🥘 Mediterranean Vegetable Casserole

Layers of tender veggies baked in olive oil, herbs, garlic, and tomato — rustic, fragrant, and incredibly satisfying.

🌿 Ingredients (4–6 servings)

Vegetables:

2 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
2 zucchinis, sliced
1 large eggplant, sliced into rounds
2 bell peppers (any color), sliced
1 large onion, sliced
1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes (or 2 large tomatoes, sliced)
3–4 garlic cloves, minced

Mediterranean seasoning:

4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp paprika
Salt & pepper to taste

Baking sauce (simple but important):

½ cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
¼ cup broth (vegetable or chicken)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice

Finish:

Fresh basil or parsley
Optional: feta cheese, olives, or a drizzle of olive oil

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prep the Vegetables

Slice all vegetables into similar thickness so they cook evenly.

Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).

2. Layer the Casserole

In a baking dish:

Add potatoes, zucchini, eggplant, onion, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
Sprinkle minced garlic over everything.
Drizzle with olive oil.
Add oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Toss gently with your hands until all the vegetables are coated.

Arrange neatly in layers or keep rustic — both work beautifully.

3. Add the Mediterranean Baking Sauce

Mix together in a bowl:

Tomato sauce
Broth
Olive oil
Lemon juice

Pour evenly over the vegetables.

4. Bake

Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

Remove foil and bake for another 20–25 minutes until the top is golden and vegetables are tender and caramelized.

5. Finish with Fresh Herbs

Sprinkle fresh parsley or basil.

Optional Mediterranean toppings:

Crumbled feta
Black olives
Drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil

🍽️ How to Serve

With warm pita or crusty bread
Over couscous, quinoa, or brown rice
Alongside grilled chicken or fish
With a dollop of Greek yogurt or tzatziki

💡 Tips

Add chickpeas to make it a complete meal.
For extra depth: add sun-dried tomatoes or artichokes.
For creamier texture: stir in a spoon of Greek yogurt when serving.
For spicy Mediterranean flavor: add chili flakes or Aleppo pepper.