Best Mediterranean Diet Recipes for Weight Loss That Actually Work
Did you know that the Mediterranean diet is the best diet that you can follow for weight loss? The most amazing thing about the Mediterranean diet is that it is also one of the easiest and sensible diets that offers you plenty of benefits.
The traditional foods and eating patterns of this diet are quite healthy and properly balanced. It’s a happy way of eating which focuses a lot on flavours and variety.
Some of the most common ingredients of the Mediterranean diet are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and legumes. It also includes lean proteins such as poultry and fish, along with olive oil and dairy.
In this blog post, you’ll learn about the best Mediterranean diet recipes that you can follow for weight loss. So, let’s get going with the first recipe!
1. Honey Salmon with Potatoes & Spinach
This recipe is a wholesome meal which can be prepared in a quick fashion, and it is an ideal option for weeknight dinners. The best part about this delicacy is that it has only five ingredients and still has plenty of flavours. First of all, the salmon is seared to a perfect golden crust and even glazed with a generous amount of honey. In it, roasted potatoes are added along with garlic-rich spinach. It’s a great dinner option that will feel quite special without putting in a huge amount of traffic.
2. Balsamic Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes & Zucchini
This recipe is a dish that is full of heartwarming flavours, which makes it an ideal option for evening snacking. It also has just five ingredients and is quite satisfying. The Balsamic vinegar that is added to this delicacy will add a tangy flavour, which will complement the subtle flavours of the roasted veggies. In case you have free time, adding a flavourful marinade will ensure that you get an even better dish.
3. Teriyaki Chicken Salad
This chicken salad is an amazing blend of tender and glazed chicken thighs and crisp sliced veggies. All of these ingredients are tossed in flavourful teriyaki dressing. In case you need an extra layer of flavour, you can also add fried onions, which will provide a good amount of crunch and sweetness. Whether you want to keep the flavours simple or add extra crunch, this salad will be quite versatile, which is bound to become your favourite.
4. Sheet-Pan Crispy Chicken with Squash & Tomatoes
This crispy chicken is a wholesome meal which will provide you with impeccable flavours. The main technique of making this dish is to use the sheet pan in a clever way. In it, the tender vegetables are roasted in the center, whereas the chicken cooks from the outer edges, where the oven is hotter. It will allow the chicken to develop a golden and crispy crust with a light coating of olive oil. You will become a life-long fan of this delicacy, and it will also help you shed those extra pounds in a quick manner.
5. Broccoli, Tomato & White Bean Quiche
This quiche is an ideal option for breakfast, brunch, and even dinner. It is made without a crust, and it can be prepared quickly, as compared to a traditional quiche, which will save you plenty of time without compromising on flavours. The roasted broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and white beans will create a protein-rich meal which is not just comforting but fulfilling as well.
6. Herb-Marinated Veggie & Chickpea Salad
This salad is herb-marinated and has a good amount of veggies and chickpeas. Basically, it is a no-cook dish which has fresh flavours. This will include the crispness of the raw vegetables and chickpeas, which are tossed in a tangy herb dressing which will enrich every bite. In fact, the preparation of this dish doesn’t require any stoneware or oven time. It’s a great option for sunny days when you want to relax or busy weekends when you are short of time.
7. Lemony Salmon Rice Bowl with Feta, Cucumber & Tomato Salad
This rice bowl is a delightful meal which is full of flavours and takes a small amount of time to prepare. It includes a broiled salmon, which is drizzled with a generous amount of lemon. With a base of fluffy brown rice, it will absorb all of the citrus flavours. On the side, there will be a good amount of cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese, bringing creaminess and crunch.
8. One-Skillet Garlicky Salmon & Green Beans
It is a quick recipe which includes a one-pan salmon along with green beans. This whole meal is quite healthy and can be prepared quickly. First of all, the Salmon pieces are marinated and cooked until they are tender and perfect. Then, fresh green beans are prepared in the same pan. This meal will prove to be the perfect weekend dinner option that requires very little cleanup while offering you amazing flavours.
9. Chicken Guacamole Bowls
This bowl is basically a minimal meal, which is packed with flavours and has juicy chicken thighs and veggies as well. These ingredients are roasted together on a single sheet pan, which is quite easy and requires less cleanup. The chicken and veggies are served with fresh guacamole, having a generous amount of cotija cheese. A little drizzle of lime at the end will bind all of the flavours together.
10. Creamy Basil-Tomato Chicken Pasta Bake
If there’s one of the most comforting Mediterranean dishes, then it’s none other than this pasta bake. In this dish, tender chicken breast is baked with juicy cherry tomatoes and creamy Boursin cheese, along with a herby sauce. The chicken is first shredded and added to the dish along with cooked pasta and a good amount of basil. It is then baked with fontina cheese on top of it until it gets bubbly. This pasta bake is a complete meal that provides a burst of flavours.
11. Maple-Mustard Salmon with Veggies
This Mediterranean delicacy is quite flavourful, and it is a perfect dinner option that is served on a single sheet pan. While preparing this dish, the salmon is coated in a sweet and tangy maple-mustard glaze, which will caramelize amazingly on top of it. It is served with seasonal vegetables, which also include broccoli and potatoes, and it is roasted to perfection.
12. Pesto Pasta with Peas & Tomatoes
This pasta cooked with peas and tomatoes is a colourful and flavourful dish which is very easy to prepare. Pasta is cooked with peas and then tossed with cherry tomatoes and basil pesto to take the flavours to the next level. This dish can be served warm or even chilled. So, it is an ideal option for dinners or picnics. A small amount of Parmesan is sprinkled on top of it with a dash of lime for that perfect taste and look.
13. Chicken & Sweet Potato Enchilada Skillet
This skillet is a one-pan meal, which is the perfect option for busy weeknights. This meal includes tender chunks of sweet potato and shredded chicken that is cooked in enchilada sauce, adding so many flavours. Corn tortilla wedges are also included in this dish, which soaks up all the sauces and give a unique texture to the delicacy.
14. Balsamic Chicken Thighs with Arugula-Tomato Salad
This chicken-based dish is quite flavorful, in which juicy chicken thighs are cooked until they are golden brown. It will be coated in a tangy and sweet balsamic glaze. It will be served on top of a crisp arugula and tomato salad. It’s basically a simple dinner option for two people, which will be quite delicious and will be prepared easily.
15. Spanakopita-Inspired Skillet Beans
This dish is not just creamy but comforting as well. In fact, these skillet beans are inspired by spanakopita, which is the Greek spinach pie. The Cannellini beans add plant-based protein along with fibre to make it a filling dinner option with a dash of fresh dill and parsley. A substantial amount of lemon juice will provide a lot more flavour. You can even serve it straight from the skillet along with the pita chips for dipping.
16. Rotisserie Chicken, Mushroom & Rice Casserole
This dish is a hearty one, which is perfect for a cozy weekend. A generous amount of tender, shredded rotisserie chicken is added to this dish along with earthly mushrooms, rice, and a cream sauce for binding it all together. A fine layer of melted cheese is added on top, which will give a golden and perfect finish.
17. Broccoli-Cheddar Butter Beans
This bean-based dish is a cozy one, which will taste a bit like broccoli-Cheddar soup but in a skillet format. The butter beans add a certain creaminess and protein, which makes the dish quite filling for the main course. Broccoli brings texture, whereas the Cheddar cheese will melt to provide those classic flavours. Everything will come together in a single pan and create a thick texture, which will be best served with a crusty bread.
18. Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchilada Skillet
It is a wholesome one-pan meal which has a great amount of flavours. In it, the cubes of butternut squash and black beans are cooked in green enchilada sauce, and that too with tortilla strips. When it cooks, the tortillas will soak up all the sauce. It’s a vegetarian dish, which is a great option for busy weeknights and get-togethers.