22+ 3-Step Mediterranean Diet Dinner Recipes



These delicious dinner recipes align with the Mediterranean diet—one of the healthiest eating patterns to follow. They are packed with produce, whole grains, proteins and healthy fats for meals that are as nutritionally balanced as they are flavorful.

These dishes are made especially easy by taking only three steps or less to prepare, so you can have a tasty, nutritious dinner on the table with less fuss. Recipes like our Herb-Marinated Veggie & Chickpea Salad or our Panzanella with Burrata & Tuna are healthy, satisfying choices for any night of the week.

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Herb-Marinated Veggie & Chickpea Salad

Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.


This herb-marinated veggie-and-chickpea salad is a refreshing, no-cook dish packed with fresh flavors. It brings together crisp raw vegetables and fiber-rich chickpeas, all tossed in a zesty herb dressing that infuses every bite. Since it requires no stove or oven time, it’s perfect for warm days, meal prep or busy weeknights when you want something quick.

Ginger-Soy Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp

Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.


These ginger-soy zucchini noodles with shrimp are a light, flavorful no-cook dish that’s perfect for warmer days. Thinly sliced zucchini offers a crisp and refreshing base, while the sauce, made with ginger, soy and lime juice, adds bold and bright flavors. Precooked shrimp make this meal fast and convenient—just toss everything together and serve! It’s a fresh, protein-packed bowl that comes together in minutes.

Panzanella with Burrata & Tuna

Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.


This panzanella with burrata and tuna is a vibrant no-cook meal that’s bursting with fresh flavor. Juicy tomatoes, ciabatta and thinly sliced onion form the heart of this refreshing salad. Creamy burrata adds richness, while high-quality canned tuna packed in oil brings savory depth. The oil from the tuna can is used to dress the salad, infusing it with extra flavor and tying all the ingredients together.

No-Cook Black Bean Taco Bowls

Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.


These black bean taco bowls with lime crema are a refreshing no-cook meal perfect for busy days. They feature hearty black beans, veggies and zesty toppings layered over crispy cabbage and lettuce. The lime crema adds a tangy, creamy finish that brings all the flavors together. Enjoy these effortless bowls with the suggested toppings below, or customize them with your own favorites.

Creamy Chicken & Zucchini Casserole

Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Grennwood.


This creamy chicken-and-zucchini casserole is a cozy dish that delivers all the flavors of cacio e pepe with a twist! Instead of pasta, tender chopped zucchini and juicy chicken pieces are folded into a peppery, cheesy sauce, bringing on all the savory flavors that fans of the classic Roman dish love. It’s a simple, crowd-pleasing meal that’s just as satisfying as a traditional creamy pasta dish.

Spicy Chicken & Cabbage Stir-Fry

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.


This stir-fry is a quick, bold dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Tender strips of chicken are cooked then tossed with crisp cabbage and spicy chili-garlic sauce that brings just the right amount of heat. With just five ingredients, it’s proof that simple can still mean flavorful.

High-Protein Pasta Salad

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle


This high-protein pasta salad is a satisfying dish packed with plant-based protein from chickpea pasta and chickpeas, with an extra boost coming from fresh mozzarella cheese pearls. Tossed with fresh veggies and flavored with zingy za’atar seasoning, this salad is perfect for meal prep or a satisfying dinner.

Creamy Pesto Beans

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong


These creamy pesto beans come together in just 30 minutes. The sauce clings to tender white beans, and whatever is left is perfect for sopping up with a warm, crusty baguette. For a heartier meal, serve the beans over whole-grain pasta, letting the sauce coat every bite.

Creamy Lemon-Dill Chicken & Rice Casserole

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong


This creamy lemon-dill chicken and rice casserole is pure comfort in a bowl, bursting with the bright, fresh flavors of lemon and dill. Tender chicken and brown rice make it a satisfying, cozy dish everyone will love. Using microwaveable rice is a game-changer for convenience. It cuts down on prep time, ensuring the dish comes together quickly. Of course, if you have it, leftover cooked brown rice will work just as well.

Loaded Chicken & Broccoli Salad

Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley


This loaded chicken and broccoli salad is a protein-packed powerhouse that doesn’t skimp on the classic “loaded” flavors you love. With tender, juicy chicken and crisp, fresh broccoli as the base, this salad delivers a satisfying bite in every forkful. A creamy dressing ties everything together, while mix-ins like crispy bacon, shredded cheese and scallions add layers of flavor. It’s the perfect salad for a high-protein lunch or dinner that keeps you full and energized.

Ginger-Dill Salmon with Cucumber & Avocado Salad

Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist Christina Daley


This ginger-dill salmon with cucumber and avocado salad is a light, refreshing meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Tender, flaky salmon is infused with the unusual combination of warm ginger and fresh dill, making it the perfect complement to the cool, creamy salad.

Provençal Baked Fish with Roasted Potatoes & Mushrooms

This easy healthy meal—which requires just 15 minutes of active time—is typical of southern France. You can use halibut, grouper or cod for this simple Mediterranean baked fish recipe, so just choose what looks best at your market. Look for herbes de Provence, an aromatic spice blend, at most grocery stores.

Spinach, Feta & Rice Casserole

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel


This one-pan recipe is the casserole version of spanakopita! It’s hearty enough to enjoy as a vegetarian lunch or dinner, yet versatile enough to serve alongside just about any protein. To make it extra creamy, top each serving with a dollop of sour cream.

Chopped Power Salad with Chicken

Jason Donnelly

Enjoy this filling and colorful salad for lunch or dinner. The dressing gets made in the same bowl that the salad is tossed in, so the greens absorb every bit of flavor.

One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Broccoli

Dotdash Meredith Food Studio


Shrimp and broccoli cook quickly in this easy one-pot recipe, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Serve this healthy shrimp recipe over whole grains or rice.

Garlic Butter–Roasted Salmon with Potatoes & Asparagus

Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist Lydia Pursell


This one-pan salmon and potatoes recipe is a healthy and satisfying weeknight dinner. Melted garlic butter coats the salmon and vegetables, adding depth of flavor and richness to the dish.

Za’atar-Roasted Chicken with Chickpeas

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey


This za’atar-roasted chicken is bursting with vibrant flavors. Za’atar—a fragrant blend of dried oregano, thyme and/or marjoram, sumac and toasted sesame seeds—mingles with lemon and garlic, infusing chicken thighs and chickpeas with tangy, earthy and savory notes. This delicious meal is roasted on one sheet pan, making it not only full of flavor but also easy to prepare and clean up, creating a satisfying, hassle-free meal that’s perfect for busy nights.

Marry Me White Bean & Spinach Skillet

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey


This Marry Me White Bean & Spinach Skillet is a different take on Marry Me Chicken—a dish traditionally made with chicken coated in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce. By swapping in fiber-packed white beans and spinach as the main ingredients, we’ve given it a vegetarian spin. You’ll want to sop up every last bit of sauce, so serve this with a nice hunk of crusty whole-grain bread.

Rotisserie Chicken & Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey


This rotisserie chicken and roasted sweet potato salad is the perfect anti-inflammatory dinner. Sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants like beta carotene, while chicken provides lean protein to keep you full and satisfied. Tossed with fresh greens, apples and a tangy-sweet dressing, this salad is a wholesome meal that’s perfect for busy nights.

Creamy Caramelized Cauliflower Pasta

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer


This creamy cauliflower pasta is the ultimate comfort food—rich, velvety and flavorful. With simple ingredients and quick prep, it’s a satisfying dish that feels fancy without the fuss and is the ideal meal for a cozy weeknight dinner. Add a squeeze of lemon or a pinch of chile flakes to elevate this easy, comforting classic even more!

Creamy Chicken, Cabbage & Mushroom Casserole

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel


This creamy chicken-and-mushroom casserole is a comforting and protein-packed dinner perfect for busy evenings. With the combination of shredded cabbage, mushrooms and the aromatic kick of green curry paste, this dish is packed with flavor. Using rotisserie chicken helps streamline prep, but this dish is also a great way to use up leftover chicken if you have any on hand.

One-Pot White Bean, Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley


This creamy orzo with white beans and sun-dried tomatoes is the ultimate weeknight winner, ready in just 30 minutes! This comforting dish combines tender orzo, protein-packed white beans and tangy sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy garlic-and-herb cheese sauce. This one-pot meal is both quick and satisfying, perfect for those busy evenings when you want something hearty without the hassle.



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