Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be healthy and delicious—especially when you take inspiration from the Mediterranean! Here are 31 easy, healthy dinner ideas for nourishing you and your loved ones. These recipes use lean proteins, whole grains, colorful vegetables, fiber-rich beans and legumes, and a kiss of extra virgin olive oil.
Whether you’re in need of quick weeknight options or something a little special for the weekend, I’ve rounded up a whole month’s worth of my favorite easy, healthy dinner ideas to inspire you. These recipes are light yet satisfying, easy to prepare, and bursting with vibrant Mediterranean flavors. They’re proof that healthy eating can be approachable, exciting, and most importantly, delicious!
A little context, in case you’re new here. When it comes to eating with health in mind, the Mediterranean diet is my go-to—it’s more than a way of eating; it’s a lifestyle that celebrates fresh, wholesome ingredients and vibrant flavors. It’s about balance, with plenty of vegetables, hearty grains, exciting spices, and lean proteins. The best part? These meals don’t just nourish your body; they’re a joy to cook and share with the people you love.
If you’ve been feeling stuck on what to make for dinner or want to try something new, read on for some of my favorite healthy dinner ideas.
Table of Contents
- Garlic Dijon Chicken
- Sheet Pan Gnocchi
- Baked Greek Fish with Tomatoes and Onions (Psari Plaki)
- Mediterranean-Style White Chicken Chili with Chermoula
- Easy Pesto Salmon with a Crispy Breadcrumb Crust
- Mediterranean Tuna Salad
- “Detox” Cabbage Soup with Turmeric and Ginger
- Easy Mediterranean Sautéed Scallops
- Chicken and Chickpea Salad with Creamy Greek Yogurt Dressing
- Chicken Stuffed Peppers
- Broiled Salmon
- Italian Lentil Soup
- Open-Faced Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich
- Chicken and Asparagus Skillet Dinner
- Mussels Marinara
- Greek Sheet Pan Chicken
- Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
- One-Pan Baked Halibut Recipe with Vegetables
- Easy Shakshuka
- Chicken Burgers
- Lablabi (Tunisian Chickpea Stew)
- Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables with Barley
- Shrimp Fra Diavolo
- Chicken Caprese Salad
- Easy Sausage Tortellini Soup
- Easy Lime-Harissa Spicy Salmon
- Mediterranean White Bean Soup with Spinach and Fresh Herbs
- Bean Salad with Tahini and Eggs (Tahinli Fasulye Piyazı)
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- Minestrone
- Chickpea Marinara (Chickpeas in Tomato Sauce with Melty Mozzarella Cheese)
- More Recipe Roundups
Garlic Dijon Chicken
In this simple skillet dinner, juicy chicken thighs bake in a luscious garlic Dijon sauce with warm spices and tender onions. It’s an easy, one-pan recipe that comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it with roasted vegetables or some fluffy couscous to soak up the extra sauce. It’s wholesome, flavorful, and sure to become a family favorite!
Sheet Pan Gnocchi
This is the ultimate easy dinner for busy nights! Store-bought gnocchi are the hero, though you could certainly make your own. Combined with a medley of vegetables, they caramelize together in the oven for a meal that’s colorful, flavorful, and fuss-free. Glazed with olive oil, garlic, and a sprinkle of herbs, every bite is full of warm, comforting Mediterranean goodness.
Baked Greek Fish with Tomatoes and Onions (Psari Plaki)
This beautiful dish of tender, tomato-braised fish starts with making a quick tomato and onion sauce in a pan on the stove, then tucking in fish filets to braise in the oven. It’s perfect with some good crusty bread and Greek olive oil, or some rice or barley for soaking up the sauce.
Mediterranean-Style White Chicken Chili with Chermoula
Tender chicken, creamy white beans, and a warm blend of spices create a comforting chili base, while a drizzle of zesty homemade chermoula adds a bold, fresh finish. This recipe, from my second cookbook The Mediterranean Dish: Simply Dinner, is an easy one-pot recipe that’s perfect for cozy weeknights or casual gatherings. Serve it with crusty bread, and don’t forget a few extra spoonfuls of that vibrant chermoula for good measure!
Easy Pesto Salmon with a Crispy Breadcrumb Crust
Layering salmon with pesto and topping it with olive oil bread crumbs gives this incredibly fast and easy recipe lots of crunch. This salmon recipe is top of mind when I’m looking for healthy dinner ideas. I love the fresh lemon and basil flavor of the final drizzle! Serve this light fish dinner with a colorful, juicy salad such as Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad or Marinated Cherry Tomato Salad.
Mediterranean Tuna Salad
Mediterranean Tuna Salad is a light, healthy dinner that’s ready in just minutes! Protein-packed tuna is tossed with fresh vegetables, briny capers, and a bright lemony dressing for a dish that’s bursting with Mediterranean flavor. It’s wholesome, satisfying, and requires no cooking—just mix and serve! Use it to make sandwiches in homemade Pita Bread pockets or on Seeded Whole Wheat Bread.
“Detox” Cabbage Soup with Turmeric and Ginger
A warm and nourishing meal that’s as comforting as it is healthy! This cabbage soup is packed with hearty vegetables and bold Mediterranean flavors; it’s the kind of dish that leaves you feeling satisfied and energized. With a light, savory broth and a touch of warm spices, it’s perfect for a quick, wholesome dinner because it takes only 10 minutes to prep! Pair it with crusty Olive Bread, a simple Greek Salad, or a drizzle of harissa for added kick!
Easy Mediterranean Sautéed Scallops
Capers give a briny punch to tender and juicy sautéed scallops nestled into a vibrant mix of bell peppers, grape tomatoes, and garlic. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and this weeknight-friendly scallop recipe is ready in about 20 minutes. I think it’s wonderful on top of Greek Lemon Rice, orzo, or Lebanese Rice.
Chicken and Chickpea Salad with Creamy Greek Yogurt Dressing
A favorite trick of mine is using Greek yogurt or Labneh, which is essentially super-thick Greek yogurt, in places one might otherwise use mayonnaise. It works in a Tomato Sandwich, and here too. Chicken salad gets a healthy twist with a Greek-yogurt and mustard dressing, fresh parsley, crunchy veggies, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Chicken Stuffed Peppers
When it comes to healthy dinner ideas, this recipe checks all the boxes. Think of this stuffed pepper recipe as a mash-up inspired by classic stuffed peppers and the spices from our Chicken Shawarma. Ground chicken, bulgur wheat, and diced tomatoes provide the base for the stuffing. Don’t skip the stir-together sauce of Greek yogurt seasoned with garlic, lemon, mint, and Aleppo pepper.
Broiled Salmon
When it comes to easy and healthy dinner ideas salmon is at the top of my list! Skin-on salmon filets take only minutes to cook under the broiler, which its a regular part of mealtime at my house. Add lemony Greek Ladolemono Dressing to drizzle on top, some pearl couscous, or Couscous Salad with tomatoes, onions, and artichoke hearts for a delicious, fast, and healthy dinner.
Italian Lentil Soup
Lentils are powerhouses of nutrition packed with fiber and protein. Simmered in vegetable broth with tomatoes and lots of vegetables they make for a hearty soup. I love using French green lentils for this recipe because they hold their shape so well, but brown lentils are delicious, too. Regardless of what type you use, you must finish the soup with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil on top, as the Italians do. It’s a game-changer!
Open-Faced Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich
This open-faced eggplant Parmesan sandwich packs all the flavors of classic Eggplant Parmigiana with less fuss — no breading or frying required! Just bake the eggplant in the oven then layer it on toasted bread with melty cheese, pesto, and tomato sauce. Add some Prosciutto e Melone and an Aperol Spritz for a perfect apertivo spread.
Chicken and Asparagus Skillet Dinner
Tender chicken cutlets and fresh asparagus, lightly glazed in a white wine and lemon sauce, is a perfect, light supper. One pan and 30 minutes is all you need to make this easy, healthy dinner recipe. Serve it with some Israeli couscous or rice to soak up the sauce!
Mussels Marinara
Fresh mussels with garlic, canned tomatoes, wine, and a pinch of hot pepper are an easy and incredibly fast seafood supper. Crusty bread on the side is an absolute must for dipping in the sauce. A Big Easy Italian Salad is a fresh and crunchy counterpoint to the tender shellfish.
Greek Sheet Pan Chicken
This easy supper packs lots of flavor into a fast and healthy meal. Chicken thighs, veggies, and big hunks of tangy feta dressed in lemony, garlicky ladolemono dressing roast until everything is tender and golden. The sauce is wonderful drizzled over Greek lemon rice or toasted orzo.
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
The key to making the most delicious grain salads is packing them with contrasting flavors and textures. Crunchy cucumber, sharp scallions, juicy peppers, tangy feta, briny olives and a lemon and oregano dressing boost cooked quinoa with Greek flavor. This salad is a great partner for Lemon Garlic Chicken.
One-Pan Baked Halibut Recipe with Vegetables
If you’re looking for a bright and quick sheet pan dinner that will deliver on flavor and nutrition, this baked halibut recipe with vegetables is the ticket. Serve the halibut and veggies on a bed of barley or bulgur for a more filling dinner, and feel free to substitute another hearty fish!
Easy Shakshuka
Breakfast, lunch, brunch, or dinner; shakshuka is a meal I would eat any time of day. Eggs are poached in aromatic spiced tomato and pepper sauce with warm notes of cumin, paprika, and a hint of chili. Grab some pita or crusty bread for this healthy and easy one-pan meal.
Chicken Burgers
Greek yogurt is the secret ingredient that helps keep these healthy burgers juicy as they cook. These are amazing topped with a little Garlic Aioli or Toum (whipped garlic sauce), fresh tomato, lettuce, and onion. Need some fries to go with them? Try my recipes for Baked Sweet Potato Fries or Eggplant Fries.
Lablabi (Tunisian Chickpea Stew)
The best part of this hearty North African stew of chickpeas, harissa paste, bread, and warming spices is that it’s traditionally served with a variety of garnishes — often including canned tuna and an egg — then mixed up tableside. It’s just as tasty on its own as a vegetarian soup! My favorite topping is pickled turnips.
Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables with Barley
Barley is a great ancient grain that gives staying power to a robust vegetarian salad with zucchini, bell peppers, and onion. Toasted pine nuts, crumbled feta, and a tangy baharat-spiced dressing layer these simple, healthy ingredients with flavor.
Shrimp Fra Diavolo
If need quick and healthy dinner ideas, look no further than Shrimp Fra Diavolo. This Italian dish made with juicy shrimp cooked in a hearty, spicy tomato sauce with garlic, white wine, and fresh parsley comes together in 20 minutes. Serve it tossed with pasta or on its own.
Chicken Caprese Salad
When there are good tomatoes around, I want to eat Caprese Salad non-stop, but to make it a little more nutritionally balanced I add some croutons and seared chicken breast cutlets seasoned with homemade Italian Seasoning. Simple, easy, delicious, and only one pan to wash.
Easy Sausage Tortellini Soup
As much as I love to make pasta at home, I still reach for readymade ravioli or tortellini when I need a way to tie together an easy, healthy dinner. This hearty Italian-American inspired soup is bursting with flavor from Italian chicken sausage, cheese tortellini, and lots of veggies and greens. All you need with this one is a spoon, and maybe a simple Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad.
Easy Lime-Harissa Spicy Salmon
The secret to this spicy fish is the tantalizing sauce made of fresh lime juice, harissa, garlic, and honey. It’s next-level delicious, and so quick and easy to put together! Be sure to cover the salmon with foil while it bakes for tender, flaky fish. A bright and refreshing vegetable side, such as sautéed asparagus or crispy lemon broccoli, balances out the big flavors giving you a healthy dinner recipe that is bold but also fresh tasting, and quick-cooking.
Mediterranean White Bean Soup with Spinach and Fresh Herbs
Creamy white bean soup is the perfect healthy dinner recipe. Its weeknight comfort food, packed with bold Mediterranean flavors and plenty of nourishing ingredients. Velvety cannellini beans, tender vegetables, and aromatic spices come together with fresh herbs, silky greens, and a splash of white wine vinegar for a soup that’s both hearty and light. Crusty toasted bread drizzled with good olive oil is a must. I also like it with a crunchy, slightly bitter salad such as Radicchio Salad or Endive Salad.
Bean Salad with Tahini and Eggs (Tahinli Fasulye Piyazı)
This hearty, but light Turkish salad made with cannellini beans, eggs, onion, tomato, and parsley is a specialty of the Antalya province in southern Turkey. The creaminess of the lemon-garlic tahini dressing adds a wonderful richness to this easy, healthy dinner idea. Serve it with Lavash or Pita and grilled like Kofte Kebabs.
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Ready in just 10 minutes, this vibrant chickpea salad recipe is packed with fresh herbs, juicy grape tomatoes, velvety roasted red peppers, crisp cucumber, and creamy avocado. I happily enjoy it on its own, but it’s also a great side dish to Lemon Garlic Chicken or simple Poached Salmon.
Minestrone
Rich tomato broth infuses kidney beans, elbow macaroni (or any other small pasta shape you like), and vegetables with lots of savory in this healthy dinner recipe. The secret to the best minestrone – spoiler alter: It’s the same trick as my Tuscan Farro Soup and Pastina – is adding a Parmesan cheese rind to flavor the broth.
Chickpea Marinara (Chickpeas in Tomato Sauce with Melty Mozzarella Cheese)
Who says marinara sauce has to go on pasta? Two cans of chickpeas simmered in tomato sauce with garlic and onion is just as savory, saucy, and delicious. Pools of fresh mozzarella melted on top, give the finished skillet serious pizza vibes. Add a Big Easy Italian Salad, for some crunch on the side.
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