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20+ Easy Mediterranean Diet Dinner Recipes For Weight Loss
The Mediterranean diet is known as one of the healthiest eating patterns around—and for good reason. With an emphasis on produce, legumes, healthy fats and lean proteins, the Mediterranean diet can help support cardiovascular health and lower blood sugar. Plus, these recipes are lower in calories and high in fiber and/or protein, which can help support healthy weight loss if that is your goal. Another bonus? These easy dishes take no more than 30 minutes to make, so dinner will be on the table in no time. Enjoy options like our High-Protein Pasta Salad and Curried Butter Beans for a satisfying meal that will support your health goals.
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High-Protein Pasta Salad
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Crunchy cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers and red onions are all mixed together in a heart-healthy vinaigrette for a dish that is as delicious as it is eye-catching. Chickpea pasta, whole chickpeas and fresh mozzarella pearls add to the dish’s protein.
Curried Butter Beans
photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
Tender butter beans combine with red curry paste and aromatic spices in this hearty, plant-based dish. Enjoy it on its own or serve it over brown rice or whole-grain noodles for a more filling meal.
Loaded Chicken & Broccoli Salad
Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
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.
Sheet-Pan Balsamic Chicken & Asparagus
Ali Redmond
Chicken cutlets are coated in a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze, roasting right alongside tender asparagus for an easy, well-balanced dinner. It’s a simple one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Roasted Salmon & Broccoli Rice Bowls
Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Amanda Holstein, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Gochujang, mayonnaise and honey combine to bring a spicy-sweet flavor to roasted salmon fillets. The honey allows the sauce to cling to the salmon while also providing a slight caramelization. Store-bought kimchi adds a nice tang to complete these weeknight-friendly rice bowls.
Brothy Lemon-Garlic Beans
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Amanda Holstein, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
Creamy cannellini beans soak up the garlicky, lemon-infused broth that is perfectly sopped up with a piece of toasted whole-wheat bread. For a little extra flair, finish the dish with a drizzle of good olive oil—or, for a creamier take, a dollop of Greek-style yogurt.
Marry Me White Bean & Spinach Skillet
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey
By swapping in fiber-packed white beans and spinach as the main ingredients, we’ve given Marry Me Chicken 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.
One-Skillet Garlicky Salmon & Broccoli
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey
This one-skillet salmon and broccoli recipe is the perfect 20-minute dinner for busy weeknights! This dish combines tender, flaky salmon with crisp, garlicky broccoli and bell pepper, all cooked in one pan for easy prep and cleanup.
Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Ready in just 20 minutes, protein-packed chicken cutlets are perfectly sautéed in heart-healthy extra-virgin olive oil. Inflammation-fighting garlic and spinach are the veggies that add flavor and color to the rich white wine cream sauce that envelops the chicken.
White Bean Enchilada Skillet
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This skillet recipe takes inspiration from classic enchiladas, featuring veggies, tortillas, white beans and a cheesy topping. Instead of rolling up the filling, the tortillas are baked right into the skillet for the perfect weeknight dinner.
Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Salmon
For this quick and easy dinner for four, the vegetables and sauce come together in one skillet in a matter of minutes while the salmon broils. Plus, salmon is swimming in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and loaded with vitamins and nutrients like B vitamins and potassium.
Creamy Garlic-Parmesan Butter Beans
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Huff, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
Velvety butter beans are simmered in broth with plenty of garlic and Parmesan cheese, creating a rich and flavorful stew-like dinner. Served with crusty bread for dipping, it’s the perfect cozy meal to whip up on a busy evening—hearty, warm and utterly delicious.
One-Pot White Bean, Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
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.
Sheet-Pan Salmon and Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Lemon-Garlic Drizzle
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Heart-healthy salmon is nestled among shaved Brussels sprouts, both of which soak up amazing flavor from the double drizzle of lemon-garlic sauce.
Sick Day Chicken Noodle Soup
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
This chicken noodle soup is packed with tender chicken, warm broth and soft noodles. The combination of ginger and garlic boosts flavor, while the warm broth helps keep you hydrated. Ready in just 20 minutes, this soup is the perfect dish, offering comfort with minimal effort.
High-Protein Veggie Sandwich
Ali Redmond
From beans to tofu to tempeh bacon, this high-protein veggie sandwich formula can help mitigate blood sugar spikes and keep you feeling full until your next meal.
Salmon Caesar Salad
This easy Caesar salad subs creamy Greek yogurt and buttermilk for the traditional egg yolks and olive oil and mixes in mildly bitter radicchio in addition to classic romaine. Using just a small amount of flavorful Parmigiano-Reggiano shaves calories and sodium too.
Vegan Burrito Bowls with Cauliflower Rice
These meal-prep vegan burrito bowls are healthy and flavorful. Make them early in the week for grab-and-go meals when days are busy. We use frozen cauliflower rice, a low-carb substitute for white or brown rice, to cut down on prep time.
Teriyaki Chicken Skillet Casserole with Broccoli
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Whip up this quick and easy teriyaki casserole in just one skillet—it’s the perfect go-to recipe for hectic weeknights that’s sure to satisfy a crowd.
Tofu Tacos
These quick vegan tacos, filled with a spicy tofu filling, make a perfect weeknight dinner. To keep them vegan, top them with shredded cabbage, fresh pico de gallo and guacamole. For vegetarians, add crumbled queso fresco.
Lemony Linguine with Vegetables
Here’s an easy and fresh one-pot meal ready in 30 minutes—perfect for lunch or a quick weeknight meal. This dish is fiber-packed with peas, artichoke hearts, spinach and whole-wheat pasta, and finished with a bright, lemony, creamy sauce.
Baked Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Kale
Ali Redmond
You can make these three-ingredient tomato-simmered eggs with things you probably already have on hand in your freezer and pantry. To make these baked eggs more like eggs in purgatory, look for a spicy tomato sauce and don’t forget some whole-wheat bread for dipping.
