32 very special Valentine's Day recipes. All are delicious, economical, small-batch recipes that can mostly (but not all) be scaled for two and have easy-to-follow step-by-step photo instructions.
Valentine's Day is full of love, goodwill, and great food. However, crowded restaurants are not my favorite places; you can do much better at home. Let's review some of my top, easy-to-make smaller recipes.
All these recipes are designed for small households. They are either already small or can be adjusted according to the instructions in the recipe post.
Smaller Breakfast Recipes
We all need a great start to the day. We always go with baked sausage and blueberry pancakes. They're so good.
Oven-Baked Bacon (Crispy, Easy, and No Mess)
Cook crispy bacon in the oven in about 20 minutes—no splatter, no flipping, and works with convection or any oven type. Use your favorite bacon for perfect results every time.
Convection Oven Bacon
Small Cinnamon Coffee Cake
With the great taste of Cinnabon cinnamon rolls, this quick and easy Cinnamon Coffee Cake recipe has it all, from buttery and tender cinnamon-swirled cake with carmalized streusel topping and a sweet glaze. An 8X8 small batch recipe that is simple to make smaller or bigger, it is the perfect breakfast, brunch, or dessert recipe for a holiday or everyday.
Cinnamon Coffee Cake
How to Cook Sausage in the Oven (Breakfast Patties, Links & Brats)
The easy oven method for breakfast patties, links, brats, kielbasa, or Italian sausage. Juicy and browned in 15–30 minutes with no splatter and easy cleanup.
Oven Baked Breakfast Sausage Patties
Baked Blueberry Pancakes (Easy & No Flipping Needed)
Fluffy blueberry pancakes baked in the oven—no flipping, no fuss. Just mix the batter, pour it in, and let the oven do the work.
Baked Blueberry Pancakes
Small French Toast Casserole (Easy Recipe from 2 to a Crowd)
An easy small French toast casserole—custardy inside with a crispy top, baked overnight in an 8x8 pan for 4. Scales from two servings to a family brunch.
Small French Toast Casserole
Steak, Steak, and More Steak
For us, an extraordinary meal starts with steaks. Here are my top beef recipes, along with a couple of chicken and pork recipes.
How to Cook Filet Mignon in the Oven (Pan-Sear & Bake Recipe)
Juicy filet mignon cooked at home with the classic pan-sear and oven-bake method. Perfect results in under 20 minutes — just sear, bake, and rest.
Seared and Bake Filet Mignon
Grilled Ribeye Steaks on a Gas Grill (Juicy Every Time)
Grill ribeye steaks on a gas grill for juicy, tender results every time. This easy, step-by-step method covers seasoning, temperature, and timing for perfect medium-rare or your preferred doneness—no marinade needed.
How to Grill Ribeye Steak
Pan Seared New York Strip Steak (Finish in Oven)
Pan sear New York strip steaks, then finish in the oven for juicy, tender results — about 6 minutes to medium-rare. Simple steakhouse technique for home cooks.
Seared and Oven Baked Strip Steaks
How to Grill Filet Mignon (Juicy & Tender Gas Grill Recipe)
Grilling filet mignon is simple with this step-by-step gas-grill guide. Juicy, fork-tender results in about 10 minutes—better than a steakhouse at home.
Grilled Fillet Mignon
How to Grill a New York Strip Steak on a Gas Grill
Grill juicy, flavorful New York strip steaks on a gas grill in about 8–10 min. Simple steps and reliable temps for steakhouse results every time.
How to Grill New York Strips
Grilled Porterhouse Steak (Gas or Charcoal Grill)
Juicy, tender Porterhouse steak grilled to perfection with a crisp sear and simple seasoning. Works for T-bone steak too — ready in under 20 minutes on a gas or charcoal grill.
Grilling Perfect Porterhouse Steaks
Steak Enhancements
Make that steak extra special with some additional flavors.
Blue Cheese Butter Recipe (Easy Compound Butter for Steak)
Easy blue cheese butter with garlic and herbs. A simple compound butter that melts over steak, burgers, veggies, or baked potatoes for bold flavor.
Blue Cheese Compound Butter
Easy Steak Marinade
This Easy Steak Marinade recipe is quick to make and use. Perfectly balanced acid and savory flavors make this the best homemade steak marinade. While we use it mainly for New York Strip steaks, it is excellent with any beef steak cooked on the grill or stove.
The Best Steak Marinade
Easy Smaller Italian Recipes
Everybody loves great Italian. Here are recipes you can easily adjust to your needs.
Crock Pot Baked Ziti Recipe (Easy Cheesy 3-Cheese Pasta)
Easy crock pot baked ziti recipe with uncooked pasta, ground beef, and rich tomato sauce—cheesy, hearty, and cooked right in your slow cooker.
Crock Pot Baked Ziti
Melt in Your Mouth Chicken (Mayo Parmesan Chicken)
Juicy baked chicken coated with seasoned mayo, Parmesan, and crispy Panko. The classic Melt in Your Mouth Chicken—simple, tender, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Mayo Parmesan Chicken
Crock Pot Italian Chicken Pasta
Delicious Crock Pot Italian Chicken Pasta is loaded with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, tender chicken, and pasta. It is cooked in an easy homemade marinara sauce that cooks the dry pasta and chicken while it simmers. You will love this cheesy Italian bake.
Crock Pot Italian Chicken Bake
Smaller Soup Recipes
Soups are good as the main dish or an additional course. All are easy small-batch recipes that can be made ahead.
Crockpot French Onion Soup (Slow Cooker, Easy & Deep Flavor)
Rich beef broth and caramelized onions simmered in your crockpot, finished with toasted bread and melted cheese—simple, elegant, and full of deep flavor.
Crock Pot French Onion Soup
Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup (Fresh or Frozen Broccoli)
Creamy, cheesy Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup using fresh or frozen broccoli and real cheddar or other cheese. Easy comfort food perfect for small or large slow cookers.
Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup
Beef Barley Soup (Easy Any-Size Crock Pot Recipe)
Easy beef barley soup with tender beef, veggies, and plump barley. Comfort-food flavor in any crock pot, 2-quart or larger.
Beef Barley Soup Recipe
Veggies and other side dishes
Side dishes can make or break the meal. Here are some of our favorites—all easily adjustable.
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Sautéed Green Beans with Almonds
Sautéed Green Beans is a fast, easy skillet stovetop recipe with fresh green beans, butter, garlic, and toasted almonds for a delicious and eloquent side dish in only 20 minutes.
Green Beans with Almonds
Roasted Little Red Potatoes (Crispy and Oven-Baked)
Roast at 400°F convection (or 425°F regular oven) for about 30 minutes until golden and fork-tender. Simple, crispy, and foolproof.
Oven Roasted Red Potatoes
Baked Green Beans with Bacon
Baked Green Beans with Bacon are the perfect side dish with any meal—an easy green bean recipe with brown sugar, garlic, bacon, and tender green beans.
Baked Green Beans with Bacon
Parmesan Baked Potatoes
Quick and easy Parmesan Baked Potatoes halves have a creamy center and a crispy Parmesan cheese crust with butter and garlic.
Parmesan Baked Potatoes
Smaller Bread Recipes
OK, you caught me, but making bread for two is hard. Try these recipes that can both be adjusted to smaller amounts.
Low Fat Biscuits (Easy, Low Calorie & Healthy)
Easy low-fat biscuits with no-fat yogurt and flour. Low-calorie for your healthy diet -ready in 25 minutes — soft, tender, no butter or oil.
Healthy Low Calorie Biscuits
Easy Dinner Rolls (Quick 60-Minute Recipe)
Soft, buttery, homemade dinner rolls ready in just 60 minutes—perfect quick dinner rolls for weeknights, holidays, or any time you need fresh bread fast. Make 12 rolls or cut the recipe in half for 6.
Yeast Dinner Roll Recipe
Small Dessert Recipes
Dessert is a must for a great Valentine's meal, but it is vital on Valentine's Day. Here are my favorite recipes for small desserts.
Blueberry Crisp for Two or More (Fresh or Frozen Berries)
A small-batch blueberry crisp made with any fresh or frozen berries. Bakes in ramekins or a small dish with a buttery oat topping. Quick, flexible, and easy to make gluten-free.
Berry Crisp for Two
Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe
Not quite for two, but it is a smaller recipe. For all the chocolate lovers, this rich, flourless chocolate cake recipe has a delicious ganache glaze, an intense fudgy flavor, and a dense texture. Naturally gluten-free, this ultimate chocolate dessert is easy to prepare and takes about 45 minutes to make.
Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe
Apple Berry Crumble
A fast, old-fashioned Apple Berry Crumble that combines apples and berries with a buttery streusel crumb topping. Use fresh berries and apples, or make it "semi-homemade" with frozen berries and a can of apple pie filling. So easy, so good.
Apple Berry Crumble
Candy Recipes
Candy is traditional but expensive. Making yourself is easy and economical, but it also adds some special meaning for the ones you love. These recipes will make manageable amounts for smaller households. Add red sprinkle candies to the nut clusters to make them unique for the holiday.
Crock Pot Chocolate Peanut Clusters (Easy 4-Ingredient Candy)
Sweet and salty crock pot chocolate peanut clusters with just 4 ingredients. Simple slow cooker candy—great for holiday gifts or parties.
Chocolate Peanut Cluster Recipe
Crock Pot White Chocolate Almond Clusters
Super easy and delicious white chocolate almond clusters are the perfect gift for the holidays or for any special occasion. Simple with these step by step photo instruction for the perfect white chocolate candy.
White Cluster Almond Clusters Recipe
Easy Cinnamon Candied Almonds (Oven-Roasted Holiday Nuts)
Crunchy, cinnamon-sugar candied almonds roasted in the oven until crisp and golden. Easy to make, budget-friendly, and perfect for gifts, snacks, or holiday parties.
How to Make Candied Almonds
Don't forget the dog treats.
Low-Fat Homemade Dog Treats—Healthy & Delicious
Low Fat Homemade Dog Treats are the perfect low-calorie treat for your dog. With only five ingredients, your dog will love the peanut butter and pumpkin taste. Much healthier than commercial treats—any veterinarian would approve.
Healthier Low-Fat Dog Treats
Editor's Note: Originally Published February 11, 2017, and updated yearly with new recommendations.
Jane says
Your Flourless Chocolate Cake is a favourite in this Canadian household. The only debate is to whether the Ganache tastes better made with cream or sour cream. Thank you for your sensible achievable recipes.