Vegetables are at the very center of the Mediterranean Diet, which means you’re in luck if you’re a vegetarian or simply looking to add more plants to your diet. Color is key: Opt for an array of Mediterranean vegetables like bell peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, and zucchini at the center of your plate then turn it into a meal by adding in some vegetarian protein like beans, lentils, and quinoa. These 7 easy recipes are sure to make you feel good any night of the week.
Parmesan Polenta with Roasted Vegetables from Family Style Food
Polenta is about to become your new weeknight best friend: It’s inexpensive, versatile, quick, and most importantly, super satisfying. This creamy Parmesan-spiked version is topped with colorful mix of vegetables that roast while you stir the polenta on the stovetop.
Mediterranean Chickpea Stew with Spinach & Feta from A Saucy Kitchen
Keep a few cans of chickpeas and tomatoes tucked away in your pantry and you can make this 20 minute stew at a moment’s notice. If you’re extra hungry, serve it with crusty whole grain bread, which will help soak up all the broth.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad from Kitchn
This Greek-leaning pasta salad is filled with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, salty feta and olives, and plenty of fresh herbs. Enjoy it for dinner over salad greens and pack the rest for lunch throughout the week.
Mediterranean Baked Sweet Potatoes from Minimalist Baker
Sweet potatoes take between 45 minutes to an hour to bake and become exceptionally tender, which might be more time than you have on a busy weeknight. Luckily, they’re prime make-ahead candidate. Roast a few when you have some free time on Sunday and you’ll be a step ahead.
Halloumi Hummus Bowls from How Sweet Eats
Halloumi is a goat’s and sheep’s milk cheese that hails from Greek island of Cyprus. What makes it so special is that it has a high melting point, so it can be grilled or fried in slabs. The result is something that’s crispy on the outside, salty and warm on the inside, and a perfect topper for these hummus bowls.
Sun-Dried Tomato Lentil Salad from Garlic Matters
Sweet sun-dried tomatoes are the perfect compliment to earthy lentils in this chilled salad. Feel free to use your favorite variety of lentils — green, red, or black. To make it more of a meal, top your bowl with a fried or poached egg.
Quinoa-Stuffed Eggplant with Tahini Sauce from Simply Quinoa
Quinoa provides a good dose of protein to this vegetable-heavy dish and makes it quite a hearty dinner. The quick tahini sauce adds creamy, nutty flavor to every bite so definitely don’t skip making it.
