Mediterranean dishes make even the simplest ingredients shine! There’s nothing too fancy about roasted eggplant, juicy tomatoes and feta cheese on their own, but toss them with olive oil and herbs and roast and you just won’t believe how delicious the result is. And with minimal effort!
Living in Greece for many years has taught me that you don’t have to be a vegetarian to really enjoy vegetarian food. If you’re usually a meat lover, there are even some recipes here with a real ‘meaty’ feel (looking at you, eggplant lasagna or halloumi couscous!).
So here are 21+ easy vegetarian Mediterranean dinners, most of which are made with minimal pantry or fridge ingredients that you may already have. It’s hard to choose favorites, but I’d say don’t miss the pan-fried gnocchi with cherry tomato sauce. Already 5pm and no idea what’s for dinner? Go with breakfast-for-dinner with this surprisingly delicious Greek scrambled eggs recipe!
Pasta night at your house? Here are some versatile pasta recipes to please both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. From a 12-minute dinner to an easy Mediterranean-style mac and cheese, I hope you find something you’d like to try.
This fancy-sounding dish is actually just a super simple and tasty tomato and eggplant sauce stirred through pasta. Add a pinch of chili flakes and some oozy mozzarella for a vegetarian pasta dish with a meaty texture.
The simple homemade marinara sauce takes this recipe to over the top delicious. And it's very easy to make with simple ingredients. Just stuff a spinach and ricotta filling into the giant shells, then drizzle with the marinara sauce and oozy mozzarella.
This super simple cherry tomato pasta recipe is known as ‘pasta sciue sciue’ in Italy or ‘pasta in a hurry’ for a reason. Made with just juicy blistered cherry tomatoes, bright fresh basil, and just 5 more simple store cupboard ingredients, this meal is quicker than calling for a takeout!
Make this restaurant quality, flavor-packed and super easy pasta dish in less than 30 minutes. Just like marinara, the sauce is tomato based, but a few ultra fragrant ingredients such as capers, anchovies and olives give it a delicious salty, umami kick.
This Greek-inspired spinach and feta version is lighter than the original thanks to a speedy, secret-ingredient sauce, but still delivers all the creamy comfort you love – plus a sunny Mediterranean surprise.
Once you learn to make real Italian marinara sauce at home, you’ll never want to go back! All you need are canned tomatoes, plenty of olive oil and garlic, fresh basil, and a bit of seasoning. It’s so much fresher and more flavorful than anything from a jar.
This is a total weeknight win! There’s no fussy white sauce to worry about – just a handful of steps and about 30 minutes of hands-on time before it’s ready for the oven. It’s garlicky, hearty, healthy, and seriously tasty. Bonus: You’ll have extra eggplant sauce for another meal, so it’s a 2-in-1 dinner solution!
This dish is a last-minute lifesaver – just cook pasta and frozen peas, and dinner’s nearly done. Toss in a few pantry staples, and in 15 minutes you’ve got a creamy, nutritious one-pan meal. No actual cream needed!
Who’d like a sandwich or burger for dinner tonight? ‘Me!’ shouts everyone! These are the easy, crowd-pleasing Mediterranean-style vegetarian dinners everyone will look forward to eating after a busy day. Grab some falafel, eggplant, or halloumi, and suddenly that everyday sandwich or burger becomes something extra special.
The crispy halloumi burgers could be the surprise winner here, and they’ll take you just 15 minutes to make.
5 from 2 votes
Italian Toasted Veggie Sandwich
Roast slices of eggplant until soft and delicious, then pile onto your favourite Italian style bread with pesto, spinach, sundried tomatoes and mozzarella. Grill in a sandwich press and savor every bite of the best toasted veggie sandwich ever!
Made in just 30 minutes, this golden, crispy falafel is made from chickpeas, spices and sweet potato. Stuff them into pitas or fresh rolls with hummus, dressing and snow pea shoots for an easy and light dinner that’s just a little bit different.
A really easy-to-make crispy veggie burger with halloumi cheese as the star of the show. Top brioche buns with shallow fried halloumi slices, then pile on ribbons of carrot and cucumber and sweet chilli mayonnaise. Delicious!
I sometimes forget that a tasty, veggie-packed soup can be dinner by itself, especially paired with some fresh crusty bread or parmesan toasts. Here are a few homemade soup options with a Mediterranean flair. I think you’ll be suprised how tasty that Greek lentil soup is, as long as you don’t forget to add the two ‘secret’ ingredients.
5 from 5 votes
Easy Butternut Squash Tomato Soup
A cheery roasted butternut squash and tomato soup with a hint of warming garlic, ginger and turmeric. It's so easy to make since you don't have to peel or chop the butternut squash – just scoop out the flesh with a spoon. If you like, top with some crunchy, tangy parmesan toasts to elevate it to over-the-top delicious!
The delicious and nutritious soup that every Greek family has a recipe for! This version of Greek lentil soup is so easy to make with just a few pantry ingredients and some classic Mediterranean herbs and spices. Don't forget to add a splash of vinegar before serving for your authentic 'fakes' experience!
30-Minute Instant Pot Tomato Soup (With Stovetop Version!)
Everyone should have an easy tomato soup recipe at their fingertips. This very simple and healthy Instant Pot tomato soup is hands-off to make in just 30 minutes. Perfect for work lunches or simple dinners for guests. Almost as easy to make on your stovetop if you prefer (instructions in notes section).
Read on for even more easy vegetarian dishes inspired by fresh Mediterranean flavors. From veggie couscous and spinach and feta filo pie to a classic Spanish omelette, you can’t go wrong with any of these. They’re simple, satisfying, budget-friendly… and full of sunshine!
5 from 9 votes
Pan-Fried Gnocchi with Cherry Tomato Sauce
This is my go-to pantry meal for those nights when time is tight and everyone’s hungry. Just toss the gnocchi straight into the pan – no boiling needed – and let it get crispy on the outside, soft and pillowy inside. Make a quick cherry tomato sauce with 7 basic ingredients. Our whole family loves this, and I hope yours will too!
I’ve made this spinach-feta filo pie for many different occasions, from lunch with friends to a midweek meal for our family or a party. Everyone loves the golden, crispy layers and flavour-packed spinach and feta filling!
Add Vegetables, couscous and simple Mediterranean flavor and bake. Enjoy as a simple veggie side dish, or add halloumi, salmon or another protein and it easily becomes dinner!
I honestly think this classic Greek dish is one of the tastiest ways to enjoy green beans. With a few potatoes thrown in, it’s surprisingly filling – especially when you serve it in a big bowl with lots of feta and some crusty bread to soak up the rich tomato and olive oil sauce.
Spanish omelette – known in Spain as tortilla de patatas – is a Spanish classic for good reason. Made lovingly with just 4 main ingredients, it makes a perfect brunch, tapas, or light dinner for guests, a snack, or party or picnic food.
This easy vegetarian red pepper and feta quiche comes together with just seven basic ingredients and a few pantry staples. With some clever shortcuts, it takes only 15 minutes of prep before it’s oven-ready.
Leave it to the Greeks to turn scrambled eggs into something special. 'Strapatsada' combines creamy eggs, sweet tomatoes, and feta for a quick, flavor-packed meal you can make in just 10 minutes – morning, noon, or night.
This stovetop recipe is a speedy take on the classic ‘gigantes plaki.’ Enjoy perfectly tender, creamy beans simmered in a rich, punchy tomato-vegetable sauce – no oven needed. It’s all the comfort and flavor of the original, made easy for any night of the week.
