Description
A vibrant Mediterranean Halloumi Veggie Bake featuring roasted zucchini, squash, onions, peppers, and grape tomatoes topped with salty halloumi cheese and a zesty herby garlic sauce. This easy baked dish combines fresh vegetables with Mediterranean flavors for a wholesome and satisfying vegetarian meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 zucchini, quartered lengthwise and sliced 1/2-inch thick
- 1 yellow squash, quartered lengthwise and sliced 1/2-inch thick
- 1 small red onion, halved and sliced 1/2-inch thick
- 1 bell pepper (red, orange, or yellow), diced 1/2-inch
- 1/2 cup halved grape tomatoes
- 5 garlic cloves, skin-on
Seasonings and Oil
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Cheese
- 1/2 lb halloumi cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Herby Garlic Sauce
- 1 cup parsley leaves
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp white wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready for roasting the vegetables.
- Roast Vegetables: On a sheet pan, combine the zucchini, yellow squash, red onion, diced bell pepper, halved grape tomatoes, and whole garlic cloves. Toss these with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Spread evenly and roast in the oven for 25 minutes or until the vegetables start to brown and soften.
- Prepare Herby Garlic Sauce: Once the garlic cloves are roasted and soft, squeeze the garlic out into a food processor. Add in the parsley leaves, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Puree the mixture while slowly drizzling in 1/4 to 1/3 cup olive oil until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Add Halloumi: Remove the roasted vegetables from the oven and add the cubes of halloumi cheese on top or mixed in gently. The residual heat will slightly soften the halloumi, enhancing its texture and flavor.
- Serve: Drizzle the herby garlic sauce over the roasted veggies and halloumi, toss gently if desired, and serve warm for a delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Notes
- You can substitute halloumi with other grill-friendly cheeses like feta if preferred, though flavor and texture will differ.
- Roasting garlic with the vegetables mellows its flavor, creating a sweeter, more aromatic sauce base.
- If you want a little extra char on the veggies, you can broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of roasting, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- For a vegan version, omit the halloumi and add chickpeas or tofu for protein.
- Serving suggestion: Great with warm pita bread or over a bed of couscous or quinoa.
