There’s something about the very end of summer that makes me want to squeeze in every last bit of sunshine on my plate—bright flavors, juicy tomatoes, plenty of herbs, and lots of olive oil. This collection is full of easy Mediterranean-inspired meals that do exactly that, from Greek Grilled Chicken Salad and Spanish Garlic Shrimp to 10-Minute Fattoush. These are the recipes to make on repeat while summer’s still hanging on.
01 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
Get Recipe: Easy Spinach-Feta Pasta
“To make my pasta-fied version of spanakopita, you’ll make a purée of spinach, garlic, oregano, feta, and olive oil, and spike it with lemon juice. This bright green sauce coats the pasta. It’s delicious tossed with warm penne and served right away or chilled and served as a pasta salad.” —Robin Asbell, Recipe Developer
02 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Margaret Dickey / Prop Styling by Julia Bayless
Get Recipe: Salmorejo Panzanella Salad
“The traditional Serrano ham (or prosciutto) and hard-cooked eggs bulk up the salad into a light meal that’s perfect for summer evenings. It’s salty and funky from the cured meat, hearty and creamy from the eggs, zippy from the vinaigrette, and gorgeously juicy from the peak-season tomatoes. The bread absorbs it all, creating lots of contrasting chewy-yet-crusty texture.” —Afton Cyrus, Senior Editor
03 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
Get Recipe: Greek Grilled Chicken Salad
“My favorite aspect of this recipe is how quickly it comes together—in just half an hour, to be exact. After you whisk together a simple vinaigrette, you use half to quickly marinate the chicken and save half to dress the salad. The dressing makes the chicken extra juicy and moist, and gives the salad a bright, garlicky, herby flavor.” —Rebecca Fennel, Recipe Developer
04 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Ward / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel
Get Recipe: Pan Bagnat (French Tuna Sandwich)
“The hallmark of this sandwich is its very sogginess: The bread is doused with olive oil before being filled, and then pressed so that it absorbs all the juices from the tuna fish and other ingredients. This makes a delicious concert of ingredients that marry together as the sandwich sits. Crusty bread ensures that the insides are soft, but outside of the bread stays firm.” —Sally Vargas, Recipe Developer
05 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Alexandra Shytsman
Get Recipe: Lemon Orzotto With Spinach and Peas
“Orzo—the elongated rice-shaped pasta—has quickly become one of my go-to cupboard staples. It’s quick-cooking, can be paired with many different flavors, and takes on a cozy, creamy texture when simmered. All of these factors make it an ideal stand-in for rice in ‘orzotto.’”—Alexandra Shytsman, Recipe Developer
06 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photography by Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Styling by Claire Spollen, Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey
Get Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken Salad
“This chicken salad leans bright, briny, and savory with a Mediterranean feel that keeps it from tasting heavy. The olives bring a salty, slightly tangy punch that the touch of mayo tempers into a creamy, cohesive bite.” —Sara Bir, former Senior Editor
07 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hauser
Get Recipe: Spanish Garlic Shrimp (Gambas al Ajillo)
“Now I make the dish at home using this incredibly easy recipe. Similar to shrimp scampi, this dish utilizes fruity olive oil instead of butter and lots and lots of garlic. A little sherry vinegar at the end amps up the flavors and creates a pan sauce.” —Laurel Randolph, former Associate Editorial Director
08 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne
Get Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Vegetables
“I like seeing the world outside of my box, and if that means also learning some new skills, then I’m all in. Saying ‘yes’ is how I learned to use the grill instead of fearing it, and how I learned to make one of the simplest, most delicious vegetable dishes: balsamic grilled vegetables.” —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer
09 of 15
Credit: Sally Vargas
Get Recipe: Greek Chicken Skewers with Yogurt Sauce
“This is fast food at its finest: simple, delicious, and healthy! Eat them by folding the flatbread in half around the chicken and chowing down.” —Sally Vargas, Recipe Developer
10 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne
Get Recipe: Summer Tortellini Skillet
“In the thick of summer, my garden teems with tomatoes and zucchini and my market basket overflows with sweet corn. All of that bounty inspired me to create this easy, one-pan summer supper. It combines fresh cheese tortellini with the aforementioned vegetables, making a quick, lightly saucy situation. Cooking the pasta and vegetables in one pan brings all the flavors together into one harmonious meal.” —Stephanie A Ganz, Recipe Developer
11 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
Get Recipe: Warm Lentil Salad With Tomatoes
“Make it a main: I add heft to this salad by adding roasted chicken thighs or cooked frozen fish fillets. Any cooked protein, even leftovers, would be lovely here, as would a variety of roasted seasonal vegetables.” —Lou Perseghin, Recipe Developer
12 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Abby Armstrong
Get Recipe: 10-Minute Fattoush (Crunchy Romaine and Pita Salad)
“The name fattoush comes from the word ‘fatta,’ which means ‘to crumble’ in Arabic. It’s a bread salad with a purpose: Stale or leftover pita is torn, crisped, then tossed into the juicy salad, where it soaks up the flavorful dressing and becomes the best part of the mix—a textural masterpiece and vehicle for big, vibrant flavor.” —Anne Wolf, Recipe Developer
13 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
Get Recipe: Microwave Shakshuka
“There are many versions—this one has bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, and is made in the microwave, perfect for when you don’t have access to a stove top or don’t want to heat up the kitchen. It’s full of spices, like cumin, coriander, and a pinch of cinnamon. The smells remind us of being in a spice market or baking gingerbread, so warm and comforting!” —Myo Quinn, former Associate Editorial Director
14 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Dera Burreson / Food Styling by Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling by Breanna Ghazali
Get Recipe: Niçoise Salad
“Salade Niçoise (pronounced nee-suahz) is essentially a French composed salad, much like our American Cobb salad, but with tuna, green beans, and potatoes, instead of chicken, bacon, and avocado.” —Elise Bauer, Founder
15 of 15
Credit: Sabrina Modelle
Get Recipe: Mediterranean Chickpea Bowls With Tahini Sauce
“While I love all the various flavors and spices found in Mediterranean food, one of the things I find that I like most about this cuisine is the way textures, colors, and even temperatures are often combined in a single dish.” —Sabrina Modelle, Recipe Developer
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