Considered one of the best diets in the world for overall health, the Mediterranean diet is also one of the easiest to follow—no cutting food groups! While this style of eating focuses on fruits and vegetables, it includes meat and other protein sources, like fish and legumes, and dairy. You don't have to travel far to enjoy Mediterranean favorites, either; you can make restaurant go-tos like this Classic Greek Salad at home with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, feta and an easy homemade dressing.

Why eat your salad with a fork when you can scoop it up with pita chips? That’s the whole idea behind this crunchy salad that's full of colorful chopped summer vegetables and dressed with creamy tahini dressing.

The relish is a bold, savory-sweet combo that works well with mild cauliflower, turning it into a flavorful side or vegetarian main.

A simple, yet impressive meal for just about any time of day. Shakshuka is thought to have originated in North Africa and is a popular dish in many parts of the region and the Middle East. In this dish, a wide array of spices and herbs can be used to flavor this cozy mixture of tomatoes, vegetables and eggs.

Lemon and chives on a pizza might sound strange, but it pairs perfectly with thin strips of zucchini and creamy ricotta. The tart citrus juice cuts through the rich cheese and provides just a hint of bright flavor with every bite.

Bobby’s Mediterranean-inspired appetizer does require a bit of time, but the end result is so worth it. He fires up the grill to get the eggplant tender and smoky, then purees it with tahini, olive oil, lemon and fresh spices to form a smooth and creamy dip. Serve with warm pita, lavash or fresh veggies for dipping.

The combination of fiber-packed, antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruit plus high-protein chickpeas and avocado makes this a well-balanced and satisfying salad. Spice up the mash with additional ingredients like mango, celery, cilantro or carrots, then enjoy it as a dip, sandwich filling or, in this case, a salad topper.

Give Greek salad a creative spin with a mixture of raw and roasted vegetables. The heat of the oven creates sweet and jammy tomatoes and bell peppers that are then tossed with crunchy cucumber and topped with an oregano-spiked dressing.

The eggplant recipe you can’t live without. Roast a few simple ingredients until warm and caramelized, and then blend to create an outrageously delicious spread that truly tastes good on anything.

Covered in spices and roasted to crispy perfection, chickpeas are a natural swap in these Mediterranean-inspired shawarma pitas. For a "cook once, eat twice" approach, transform any leftovers into a chickpea shawarma salad: Layer the vegetables with roasted chickpeas and top it with dollops of hummus-dill dressing.

Brush salmon with an olive oil-honey-vinegar mixture and broil to create a crispy crust. Serve with two Mediterranean favorites tomatoes and olives on the side.

Fresh lemon, mint and parsley lend a bright flavor to Ina’s tabbouleh salad. The dish only gets better the longer it sits, so feel free to prepare it in advance.

Olives, a key component of the Mediterranean diet, are made even more flavorful with the addition of freshly squeezed lemon and orange, plus garlic, thyme and spicy red pepper flakes.

Keep portions of pasta sensible by layering in plenty of fresh vegetables. Nutty whole wheat pasta is the perfect complement to parmesan, garlic and thin strips of sweet and tender zucchini. Finish with copious amounts of basil and red pepper flakes.

The fresh and bright flavors of citrus are further highlighted with tangy vinegar, Dijon mustard and a drizzle of olive oil – serve with grilled fish or lean cuts of pork or chicken.

Legumes like lentils provide the trifecta of fiber-filled carbs, healthy fats and plant-based protein. Their elegantly earth flavor is balanced with aromatic vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh oregano.

Steaming canned lentils (or any canned bean) for a few minutes softens them and freshens the flavor. While warm, they more readily absorb the oil and vinegar marinade in this recipe and become a full-flavored counterpart to roasted squash and creamy goat cheese.

In the Mediterranean, meals rely heavily on plant-based recipes favoring legumes, whole grains and loads of fresh vegetables and fruits. This recipe fully embraces that philosophy, borrowing a few of the classic cooking techniques and ingredient combinations from the region--firm black lentils from France and olive oil-fried eggs from Spain. This recipe is super simple, yet hearty enough to satisfy even the most hard-core meat eaters in your family.

We love scallops for delicious weeknight meals in a hurry because they cook in mere minutes. Just be careful not to overcook them here — they can become dried out very easily!

This dish looks particularly vibrant when you use a combination of sweet yellow, red and orange bell peppers. Pick the largest ones you can find, with the flattest, most stable bottoms so they remain standing once they're stuffed and baked in the tomato sauce.

The key to this colorful Mediterranean fish dish is braising thick potatoes, peppers and onions in olive oil with a hint of saffron. Cod is then gently simmered in this vegetable stew with a little chicken broth to create a beautiful, hearty one-pot meal.

Yes, you really can make and bake homemade pizza crust in less than 30 minutes! The trick is whipping up a pourable crust. Toppings like roasted eggplant and bell peppers, feta, artichokes, mint and lemon put a Greek-style twist on a classic pizza crust.

These peppers were inspired by a popular Mediterranean salad, filled with Israeli couscous, lentils, olives, herbs and plenty of feta. Loaded with fiber and plant-based protein, they are delicious and satisfying.

While there are a variety of za’atar spice blends, the majority of them include oregano, thyme, sumac and sesame seeds, making it a great short cut ingredient that imparts a lot of flavor. Za’atar, lemon zest and pistachio are mixed with panko to coat the halibut, giving this mild fish plenty of delicious fresh flavor with a crunch.

Preheating an empty baking sheet while the oven reaches the right temperature means the vegetables for this dish instantly start sizzling and cooking the second they hit the tray. It will cut down on the time it takes to roast them, while also ensuring they brown evenly.

Studded with raisins, lemon zest and pine nuts, this fluffy pilaf makes a flavorful, high-fiber side for chicken, salmon and pork.

Inspired by the ever-popular cauliflower steak, this recipe calls for broccoli instead. The stalks of broccoli are just as edible as the florets and contain the most fiber of the vegetable. Enjoy them with this herb and green olive relish.

Creamy white beans simmered in a broth of tomato, garlic and olive oil get an extra burst of flavor from fresh rosemary.

There’s no shortage of flavor with this quick-and-healthy dinner. The cauliflower is cooked with almonds, raisins and fragrant coriander – and finished with a bright pop of fresh lemon juice.

A tasty and unintimidating way to prepare salmon. Pile high with extra peppery arugula and serve on whole grain buns.

Lemony, garlic shrimp and briny artichokes are paired and tucked into convenient foil packets. Serve with a large salad, crusty bread or an ancient grain like farro or barley.

Vegetables and whole grains are staples of the Mediterranean diet, and this bowl of goodness is a delightful way to highlight them both. Full of protein and fiber, this dish is extra satisfying and full of flavor. Raisins and sunflower seeds add the perfect finishing touches of sweetness and crunch.