Get things cookin' this Valentine's Day with these vegan date night recipes! From appetizers to main courses and dessert, you'll find all of the recipes you need for a romantic dinner at home here.
Date Night
Valentine's Day is just a few days away! I usually don't make too much of big deal about it, but I do like to have a nice dinner to celebrate. Because restaurants can be overpriced and crowded, Dennis and I rarely go out to dinner. In past years when the holiday has fallen on a weekend, we've trekked into New York City. We like to to see a matinee and get lunch at a nice vegan restaurant. We've found that the restaurants are usually pretty bare at lunchtime, as most people will be dinning out for dinner.
When Valentine's Day falls on a weeknight, I like to make a nice dinner. I start the meal with an appetizer. Then I serve the main course with a salad and a little something for dessert. I don't want heavy sweets after having a big meal, so I usually make truffles or mini cheesecakes.
Whether you have lots of time to prepare a meal or just a few minutes to cook dinner after work, these vegan date night recipes are perfect for Valentine's Day, Galentine's Day, or an evening with Netflix!
Vegan Date Night Recipes
Starters
Tangy Herbed Vegan Cheese Spread
Wine and cheese are the ultimate Valentine's Day pairing, and this herbed spread is super easy to make.
Tomato Tartlets with Spinach Pesto
These tarts take a little time, but they're worth it. They can be made ahead, and rewarmed at dinner time.
Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are my go-to appetizer. They're easy to make and they can be dressed up to look fancy.
This healthy oil-free bruschetta from What the Health by Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn with Eunice Wong is a terrific appetizer.
Cornmeal Crusted Brussels Sprouts
Even self-professed sprout haters will love this delicious appetizer!
Vegan Cheese and Apple Tartlets
Made with puff pastry, these little tarts are super easy to make.
Salads
With a creamy, homemade dairy free cashew dressing, this salad is super easy to make, and it can be customized to your liking.
Kale Caesar Salad with Roasted Chickpeas
This is my favorite salad, and it's perfect for a romantic night in.
Kale and Edamame Salad with Lemon Herb Dressing
Is there anything more “vegan” than a kale and edamame salad? Don’t let the cliché nature of this recipe fool you though! This crave-worthy salad is delicious and it’s perfect for a light dinner or side dish.
Strawberries make this salad perfect for Valentine's Day.
Main Dishes
This impressive-looking dish is the ultimate date night meal.
Lasagna is always a date night favorite, and this gluten-free version uses pieces of polenta instead of pasta.
This dish is similar to lasagna, but zucchini slices are used in the place of noodles, and it's baked in a rustic crust.
In this recipe, cannellini beans and cashews are blended together to make a rich, creamy dairy-free sauce.
Serve this dish with mashed potatoes and steamed kale for the ultimate date night meal!
This recipe is much easier to make than it looks, and it only takes about half an hour!
Lemon-Dijon Tempeh with Mushrooms
This dish looks (and tastes) like something from a gourmet restaurant, but it comes together super quickly.
This flavor-packed recipe from Protein from Plants by Heather Nicholds comes together really quickly, too. And it's fancy enough for date night.
This lemony dish is a great dish to serve on date night or for a dinner party, but it’s easy enough for weeknights too.
I love a good piccata, and this chickpea cutlet recipe from The Plant Protein Revolution Cookbook by Robin Robertson is just as tasty as the tempeh version.
Cauliflower Steaks with Romesco Sauce
This dish is super easy to make, but it looks extra fancy, so it's great for date night.
Spaghetti Squash in Lemon Caper Sauce
The lemon caper sauce in this dish is similar to piccata, and the spaghetti squash is a great gluten-free alternative to pasta.
Use heart shaped cookie cutters to cut your tofu into festive hearts.
Desserts
Chocolate and sesame paste combine deliciously in these luscious vegan Tahini Truffles. They’re just the thing to make your sweetie swoon this Valentine’s Day.
Vegan Chocolate-Almond Date Truffles
If you'd like a lighter, healthier truffle, give these a try!
Chocolate–Peanut Butter Candy Bites
If you like peanut butter with your chocolate, you need these from candy bites The Vegan 8 by Brandi Doming.
Vegan Chocolate-Peanut Butter Truffle Mini Tarts
These easy-to-make tarts combine two of my favorite things – peanut butter and chocolate.
Unless they see you make it, no one will ever guess that this decadent mousse is made with healthy avocados.
This luscious recipe from Jazzy Vegetarian by Laura Theodore is made with just four ingredients!
This luscious cream pie is a veganized version of an old family favorite.
Use this dessert hummus as a dip for fresh berries, dried fruit, pretzels, or anything else you can think of.
This recipe from The Complete Plant-Based Diet by JL Fields will satisfy all of your chocolate cravings.
No-Bake Mini Vegan Key Lime Cheesecakes
If chocolate isn't your thing (which I think is weird, but hey, whatever floats your boat) give these little cheesecakes a try!
What vegan recipes will you be cooking up this week?
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