolate, double cream and raspberries. This is guaranteed to be the easiest restaurant-level chocolate dessert you've ever made.

Cocktail: Espresso martini

Round off your Valentine's meal with the ultimate coffee cocktail, blending fresh espresso with vodka and coffee liqueur for a sweet, velvety drink.

Find more inspiration see our easy cocktail recipes.

Italian menu

Starter: Fig salad

Kick-start your Italian-inspired menu with a simple fresh fig salad served with a punchy pink peppercorn dressing. It's a quick starter, with finely grated Grana Padano providing a creamy but piquant contrast to the sweet figs.

Main: Effortless dill butter prawn linguine with chilli crisp fried eggs

Cook a special seafood pasta main without the hassle, with the help of potted brown shrimp. Good-quality linguine elevates this dish to new heights, while the fried egg adds extra richness to the sauce.

Dessert: Affogato chocolate mousse

Your date will never guess this espresso-infused pud takes just 15 minutes to make. It's best left overnight to chill, so it's a winner if you're looking for a dessert you can make ahead, then whip out when ready to serve. Dust with cocoa and serve with shots of hot espresso on the side.

Cocktail: Negroni sbagliato

A negroni sbagliato feels celebratory, so it's a fitting tipple to accompany your Italian-inspired menu. Swapping gin for prosecco makes a lighter negroni and softens the bitterness.

Spanish menu

Aperitif: Gildas

Anchovies, guindilla peppers and olives – that's all you need to rustle up this effortless Spanish-style snack. Serve on a tray as an appetiser while you prepare your main.

Main: Prawns pil pil

Your date is bound to enjoy this Spanish-style main, where plump prawns sit in a pool of garlicky, spicy oil. It makes use of cheap, familiar ingredients, but the end result is impressive – just don’t forget the crusty bread for mopping up all of those wonderful juices.

Dessert: Tinto de verano granita

To finish, transport yourself to sunnier climes with this Spanish-style granita. Load the icy mixture into two chilled glasses and serve with a wheel of lemon or lime for a sophisticated garnish.

Cocktail: Winter sangria

For a winter twist on everyone's favourite Spanish tipple, turn your hand to this winter sangria. It's a great way to use up any left-over port from Christmas, but it also works well with red wine.

More effortless desserts

Effortless madeleine 'baba'

Try this cheat on a rum baba for a dessert that's classy yet hassle-free. It's very simple – use their favourite rum to make it more special.

Grapefruit and mint syllabub

Floral rosé wine and sharp, refreshing grapefruit takes this syllabub to new heights – it may take just 10 minutes to make, but it will end your Valentine's meal on a high note.

10-minute berry dessert

This quick berry pud is deceptively easy to make: simply heat frozen berries in a pan to make a purée, add to a glass, then layer with double cream mixed with Greek yogurt. Serve with ginger biscuits for dunking et voilà.