14 High Protein Family-Friendly Valentine’s Recipes (plus dessert)
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Celebrating with the family is some of the fun when it comes to holidays! Even a special occasion like Valentine’s Day. Skip eating out on one of the busiest nights of the year and make a delicious (and nutritious) romantic dinner the entire family can enjoy.
This list of family-friendly Valentine’s Day recipes has a little bit of everything. Whether it’s a main dish like Chicken Piccata or indulgent instant pot Short Ribs, there is something here that even picky eaters will love (like pizza bagels!).
If you’re tracking your macros, looking for high-protein meals or just want something amazing to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the family, then this list of great dinner ideas is for you!
No special occasion is complete without macro friendly desserts, so of course we’ve got some Valentine’s Day dessert ideas for you too.
Check out this list for even more high protein macro friendly meals.
Why you’ll love these Valentine’s Day dinner ideas:
- High protein and family-friendly!
- Easy and quick recipes for your special day.
- Romantic dinner recipes from the comfort of your home.
- Creative ideas for getting in added protein.
Beefy Cottage Cheese and Spinach Lasagna
My favorite home-cooked meal. This Cottage Cheese Lasagna is a twist on a comfort food classic. With layers of noodles, rich and flavorful cottage cheese spinach filling, this lighter version of the classic dish has everything you’d expect from this beloved meal. The whole family is guaranteed to have dancing taste buds after the first bite.
Full recipe linked here: Beefy Cottage Cheese and Spinach Lasagna (oven ready noodles)
Asian-Inspired Sweet and Savory Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs
Say goodbye to hours of cooking time! These Instant Pot Short Ribs are the way ribs should be! Fall-off-the-bone tender with a sweet and savory Asian-inspired honey sauce, this short ribs recipe is packed with flavor and made in a fraction of the time in an instant pot. Perfect for a special night like Valentine’s Day and one both adults and kids will love!
Pair with Valentine’s Day cocktails or a non alcoholic Moscow Mule and you’ll feel like you’re in a fancy restaurant in the comfort of your own home. This recipe also includes slow cooker and oven directions.
Full recipe linked here: Asian-Inspired Sweet and Savory Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs
Easy Chicken Piccata
This easy Gluten Free Chicken Piccata is cooked in a creamy lemon butter sauce, with tender chicken that’s perfectly crispy and made in under 30 minutes. This simple dish is classic, elegant, and perfect for a special occasion paired with a side of veggies, topped with lemon juice and greek yogurt mashed potatoes.
Full recipe linked here: Easy Chicken Piccata Recipe (Gluten-Free)
Lightened Up 30-Minute Cajun Chicken And Broccoli Alfredo
This Cajun Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo is filled with fresh broccoli, spicy homemade cajun seasoning, tender chicken and a creamy lightened-up alfredo sauce. Using only one pot, this vegetable-loaded pasta dish is an easy weeknight meal that packs an extra spicy punch of flavor.
Do note that this is spicy! If making this for little kids you may want to lower the heat or add in some greek yogurt before serving to lower the spice a tad. This dish goes perfectly with white wine and a Valentine’s Day dessert.
Full recipe linked here: Lightened Up 30-Minute Cajun Chicken And Broccoli Alfredo
Chicken Pot Pie Casserole with Crescent Roll Crust
This Chicken Pot Pie Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for the whole family. Tender chicken, creamy sauce, classic pot pie veggies and a golden brown flaky crust, make this easy dinner recipe one you won’t want to pass up.
Full recipe linked here: Chicken Pot Pie Casserole with Crescent Roll Crust
Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Instant Pot)
Look no further, you’re new favorite soup is here! This Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup has a creamy broth filled with ground chicken, nutritious veggies, and a blend of flavorful seasonings. This soup is easy to make with simple ingredients, ready in no time, and makes a ton of leftovers to have for the week.
Full recipe linked here: Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Instant Pot)
Easy Cajun Steak Bites with Homemade Seasoning
These tender Cajun Steak Bites are a meat lovers dream. Cajun seasoned steak is quickly seared in butter to create crispy edges, a juicy inside and ready in just a couple of minutes. This high protein recipe is delicious with a side of veggies and greek yogurt mashed potatoes or Air Fryer Butternut Squash.
Full recipe linked here: Easy Cajun Steak Bites with Homemade Seasoning
Easy Turkey Lasagna Soup Recipe (30-minute meal)
With its rich, bold flavors, this Turkey Lasagna Soup is every bit as delicious as it sounds. Filled with lean protein, hearty noodles, and fresh herbs, this simple ingredient soup is one you won’t want to miss!
Full recipe linked here: Easy Turkey Lasagna Soup (30-minute meal)
For the picky eater: Air Fryer Pizza Bagels
This Easy Air Fryer Pizza Bagels recipe will be a new favorite for your picky eater. They are high protein, easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit! Also a great way to get kids in the kitchen helping.
Full recipe linked here: Easy Homemade Air Fryer Pizza Bagels (high protein)
Valentine’s Day M&M Cookie Bars
These M&M Cookie Bars are a great way to celebrate any holiday! With crisp edges, chewy centers and loaded with candies, these cookie bars will be a new family favorite. Use different versions of color combos for a festive and delicious treat, year-round.
Full recipe linked here: Soft and Chewy Valentine’s Day M&M Cookie Bars
Low Fat Funfetti Cake Mix Donuts (2 ingredient batter)
Donut lovers unite! These Cake Mix Donuts are the perfect treat for any occasion! They’re sweet, fluffy, and loaded with colorful sprinkles, making them a fun and festive dessert option. With just a couple of ingredients like boxed cake mix, Greek yogurt, and water, you can whip up a batch of these delicious donuts in no time.
Top with Valentine sprinkles and your kids will love this fun and healthier-than-the-real deal treat! If you can find a heart shaped donut pan you can get really creative and turn this into the shape of hearts.
Full recipe linked here: Low Fat Funfetti Cake Mix Donuts (2 ingredient batter)
Chocolate Greek Yogurt Peanut Butter Muffins
Decadent, chocolatey and 6 grams of protein each, these Chocolate Peanut Butter Muffins are dessert in muffin form. A perfect mix of fudgy peanut butter brownies and fluffy muffins these are easy to make and perfect any time of the day.
Full recipe linked here: Chocolate Greek Yogurt Peanut Butter Muffins
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
These Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect way to curb your sweet tooth. With a chocolatey buttery taste, soft chewy inside and crispy outside, these cookies are everything a cookie should be and with half the calories.
Add Valentine’s Day M&M’s for a fun twist on these classics.
Full recipe linked here: Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
These Eggless Oatmeal Cookies are the perfect cookies to make when you want something homemade and not too sweet. With crisp edges and a soft and chewy texture, these classic cookies are perfect for school lunches, as an after work snack and when you want a little sweet treat.
Full recipe linked here: The Best Chewy Eggless Oatmeal Cookies
