These are our top 10 best Mediterranean recipes for the year 2025. From Mediterranean pasta recipes like Greek Pastitsio and creamy Greek pasta salad to chicken recipes (everyone loves those!) and delicious Mediterranean desserts like Italian amaretti cookies, this list has it all.
Jump to:
- 1. How to Cook Israeli Couscous (Pearl Couscous)
- 2. Soft Amaretti (Italian Almond Cookies)
- 3. Pastitsio - Greek Pasta Bake
- 4. Freddo Espresso
- 5. Greek Baked Chicken and Rice
- 6. Turkey Chili (Mediterranean Style)
- 7. Spanish Beans with chorizo sausage
- 8. Greek Spinach Pie (Spanakopita)
- 9. Creamy Greek Pasta Salad
- 10. Pearl Couscous Salad
Everyone loves Mediterranean food!
The authentic Mediterranean cuisine is full of fresh ingredients and whole foods. It's not only delicious but it also makes you feel good. That's why I always urge people to try to incorporate as many Mediterranean recipes as they can in their weekly meal planning.
And if you want a full month of Mediterranean food without having to think it too much, then check this monthly meal plan.
Note: If you follow the Mediterranean Diet, some of the recipes (such as the amaretti) may not fit well to your diet plan. However, everything in the Mediterranean way of eating has to do with moderation, so if you eat 1-2 amaretti on special occasions (such as Christmas) I'm sure that even your dietologist will agree that it's okay!
1. How to Cook Israeli Couscous (Pearl Couscous)
Israeli pearl couscous is a type of pasta made with semolina flour mixed with water. This type of couscous resembles small pearls, hence the name.
In this article you'll learn 3 different ways to make it, depending on the purpose you want it. It's the perfect side dish for practically everything!
2. Soft Amaretti (Italian Almond Cookies)
These Italian almond cookies (a.k.a. soft amaretti or amaretti morbidi) appear in my kitchen very often because they're quick and easy to make, they taste delicious (especially if you love the almond flavor) and they require 3 basic ingredients (egg whites, almond flour, sugar), plus some aromatics and a pinch of salt.
Covered with powdered sugar, they're the perfect Christmas cookies, because of their snowy appearance!
3. Pastitsio - Greek Pasta Bake
Pastitsio is certainly one of the best Mediterranean recipes! You may also know it as Greek pasta bake or Greek lasagna, and this is the food to serve whenever you want your loved ones to sit around the table and offer them a hearty and cozy dinner, a dinner that will warm their hearts and fill their bellies.
4. Freddo Espresso
Every coffee lover should know how to make a freddo espresso at home. This easy Greek recipe for iced coffee is very simple to make but you need to know a few basic tips in order to make it perfect. Though it is generally enjoyed throughout summer, many Greeks drink it during the winter too.
5. Greek Baked Chicken and Rice
Greek chicken and rice is a staple in many Greek households not only because it's easy but also because it's delicious and healthy at the same time. This recipe is even healthier because it requires brown rice and uses additional vegetables for taste and more nutrients.
Chicken thighs are used mainly because it's almost impossible to dry them out, but you can also make it with chicken breast. And no marinade is needed! Just a bit of olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice that go into the baking dish with the rest of the ingredients.
Another similar Greek favorite worth checking is this recipe for Greek Baked Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes.
6. Turkey Chili (Mediterranean Style)
This is not exactly a traditional Mediterranean dish, but it has all the ingredients commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine, plus it's delicious and wholesome.
This Mediterranean style chili is made with ground turkey, beans and a homemade chili seasoning and my friends call it award winning because it's the best chili recipe they've had!
This dish is the one of the best winter recipes. Eat it with with some pita bread on a cold night and it will warm your soul.
7. Spanish Beans with chorizo sausage
This Spanish white bean stew with chorizo sausage is so good that everyone will believe you spent hours in the kitchen making it! The chorizo flavors the beans so beautifully, that even the ones who don't like beans will certainly try a tablespoon or two. And who knows, you may turn them into bean lovers!
8. Greek Spinach Pie (Spanakopita)
You only need 7 simple ingredients to make the best Greek spinach pie (Spanakopita). And by following this authentic recipe with an easy step-by-step guide (plus a video and ALL the tips) you'll make it even better than my grandma! (If you're vegan just skip the feta cheese).
9. Creamy Greek Pasta Salad
Though you can certainly enjoy it throughout the year, this is one of the best summer pasta salad recipes (I prefer to eat it cold or slightly chilled from the fridge and most of the veggies are in season during the summer, when their flavor is the most intense and sweet).
You can also make it with orzo pasta or try it with quinoa!
10. Pearl Couscous Salad
A staple of the Mediterranean cuisine, this pearl couscous salad with feta, cucumber, tomato and an easy dressing is a must-try. The toasted couscous makes all the difference!
As most salad recipes this is very customizable, so you can make it vegan by replacing the feta with chickpeas or you can add dried cranberries (or raisins) for a delicious twist.
Is there another recipe I believe should have been on this list?
Yes!
These 4-hour oven baked chickpeas (Greek Revithada) can make any chickpea hater love chickpeas. This is an extraordinary but very easy and simple Greek chickpeas recipe that will rock your world. Give it a try!
Leave a Reply