20 Easy Mediterranean Recipes You Can Make Tonight

Most of us have read articles that tell us the Mediterranean diet is the absolute best diet for better health. But changing the way you eat can be difficult, especially when many Mediterranean recipes seem to use hard-to-find ingredients. Who wants to mess with complicated recipes? They need to be easy or most of us will be unlikely to even give it a try. These 20 Mediterranean recipes are easy to make and use easy-to-find ingredients that you can get any any mainstream grocery store. They are Mediterranean comfort food at its best, and you are definitely likely to make them more than once because they also happen to be absolutely delicious.

1. Polenta Fries

A white bowl with marinara and three polenta fries resting in the sauce.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Whip up these delightful polenta fries in a snap with just a log of ready-made polenta and your favorite marinara sauce. Perfect for air fryers, though other cooking methods work just as well. Ideal for a cozy movie night or a large gathering, expect these savory snacks to disappear fast—everyone will be coming back for more.

2. Mediterranean Zucchini Boats

A closeup of a cut zucchini boat.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

If you like zucchini, these Mediterranean zucchini boats will knock your socks off. Mediterranean flavors explode in this dish, giving you one of the most delicious side dishes you’ll ever make. The ingredients are simple, as is the recipe. There is nothing complicated, and they come together pretty quickly. You can scale the recipe to accommodate any number of people, and these zucchini will go well with just about any main course you serve them with.

3. Easy Pasta Fagioli

An overhead view of a white crock filled with Pasta Fagioli.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

It’s still soup weather in many parts of the country, but as we see hints of spring popping up here and there, the need for lighter dishes starts to move to the forefront. This easy pasta fagioli is a great way to fill up without weighing yourself down. It’s a versatile dish that lets you play around with almost every aspect of the recipe to easily accommodate whatever is in your fridge.

4. Best Greek Chicken Salad

An overhead view of a wooden spoon lifting a bit of Greek chicken salad out of a mixing bowl.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

A good, hearty salad is often the best option for lunch or dinner. They are quick to make, travel well, and always taste great. If you love Greek flavors, this is the best Greek chicken salad you can make. It’s definitely hearty, filled with chicken and veggies, and will keep you full all the way until dinner. It’s a fantastic salad for work lunches or an easy dinner at home.

5. Greek Fries

An overhead view of a sheet pan filled with Greek fries and loaded with fresh toppings.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

If it’s snacks you want, these Greek fries are an amazing option for enjoying comfort food that won’t make you feel guilty for eating it. Pile on the fresh Greek toppings and enjoy this baked french fry dish by yourself or with a special someone. They are great for anything from a movie night to an after-school snack for hungry teenagers. They can be an appetizer, a snack, or even a full vegetarian meal.

6. Mediterranean Salmon

A fillet of salmon topped with Mediterranean toppings, on a sheet pan.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Seafood is a big part of the Mediterranean way of eating. While meat is consumed in moderation, emphasis is definitely placed on getting good quality meat. This Mediterranean salmon is easy to make, filling, and delivers plenty of omega-3s with delicious flavor. Serve this with a side of rice, quinoa, potatoes, or other veggies. But no matter how you serve it, it’s likely to quickly become a favorite for your dinner rotation.

7. Mediterranean Sandwich

A stacked Mediterranean grilled cheese sandwich on a cutting board.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

A good sandwich is a thing of beauty. This Mediterranean sandwich is basically a grilled cheese sandwich with mozzarella, fresh Mediterranean veggies, and even a small helping of dried apricots. But don’t let that scare you away. It’s the combination of sweet and savory flavors that make this sandwich work. Serve it with a side salad or some baked fries to round out the meal.

8. Best Shakshuka

A serving spoon rests in a skillet full of Shakshuka.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Have you ever heard of shakshuka? It’s an African dish served for breakfast. The eggs are cooked in a spiced tomato sauce, and a serving of this is often served over a slice of toast or flatbread. The best shakshuka is made at home with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. It’s a simple dish that delivers epic flavor with every bite.

9. Quick And Simple Mediterranean Bowl

An overhead view of a Mediterranean Bowl With Chicken, cucumbers and tomatoes. Pita chips sit to the side.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

If you need a quick simple meal that’s perfect for taking to work for lunch, this quick and simple Mediterranean bowl is a fantastic option. You’ll enjoy fresh veggies, deliciously flavored chicken, and a serving of hummus to go with it. Enjoy this with some pita chips or whole grain crackers to round out the meal. You can chop the toppings as small as you like to make it more like a scoopable dip if you prefer. But no matter how you cut the ingredients, this bowl will definitely satisfy.

10. Quick And Healthy Spaghetti

An overhead view of a white plate filled with a nest of spaghetti.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Spaghetti is a trusted go-to for many people. It’s a quick and convenient meal that always satisfies. It’s great served with a green salad and a slice of crusty garlic bread. This quick and healthy spaghetti is a totally delicious way to get dinner on the table fast and please a crowd at the same time. You can adjust the recipe for the number of people you’re feeding, and nobody will grumble after they’ve tasted it. This is one of those recipes you’ll hang onto for years to come.

11. Spinach Lentil Soup

An overhead view of a white bowl filled with Spinach Lentil Soup, surrounded by produce and dried lentils.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Lentils are a fantastic, low-cost option for lunch or dinner. If you’re on a budget, a small bag of lentils can keep you fed for a long time. They freeze well, too, making them a great option for meal prepping. This spinach lentil soup is full of filling fiber, delicious vegetables, and truly great flavor.

12. Panzanella

An overhead view of a white plate filled with Panzanella.
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This Italian dish is a wonderful way to use up a loaf of bread. Panzanella was invented to use stale bread before it went bad, but these days, you can use any bread you care to use. Cut it into small cubes, chop up the fresh Mediterranean veggies, and toss them all together with dressing for an absolutely unforgettable dish you’ll want to make again and again.

13. Lemon Garlic Potatoes

An overhead view of a white, fluted dish filled with lemon garlic potatoes. A wedge sits in the side of the dish. Wood spoons rest over the other side of the dish.
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A great side dish can make a meal. A truly fantastic side dish can go with almost any main course and still make the whole thing amazing. These lemon garlic potatoes are just such a recipe. Pair these with chicken, beef, seafood, turkey, or pork for a hearty and filling meal.

14. Tzatziki

A pita chip, just dipped into a white dish of Tzatziki.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Tzatziki is a yogurt-based dip that is fantastic with pita chips, flatbread, or even freshly cut veggie sticks. It’s a healthy option you can make in minutes. It’s the perfect sauce for gyros; it goes great with grilled kebabs, makes a wonderful salad dressing or burger spread, and does wonders with a wrap or sandwich. Serve it solo or as part of a mezze platter. You can even marinate chicken or fish in it.

15. Greek Avocado Toast

A closeup of a piece of Greek Avocado Toast on a cutting board.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

If you love avocado toast in the morning, you have to try this Greek avocado toast. It has all the wonderful, filling, and delicious flavors you’ve come to expect from avocado toast, but with an exceptional edition and balance of Greek flavors that knock breakfast out of the park. The fresh veggies and crumbled feta make this avocado toast a breakfast you won’t soon forget. It’s creamy, crunchy, zesty, and all the things you look for in the perfect avocado toast.

16. Mediterranean Roasted Red Pepper Dip (Muhammara Dip)

A hand dips a pita triangle into a bowl of dip.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

A classic Mediterranean dip is a Mediterranean roasted red pepper dip. It’s also known as Muhammara dip. It’s made from roasted red peppers, crumbled feta, Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and spices. It’s a heady mix of flavors that is delicious served with pita chips or pita bread triangles. It’s fantastic on burgers and goes well with raw vegetable sticks, too.

17. Mediterranean Avocado Toast

An overhead view of two slices of Mediterranean Avocado Toast.
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If you like more general Mediterranean flavors, this Mediterranean avocado toast is sure to become a breakfast favorite. It has classic Meditteranean veggies sprinkled with crumbled feta cheese. Add a splash of balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to finish it off for what might just be the perfect slice of avocado toast. Enjoy this for breakfast or a snack any time of day.

18. Herb-Infused Mediterranean Turkey Breast

A finished Herb-Infused Mediterranean Turkey Breast laying on a cutting board with two slices laying at the front of the breast.
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If dinner needs to be delicious, you want to make this herb-infused Mediterranean turkey breast. The herbs and spices blend together beautifully, leaving this tender turkey breast infused with the most amazing Mediterranean flavors. Serve it for dinner, or slice it up and use it for sandwiches for lunch. Either way, you’ll end up making this again and again.

19. Classic Bruschetta

A single bruschetta on a wood cutting board.
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Whether you are making appetizers for a crowd or just a snack for yourself, few things taste as fresh and as comforting as a good, classic bruschetta. Fresh tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar delicately spooned over toasted baguette slices is one of life’s truly great pleasures. Enjoy this as a first course to a larger meal, or make a light lunch out of a few slices.

20. Orzo Salad With Pesto

An overhead view of a white bowl filled with chickpea orzo salad with pesto.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

If pasta night has to be delicious, this orzo salad with pesto is the recipe to try. Few flavors beat a good pesto, and pesto pasta is a fantastically flavorful way to make sure everyone loves pasta night. Serve this with a green salad and some crunchy garlic bread to round out the meal. It’s also great for lunches. It packs easily and travels well, so leftovers won’t go to waste.

More From The Gracious Pantry

A dutch oven with a cooked whole chicken topped with rosemary twigs.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Need more dinner ideas? These can help. Chicken and turkey are very versatile foods that can be used to create an unlimited number of dinners. Here are 118 ideas to get you started.

Author: Tiffany McCauley

Title: Food and Travel Journalist

Expertise: Food, cooking, travel

Bio:

Tiffany McCauley is a nationally syndicated journalist and an award-winning cookbook author and food blogger. She has been featured on MSN, Huffington Post, Country Living Magazine, HealthLine, Redbook, and many more. Her food specialty is healthy comfort food recipes.

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