Valentines breakfast table scene on a dark wood background with heart shaped pancakes, eggs and love themed food — iStock

22 Valentine's Day Breakfast, Dinner and Dessert Ideas the Whole Family Will Love

Spread the love with everyone at home with these V-day menu ideas.

Author:
Katie Workman and Justine Lee
Feb 12, 2024

If you have kids and live with your significant other you may be squinting your eyes at Valentine's Day this year...not sure what to make of it. In most parts of the world, a romantic dinner out is going to be difficult, or really cold, or just plain risky. So that leaves you home with the kiddos—again. Welcome to Valentine's Day 2024.

Since barricading the children in their rooms is frowned on by parenting experts, you may as well figure out how to rope them into the holiday, and get a little cooking help while you're at it. Have them assist you in the making of your Valentine's Day breakfast, dinner, dessert, plus anything sweet you plan on baking for the occasion. They can also take part in the planning of the V-Day menu, the serving of the meal and if you're luck, the washing of the dishes. Nothing says "I love you" more than a clean kitchen.

How helpful they can be of course depends on their ages and their comfort level in the kitchen. Getting your child to feel comfortable cooking pays dividends as they get older. So, whatever their age, get them in there, and give them tasks that make them feel purposeful and successful. And until you are confident that your child is adept at any assignment, supervise the heck out of them, especially when sharp tools and heat are part of the equation.

Easy Family-Style Recipes for Valentine's Day

Keep in mind that cooking with kids is a bit of an adventure. Allow for experimentation, know it will get messy and enlist their help when it comes time for clean-up. This might not be the most romantic Valentine's Day you've ever had, but maybe it will be the most delicious, thanks to these 22 family-style Valentine's Day recipes.

There's everything from yummy Stuffed Crepes and Biscuit Egg Sandwiches for breakfast, to Fettuccine Alfredo, Lobster Tails and Chicken Paprikash for dinner. Then there's Pretty in Pink Valentine’s Day Cookies and Old-Fashioned Fudge to end the night on a sweet note. Happy Valentine's Day!

Easy No-Bake Cereal Hearts

et the message across with conversation hearts you (and the kids) can make for all your sweeties. Make several batches using different food coloring for a rainbow of hearts.

Get the recipe: Easy No-Bake Cereal Hearts

Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo

Nothing brings pasta together (and family) like the perfect homemade sauce.

Get the recipe: Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo

Pretty in Pink Valentine’s Day Cookies

These lovely Pretty in Pink Valentine’s Day Cookies are fun to make with the kids for any occasion.

Get the recipe: Pretty in Pink Valentine’s Day Cookies

Creamy Stuffed Breakfast Crepes

These sweet breakfast crepes—or blintzes—are stuffed with a creamy cheese filling, topped with berry sauce, and surprisingly easy to make. Kids will have fun making the filling and folding up the crepes.

Get the recipe: Creamy Stuffed Breakfast Crepes

The Best Biscuit Sandwich

Breakfast in bed (or just a special breakfast) is a great way to celebrate Valentine's Day. There are two things at the center of every great breakfast sandwich: eggs, and melty, flavorful cheese.

Get the recipe: The Best Biscuit Sandwich

Chocolate Sweetheart Peanut Butter Cookies

Heart-shaped chocolate is nestled into peanut butter cookies for a cute Valentine's Day's treat.

Get the recipe: Chocolate Sweetheart Peanut Butter Cookies

Pesto Crescent Rolls

With a quick brush of pesto and a sprinkle of cheese refrigerated crescent rolls become something extra special. Rollin up the crescent rolls is a good kid activity.

Get the recipe: Pesto Crescent Rolls

The Kiss Clean Cocktail

Jalapeno-infused syrup adds just a hint of heat to this Valentine’s Day sipper from by Beth Ritter Nydick and Tara Roscioli. This one is for the grownups!

Get the recipe: The Kiss

Dedie's Herbed Salmon

An eclectic and interesting blend of herbs, spices, citrus and maple syrup makes this a very memorable salmon dish. Let the kids help make the marinade.

Get the recipe: Dedie's Herbed Salmon

Old-Fashioned Fudge

This fudge recipe is straight up simple, smooth and creamy and with basically three ingredients.

Get the recipe: Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

A bit of cinnamon and pure chile powder turn these crinkley chocolate cookies into something very special.

Get the recipe: Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

Three Cheese and Prosciutto Stuffed Biscuits

This refrigerated biscuit recipe is so simple but unbelievably delicious and sophisticated. Your kids can even help pick the cheeses!

Get the recipe: Three Cheese and Prosciutto Stuffed Biscuits

Perfect Broiled Lobster Tail

If you are feeling splurgy, a juicy, sweet lobster tail is hard to beat for Valentine's Day.

Get the recipe: Perfect Broiled Lobster Tail

Savory Challah Bread Pudding

A savory bread pudding, or strata, is great way to make a hearty breakfast for a family.

Get the recipe: Savory Challah Bread Pudding

Chicken Paprikash

Remember the scene in When Harry Met Sally when Harry says in that funny voice, “Waiter, there is too much pepper in my paprikash.” The Nora Ephron classic would be a good Valentine's Day movie to watch with this dish!

Get the recipe: Chicken Paprikash

Bubble Waffles

Cute and fun and delicious, these are also sometimes get called Egg Puffs or Puffles. This one may be more for the kids than for you!

Get the recipe: Bubble Waffles

Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto

The Instant Pot makes creamy risotto super simple to make and also faster than you would imagine, and it's fun to play with a new appliance with the kids. This version has savory mushrooms, bright green peas and a nice amount of Parmesan.

Get the recipe: Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto

Perfect Filet Mignon

A simple perfectly cooked piece of filet mignon is one of the most indulgent and romantic dinners around.

Get the recipe: Perfect Filet Mignon

Shrimp Tacos

These fun change-of-pace tacos feature plump bites of shrimp in a tangy, saucy tomato mixture. Warm up some tortillas and let the whole family top as they wish!

Get the recipe: Shrimp Tacos