🥘 Mediterranean Beef and Vegetable Bake – Hearty, Flavorful & Nutritious

Here’s a detailed recipe for your Mediterranean Beef and Vegetable Bake — a hearty, wholesome, and flavor-packed meal perfect for family dinners. 🥩🍆🍅

🥘 Mediterranean Beef and Vegetable Bake – Hearty, Flavorful & Nutritious

Introduction

This Mediterranean Beef and Vegetable Bake is a comforting, one-dish meal that combines juicy ground beef with colorful vegetables and fragrant Mediterranean spices. Layers of tender eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes are mixed with savory beef, baked until golden and bubbly, and topped with melted cheese for a satisfying finish. This dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or entertaining guests, and it’s packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins — making it as nutritious as it is delicious.

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

For the Beef Mixture:

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup canned diced tomatoes

For the Vegetables:

• 1 medium zucchini, sliced into rounds
• 1 medium eggplant, sliced into rounds
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Topping:

• ½ cup grated mozzarella or feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
2. Cook the Beef Mixture:
   In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic until soft and fragrant. Add ground beef, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until beef is browned and fully cooked. Stir in diced tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Prepare the Vegetables:
   While the beef simmers, lightly toss zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
4. Assemble the Bake:
   Spread half of the vegetables in the bottom of the baking dish. Layer the cooked beef mixture over the vegetables, then top with the remaining vegetables. Sprinkle grated cheese evenly over the top.
5. Bake:
   Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden.
6. Garnish & Serve:
   Let the dish rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or basil before serving. Enjoy warm!

Tips & Variations

• Add olives or sun-dried tomatoes for extra Mediterranean flavor.
• Swap mozzarella for feta to make it more authentic.
• Serve with a side of crusty bread or quinoa to soak up the delicious juices.

This Mediterranean Beef and Vegetable Bake is rich, hearty, and packed with bold flavors — a wholesome, satisfying dish that the whole family will love. 🍆🥩🍅