7 Mediterranean Fall Recipes

Fall is my favorite season. The crisp air, vibrant foliage, and bountiful harvest create the perfect backdrop for heartwarming meals. This season, we’re fortunate to have pear, apple, and peach trees. Our farm share has been generous with fall produce—plenty of squash, potatoes, peppers, beets, and tomatoes, all perfect for creating cozy Mediterranean fall recipes.

From roasting fresh vegetables to making hearty soups, the Mediterranean diet beautifully incorporates these autumn ingredients into healthy, delicious meals. Below are seven Mediterranean fall recipes that celebrate the rich flavors of the season, using nutritious ingredients like lentils, tomatoes, and extra virgin olive oil.

Here are 7 of our favorite Mediterranean Fall recipes:

Lentil Soup with Olive Oil and Orange

Lentil soup is a classic Mediterranean dish perfect for chilly fall nights. This recipe, inspired by traditional Cretan cuisine, blends hearty lentils with aromatic olive oil and a citrusy hint of orange. It’s not only comforting but also packed with protein and fiber, making it an ideal dish for the Mediterranean diet. Serve it with crusty sourdough bread for a complete meal.

Lentil Soup with Olive Oil and Orange

Kalamata Olive and Chicken Paella

This version of paella highlights earthy fall flavors with Kalamata olives and tender chicken. While many people associate paella with seafood, this recipe focuses on the Mediterranean tradition of vegetable-rich paella (paella de verduras). Packed with seasonal vegetables and bold Mediterranean spices, this dish is perfect for a family fall dinner.

Kalamata Olive and Chicken Paella

Sheet Pan Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant, abundant in the fall, shines in this lighter version of a classic Mediterranean dish. By baking the eggplant instead of frying it, you can achieve a crispy texture without the heaviness of excess oil. This sheet pan recipe is convenient and easy to clean up, making it a weeknight favorite.

Sheet Pan Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes with Garlic and Balsamic

Roasted cherry tomatoes add a burst of flavor to any meal, and fall is the perfect time to make the most of tomato harvests. Whether served with pasta, spread over toast, or as a topping for baked fish, this versatile recipe is one of my go-to Mediterranean dishes for the fall. The sweetness of the balsamic vinegar pairs beautifully with the savory garlic, creating a balanced flavor profile that’s perfect for fall.

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes with Garlic and Balsamic

Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Peppers and Onions

Sheet pan meals are a busy cook’s dream, and this one, featuring chicken thighs, sweet bell peppers, and onions, brings the cozy flavors of fall right to your table. Inspired by Mediterranean flavors, this dish is baked in the oven, creating a savory meal with minimal cleanup. It’s a fantastic recipe to enjoy with family during the week.

Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Peppers and Onions

Greek Moussaka (Eggplant Lasagna)

Moussaka is the ultimate Mediterranean comfort food for fall. This baked casserole layers fried eggplant and zucchini with a rich, cinnamon-spiced meat sauce and a creamy béchamel topping. The flavors of cinnamon and red wine make this dish perfect for cozy fall evenings.

Greek Moussaka (Eggplant Lasagna)

Gratin of Tomatoes and Zucchini

This Mediterranean-inspired gratin brings together the last of summer’s tomatoes and fall’s zucchini in a warm, hearty dish. It’s a Mediterranean staple that showcases the season’s best produce with fresh herbs and a golden breadcrumb topping. Perfect for a family gathering or holiday table, this recipe celebrates the flavors of fall with a Mediterranean twist.

This terrific Mediterranean Diet recipe is by Nancy Harmon Jenkins. Nancy is a celebrated food writer and Mediterranean Diet and cuisine expert, who splits her time between an olive farm in Tuscany and her home on the coast of Maine. She is the author of “The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook,” published in 1993. She has written many acclaimed cookbooks and we are sharing a recipe from her latest book, “Virgin Territory: Exploring The World of Olive Oil.”

Gratin of Tomatoes and Zucchini

Fall in Love with Mediterranean Flavors

The Mediterranean diet is all about using fresh, seasonal ingredients, and fall is no exception. These Mediterranean fall recipes will fill your home with the fragrant aromas of the season while keeping your meals light, healthy, and delicious. Whether you’re preparing a hearty soup, roasting vegetables, or enjoying a classic dish like Moussaka, these recipes are sure to become staples in your autumn kitchen.