9 Quick & Delicious Mediterranean Recipes You Can Make in 30 Minutes
Mediterranean cuisine is known for being simple but packed with flavor, freshness, and a pop of color. No matter what your schedule might look like, these recipes can be done in 30 minutes without sacrificing taste. It’s a great way to add authenticity to your meals with the ingredients you have in your pantry. Every recipe celebrates Mediterranean flavors and requires minimal prep, making them fun and versatile.
1. Spinach with Feta and Lemon
If you’re looking for the perfect side dish to add to your meal, this touch of Mediterranean taste will be a perfect addition, and it only takes 10 minutes to make. Ingredients: Fresh spinach, crumbled feta, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil. Directions: Sauté garlic, add spinach until wilted, stir in feta and lemon juice, and add fresh celery when serving.
2. Garlic Grilled Shrimp Skewers
This perfect seafood dish is simple yet packed with flavor, and to top it all off, it’s easy to make. Ingredients: Shrimp, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, cilantro, parsley, cayenne, salt, pepper. Directions: Marinate shrimp in garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs. Grill for a few minutes and serve with couscous or a salad.
3. Rigatoni with Creamy Ricotta and Spinach
This is quite the comfort food, but it doesn’t sacrifice taste one bit. This dish takes a whole 20 minutes to make, making it perfect for anyone on the move. Ingredients: Rigatoni, ricotta, Parmesan, fresh spinach, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, nutmeg. Directions: Cook pasta. In a blender, mix ricotta, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Stir spinach into the ricotta mixture and add Parmesan. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil.
4. Whipped Feta Dip
This dish makes a creamy appetizer or snack, and it only takes 10 minutes to whip together. Ingredients: Feta, Greek yogurt, lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, and fresh mint. Directions: Blend feta, yogurt, lemon zest, and garlic until smooth. Add a drizzle of olive oil and top with fresh mint. Serve with pita or fresh veggies.
5. Skillet Chicken with Olives
This dish is packed with flavor and only takes 15 minutes to prepare. It would be the perfect dish if you’re looking for a quick dinner. Ingredients: Chicken breast, rosemary, olives, garlic, pimiento-stuffed olives, olive oil, pepper, salt, white wine, or chicken broth. Directions: Sauté chicken with garlic and spices, add olives and white wine or chicken broth and simmer until chicken is cooked through. Serve with roasted vegetables.
6. Mediterranean Fish Stew
Fish stew might not sound like the most appealing dish, but this recipe will surely knock your boots off. It’s flavor-packed and is the best dish for those rainy days. Ingredients: Fish fillets (Cod or tilapia), diced potatoes, garlic, chicken stock, olive oil, butter, onions, flour, carrots, smoked paprika, and fresh herbs (parsley or thyme). Directions: Sauté garlic, carrots, and onions in olive oil and butter. Stir in flour, add potatoes, and stock; simmer. Add fish and smoked paprika and simmer until potatoes are soft.
7. Sicilian Pasta with Chicken, Cherry Tomatoes, and Capers
Nothing can soothe the soul like a plate of pasta; this dish is an absolute winner. Ingredients: Pasta, chicken breast, cherry tomatoes, capers, garlic, red pepper flakes, white wine, black olives, parmesan cheese, olive oil, basil. Directions: Sauté chicken with all ingredients except pasta, simmer until tomatoes release juices. Toss with pasta and basil.
8. Baked Cod with Lemon and Garlic
Baked Cod is a simple dish and only takes a few minutes to assemble. It has a simple flavor but leaves a lasting impression. Ingredients: Cod fillets, butter, lemon slices, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and parsley. Directions: Season cod with a mixture of the ingredients above, top with lemon slices, and bake until flaky. Pair with roasted asparagus or quinoa.
9. Spinach Pasta with Za’atar, Lemon, and Parsley
This dish is such a simple way to get in all your greens and still enjoy every last bite of your meal. Ingredients: Pasta, baby spinach, za’atar, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan. Directions: Cook pasta, sauté garlic and spinach, and toss with za’atar, lemon, and Parmesan. Add red pepper flakes for heat.
References:
Quick and Easy Mediterranean Recipes
53 Mediterranean Diet Recipes Ready in Just 30 Minutes
30+ Top Mediterranean Recipes of the Year!