45 Summery Vegetarian Mediterranean Recipes - Travel with your tastebuds (2024)

Honestly, researching these vegetarian mediterranean recipes has really got me wishing for a summer holiday – a pretty unfortunate wish to have at the moment!

However, while travel remains all but impossible, at least we can all have a taste of the mediterranean, while enjoying one of these mouthwatering mediterranean vegetarian dishes.

Sure, eating a plate of crispy spanakopita or a refreshing panzanella salad isn’t quite the same experience in rainy old Germany as it would be on a Greek beach at sunset, …but it’s delicious nonetheless and, hey, beggars can’t be choosers!

Why vegetarian Mediterranean recipes are where it’s at!

A vegetarian mediterranean diet is a thing of great beauty.

Sunny mediterranean countries have great climates for growing DELICIOUS vegetables, plus, countries like Italy and Greece use plenty of yummy cheese in their traditional cuisine – what’s not to love!?

Mediterranean diets are famously healthy, so mediterranean veggie recipes are a great choice for healthy eating (many of our fave healthy veggie recipes are mediterranean-inspired)!

There are many reasons why vegetarian mediterranean recipes are likely to be healthy.

As you will see, almost all these recipes use olive oil, a source of unsaturated fat, instead of butter or sunflower oil, which are sources of saturated fats and don’t seem to confer the same health benefits.

This automatically makes vegetarian mediterranean recipes healthier than many other veggie options – the health benefits of olive oil are crazy!

Furthermore, many mediterranean dishes involve beans and pulses – the perfect protein sources for vegetarians (get more of them in your diet with these 35 healthy vegetarian bean recipes!)!

What’s on the menu?

The vegetarian mediterranean dishes we have found range from dips and sauces to main meals.

If you’re looking for a light appetiser or something to serve on toast, check out the dips section for some seriously sumptuous hummus and tapenade recipes! Not to blow our own trumpet or anything, but our authentic babaganoush is a must-try!

If you want to get your 5 a day in, we have some beautiful, flavourful salads which are sure to tickle your tastebuds.

If you’re after mediterranean vegetable recipes for a main course, we’ve got some hearty stews, pasta and rice dishes in our mains section. And once you’ve chosen a main, head over and you can choose a mouthwatering side dish from the sides and appetisers section to accompany it!

Mains

Bonus: healthy, simple, full of veg
429 calories per serving

Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers baked in a delicious tomato sauce – foolproof instructions and packed with vitamins and nutrients – bring the health back!

Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: VeggieInspired
Bonus: easy, flavourful, healthy
240 calories per serving

This Mediterranean Pasta with Roasted Red Peppers and Artichokes is a quick and easy pasta dish that uses staples you probably already have in your pantry.

Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: LemonBlossoms
Bonus: simple, delicious, rich
177 calories per serving

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms bathed in a simple balsamic herb marinade, topped with fresh mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes and basil and grilled to perfection. Drizzled with a rich balsamic glaze, these Caprese-style stuffed portobello mushrooms are absolutely delicious!

Bonus: easy, healthy, high protein
354 calories per serving

This easy mediterranean vegetarian recipe for shakshuka breaks everything down into simple steps for a great Shakshuka result every time!

Ready in: 1 hour (prep time 10 minutes)
Recipe by: ScrummyLane
Bonus: gluten-free, healthy, delicious
453 calories per serving

This Greek vegetarian recipe for baked eggplant with tomato sauce & feta is a great healthy appetizer or accompaniment to grilled meat or fish (it’s also gluten-free, if you need veggie gluten free recipes). It might seem simple, but it’ll send your taste-buds soaring … promise!

Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: TinnedTomatoes
Bonus: fragrant, healthy, filling
359 calories per serving

An easy recipe for vegetable paella with the flavours of Spain. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: spicy, simple, quick
545 calories per serving

This easy pasta arrabiata can be made just as spicy as you like it – you’re in control with our step by step guide. Sugo all’arrabbiata here we come!

Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: Mamazilla
Bonus: simple, hearty, delicious
219 calories per serving

Spinach & Rice Stew is a traditional greek dish called ‘spanakoruzo’ which literally means spinach and rice. It’s a vegan dish that mainly contains spinach, rice, onion, olive oil and lemon juice. This combination of rice and vegetables is not only delicious but also full of vitamins and nutrients.

Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: TheRusticFoodie
Bonus: inventive, easy, delicious
327 calories per serving

This Mediterranean Veggie Naan Pizza recipe makes for a quick, easy, and healthy vegetarian lunch or dinner (if you like this, try our other healthy vegetarian dinner ideas here). This simple meal comes together in 20 minutes (we LOVE easy vegetarian recipes).

Bonus: creamy, rich, delicious
592 calories per serving

It’s always a good idea to have a solid lasagna recipe under your belt. Lucky for you, this is the Best Lasagna Ever.

Ready in: 32 minutes
Recipe by: ProfusionCurry
Bonus: fragrant, hearty, filling
257 calories per serving

Nutritious and flavor-packed Moroccan Style Lentil Stew tastes simply awesome! This hearty and comforting recipe is full of lentils, chunky vegetables, earthy Mediterranean spices and lemon juice (try some more veggie lentil recipes here if you like this!).

Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: TheKitchenGirl
Bonus: rich, simple, delicious
374 calories per serving

Baked Feta Pasta is the infamous roasted cherry tomato pasta that has gone viral on TikTok and all over the internet (if pasta bakes are what you’re after, try these vegetarian pasta bakes too!). Now you can make this scrumptious feta pasta recipe in a few steps with simple ingredients. This mouthwatering Mediterranean pasta dish is perfect for any occasion.

Bonus: creamy, hearty, simple
579 calories per serving

This creamy leek risotto is easy to make, filling and oh-so comforting. We show you how to speed it up, too – good food shouldn’t be slow!

Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: ScrummyLane
Bonus: simple, citrusy, delicious
332 calories per serving

The greeks can get pretty fancy with a simple rice dish. This delicious lemony rice uses just rice, chickpeas and a few other pantry ingredients to make a delicious lunch or side. Got a pressure cooker? It’s ready in 10 minutes. Or just make it on the stove top.

Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: MaricruzAvalo
Bonus: easy, quick, flavourful
197 calories per serving

La peperonata is an Italian traditional dish made with red and yellow bell peppers, tomato sauce and basil. A simple a quick recipe that is served at room temperature or cold to pair with any grilled protein or as starter with toasted artisan bread.

Bonus: rich, simple, healthy
505 calories per serving

Melted Feta and Veggie Bake. Easy and quick. 10 minutes prep time, then for 30 minutes in the oven. High in vitamins A, C and B6, protein and fiber. A delicious mediterranean vegetable recipe.

Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: VeggieDesserts
Bonus: simple, hearty, healthy
125 calories per serving

These Spanish beans with tomatoes and smokey sweet spices are so easy to make in one pot in less than 20 minutes with just 7 ingredients.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Recipe by: Babaganosh
Bonus: super quick, filling, flavourful
302 calories per serving

Smashed Chickpea Pitas are a delicious, filling lunch or snack. Topped with protein-filled Greek yogurt, crispy cucumber, fresh herbs, feta, and za’atar seasoning, these are an amazing Middle Eastern treat!

Bonus: creamy, rich, tasty
492 calories per serving

Awaken the Italian in you! Quick to make, so satisfying and tasty to eat. We’ve also included the key surprisingly easy tips to getting the perfect risotto.

Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: TheBellyRulesTheMind
Bonus: warm, filling, healthy
251 calories per serving

Moroccan chickpea stew recipe – a warm, comforting stew you’ll love. It offers the perfect blend of carefully chosen and proportioned spices to create a delectable vegan recipe that will cozy up even the coldest winter night. This hearty recipe comes together in less than 20 minutes so you can enjoy it anytime- even on the busiest of weekdays.

Bonus: rich, high in protein, healthy
584 calories per serving

Fried halloumi absolutely rocks! We can’t get enough of the stuff and this quick recipe is another sure-fire, high-protein winner! A fresh take on mediterranean veggie recipes.

Salads

Ready in: 50 minutes
Recipe by: WhatAGirlEats
Bonus: tangy, buttery, herby
306 calories per serving

Mediterranean Rice Salad with Herbs and Feta is a delicious, versatile side dish! The fresh taste from the herbs, buttery olive oil, and tangy feta cheese give it a decidedly Mediterranean feel.

Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: WindyCityDinnerFairy
Bonus: fresh, juicy, healthy
224 calories per serving

Panzanella Salad with homemade garlic croutons, juicy vine-ripened tomatoes, and a basil vinaigrette. This salad is a family favorite and a staple of any vegetarian mediterranean diet!

Bonus: sweet, salty, quick to prepare
481 calories per serving

This exceptionally quick and easy watermelon and feta salad is also incredibly tasty – and we even include a guide to picking the right watermelon!

Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: JarOfLemons
Bonus: quick, fresh, healthy
219 calories per serving

Looking for a quick, healthy lunch recipe? This 10-Minute Mediterranean Farro Salad is loaded with nutrition and bold, savoury flavors!

Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: Vikalinka
Bonus: varied, colourful, filling
881 calories per serving

This Mediterranean salad loaded with all the yummy stuff like cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, chargrilled artichokes, creamy hummus and fried halloumi. A salad that is a meal!

Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: Sugar&SnapPeas
Bonus: quick, easy, high fibre
135 calories per serving

This recipe can be whipped up in 20 minutes, made in advance and tastes even better after it sits for a while. This is a high fiber, vegetarian, gluten free recipe that you will absolutely love.

Sides and Appetisers

Bonus: creamy, simple, distinctive
204 calories per serving

The original white gazpacho soup hits all the right boxes – it’s cold and fresh with the perfect balance of sweet vs sour. It’s vegan-friendly too.

Ready in: 1 hour 5 minutes (prep time 10 minutes)
Recipe by: ThisHealthyKitchen
Bonus: crispy, flavourful, delicious
207 calories per serving

These vegan Greek lemon potatoes are simple to prepare and bursting with flavour. Featuring crispy edges and fluffy moist middles. A fantastic side dish to compliment your meal that you’ll want to make again and again.

Ready in: 50 minutes
Recipe by: Erica’sRecipes
Bonus: beautiful, rich, flavourful
255 calories per serving

The Mediterranean Crescent Ring. Here is the classic crescent dough ring, made over using delicious Mediterranean-inspired ingredients.

Ready in: 1 hour
Recipe by: MrsJones’Kitchen
Bonus: spicy, creamy, crispy
268 calories per serving

Cubes of golden crispy potatoes topped with a smokey tomato sauce and served with roasted garlic aioli. This healthier Patatas Bravas recipe is one you will be making again and again!

Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: Aleka’sGetTogether
Bonus: flaky, buttery, bitesize
72 calories per triangle

These Easy Spanakopita Triangles are traditionally served as a Greek appetizer or snack. Mini spinach pies made with feta cheese, ricotta cheese and spinach leaves wrapped in flaky, buttery phyllo dough.

Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: VeggiesDon’tBite
Bonus: simple, healthy, tasty
160 calories per serving

These classic Greek green beans are traditionally called fasolakia! They are a classic healthy Greek dish.

Bonus: healthy, low effort, delicious
396 calories per serving

Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower doesn’t get better than this. This Spanish favourite is incredibly tasty and ridiculously nutritious – and so easy it almost cooks itself.

Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: NourishPlate
Bonus: flavourful, tasty, fun
174 calories per serving

These grilled veggie kabobs with halloumi are like sunshine on your grill! They’re so delicious, flavorful, and really fun to make! A great grilling side (or main) that your whole family will love (check out some more kid-friendly family favorite vegetarian meals here!).

Bonus: crunchy, juicy, tasty
304 calories per serving

Tomato Mozzarella Bread. Easy to make Italian tomato and mozzarella bread. High in calcium and Mediterranean flair. Delicious.

Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: RusticFoodie
Bonus: nutty, tasty, crunchy
269 calories per serving

This Tahini Roasted Cauliflower recipe is an easy and healthy Mediterranean side dish! It’s topped with lemon tahini sauce and pine nuts.

Dips and Sauces

Bonus: nutty, smokey, tasty
162 calories per serving

Catalan Romesco Sauce. This beautiful dish has been around for hundreds of years – you won’t find a better or more authentic piece of Catalan history.

Ready in: 8 minutes
Recipe by: MissouriGirlHome
Bonus: creamy, healthy, delicious
85.7 calories per serving

This easy homemade lemon garlic hummus is a healthy and delicious appetizer or snack (if healthy vegetarian snack ideas are what you need look no further). Customize it with a variety of Mediterranean flavors to suite your taste. A classic vegetarian mediterranean recipe to have under you belt (for vegan mediterranean meals look here!)!

Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: ProfusionCurry
Bonus: tangy, salty, tasty
64 calories per serving

Easy Vegan olive tapenade makes snack-time and happy hour easier and healthier. Learning how to make this classic Mediterranean Dip is a cinch!

Bonus: flavourful, delicious, versatile,
216 calories per ¼ jar

Red Pesto with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil. It’s vegan and only calls for 5 ingredients. Blend in a food processor and out comes a first-class pesto!

Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: FoodWorthFeed
Bonus: creamy, rich, colourful
543 calories per serving

Our Spinach Hummus with Lemon Artichokes recipe is SO good! A healthy, vegan snack or appetizer that is perfect for flavorful dipping, all Spring and Summer long (try these plant-based low calorie snacks too!)!

Ready in: 12 minutes
Recipe by: ThisHealthyTable
Bonus: sharp, refreshing, healthy
146 calories per serving

This radish walnut tzatziki recipe is creamy, delicious, and versatile – it can be used in all sorts of ways as a topping or a dip.

Ready in: 10 minutes
Recipe by: TheFieryVegetarian
Bonus: smokey, creamy, delicious
343 calories per serving

This spicy feta dip, based on the wonderful Greek dish of tirokafteri (also called ktipiti), is definitely my favorite vegetarian dip (more simple dip recipes this way!). Just a handful of ingredients a food processor and moments later WOW – thick luscious creamy spicy goodness. A simple yet effective vegetarian mediterranean recipe.

Bonus: smokey, creamy, delicious
77 calories per serving

Baba Ganoush – (Eggplant Dip / Aubergine Dip) Flatbreads and pitas go perfectly with this beautiful fusion of Arab-Mediterranean cuisines. Whip some up straight away!

We hope you enjoyed discovering these delicious vegetarian mediterranean recipes (and if you’re after vegan mediterranean recipes, check these out!). Let us know in the comments which mediterranean vegetable recipes you liked best!