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A Very Vegan Valentine’s Day: 36 Romantic Recipes for Breakfast, Dinner, and Dessert

By Courtney Davison,

Last Updated:

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a lovely, heart-healthy feast? Treat your sweetie (or yourself!) to one of these festive vegan recipes for Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re lavishing on the love with a luxurious breakfast in bed, romantic pasta dinner, decadent dessert, or all of the above, these plant-based dishes are sure to make the day extra special.

Easy Vegan Paella in a skillet with a wooden serving spoon resting in the dish

Easy Vegan Paella

Bring the Mediterranean to your doorstep with this scrumptious vegan paella. Brown rice soaks up every drop of flavor in the succulent saffron-infused broth, which also features olives and red bell pepper. Add the broth gradually to the rice as it cooks, then, once cooked, add frozen peas and artichokes, making a hassle-free finish.

“My guests raved about it, and I will be adding it to my company meal repertoire.” —Allyn
Vegan Cinnamon Muffins in a metal muffin tray

Vegan Cinnamon Bun Muffins

These lightly spiced muffins from Dreena Burton take just 10 minutes of preparation time! Warming cinnamon lends fragrant notes to the moist, light crumb, and plump raisins add bursts of sweetness. For extra pizzazz, sprinkle with a blend of cinnamon-infused dates!

“Made these this morning, and they have so much flavor.” Allyson
Vegan Chile Relleno on an orange plate with metal fork and knife

Vegan Chile Relleno

You’ll savor every mouthful of these smoky poblano peppers, which are stuffed with a tasty mix of cashew-potato “cheese” and black beans and smothered in a flavorful tomato sauce. Serve as they come or with a side of Green Chile Rice for a heartier meal.

“What a lovely recipe! It's like a veggie-forward enchilada.” —KT
Sheet Pan Supper with Broccoli, Spuds, and Maple-Balsamic Chickpeas in a baking tray with a serving spoon resting in the pan

Sheet Pan Supper with Broccoli, Spuds, and Maple-Balsamic Chickpeas

Not your ordinary sheet pan supper, this special occasion–worthy bake features chickpeas coated in a maple-balsamic glaze added to the mix. We love sheet pan suppers because once you’ve chopped a few veggies, you can sit back and let your oven do all the work!
Spicy Cajun Hash on Grits in a white ceramic bowl on top of a blue cloth napkin

Spicy Cajun Hash on Grits

Wake your special someone with the warming aroma of spicy Cajun cooking. This recipe delivers maximum results with minimal prep time; for instance, you can prepare the hash while the grits cook. Canned kidney (or red) beans, frozen green beans, and cherry tomatoes heat through in record time, while Cajun seasoning brings bayou flair to the plate. A commenter shares, “We love this dish—easy to make and so delicious!”
Celeriac Penne Vegan Alfredo

Creamy Celeriac Pasta Alfredo

Experience the miracle of cholesterol-free Alfredo sauce with this heart-healthy take on a Valentine's Day favorite. Celeriac, aka celery root, is the secret ingredient that will satisfy all your date-night cravings.
Silky Vegan Chocolate Ganache Tart garnished with fresh cherries and raspberries

Silky Vegan Chocolate Ganache Tart

Check out this decadent chocolate tart for a spectacular way to end the meal. The creamy filling, which gets its chocolaty flavor from cocoa powder and a handful of vegan chocolate chips, sits atop an earthy oat-almond crust. Garnish with fresh berries, and expect to want seconds!
Gluten-Free Crepes stuffed with strawberries on a white ceramic plate

Gluten-Free Crepes

You’d never know these buttery crepes were made with chickpea flour because they also contain tapioca flour, which dials down the bean taste and helps hold the batter together. Fill with fresh strawberries and top with vegan chocolate chips. Or get creative and enjoy with your choice of sweet or savory fillings.
Oatmeal Breakfast Bake with Berries and Almonds in a white casserole dish

Oatmeal Breakfast Bake with Berries and Almonds

You can assemble this beautiful breakfast casserole two days in advance and stash it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake and serve it; then it’s just a matter of popping it into the oven for 40 minutes and letting it fill your home with the delicious scent of cinnamon and maple syrup. No fresh berries? No problem: Frozen will work just as well.
Big plate of vegan spaghetti with vegan meatballs and red sauce served in gray-blue bowl and table

Vegan Spaghetti Marinara with Lentil Balls

Spread out a checker tablecloth, light some candles, and bring home the Italian-restaurant experience with this special occasion–worthy recipe. Savory lentil "meatballs" add hearty substance to the spaghetti while a fresh herb garnish elevates this dish to a five-star meal.
Quiche Florentine with Artichoke Hearts and Sun-Dried Tomatoes on a white plate on a white tablecloth with a beige and white striped napkin and a couple of empty plates

Quiche Florentine with Artichoke Hearts and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

With a light, veggie-filled center, and an earthy crust, this plant-based quiche makes egg-free quiche-making a cinch! Frozen artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes are a convenient way to add a punch of flavor. Serve with a garden salad for brunch, lunch, or an evening meal.
Chocolate and raspberries have a natural affinity for each other, as is well showcased in this delicious healthy parfait recipe.

Chocolate Raspberry Parfaits

Tofu is the secret ingredient for the creamy chocolate base in these pretty parfaits. This lovely two-layered dessert is best served with a side of fresh fruit (and maybe a bouquet of a dozen red roses!)
Individual Broccoli and Wild Rice Casseroles in white ramekins

Individual Broccoli and Wild Rice Casseroles

These creamy individual casseroles are the best of wholesome home cooking. Nutty chickpeas, fork-tender broccoli, umami-rich mushrooms, and chewy wild rice are nestled in a luscious sauce. Serve with a green salad and a smile! Note: If you don’t have portion-sized ramekins, we think using a standard 9x13-inch casserole pan and cooking for a bit longer until bubbling and golden brown on top would work well, too. A reviewer shares, “The flavor and texture were amazing! Makes a huge batch. We loved every bite!”
Incredible Chocolate Sweet Potato Cake on a silver metal cake platter

Incredible Chocolate Sweet Potato Cake

This luscious chocolate cake from Dreena Burton has become a popular go-to cake for special occasions. Pureed sweet potato is the secret ingredient, offering moisture and sweetness in one hit, while cocoa powder and vegan chocolate chips double down on the rich chocolate flavor. Sweet potato also appears in the frosting. Is there nothing these tasty tubers can't do? (The answer is no) Note: Feel free to leave out the frosting and top with berries, banana slices, or light sugar dusting. A fan raves, "Wow! Made it for our New Year's Eve dessert. My husband isn't plant-based and couldn't believe how good it was. Very moist and delicious."
Cornucopia Kale Salad in a white ceramic bowl against a pink tile background

Cornucopia Kale Salad

This festive salad uses just a handful of ingredients and has a special-occasion feel. (Don’t tell anyone it’s easy!) Cubes of roasted sweet potato contrast well with earthy kale, tangy pomegranate arils, and crunchy pumpkin seeds. A golden sweet-tangy dressing coats every bite with deliciousness. A satisfied reader notes, “Just made this, and every mouthful was divine! This will be one of my staples. I even doubled up on the dressing for my salads this week; it was so good.”
Sicilian Rice Balls with Mushrooms and Peas piled on a white platter with bowl of marinara sauce in background

Sicilian Rice Balls with Mushrooms and Peas

These crispy-on-the-outside and soft-on-the-inside vegan arancini are the perfect special occasion appetizer. Or as one happy fan puts it, “Absolutely the best!!” For the full Italian experience, serve with a bowl of homemade marinara for dipping. Be sure to have cooked brown rice ready before starting, and note that these can be made gluten-free if you use gluten-free bread crumbs. Another reviewer shares, “Very tasty and easier than expected to make! I made coconut cucumber Tzatziki instead of marinara for dipping.”
The Great Purple Sweet Potato Pie topped with fresh blueberries on a gray cake platter

The Great Purple Sweet Potato Pie

This delicious purple pie screams “Look at me, look at me,” while also delivering outstanding flavor. An earthy cinnamon-infused walnut-oat crust perfectly balances the creamy sweet potato filling, and a zesty blueberry sauce drizzled over the top finishes it in style. “Delicious!” writes a happy fan. “I took it to a standard American diet get-together, and even the kids loved it.”
Crispy French Toast Cups with Bananas Foster Topping on a plate next to a muffin tray filled with the mixture, one serve per muffin tray

Crispy French Toast Cups with Bananas Foster Topping

Break out the muffin tin for a fun twist on a breakfast-in-bed classic. A bananas foster topping adds extra decadence to these already-delicious French toast cups that can be garnished with your sweetheart's favorite flavors for extra flair.
Two bowls of Berry-Licious Overnight Oatmeal next to smaller bowls of raisins, slivered almonds, and chia seeds

Berry-Licious Overnight Oatmeal

These bowls feature three layers: creamy overnight oats, a strawberry-raspberry smoothie, and fresh fruit toppings. You're bound to get brownie points from your loved one when you serve up this delightful dish full of sweet flavors and tasty textures.
A stack of Chocolate Buttermilk Pancakes topped with vegan chocolate chips and fresh raspberries

Chocolate Pancakes

A mixture of almond milk and vinegar creates vegan buttermilk for these luscious double-chocolate pancakes. Pockets of gooey chocolate chips make this breakfast treat extra decadent, and you can easily top them with your Valentine's favorite fruit for an extra sweet gesture.
Butternut squash risotto in a pot with balsamic glaze in a cup to the side

Butternut Squash Risotto

What’s more comforting and indulgent than a bowl of creamy risotto? Cubes of butternut squash melt in your mouth while the tender rice bursts with the robust flavors of balsamic vinegar and fresh sage. Treat your loved one to an Italian feast for two!
Hearty Kale Salad with Warm Citrus and Wheat Berries on blue plates

Hearty Kale Salad with Warm Citrus and Wheat Berries

This isn’t your ordinary kale salad. Sweet baked citrus, hearty grains, crunchy walnuts, and a zesty dressing upgrade this dish to a restaurant-quality starter. Light some candles, pick up a bouquet, and impress your Valentine with this colorful and scrumptious salad.
air-fryer eggplant parmezzan - breaded and fried slices of eggplant atop a spaghetti dish with marinara sauce

Air-Fryer Eggplant Parmezzan with Pasta

A classic Italian trattoria dish gets a healthy upgrade that will delight your Valentine. Sliced eggplant is coated in a crunchy bread crumb mixture and crisped to perfection in an oil-free air fryer. Stack a few slices on top of spaghetti with a veggie-laden marinara sauce, and enjoy!
Vegan Palacinky (Czech Sweet Crepes) on blue and white china plates topped with fresh berries

Vegan Palacinky (Czech Sweet Crepes)

Perfect for a romantic brunch or after-dinner treat, this vegan take on the famous Czech dessert skips the oil, milk, and eggs found in traditional versions while still achieving melt-in-your-mouth pillow-like pancakes. The secret to getting thin and fluffy pancakes? Sparkling water! To serve, fill them with berries, banana slices, or other fresh fruits. Drizzle with maple syrup or a dollop of date-sweetened chocolate sauce.
Provençal Stuffed Onions with Lentils, Quinoa, and Kale in white ceramic bowls

Provençal Stuffed Onions with Lentils, Quinoa, and Kale

These sweet, juicy, and oh-so-tender stuffed red onions, filled with a delicious savory lentil-veggie mix, have "special occasion" written all over them. The pink color of the onions is on theme, too! Serve this magnificent main over a bed of baby greens and the remaining lentil mix, with a drizzle of parsley-infused Dijon mustard dressing to tie it all together.
Vegan Kale Caesar Salad in a wooden bowl topped with croutons and tomatoes

Vegan Kale Caesar Salad

Ideal for a romantic multicourse meal, this vegan Caesar salad uses white wine vinegar and Dijon mustard to mimic the dressing’s classic tang. Sweet cherry tomatoes, chewy chickpeas, and crunchy croutons add substance while still ensuring your loved one has room for dessert.
Potato Gnocchi with Mushrooms and Greens in a white bowl with a metal fork

Vegan Potato Gnocchi with Mushrooms and Greens

Show your date how much you care by taking the time to cook homemade gnocchi! These pillow-soft dumplings are sautéed with mushrooms and spinach and drizzled with a delicious parsley-tahini sauce. A sprinkling of crushed red pepper adds a delightful spicy kick.
Vegan lasagna verde -- asparagus tops strips of whole wheat lasagna noodles

Lasagna Verde

Creamy cashew sauce, sautéed mushrooms, tender-cooked chard, and whole wheat lasagna noodles come together for a seriously satisfying, memorable meal. Finish off a day of romantic deeds with this impressive dinner!
Spinach, Pineapple, and Strawberry Salad in a rustic homemade ceramic bowl on a piece of hessian

Spinach, Pineapple, and Strawberry Salad

A sweet and tangy strawberry vinaigrette dials up the wow factor in this stunning dish. Your sweetie will love the flavor combo of tangy pineapple chunks, crunchy almonds, and hearty edamame.
Vegan Strawberry Cupcakes

Vegan Strawberry Cupcakes

The pink-and-red palette is perfect for Valentine’s Day. This recipe is gluten-free; just ensure that you use oat flour that is specifically labelled as such, since cross-contamination is a risk with oats.
Mini tarts shown on individual plates - small tartlets with a lavender-vanilla filling and saucy blueberry topping

Blueberry Tartlets

Pull out all the stops for the person you love with these luscious vanilla-filled blueberry tartlets. The saucy topping is infused with lavender and lemon juice for a delectable dessert reminiscent of springtime flowers.
Chocolate Cherry Cobbler shown in a baking dish with serving spoon, with one serving on a plate shown with whipped cream topping

Chocolate Cherry Vegan Cobbler

A reader favorite, this cobbler is extra delicious when topped with our easy-to-make Aquafaba Whipped Cream. The decadent chocolate biscuits perfectly complement the saucy cherry base for a Valentine's Day treat your sweetheart won't soon forget.
vegan brownies

Raspberry Truffle Brownies

These super-fudgy brownies will melt in your mouth. Frozen berries actually will work better here because the dough is very stiff, and frozen berries are easier to fold in. Finish your day of love on a sweet note!
Deep purple blueberry and mint nice cream shown from the side in a clear glass Mason jar, topped with sprigs of mint - vegan ice cream recipe

Mint and Blueberry Nice Cream

The deep purple hue of this vegan ice cream is bound to inspire passion—or at least compliments to the chef! Refreshing mint and juicy blueberries are the stars of this frosty treat, which uses just three ingredients. Bon appétit!
Raw Chocolate Caramel Dip in a small bowl next to a plate of bite-sized fruits

Raw Chocolate Caramel Dip

This creamy dip comes together in just 10 minutes and is wonderful with apples, strawberries, cantaloupe, pears, and bananas. Enjoy this healthy treat as you wind down with your loved one after a day full of romantic feelings.
Kale and Sweet Potato–Stuffed Vegan Ravioli on gray ceramic plates topped with marinara sauce and fresh basil

Kale and Sweet Potato–Stuffed Vegan Ravioli

Create a fine-dining experience right in your own home with made-from-scratch ravioli, which feature a succulent filling of mashed sweet potato, wilted kale, and nutritional yeast. Although these take about an hour and a half to prepare, they’re well worth the effort.

Forks Over Knives Printable Valentines

It’s the little touches that show you care: Adorn the top of any dessert or festive dish with these mini cards from Forks Over Knives (downloadable, printable PDF).

Editor’s Note: Lisa Esile contributed to the writing of this article.

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About the Author

Forks Over Knives Managing Editor Courtney Davison with cliffs and beach in the background

About the Author

Courtney Davison

Courtney Davison is Forks Over Knives’ managing editor. A writer and editor on a wide range of subjects, she co-wrote a nationally syndicated advice column from 2016 to 2018 and co-authored the 2018 book Ask Me Anything: A Year of Advice from Dear Annie. She is a longtime vegan and in her free time enjoys trying new recipes and spending quality time with her cats. Find her on LinkedIn.
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