Roasted Feta with Mediterranean Veggies Recipe
This Roasted Feta Mediterranean Veggies recipe combines creamy, tangy feta cheese with a colorful medley of roasted cherry tomatoes, zucchini, yellow bell pepper, and red onion. Seasoned with olive oil, fresh thyme or oregano, garlic, and a touch of spice, the vegetables are roasted to perfection to develop rich caramelized flavors, making it an easy and delicious Mediterranean-inspired dish perfect for a vibrant side or a light main served with crusty bread or grains.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese
- 1 block (6-8 ounces) feta cheese
Vegetables
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (mixed colors if available)
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- 1 yellow bell pepper, deseeded and cut into 1-inch strips
- 1/2 small red onion, cut into wedges
Seasonings and Oil
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced, optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
- Salt to taste (remember feta is salty!)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep for Perfection: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the block of feta cheese in the center of a large baking dish just big enough to hold all the ingredients in a single layer.
- The Flavor Depth Hack (Part 1: Staggered Roasting Start): In a large bowl, combine yellow bell pepper strips and red onion wedges. Drizzle with half of the olive oil, half of the thyme leaves or oregano, garlic powder (if using), black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Toss thoroughly to coat all pieces, then arrange these seasoned vegetables evenly around the feta in the baking dish.
- Initial Roast for Caramelization: Bake the feta and the denser vegetables for 10-15 minutes to allow softening and caramelized edges to develop.
- The Flavor Depth Hack (Part 2: Preventing Soggy Veggies): While the first batch roasts, use the same bowl to combine cherry tomatoes and zucchini slices. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and thyme leaves or oregano. Toss gently to coat.
- Combine and Finish Roasting to Deliciousness: Remove the baking dish from the oven and add the cherry tomatoes and zucchini around the other vegetables and feta. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until all vegetables are tender, lightly browned, blistered, and the feta is soft and starting to golden on top. Total cook time is 20-30 minutes.
- Serve It Up: Carefully take out the baking dish and gently stir the roasted vegetables to mix with the creamy melted feta and flavorful juices. Taste and add a little salt as needed. Drizzle with extra olive oil and fresh thyme if desired. Serve immediately with crusty bread or over pasta or grains for a complete meal.
Notes
- Feta cheese is naturally salty, so add salt sparingly towards the end.
- Use fresh thyme for a more pronounced herb flavor; dried oregano works well as a substitute.
- For a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes according to your taste.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful juices or over grains for a hearty meal.
- Make sure to roast vegetables in a single layer for best caramelization results.
Keywords: roasted feta, Mediterranean vegetables, baked feta, healthy vegetable side, easy vegetarian recipe, roasted cherry tomatoes, zucchini recipes
