Healthy Recipes Healthy Regional Recipes Healthy Mediterranean Recipes 20 Mediterranean Diet Recipes for Beginners By Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Instagram Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, has been with EatingWell for three years and works as the associate nutrition editor for the brand. She is a registered dietitian with a master's in food, nutrition and sustainability. In addition to EatingWell, her work has appeared in Food & Wine, Real Simple, Parents, Better Homes and Gardens and MyRecipes. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Published on January 17, 2020 Reviewed by Dietitian Lisa Valente, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Lisa Valente, M.S., RD Instagram Lisa Valente is a registered dietitian and nutrition editor. She studied at the University of Vermont, where she completed her undergraduate studies in nutrition, food science and dietetics, and attended the dietetic internship program at Massachusetts General Hospital to become a registered dietitian. She went on to earn a master's degree in nutrition communication from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. She was a nutrition editor at EatingWell for eight years. Prior to EatingWell, Lisa worked as a research dietitian at Griffin Hospital in Connecticut and also taught cooking and nutrition classes. She was a featured speaker at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE) in 2017. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos The Mediterranean diet is the healthiest one around—and you can still follow it if you're a novice chef. It focuses on including lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and healthy fats. For protein, it prioritizes fish and poultry over red meat, but the best news is that nothing is off limits. If you are looking to get into the Mediterranean diet, we have easy dinner inspiration to get you started. These well-loved recipes are healthy, beginner-friendly and will satisfy everyone at your table 01 of 20 Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan View Recipe This one-pan pasta that combines lean chicken breast and sautéed spinach for a one-bowl meal is garlicky, lemony and best served with a little Parm on top. I call it "Mom's Skillet Pasta" and she called it "Devon's Favorite Pasta." Either way it's a quick and easy weeknight dinner we created together and scribbled on a little recipe card more than a decade ago, and it remains in my weekly dinner rotation to this day. It's a simple dinner the whole family will love. Source: EatingWell.com, August 2018 02 of 20 Greek Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms View Recipe A mixture of tomatoes, spinach, feta, olives and fresh oregano gives portobellos a Mediterranean vibe in this healthy stuffed mushroom recipe. Serve these along with chicken, fish or tofu as a super-satisfying side dish, or add a hearty salad and make them the centerpiece of a vegetarian dinner. Source: EatingWell.com, July 2019 03 of 20 Spinach & Egg Scramble with Raspberries View Recipe Jen Causey This quick egg scramble with hearty bread is one of the best breakfasts for weight loss. It combines weight-loss power foods, eggs and raspberries, with filling whole-grain toast and nutrient-packed spinach. The protein and fiber help fill you up and the whole meal clocks in at just under 300 calories. Source: EatingWell.com, December 2018 04 of 20 Easy Italian Wedding Soup View Recipe Forget the marble-size meatballs you find in many versions of this soup. In this easy recipe, they're full-size, full-flavored and plenty filling. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2019 05 of 20 Garlic Hummus View Recipe This classic hummus recipe couldn't be easier--just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away! Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) makes this healthy dip extra smooth and creamy. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités. Source: EatingWell.com, December 2016 06 of 20 Simple Grilled Salmon & Vegetables View Recipe Grilled salmon and veggies make for a colorful and balanced seafood dinner that's ready in just minutes. The grill turns the salmon flaky and moist while tenderizing the crispy pepper and onion pieces. Round out the meal with brown rice or quinoa. Source: EatingWell.com, July 2018 07 of 20 Pesto Pasta Salad View Recipe A creamy pesto sauce turns this simple pasta salad into a delightful dinner. Adding broccoli to the pasta cooking water just before the pasta is done is a convenient way to briefly cook it so that it turns a vivid shade of green and softens slightly. Source: EatingWell.com, June 2018 08 of 20 Slow-Cooker Mediterranean Chicken & Chickpea Soup View Recipe This set-it-and-forget-it slow-cooker recipe simmers away all day so you come home to a warm and healthy dinner the whole family will love. Using bone-in chicken is the key to making rich soup without adding broth. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March 2019 09 of 20 Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi View Recipe Give buttery shrimp scampi a healthy update with delicately sweet spaghetti squash. The parsley-flecked squash "noodles" slash calories, add fiber and leave this classic dish still plenty decadent. Source: EatingWell.com, July 2018 10 of 20 Tomato, Cucumber & White-Bean Salad with Basil Vinaigrette View Recipe This no-cook bean salad is a delicious way to use summer's best cherry or grape tomatoes and juicy cucumbers for a light dinner or lunch. Fresh basil elevates an easy vinaigrette recipe that dresses up this simple salad into something extraordinary. Source: EatingWell.com, June 2018 11 of 20 Prosciutto Pizza with Corn & Arugula View Recipe Prosciutto and arugula elevate this simple grilled pizza. If you have time, let the dough stand at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes to make rolling it out easier in this 20-minute healthy pizza recipe. Thawed frozen corn works in place of fresh, just pat it dry before sprinkling it on the pizza. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2019 12 of 20 Salmon with Roasted Red Pepper Quinoa Salad View Recipe This zesty quinoa salad is delicious all on its own, with some serious Mediterranean flair. Make a double batch for lunches later in the week. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2020 13 of 20 Mediterranean Ravioli with Artichokes & Olives View Recipe Store-bought spinach ravioli and a handful of basic pantry items are all you need to get a healthy dinner on the table in 15 minutes. Ingredients like oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, briny Kalamata olives and toasty pine nuts help to build big flavor fast. If you can't find frozen artichokes, swap in a 15-ounce can (just be sure to drain and rinse them well). Source: EatingWell.com, June 2019 14 of 20 Cucumber, Tomato & Feta Salad View Recipe This healthy summer salad is bursting with Mediterranean flavors and takes just 10 minutes to prepare. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, pork or fish or as part of a vegetarian spread. If you can't find Campari tomatoes or Persian cucumbers, feel free to swap them for whatever variety looks the best at your farmers' market. Source: EatingWell.com, April 2019 15 of 20 Vegetable-Filled Omelets View Recipe Enjoy this vegetable omelet for breakfast or dinner. Pair it with potatoes or slice of toast for a complete meal. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine 16 of 20 Sheet-Pan Mediterranean Chicken, Brussels Sprouts & Gnocchi View Recipe In this healthy dinner recipe, chicken thighs, Brussels sprouts, cherry tomatoes and packaged gnocchi are all roasted on the same sheet pan for a complete meal that couldn't be easier to make. And though it's simple, this dish gets tons of flavor from Mediterranean seasonings, including garlic, oregano and red-wine vinegar. It all adds up to a dish that's ready to go into heavy weeknight rotation in your house. Source: EatingWell.com, September 2019 17 of 20 Hasselback Tomato Caprese Salad View Recipe Use the hasselback technique to upgrade plain caprese salad with this fun twist! Cutting partially into the whole tomato creates openings to layer in fresh mozzarella cheese, basil and a balsamic drizzle for tons of flavor in this unique vegetable side dish recipe. Source: EatingWell.com, May 2017 18 of 20 Greek Roasted Fish with Vegetables View Recipe This dish is packed with flavor and fits perfectly into a Mediterranean diet. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine 19 of 20 Pita Chip Nachos Swap tortilla chips for pita chips in this healthy Mediterranean nacho recipe. For a party, create one large platter--just be sure to serve with plates! Source: EatingWell Magazine, May/June 2017 20 of 20 Mediterranean Meatballs View Recipe Save on meal prep time by making a double batch of these delicious meatballs. Freeze them to have on hand for lunches and dinners. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit