This year, ditch going out to an overcrowded restaurant to celebrate Valentine’s Day and stay in for a romantic dinner for two at home.
Thanks to the supermarkets offering affordable meals, many including a starter, main, dessert and even a bottle of bubbly, there’s no hard work involved. Simply pop it in the oven, crack open the wine, wait for the timer, serve up and tuck in.
There’s no pricey bill at the end or journey home and once you’re done eating, you can head to the sofa to enjoy the rest of the evening. Don’t forget to bring a gift - find one in our gift guides for her and for him.
One main + one side + one dessert + bottle of wine or non-alcoholic drink = £12
Marks & Spencer’s dine in for two deal for Valentine’s Day has some tasty treats in its line up. We predict the king prawn bucatini will be a firm favourite, as will the carrot and swede crush, two hearty slices of New York vanilla cheesecake, washed down with a glass (or three) of a Bisanco D’sicilia, a fruity white wine.
If you’re a pasta fan, but are aiming to continue veganuary through the year, try the plant based spaghetti bolognese which even comes with a cheese alternative.
Sharing starter + two mains + one side + one dessert + bottle of wine or fizz = £20
There’s a pretty full menu to pick from at Tesco, we’ve got our eye on the caramelised red onion & camembert sharing bread to start, chicken kiev with black garlic and sirloin steak with Diane butter for main, a serving of potato dauphinoise to have on the side, polished off with double chocolate profiteroles.
Tesco have generously thrown in a full bottle of its Finest wine or prosecco with its meal deal this year, or half a bottle of Tesco Finest Premier Cru Champagne if you’re feeling particularly fancy.
There’s also plenty of vegetarian and vegan options including crispy garlic mushrooms with chipotle ketchup, mushroom “scallops” with chilli and lime noodles made from pan fried succulent eryngii mushrooms and served with fresh edamame beans. Delicious.
One starter + one main + two sides + dessert + a bottle of wine = £15
A mid-range option comes from Morrisons which has a generous deal of two sides and a bottle of wine, trumping Aldi and M&S. Dishes included in the deal include a camembert tear and share bread, British beef wellington, vegetable medley with jersey butter and raspberry panna cotta. Not to mention a bottle from Morrisons own wine, or prosecco, collection.
If you’re ditching the meat, the roasted aubergine stack, celeriac steaks with a portobello mushroom sauce, petit pois, edamame beans and melt in the middle puddings will surely whet your appetite.
One starter + one main + two sides + one dessert + a bottle of wine = £15
You’ll find our shopping basket full of vegetarian and vegan goodies from Asda this year. With roasted pepper bites, vegan risotto, vegetable parmentier and mango pots look simply scrumptious. A bottle of its extra special malbec will tie the food together nicely too.
If you’re a meat eater, then there’s plenty of alternative options too, including tempura prawns to start, chorizo macaroni cheese, mini flatbreads and brownie domes to feast on.
One starter + one main + one side + one dessert = £9.66
Aldi’s meal deal for Valentine’s Day is as expected, the cheapest on offer – you can get a starter, main, side and dessert for as little as £4.83 each. So for two meal you’ll get change from a tenner. Winner, winner, chicken dinner eh?
We’d recommend the salmon fillets with heart-shaped butter, accompanied with cheddar mash potato and melt in the middle puddings for afters. If you can fit it in.
Bear in mind that Aldi’s deal doesn’t however include a bottle of fizz so you’ll have to buy that separately.
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