Carlsbad Cravings

OVER 50 VALENTINE’S DAY RECIPES

Happy Almost Valentine’s Day!  Over 50 of the BEST Valentine’s Day Recipes from appetizers, and sides to entrees and desserts all in ONE spot!  You are guaranteed to find the most delicious recipes to make your Valentine’s the best ever! 

I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Valentine’s Day recipes to rival any restaurant so you can indulge with the ones you love right in the comfort of our own home.  I’ve kept the main entrees pretty traditional, but if you know your love would rather dine on Asian or Mexican, then be sure to check out the rest of my Dinner recipes.

If you need some mushy sentiments to get in Valentine’s Day mood, then you can read Our Love Story here.  And if you are in need of some extra love this time of year, I’m sending you ALL MY LOVE!!!  xo

BREAKFAST

  • Southern Living Eggs Benedict Casserole on a speckled plate with a fork taking a bite
  • I've died and gone to heaven! This EASY Blueberry Muffin Cake is like a giant blueberry muffin and the Maple Cream Cheese Glaze is amazing! Everyone always asks me to make this for brunch!
  • Easy Blender Brown Sugar Carrot Cake Crepes are my family's favorite crepes! Stuffed with silky sweet Cream Cheese and smothered in the most amazing Blueberry Sauce - these are addicting and so fun!!
  • side view of easy chocolate waffles with chocolate sauce drizzled over the waffles
  • The best Banana ANYTHING ever! Moist Banana Coffee Cake riddled with chocolate chips and walnuts (optional) with an INCREDIBLY creamy cheesecake-like cream cheese filling all topped with brown sugar walnut streusel and vanilla drizzle.
  • These French Toast Pinwheels are the cutest, tastiest thing ever and way easier than traditional French Toast roll ups! I made them for a brunch and everyone loved them!

See more Breakfast Recipes HERE

APPETIZERS

front shot of goat cheese log with garlic, zemon zest, basil, chives, parsley and rolled in pecans
  • Brie Spinach Dip - my friends could not get over this appetizer! Its your favorite spinach dip made even more delicious with BRIE! Creamy, cheesy and so addicting!
  • REPLACE
  • this fresh, sweet and salty Strawberry Pear Pesto Flatbread with Balsamic Reduction Drizzle smothered in brie cheese and garnished with feta and pistachios is OUT OF THIS WORLD! and super easy! Amazing appetizer, brunch or lunch! #Easter #Christmas #holiday
  • Super easy Bruschetta Cheese Ball takes just minutes to whip up and is always a total show stopper, make ahead appetizer! Loaded with fresh tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil and garlic and herb cream cheese then rolled in crispy panko breadcrumbs all served with toasted baguette slices! So irresistibly delicious!
  • up close shot of Artichoke Dip Bites on a white marble pedestal
  • Key Lime Cheesecake Fruit Dip is smooth, creamy and the BEST way to eat fruit! Addictingly delicious make ahead snack or appetizer!
  • top view of easy bacon wrapped shrimp on a white plate with cocktail sauce

See more Appetizers HERE

 

APPETIZER SOUPS

This Parmesan Tomato Basil Soup Recipe recipe is our family favorite!  Its super easy without any chopping! bursting with flavor and I love the addition of Parmesan!  
  • up close of a bowl of easy French Onion Soup with a bowl resting in the soup with cheesy bread
  • top view of white bowl England Clam Chowder with a spoon with potatoes, bacon, onions, celery and garlic
  • this SUPER creamy Slow Cooker Chipotle Sweet Potato Soup is AMAZING!  Its loaded with flavor, vegan, crazy healthy and so easy!  Definitely one of my new favorite soups!  
  • top view of easy cauliflower soup in a white soup pot with a ladle.
  • This Skinny Slow Cooker Potato Soup is unbelievably creamy, super flavorful and absolutely the best I've ever tried! and its super easy in the crock pot!
  • this SUPER creamy Slow Cooker Chipotle Sweet Potato Soup is AMAZING!  Its loaded with flavor, vegan, crazy healthy and so easy!  Definitely one of my new favorite soups!  

See more Soups HERE

 

BEEF Entrees

  • This is by far my family's favorite Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff recipe! An ultra rich and creamy, amazingly flavorful sauce (without any "cream of" anything!), crazy tender meat all made in the crockpot for a gourmet meal with hardly any effort! I love serving this for holidays like Christmas!
  • REPLACE
  • Ridiculously tender, Homemade Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy (without any “cream of” anything!) is richly satisfying, comforting and flavorful and the perfect make ahead meal for busy weeknights! I also love serving it for special occasions or holidays because it is so easy, make ahead and super easy to double or triple the recipe!
  • Easy Pan Seared Steak with a deeply caramelized seared crust and the most amazing Balsamic Herb Cream Sauce! This recipe includes step by step instructions, tips and tricks to achieve melt in your mouth, restaurant quality top sirloin steak even if you have never made steak before! Perfect for Valentine's Day!
  • REPLACE

See more beef entrees here

Chicken Entrees

  • top view of Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with chicken, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes
  • up close of view of slices of baked chicken Parmesan with mozzarella cheese, Parmesan and fresh basil.
  • top view of chicken fricassee garnished with parsley and thyme v
  • top view of chicken cacciatore recipe in a blue braiser with a serving spoon
  • Grilled Caprese Chicken Salad with the most incredible balsamic marinated chicken, fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, grilled asparagus, creamy avocado and crispy bacon all drizzled with Creamy Balsamic Reduction Dressing. Out of this world! #summersalad #springsalad

See more chicken entrees here

Pork Entrees

easy pork tenderloin oven sliced on a cutting board
  • up close of sliced grilled pork tenderloin recipe
  • showing how to make mojo Cuban roast pork (lechon asado) by
  • up close top view of best baked pork tenderloin
  • Easy, company pleasing Cajun Pork smothered in Tangy Pineapple Glaze is sweet and spicy and melt in your mouth tender! The layers of flavor or out of this world!
  • Sheet Pan Chili Dijon Pork Tenderloin with Green Beans and Potatoes all baked on ONE PAN! This is the most tender pork I have ever had and the tangy sweet and spicy flavors are out of this world!

See more pork entrees HERE

Fish & Shrimp Entrees

  • 25 MINUTE Baked Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon with Crispy Parmesan Panko & Broccoli!  This salmon is not only bursting with flavor and sooo tender but the easiest, most satisfying meal that tastes totally gourmet!  My parents were blown away by this meal!
  • sweet and tangy Asian BBQ Salmon dripping with flavor but one of the easiest meals to throw together! Delicious enough for company, easy enough for everyday.
  • top view of baked salmon fillets with dill sauce for salmon
  • top view of easy blackened salmon in a stainless steal skillet
  • far away side view of cajun salmon in a green bowl with Pineapple, mango avocado salsa
  • top view of a fork eating healthy salmon in foil with mango salsa

See more seafood entrees here

PASTA ENTREES 

  • This Million Dollar Baked Penne has been a family favorite for decades!  We serve it at all our family gatherings because its SO good, so easy!  The homemade sauce is incredible and the hidden layer of creamy/cheesiness is to live for! 
  • rigatoni pasta in white bowl
  • 20 MINUTE Lemon Garlic Shrimp Fettuccine is wonderfully creamy, bursting with flavor and so easy!  The most gourmet tasting  dinner you can make in under 30 minutes!
  • top view of Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with chicken, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes

See more pastas HERE

VEGETABLE SIDES

  • up close of holding a bowl of baked Brussels Sprouts
  • up close showing how to make roasted butternut squash recipe by stirring on baking sheet
  • top view of balsamic roasted root vegetables
  • Roasted Parmesan Lemon Garlic Broccoli (or Broccolini) is bursting with flavor, caramelized edges and the easiest side dish to every meal!
  • Tender, sweet and savory Secret Ingredient Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots are the most delicious carrots and easiest side dish EVER with only 10 minutes prep! I eat these like candy! #Thanksgiving #Easter #Christmas
  • These nutty, caramelized 15 Minute Brussels Sprouts sauteed with garlic, butter and lemon are one of my favorite sides ever and I love the steaming trick for even cooking!
  • Roasted Parmesan Broccoli

See more Sides HERE

 

POTATOES/PASTA/RICE SIDES

This mega creamy Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese Casserole is the only macaroni cheese recipe you will ever want to make! make this for guests or family and they will love you forever! The homemade sauce itself is rich and crazy creamy and the casserole is stuffed with a hidden layer of provolone cheese and sour cream that melts when baked for a ridiculous amount of velvety creamy, cheesy goodness.
  • Au Gratin Potatoes with layers of potatoes, cheese and cream in a white casserole dish being scooped up
  • BEST EVER Creamy Company Mashed potatoes infused with butter, garlic, and Parmesan! I could eat these all day alone with a spoon - they are incredibly velvety, flavorful and so good everyone will beg you for the recipe!
  • front up close view of make ahead twice baked potatoes with cheese, sour cream and bacon
  • up close top view of roasted smashed potatoes with butter, garlic and chives
  • up close of a spoon scooping cheesy orzo pasta recipe in a white bowl
  • up close of a serving of garlic Parmesan risotto

 

SALADS/FRUIT SALADS

Fresh Berry Salad is one of the BEST fruit salads you will ever make! Smothered in sweet and tangy, incredibly creamy Honey Mascarpone that takes minutes to whip up and tastes incredible! Perfect for brunch, barbecues and all your pool side parties!
  • Apple Cranberry Bacon Candied Walnut Salad with Apple Poppy Seed Vinaigrette belongs on your table this Thanksgiving and all Autumn long! The perfect STRESS FREE make ahead side!
  • Irresistibly delicious, fresh and vibrant Winter Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Poppy Seed Vinaigrette is simple to whip together but can’t stop eating delicious! It makes the perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas side!
  • top view of easy Pina Colada Fruit Salad with pineapple, coconut, mandarin oranges, strawberries and blueberries in a white bowl
  • Cranberry Apple Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing is one of my favorite salads IN THE WORLD! It belongs on your table this Thanksgiving and Christmas and all season long!  The perfect STRESS FREE make ahead side that is flavor and texture heaven!  #thanksgivingside #thanksgivingsalad
  • top view of best fruit salad in bowl with pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, kiwis, grapes and oranges
  • REPLACE

See more Salads HERE

 

DESSERTS

Slow Cooker Chocolate Fondue - EASY, velvety chocolate is the perfect make ahead party or special occasion appetizer or dessert. Perfect for Valentine's Day, baby/bridal showers, girls night, movie night or just because!
  • top view of a forking taking a bite of Chocolate Eclair Cake
  • up close of chocolate covered strawberry on white parchment paper
  • Chocolate Raspberry Cake with sliced removed showing layers of dark chocolate cake, raspberry jam filling, chocolate ganache and chocolate mousse
  • Creamy, rich chocolate mousse smothered with silky peanut butter whipped cream cradled in an Oreo crust. You won’t be able to stop eating this pie!
  • chocolate ganache cheesecake with a row of raspberries on top
  • EASY - 30 Minute - S'mores Molten Lava Pies are decadently rich, with an oozing chocolate center, topped with melty toasted marshmallows all nestled in a buttery graham cracker crust - BUT - they are super easy to make and baked in a muffin tin so no special equipment is required!
  • German Chocolate Cheesecake AKA the best German Chocolate anything! The rich and creamy chocolate cheesecake has a hidden layer of traditional caramel-eaque sweet and crunchy Coconut Pecan Frosting and another layer on top! This cheesecake is to live for!

See more Desserts HERE

 

Want to try these Valentine’s Day Recipes?

Pin them to your VALENTINE’S DAY, HOLIDAY or SPECIAL OCCASION Board to SAVE for later!

Over 50 of the BEST Valentine's Day Recipes from appetizers, and sides to entrees and desserts all in ONE place! You are guaranteed to find a the most delicious recipes to make your Valentine's the best ever!

Find me on Pinterest for more great recipes!  I am always pinning :)!

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