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25 meal recipe ideas based on the Mediterranean diet. Plan your menu with delicious recipes full of leafy greens, vegetables, beans, whole grains and pasta. Eat well, live well!

Mediterranean ingredients - garlic, eggplant, tomatoes, basil and chili pepper on a plate.

Let’s talk about the Mediterranean Diet — it’s been ranked as number one as an overall healthy way to eat, and for good reason.

Usually you see the the word “diet” and gear yourself up for deprivation — am I right?

I wish it weren’t so. For me the Mediterranean diet is all about eating for pleasure and well being. It’s probably my favorite way to eat, and my Mediterranean diet recipes definitely skew in that direction.

In other words, my easy Mediterranean diet recipes deliver vibrant flavor. These meals offer more of a lifestyle approach to food that is all about pleasure, and have been developed without an overall obsession with weight loss or health.

Jump to:

Mediterranean Salad recipes
Mediterranean Soup recipes
Mediterranean Seafood recipes
Mediterranean Chicken recipes
Mediterranean Vegetarian recipes
Mediterranean Pasta recipes

Yes, it’s also good for you. But the reason I love eating this way it really tastes good.

Plus that means I enjoy pasta on a regular basis!

Many of the recipes I create here on Familystyle Food as well as in my cookbook approach cooking in the Mediterranean spirit. I grew up in Italian-American family with a great appreciation for food, which absolutely influenced my appetites.

A variety of different shapes and colors of fresh tomatoes in a black-rimmed enamel pan.

What is the Mediterranean diet?

The soul of Mediterranean food comes from countries such as Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, North Africa and Turkey.

Mediterranean-style meals have a heathy balance of protein and carbs, so plan on:

Plants: Lot of vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains
Generous lashings of olive oil
Seafood and shellfish of all kinds
Cheese and dairy (in smaller amounts)
Meats and poultry i(n smaller amounts)
Wine: Yes, vino! In moderation, with meals

Benefits for health

Filling your plate with the foods I listed means you’ll be eating an abundance of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids (from seafood and greens) and a minimal amount of saturated fats.

There’s no better way to keep your heart and soul in top shape! Scroll through this list of delicious dishes and plan your Mediterranean menu.

25 Mediterranean Menu Recipes

** Friendly reminder: I am a recipe developer, not a dietician. I’m sharing my top Mediterranean-inspired recipes but if you have specific goals be sure to consult with your health professional.

Mediterranean salad recipes

Simple Mediterranean salads composed of leafy greens, aromatic herbs and whole grains and dressed with delicious olive oil. Meal prep these salads for the week or serve alongside pasta, seafood or chicken.

Mediterranean Soup Recipes

Mediterranean-style soups are full of vegetables, beans and tasty broth. They tend to be the most delicious comfort food dishes ever!

Mediterranean Seafood Recipes

Fish are the backbone of Mediterranean cuisine. We love them all, including shellfish like shrimp, clams, mussels, and crab as well as flaky and firm fish like cod, halibut, sea bass, tuna and swordfish.

Mediterranean Chicken Recipes

Chicken is easygoing, perfect to pair with zesty Mediterranean marinades and bold seasonings — it goes with all the lemon, spices and seasonings we love!

Mediterranean Vegetarian Recipes

Do you want to eat more vegetables or are you following a plant-based diet? These dishes are flavor-packed, full of colorful bell peppers, tomatoes, leafy greens, mushrooms, eggplant and more:

Mediterranean Pasta Recipes

Pasta really is the perfect way to enjoy a balanced meal in one bowl — it could be my favorite thing to eat. These recipes feature pasta sauced with vibrant, hearty vegetables you’ll crave over and over.

25 Mediterranean Diet Recipes, Including Moroccan Orange Sheet Pan Chicken

Karen Tedesco

This is an easy, tasty weeknight meal using simple Mediterranean ingredients inspired by North African flavors like coriander spice, dates and ginger. Roast this sheet pan chicken with fresh orange wedges and carrots. The chicken is delicious over couscous, quinoa or with warm flatbread on the side.

Print Pin

4.78 from 27 votes

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Course Chicken

Cuisine moroccan

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

Baking sheet

Ingredients

2 pounds (1 kg) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
½ red onion, thinly sliced
1 pound (450 g) peeled carrots, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
1 navel orange or 2 small tangerines, cut into 2-inch wedges
3 green onions, white and green parts sliced 1/2-inch thick
2 garlic cloves, sliced
2 pitted Medjool dates, finely chopped
1 2-inch knob ginger, peeled and grated
¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
½ – 1 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes
½ cup (8 g) fresh cilantro, mint or parsley leaves

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450 (230C) degrees.
Arrange the chicken on a large rimmed baking sheet.
Add the red onion, carrots, orange, green onions, garlic, dates and ginger to the chicken. Pour over the olive oil and sprinkle everything with the cumin, coriander, salt, and chili.
Toss well with your hands so that all the ingredients are evenly coated with the oil and spices (go ahead and use tongs if you don’t want to touch the raw chicken). Space the chicken and vegetables so they are in a flat, even layer.
Roast 22-25 minutes. The orange should be charred in spots, the carrots tender and the chicken nicely golden brown and cooked through.
Squeeze the orange wedges with tongs, or press on them with the back of a spoon to release their juices. Sprinkle the cilantro over and serve.

Notes

For a quick pan sauce, pour a 1/4 cup water or broth into the hot pan and scrape up any browned bits.

Meal prep: Get everything cut and sliced and combine with the
chicken and seasonings in a heavy-duty storage bag. Let it marinate
while you’re at work or out of the house.

Preheat oven about 45 minutes before ready to serve, and arrange everything in one layer on a sheet pan.

Nutrition

Did you make this recipe? Mention @Familystylefood or tag #familystylefood on Instagram!!

The Family Style Cookbook is here!

Name: 25 Mediterranean Diet Recipes, Including Moroccan Orange Sheet Pan Chicken
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs; ½ red onion (thinly sliced); 1 pound peeled carrots (cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks); 1 navel orange or 2 small tangerines ( cut into 2-inch wedges); 3 green onions (white and green parts sliced 1/2-inch thick); 2 garlic cloves (sliced); 2 pitted Medjool dates (finely chopped); 1 2-inch knob ginger (peeled and grated); ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil; 2 teaspoons cumin seeds; 2 teaspoons ground coriander; 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt; ½ - 1 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes; ½ cup fresh cilantro (mint or parsley leaves)

Featuring 60 all-new recipes and tips, plus a photograph of every dish. This beautiful book will be your guide to cooking DELICIOUS dishes for sharing!

Order your copy now

Hey, I’m Karen

Creator of Familystyle Food

I’m a food obsessed super-taster and professionally trained cook ALL about making cooking fun and doable, with easy to follow tested recipes and incredibly tasty food! Read more about me here.

25 Delicious Mediterranean Diet Recipes