13 Seafood Dinner Ideas for a Romantic Night In

Prepare a Delicious Meal for Two

By
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/16/21
Shrimp with angel hair pasta

The Spruce

 

Valentine's Day offers a special opportunity to show your love through food. This February 14, try some sumptuous seafood dinner ideas—soups, baked dishes, light meals and classic dinner entrées that are sure to stir your appetites and make a night to remember.

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  • 01 of 13

    Vodka Oyster Shooters

    Vodka Oyster Shooters

    Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism / Flickr / CC BY ND 2.0

    Dial up the fun at your dinner with this playful appetizer. Vodka is a sure way to kick-start your Valentine's party, and if romance is in the cards, it is good to know raw oysters have long been considered an aphrodisiac. If you plan to shuck your own oysters, be sure to you know what you're doing.

  • 02 of 13

    Oyster Fritters

    Oyster fritters

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    If you like your oysters deep-fried, this appetizer is sure to please. Crunchy golden brown fritters with chopped oysters inside deliver huge flavor. To form the round shape, use a cookie scoop to drop the batter into the frying pan.

  • 03 of 13

    Mexican Shrimp Ceviche

    Shrimp ceviche

    Juanmonino / Getty Images 

    Serve this ceviche-style shrimp cocktail in martini glasses for a fancy presentation. Lightly poached shrimp are marinated in fresh lime juice, tossed with cucumber, tomato, avocado, onion, and cilantro, and nestled into a tangy sauce spiked with Mexican flavors.

  • 04 of 13

    Tuna Tartare

    Tuna Tartare
    Elaine Lemm

    This tuna tartare recipe sticks closely to a traditional version without bold flavors, allowing the fresh tuna to sing with the other ingredients adding subtle back notes and texture. Use fresh sushi grade tuna for this dish, which serves four as an appetizer or two as a light dinner.

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  • 05 of 13

    Shrimp and Fresh Pesto Pasta

    Shrimp and Fresh Pesto Pasta Recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Elaine Lemm

    Skip the jarred sauce and make an impressive pesto from scratch. This pesto shrimp and pasta recipe cooks up in about 30 minutes and looks stunning when plated. The fresh pesto uses basil, pine nuts, and cheese, while the shrimp and cherry tomatoes are lightly fried. Cook that at the same time as the noodles, and everything will be ready before you know it.

  • 06 of 13

    Shrimp Cocktail

    Shrimp Cocktail

     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

    An excellent appetizer, shrimp cocktail is easy to make. For this recipe, a homemade veggie broth adds flavor to the shrimp, which are cooked for a few minutes then chilled. The cocktail sauce is simple as well and you may have all of the ingredients in your refrigerator. Both elements can be made in advance, too.

  • 07 of 13

    Steamed Mussels in Thai Basil-Coconut Sauce

    Steamed mussels in Thai basil-coconut sauce

    PK6289 / Getty Images  

    Steamed mussels swimming in a fragrant basil coconut sauce make a divine main course. Be sure to serve it with biscuits or crusty bread for soaking up the gorgeous sauce.

  • 08 of 13

    Shrimp With Angel Hair Pasta

    Shrimp with angel hair pasta

    The Spruce

    Tender sweet shrimp are cooked in an elegant butter, olive oil, and fresh herb sauce. They're folded into hot cooked angel hair noodles and dressed up for the table with grated Parmesan cheese in this pretty pasta dish that makes a great Valentine's Day entrée.

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  • 09 of 13

    Baked Flounder Florentine

    Baked flounder Florentine

    Diana Rattray

    In this elegant stuffed seafood dish, thin flounder fillets are rolled around a savory seasoned spinach mixture. A recipe for a lush, creamy white sauce is included and the fish is finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and paprika.

  • 10 of 13

    Clam Pasta With Garlic and White Wine

    Clam pasta with garlic and white wine

    isa Hubbard / Taxi / Getty Images

    Your dinner guest is sure to swoon over this heavenly seafood pasta dish. Sweet and salty clams are steamed in a light broth of fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic, and white wine, then served with spaghetti or linguine pasta. Use fresh clams from the fish market for fantastic flavor and beautiful presentation.

  • 11 of 13

    Seafood Pasta With Mushroom Cream Sauce

    Shrimp, scallops, and clams

     Tom Grill / The Image Bank / Getty Images

    Add shrimp and scallops (or lobster) to your favorite pasta and pair with this cream-based, rich mushroom sauce with Parmesan cheese for a simple, intimate dinner.

  • 12 of 13

    Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque

    Crab and shrimp bisque

    The Spruce

    A true bisque (which requires seafood to be authentic), this easy-to-make soup combines crab and shrimp with sherry for a sweet, tasty meal. Pair with a nice crusty bread or salad for a complete meal that will impress.

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  • 13 of 13

    Haddock Gratin With Mushroom Cream Sauce

    Baked haddock with mushroom cream sauce

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    This classic seafood dish features chunks of tasty haddock baked in the oven with cheese and breadcrumbs. It takes a little time to bake, so open a bottle of white wine and entertain your dinner guest while you wait.