Marry Me Halloumi Recipe
📖 Description
This Marry Me Halloumi is a delightful twist on the viral Marry Me Chicken recipe. Instead of chicken, golden-fried halloumi is paired with a luscious, creamy sun-dried tomato and garlic sauce. The salty, chewy halloumi soaks up the savory sauce, making it an irresistible vegetarian dish. Perfect with pasta, rice, or warm flatbreads—it’s the kind of dish you’ll want to make again and again.
📝 Ingredients (Serves 2–3)
For the Halloumi:
- 250g block of halloumi cheese (sliced into ½-inch pieces)
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
For the Sauce:
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream (or double cream)
- ½ cup vegetable broth (or water)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or oregano + thyme mix)
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prepare the Halloumi
- Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Fry halloumi slices for 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Sauce
- In the same pan, melt butter. Add garlic and chili flakes, sauté until fragrant.
- Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in cream and vegetable broth. Stir gently.
- Add Parmesan and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine
- Add the fried halloumi back into the sauce. Spoon sauce over to coat well.
- Stir in fresh basil and season with salt & pepper.
- Serve
- Garnish with extra basil.
- Serve hot with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
💡 Notes & Tips
- Don’t over-fry halloumi; it can turn rubbery. Just golden is perfect.
- Adjust creaminess by adding extra broth if the sauce gets too thick.
- For vegan version: use vegan halloumi-style cheese and plant cream.
- Add spinach or mushrooms for more depth.
🍽 Servings
- Serves 2 generously or 3 as part of a larger meal.
🔢 Nutritional Info (Per Serving, approx.)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Protein: 20g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fat: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
🌿 Benefits
- High in protein & calcium thanks to halloumi.
- Vegetarian-friendly alternative to “Marry Me Chicken.”
- Rich in flavor from sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan.
- Versatile – serve it with pasta, rice, or bread for different styles of meals.
❓ Q&A
Q: Can I make this lighter?
A: Yes! Use half-and-half or evaporated milk instead of heavy cream.
Q: What pairs best with this dish?
A: It’s heavenly with rigatoni, gnocchi, or fluffy rice. Crusty bread also soaks up the sauce beautifully.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove—don’t microwave too long or halloumi gets rubbery.
Q: Can I make it spicy?
A: Add extra chili flakes or a dash of harissa paste for a bold kick.