Want to impress without ruining your whole budget? There are so many ways to do it. Whether you’re a college student just trying to get by without spending too much, or you’re in a pinch but still want to make someone’s day, these affordable Valentine’s Day dinner ideas are the way to go.
5. Chicken and Mushroom Alfredo
Making homemade alfredo is an easy way to win someone over. The creamy, rich sauce is hard to nail down, yet it’s fairly simple to do if you don’t complicate things. Pair with slices of seared chicken and sauteed mushrooms, and you have it made.
First, season your chicken well and sear it in a pan until it is fully cooked. Set aside and let the chicken rest for a few minutes. While that’s resting, sauteemushrooms in the same pan without cleaning it until they’re almost soft. Sauté crushed garlic until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and let it simmer until it starts thickening. Remove from the heat and whisk in Parmesan cheese. You can also throw in some seasonsings hear if you think it needs more flavor. Once the sauce is thick, stir in cooked noodles, then top with chicken. Serve with garlic bread.
4. Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Pork is surprisingly an affordable protein, and is perfect for one of the best affordable Valentine’s Day dinner ideas. Grab a pork loin at the store. Many have pre-seasoned as well, so you don’t have to worry about that added step. And grab some bacon with a couple of big potatoes and some vegetables.
After you remove the silver skin from the tenderloin, season it if it’s not already seasoned, and then wrap it with bacon. What makes this dish so easy is that you just throw it in the oven. Bake in the oven until it’s 145 degrees Fahrenheit internally. You can also toss in tinfoil-wrapped potatoes for a baked potato, and then throw some vegetables on the stove for a hearty dinner.
3. Lemon Butter Salmon Pasta
Impress anyone with a light and flaky piece of salmon paired with a rich, yet bright sauce. This upscale-looking pasta dish is unreal, yet it’s quite easy and affordable to make if you don’t go too fancy. If salmon isn’t your thing, you can always swap it out for some shrimp.
Start by heating oil in a pan over medium heat while your pasta starts to cook. Angel hair would be perfect for this dish. Once the oil is heated, add butter and melt to start that rich butter base. Sauté onions until fragrant, then stir in grated garlic, lemon zest, red chili flakes, and fresh lemon juice. Keep cooking to let the flavors come together. Toss in your noodles and then add your salmon. Precooked smoked salmon is an easy way to make this an affordable dish, but you can air fry fresh salmon if you want to get fancy with it.
2. Marry Me Chicken
An easy, yet delicious meal that will impress your significant other is marry me chicken. As the name suggests, the recipe is made to overly impress those around you. You can easily pair this with creamy mashed potatoes and asparagus for a filling meal.
Start by seasoning your chicken thoroughly and covering it with some flour. Heat a pan with oil and butter before browning your chicken on both sides until fully cooked. Remove them from the pan and let them rest. Then, add another splash of oil and some butter, and saute your onions and garlic until fragrant. Add herbs such as Italian herb and parsley, then deglaze with chicken broth, whisking away the bits at the bottom of the pan. Let that simmer before adding your heavy cream and sun-dried tomatoes. Let that combine and simmer until it’s like a gravy. Add grated cheese and combine. Add your chicken back to the pan and serve.
1. Simple Steak Dinner
You don’t need a grill to make one of the most affordable Valentine’s Day dinner ideas. While steak might seem like an expensive option, it’s really not that pricey. Grab a few steaks like sirloins or ribeyes at Walmart along with a fresh salad and potatoes for an easy, romantic meal.
All you need to do for your steak is to heat your pan with some oil and butter. While that’s going on, pat your steaks dry and season with salt. Sear your steak until a brown crust forms, which takes about 2 minutes per side. Use tongs to press down on the steak, rolling and cooking the edges until the fat is rendered. Don’t forget to baste your steak with butter for that rich bite. Cook until the steak is medium rare, which is roughly 125 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Let your steak rest for a few minutes before serving.