Celebrate love with these 5 delicious and easy vegetarian Valentine’s Day dinner recipes! From the rich and creamy Garlic Mushroom Risotto to the comforting Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells, these meals are perfect for a romantic night in. Enjoy a crispy, cheesy Eggplant Parmesan, a refreshing Garlic Butter Lemon Pasta, or hearty Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa and Black Beans. Each dish is packed with flavor, easy to make, and sure to impress your special someone.
1. Creamy Garlic Mushroom Risotto
Servings: 2 | ⏳ Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 3 cups vegetable broth (warm)
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated (or nutritional yeast for vegan)
- ½ cup white wine (optional)
- 2 tbsp butter (or olive oil)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions:
1️⃣ Heat butter in a pan over medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.
2️⃣ Add mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until soft.
3️⃣ Stir in Arborio rice and cook for 1-2 minutes until slightly toasted.
4️⃣ Pour in white wine (if using) and stir until absorbed.
5️⃣ Add warm vegetable broth, one cup at a time, stirring frequently until absorbed before adding more.
6️⃣ Continue stirring and adding broth until rice is creamy and tender (about 20 minutes).
7️⃣ Stir in parmesan, season with salt and pepper, and garnish with parsley before serving.
2. Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Servings: 2 | ⏳ Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 10 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup spinach, chopped
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook pasta shells according to package instructions and drain.
2️⃣ In a bowl, mix ricotta, spinach, parmesan, mozzarella, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3️⃣ Stuff each pasta shell with the ricotta mixture.
4️⃣ Spread marinara sauce in a baking dish and place stuffed shells on top.
5️⃣ Sprinkle extra mozzarella over the shells. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
6️⃣ Remove foil and bake for another 5 minutes until cheese is melted. Serve warm.
3. Eggplant Parmesan
Servings: 2 | ⏳ Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 large eggplant, sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for vegan)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 eggs (or flax eggs for vegan)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2️⃣ In a bowl, whisk eggs. In another bowl, mix breadcrumbs, parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3️⃣ Dip each eggplant slice in the egg mixture, then coat in breadcrumbs.
4️⃣ Heat olive oil in a pan and cook eggplant slices for 2-3 minutes per side until golden.
5️⃣ Place eggplant in a baking dish, top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
6️⃣ Bake for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve warm.
4. Garlic Butter Lemon Pasta
Servings: 2 | ⏳ Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 8 oz spaghetti or linguine
- 3 tbsp butter (or olive oil)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for vegan)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
1️⃣ Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2️⃣ In a pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté for 30 seconds.
3️⃣ Stir in lemon juice, zest, salt, and pepper.
4️⃣ Toss in cooked pasta and mix well.
5️⃣ Remove from heat, sprinkle with parmesan and parsley, then serve warm.
5. Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa and Black Beans
Servings: 2 | ⏳ Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 large bell peppers, halved and seeds removed
- ½ cup quinoa, cooked
- ½ cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup corn kernels
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ¼ cup shredded cheese (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2️⃣ In a bowl, mix cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
3️⃣ Fill bell pepper halves with the quinoa mixture.
4️⃣ Place peppers in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 25 minutes.
5️⃣ Remove foil, sprinkle with cheese (if using), and bake for another 5 minutes. Serve warm.
