This Mediterranean Tomato and Halloumi Bake has a rich, gooey sauce topped with the salty cheese. It’s a quick and healthy dinner that’s sure to become a go-to favourite when you need a speedy one-pot heartwarmer.
Please let’s just take a moment to appreciate what this veggie recipe brings us – the crunchy, salty, golden halloumi cheese on top of a good-for-the-soul Mediterranean-style tomato vegetable sauce.
We love halloumi and eat it lots in vegetarian dishes. The best thing is, this recipe is all chucked in one pot before being stuck under the grill for five minutes to get that crispy texture. Easy peasy.
You’ll love this recipe because:
✅ It’s packed full of goodness (3 of your 5 a day).
✅ It’s delicious, comforting, inexpensive and easy.
✅ Reheats well for a leftovers lunchtime treat!
FAQs about Mediterranean Tomato and Halloumi Bake
How many people does this serve?
Unlike most of my recipes, this recipe serves two people. However, to make more simply add more ingredients of course. A few more veggies, another tin of tomatoes and an extra pack of halloumi should do the trick.
Can I change the vegetables?
Yes! This rich sauce lends itself well to the courgettes and aubergine I put in, and it really does have that Mediterranean taste, but feel free to add anything you prefer. Mushrooms, peppers, peas or broccoli are tasty alternatives.
What side dishes go with the halloumi bake?
You can either serve this on its own or add a variety of side dishes. I love fresh crusty bread and butter (or oil) to dunk in, or you could go for a green salad with avocado. If you’d prefer something to soak up the sauce, you could try cous cous, orzo or bulgar when too.
MEDITERRANEAN TOMATO AND HALLOUMI BAKE: TOP TIPS
- Cook the sauce for longer if you have time. It’s not vital but it will be richer.
- I like to let the grilled halloumi cheese get really crispy and crunchy. You can cook remove it from the grill more quickly if you prefer it soft.
- This reheats surprisingly well and the leftovers make a great lunch.
Fancy more Halloumi recipes?
- Peanut Butter Noodles with Halloumi – A satay-style stir fry that’s so quick
- Halloumi Burgers – A delicious meat-free treat
- Halloumi Fajitas – A colourful Greek and Mexican combo recipe
Mediterranean Tomato and Halloumi Bake
Ingredients
- 1 tsp Olive oil Plus extra for brushing
- 1 Large Onion Peeled and chopped into chunks
- 3 Cloves Garlic Peeled and crushed
- 2 Medium Courgettes (Zucchini) Chopped into chunks
- 1 Large Aubergine (Egg plant) Chopped into chunks
- 1 tsp Ground cumin
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 400 g Tin of chopped tomatoes
- 1 tbsp Tomato puree See notes
- 1 tsp Honey
- Salt and pepper
- 250 g Halloumi cheese
Optional
- Fresh parsley or basil to garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large lidded frying pan. Add the onion and garlic and soften for 5 minutes.
- Add the courgettes, aubergine, cumin and smoked paprika and cook for a further 5 minutes until softened.
- Add the tinned tomatoes, tomato puree, honey and salt and pepper. Half fill the empty tomato can with water and splosh in too. Pop the lid on the pan and let everything cook down for about 10 minutes. (See notes below.)
- Preheat the grill to very hot.
- When the sauce had thickened and softened, cut the halloumi cheese into thin slices, place on top of the vegetable sauce and brush (or spray) with oil.
- Pop under the grill for about 5 minutes until the cheese is crunchy and golden.
Hannah says
Soooo bloomin good!
I have made this twice now, as a quick tasty Friday dinner after work.
The first time I did it pretty similar to the recipe, but second time the supermarket had no courgette so I used 2 peppers instead – a really good variation.
Really easy and a good way to eat veg too.
You have to try this if you love halloumi, and to be honest.. who doesn’t love the squeeeeeeky cheeeeeese!?!?
Sarah Barnes says
Hi Hannah, thanks so much for your comment and rating. Really pleased you’re enjoying the recipe 🙂
Rachel says
So tasty, so easy!! Win win!!
Emma T says
Im not a fan ofaubergine or courgwtte but thia still sounds amazing and i could do a vqriqtion on the veg. I did want to pin it but i can’t find your pin buttons on mobile.
Emma T says
Oh after posting a comment, your share buttons are at the bottom for a short mkment before the ad covers it up.
Vicky says
This is an absolute winner! I add extra tomatoes and put in some chorizo to help it go further. It’s a big hit with friends for dinner. Thank you so much. Your recipes are fab.
Pippa says
Super easy and very tasty mid week meal.
My husband likes to cook so I rarely get chance to have a go at new recipes.
I love taming twins recipes so with a pack of halloumi needing using up this was a perfect choice.
I left to stew for half an hour and the sauce was rich and tasty.
Only faux par was I used hot paprika not smoked but still tasty with an added kick. Thoroughly recommend
Jack William says
Looks so delicious and perfect for parties!
Lesley Leonard says
Followed the recipe exactly the first time , really tasty and hubby actually ate aubergine ( his nemesis ) Making again tonight but adding chorizo as it needs using up , Top marks sarah 👍🏽
Bettina says
My hubby and me just love love love this recipe. It’s just perfect 😍
Jennie says
Hi Going to get son to make this for lunch – Not a halloumi cook – Could he put breadcrumds on it to get a cruchy top or would that not work – Thanks
Patricia Jolly says
So tasty!! I added the chilli and oregano, sliced red pepper and sundried tomatoes. Cooked it for and hour then under the grill. Such a rich sauce. So easy too!
Geoff says
Added gnocci into the veg sauce to make a meal for 3 and enjoyed but us all. Looking forward to trying more of your veggie recipes.
Geoff says
Added gnocci into the veg sauce to make a meal for 3 and enjoyed by us all. Looking forward to trying more of your veggie recipes.
Michelle Leigh says
Beautiful meal, as a vegetarian it’s great to have this.
Amber says
One of my favourite recipes ❤️ If I have left overs i then blitz up the remainders and use it as a pasta sauce as well 😃 yum!
Hannah says
Love this! I make it quite regularly, very easy and yuuuuum!
Elly says
Absolutely amazing. So delicious and we’ve made this so many times now. Have served with sourdough, but also works really well served with roasted sweet potato chunks. Love this recipe – it’s already become a firm favourite!
Nina Gayden says
After committing to reducing our meat intake this has become one of our firm favourites! Feeds 2 adults and 1 child here. I also leave my veg simmering for at least 30min so the sauce of lovely and rich.
Sandra says
Added a can of chickpeas and a bit more spices (also added some ginger and curcuma), plus some harissa, and served over coucous! Would have loved Israeli couscous, but couldn’t find any… Simple, quick, healthy, delicious!
Barbara says
Such a lovely tasty supper. Looks beautiful presented in the pan at the table. We have a caravan so when allowed I’ll make this while we are away. Thank you
Kim says
Another stunning dish. Super tasty. I added some spinach at the end. Served it with some sourdough bread. Excellent meal. Thank you!
Debbie says
Hi if doubling recipe for 4 how much water do you put in. Many thanks.
Sarah Barnes says
Double 🙂
Lauren says
My favourite meat free Monday dish and a great one to use up leftover veg.
Hilary says
Absolutely DELICIOUS! The smoked paprika makes it. I had onions, tomatoes, mushrooms and a red pepper to hand, so they all went in. The halloumi didn’t seem to brown until ai brushed on oil. I am now, officially, stuffed full!
Donna says
First time doing this recipe and went down an absolute treat! 👌 I used courgette, red & yellow pepper instead of Aubergines also added veg stock and served with couscous the whole dish was packed full of flavour I managed to feed 2 adults 2 kids and had some left over for hubby to take to work for his night shift even my daughter who is the fussiest child I’ve ever known with food demolished the plate without a whinge or a cringe so for that I thank you! We are a vegetarian family and this will be a regular dish in our home from now on! 😊
Bev says
Absolutely lovely!! My partner doesn’t like aubergines but he admitted it was lovely, served with a couple of crusty rolls. I didn’t have any tomato puree so just added a dollop of tomato ketchup but it was still so tasty. A winner in our house.
Selenia says
The first time I cooked I have not Halloumi cheese and I used Paneer. Today I use Halloumi and I think is much better Paneer.
Tracy Doughty says
Absolutely delicious , made it for the first time today, we be making it again that’s for sure 🙂
Zena says
Just made this.. fabulous..squeaky cheese is a favourite in my house nice to have a different way of serving it
Emily says
So simple, yet bursting with flavour. Even my meat loving husband has asked me to make this again.
Put the basil leaves in the mix and served with crusty rolls and butter. Divine!
Kay Stevens says
Another stonking dinner idea! The family are absolutely loving all these new meals and I for one love hiding all the extra veg in! Tasty, affordable and filling!
Kelly says
Amazing, absolutely delicious! Winner with my family.
Kerry says
Tried recipe tonight as it is. Thumbs up from all family, including the courgette hating girl child! A fantastic easy cheap meal, giving the meat a rest as well, couldn’t fault it, definitely making it again!
Ellie says
I’ve had this twice in the same week! So bloody good 🙂 I added a few extras- roasted red peppers and a little bit of cayenne for an added kick…. Fantastic receipt! I’ve shared it with so many other already…. Can’t wait to try some different recipes of yours
Mariela says
I added hot pepper flakes! I didn’t have a pan big enough, so there’s enough for a second pan next week, already prepped 🙂
Thanks for the yummy recipe.
E says
So yummy! I’ve made this a couple of times now, perfect for midweek. I’ve served with salad and couscous.
Lela says
This was delicious! The spices were perfect! I used the veg that the recipe called for and added roasted red bell peppers, green bell pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes, because I had it on hand. My whole family loved it, and I will definitely be making it again!
Sarah says
Love this! 1st time I made it we had lots left over so I froze it.
Grabbed the leftovers from the freezer today and to bulk it out a bit for 3 I added chorizo and chickpeas.
So delicious!
Jess says
This was so good! I made for one person and didn’t have aubergine so swapped for celery. Will definitely make it again.
Julie says
Blooomin gorgeous! Made double so we get to enjoy it all over again tomorrow mmmm
Thankyou for all the recipes you share xx
Ruth says
This is so tasty! Such a simple recipe that packs a stack of flavour. My non vegi son regularly asks me to make this for dinner as it’s one of his favs.
Charlotte says
Delish!
Husband not a fan of cumin so second time round added basil & oregano instead topped up with orzo.
Thanks Sarah for all the recipes, definitely helping a frazzled Mum.
Andrew Mitchell says
Thought I had to leave a message about this dish. Just finished it and not only did I really find it a tasty, delicious meal, I enjoyed making it too – and I’m no cook! Thank you!