Do you have dinner plans set for tonight? If you aren't willing to pay hundreds of dollars on prix-fixed menus at restaurants, News 12's consumer reporter Janice Lieberman has The Real Deal on how you can do it for much less.

Janice got help from Chef Julie Hartigan, author of La Dolce Vita. Below are recipes:

Toast with a classic bubbly Italian Spritz featuring Prosecco, club soda, and your choice of aperitif. Italian Prosecco is a fraction of the cost of Champagne but just as festive.

We're pairing this today with an elegant nibble of Pears, Prosciutto, & Parmesan. Using in season pears keeps the cost down and you only need a tiny bit of prosciutto and parm because they pack a punch and add amazing flavor.

Nothing's more romantic than sharing cozy bowls of pasta like in Lady and the Tramp

This iconic Roman pasta dish uses just THREE simple, inexpensive ingredients - pasta, pecorino cheese, and pepper! You can make it for under $10. The secret to creating that luscious sauce is the pasta cooking water - my recipe for 2 cooks up in just one saute pan so your pasta releases more starch.

Sweet treats are a classic for Valentine's Day and it's so easy to DIY your own at home for a fraction of the cost of what you would spend at a high end chocolate shop.

Both these treats can be made in minutes with no special gear, no baking, and just using basic chocolate chips you can get for about $4 from your supermarket!

You can make these no-bake Mini Ganache Tarts in 10 minutes - the filling is just whisking together some chocolate chips, milk, butter, and vanilla in one pot. Then you pour it into convenient pre-made filo shells found in your grocer's freezer for $3. It's fun to garnish them with your sweetie's favorite topping or a mix like these raspberries, crushed oreo, sea salt. If you like you can grab a heart shaped box at your dollar store or local craft store. You can make this gorgeous chocolate gift for under $10.

What's more romantic than some beautiful chocolate covered strawberries? Or to really wow the one you love you can easily turn them into this adorable Chocolate Covered Strawberry Bouquet.

Believe it or not you just melt chocolate chips in your average sandwich baggie, snip the corner to drizzle on room temperature strawberries and let cool. Here I used basic drinking straws and a ribbon to turn them into a sweet bouquet. It's really just the cost of the strawberries here because you only need a little bit of chocolate to melt to top them.

If you have a story idea, question or tip, click here to reach out to Janice.