My ideal Valentine's Day celebration comes down to a good movie and a home-cooked meal, and dining in offers the perfect excuse to create a gorgeous Valentine's Day tablescape. I've been pining after all the classic pieces from my favorite heritage brands, but after shopping around, it seems that fate has other ideas: ALDI's mini pink Dutch ovens have stolen my heart.
As we creep ever closer toward February, the urge to invest in charming pink decor begins to overtake me. I just can't resist some themed tableware; but although oven-to-table pieces like Le Creuset's mini heart cocottes and Staub's heart Dutch oven will always make me swoon, I'm determined to seek out some more budget-friendly options. At just $20 for a set of two, ALDI's heart-shaped cocottes are an absolute steal – and they're perfect for the sumptuous soufflés and desserts on my Valentine's menu.
If you want to treat yourself to some Valentine's-themed pieces without breaking the bank, these are the perfect choice. I love the pale pink finish and classic heart-shaped silhouette.
While every home chef needs a reliable collection of cookware, there's always a place for some novelty pieces to bring joy – and heart-shaped cookware is on my list of essentials for a Valentine's night in; it just makes everything feel a little more special. If you don't want to splash out on a fortune on themed pieces that you'll only use a few times a year, budget brands like ALDI will always be a great place to start. I've also spotted a delightful red heart ceramic cocotte at Michaels, which you can currently snap up for just $6.
Just like all the best Dutch ovens, ALDI's heart-shaped cocottes are an oven-to-table hero, crafted from durable cast iron with a porcelain enamel finish. They're oven-safe up to 500°F, making them ideal for everything from baked eggs to gooey lava cakes. Our former Kitchen Appliances Editor, Lydia, raves about the versatility of the Staub mini cocottes, and although ALDI's offering isn't quite as premium, it's an impressively affordable choice.
You'll also find the same heart-shaped cocottes in vibrant red colorway, as part of ALDI's Valentine's Collection, alongside larger Dutch ovens with a 2-quart capacity, and plenty of heart-shaped dinnerware, to seal the deal.
Of course, no matter how much I love to save a few dollars, I think I'll always be yearning for traditional pieces like Le Creuset's shallow heart cocotte. I just can't shake my devotion to the lavender colorway; it's simply divine. For a sleek, budget-friendly option, ALDI's mini Dutch ovens are pretty much unbeatable – but if, like me, you're still shopping around, I've compiled a few more ideas below.
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The Le Creuset cocotte is the classic choice if your preference is for quality, heritage cookware that you'll be proud to use for years to come. It's also currently under $20 in the sale, but that's just for one dish.
Another Le Creuset piece I can't stop thinking about? These elegant pinch bowls. The pastel hues will see me through from Valentine's meals to breezy spring dinner parties.
With a 12oz. capacity and a chip-resistant ceramic finish, these mini dishes are another brilliant option if you're looking for stylish single-serve cookware. I think the deep red shade creates a lovely, retro-inspired look.
Who can resist some slogan pieces on Valentine's Day? Anthropologie's tableware is as picture-perfect as ever, and I'm in love with this heart-shaped pie dish; I'm already making a list of pies to add to my elaborate Valentine's menu.
ALDI's mini cocottes are certainly affordable, but this couldn't be more impressive. It's microwave-, oven- and dishwasher-safe, and I think the chunky, ribbed details are so striking. What's not to love?
Staub is renowned for producing some of the very best cookware – especially when it comes to stoneware and cast iron pieces. These mini cocottes might be more of an investment, but they're real heirloom pieces.
Want to bring even more character to your table – for Valentine's Day and beyond? Check out the maximalist tableware in Anthropologie's January 2026 drop: the collection is whimsical, charming, and (happily) brimming with pink pieces.
