Easy Ratatouille Recipe (Healthy + Delicious)
Ready in just an hour, this Ratatouille Recipe is more than just a vegetable stew. Hailing from the South of France with its medley of flavors and textures, it’s such a heartwarming and nutritious meal. Loaded with vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes, all simmered in a rich and herby sauce, Ratatouille is an amazing way to transform simple ingredients into something spectacular.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, if you purchase through those links, I earn a small commission. Thank you!
Why is this ratatouille recipe so good? I’ve been a vegetarian for 40 years, so I know my way around tasty, meat-free meals. My kitchen’s all about big flavors and this ratatouille is a prime example: simple, healthy, and oh-so-tasty. Perfect for anyone, whether you’re a pro in the kitchen or just starting out. Let’s whip up this easy veggie-packed dish!
Why You Will Love Making Ratatouille
Loaded with flavor and good-for-you ingredients, here’s why you’ll find joy in making this classic recipe:
- Simple Ingredients, Complex Flavors: This dish proves that you don’t need fancy ingredients to create a meal that’s bursting with flavor. Fresh vegetables, common herbs, and spices come together to form a dish that’s rich and satisfying.
- Goes With Anything: Whether you’re looking for a main course, a side dish, or even a hearty topping for pasta or rice, ratatouille fits the bill perfectly.
- Healthy Eating Made Delicious: Packed with vegetables and cooked in olive oil, this ratatouille recipe is a treasure trove of nutrients and flavors, making healthy eating an absolute pleasure.
- Perfect for Any Skill Level: Whether you’re a kitchen newbie or a seasoned cook, this recipe is straightforward and fun to make.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Make a big batch and enjoy it throughout the week – it’s one of those rare dishes that taste even better the next day!
- Adaptable to Dietary Needs: As it’s gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and easily adjustable to fit various dietary restrictions, this ratatouille welcomes everyone to the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Ratatouille with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Preparing this easy ratatouille recipe is a great introduction to French cooking, merging simplicity with sophistication. Here’s how to bring this classic dish to life in your kitchen:
Start with the Garlic
Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet and gently cook the sliced garlic cloves. This step infuses the oil with a rich, aromatic flavor, setting the stage for the other ingredients. Once fragrant, remove the garlic and set it aside.
Add the Veggies
In the same skillet, add the diced eggplant. Cook them until they’re beautifully browned on each side. Next, toss in the zucchini, red bell pepper, red onion, and green onion. Add the diced tomatoes too.
Cook everything for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want each vegetable to soften slightly and develop a bit of color.
Bring Back the Garlic
Reintroduce the garlic to the skillet along with the crushed tomatoes, garlic powder, dried thyme, oregano, and rosemary. Pour in the vegetable broth and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Let It Simmer
Here’s where the magic happens. Let the mixture simmer on low heat for about 45 minutes. Stir it occasionally to prevent sticking. If it seems too dry, feel free to add a bit more broth. This slow cooking allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Serve and Enjoy
Once the ratatouille has thickened to your liking, it’s ready to serve. Garnish with fresh herbs for an added touch of freshness and flavor. Enjoy your homemade ratatouille as a standalone dish, or pair it with your favorite grain for a more filling meal. Bon appétit!
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
To ensure your ratatouille turns out just right, here are some expert tips and important notes to keep in mind:
- Don’t Rush: Ratatouille is all about slow cooking. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors develop and meld together. Resist the urge to speed up the process!
- Chop Veggies Uniformly: Try to dice your vegetables into similar-sized pieces. This ensures they cook evenly and makes every bite perfectly balanced.
- Quality of Ingredients Matters: Since this dish is all about the veggies, using fresh, high-quality produce will significantly enhance the flavor.
- Adjust Seasoning to Taste: While the recipe gives a guideline, always taste and adjust the seasoning as per your preference. Sometimes a little more salt or a pinch of red pepper flakes can make all the difference.
- Use a Good Olive Oil: A high-quality olive oil not only adds to the healthy aspect, but also enriches the dish’s flavor profile.
- Experiment with Herbs: While the recipe suggests specific herbs, feel free to experiment with others like fresh basil or parsley for a different twist.
- What Can I Substitute for Eggplant in Ratatouille? If you’re not a fan of eggplant, you can substitute it with mushrooms or extra zucchini for a similar texture.
- Make Extra: Ratatouille tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop, so don’t hesitate to double the recipe and make a large batch.
How to Store Leftover Ratatouille
Enjoying ratatouille doesn’t end with the meal. Storing leftovers properly means you can enjoy this delightful dish for days. Here’s how to keep your ratatouille tasting fresh:
- Airtight Container: Let the ratatouille cool to room temperature, and then store your ratatouille in airtight containers.
- Refrigerate: Properly stored in the refrigerator, ratatouille can last up to 5 days. The flavors actually deepen and meld together over time, so it will taste even better the next day!
- Freezing: If you’ve made a large batch and can’t finish it within a few days, ratatouille freezes well. Just use freezer-safe containers. It can last for up to three months in the freezer. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Make-Ahead: Ratatouille often tastes better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld together, making it perfect to make ahead for a potluck. Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
What to Serve with This Easy Ratatouille Recipe
Pairing the right dishes with your ratatouille can transform it from a simple stew to a sumptuous feast. Here are some ideas to complement this French classic:
Perfect Pairings for a Hearty Meal
Ratatouille’s versatility makes it a fantastic side or main dish. For a heartier meal, serve it over a bed of fluffy quinoa, rice, or creamy polenta. These grains soak up the flavors and add a comforting texture.
Adding Protein
If you’re looking to add protein to the meal, consider grilled tofu, tempeh, or a sprinkle of chickpeas. Aim for a lean veggie protein that balances the rich flavors of the ratatouille.
Bread on the Side
There’s nothing quite like a crusty piece of bread to scoop up the delicious sauce. A fresh loaf of French Bread, sourdough, or even garlic bread can elevate the experience, adding a satisfying crunch and flavor.
More Vegetarian Dinner Recipes You Will Love
- Vegetarian Sausage Casserole
- Vegetarian Stew
- Best Vegetarian Chili
- Sweet Potato Tacos
- Black Bean Burger
Did you make this recipe? We’d love to know! Please leave a 5-star review below (it really helps!) and tag and follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, for more tasty inspiration!
Easy Ratatouille Recipe (Healthy + Delicious)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves sliced
- 1 eggplant diced
- 1 zucchini diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 red onion diced
- ½ green onion diced
- 2 tomatoes seeded and diced
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in an iron cast and add the garlic cloves. Cook for a couple of minutes to aromatize the garlic and reserve the garlic.2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 garlic cloves
- In the same oil, cook the eggplant, turning them over until they brown on every side.1 eggplant
- Add the zucchini, red bell pepper, red onion, green onion, tomatoes and cook for 15 minutes, turning them so all veggies brown.1 zucchini, 1 red bell pepper, 1 red onion, ½ green onion, 2 tomatoes
- Add the garlic again and the crushed tomatoes, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, rosemary, broth, salt and pepper.2 cups crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 2 cups vegetable broth, salt and pepper to taste
- Mix well and cook for 45 minutes at low heat – turning it occasionally so it doesn’t stick to the bottom (if it starts to dry out too much you can add more broth).
- Serve with fresh herbs.
Notes
- Don’t Rush: Ratatouille is all about slow cooking. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors develop and meld together. Resist the urge to speed up the process!
- Chop Veggies Uniformly: Try to dice your vegetables into similar-sized pieces. This ensures they cook evenly and makes every bite perfectly balanced.
- Quality of Ingredients Matters: Since this dish is all about the veggies, using fresh, high-quality produce will significantly enhance the flavor.
- Adjust Seasoning to Taste: While the recipe gives a guideline, always taste and adjust the seasoning as per your preference. Sometimes a little more salt or a pinch of red pepper flakes can make all the difference.
- Use a Good Olive Oil: A high-quality olive oil not only adds to the healthy aspect, but also enriches the dish’s flavor profile.
- Experiment with Herbs: While the recipe suggests specific herbs, feel free to experiment with others like fresh basil or parsley for a different twist.
- What Can I Substitute for Eggplant in Ratatouille? If you’re not a fan of eggplant, you can substitute it with mushrooms or extra zucchini for a similar texture.
- Make Extra: Ratatouille tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop, so don’t hesitate to double the recipe and make a large batch.
Storage Instructions
- Airtight Container: Let the ratatouille cool to room temperature, and then store your ratatouille in airtight containers.
- Refrigerate: Properly stored in the refrigerator, ratatouille can last up to 5 days. The flavors actually deepen and meld together over time, so it will taste even better the next day!
- Freezing: If you’ve made a large batch and can’t finish it within a few days, ratatouille freezes well. Just use freezer-safe containers. It can last for up to three months in the freezer. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Make-Ahead: Ratatouille often tastes better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld togethe, making it perfect to make ahead for a potluck. Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
Did you make this recipe?
We love hearing how you went with ours recipes! Tag us on Instagram at @splash_of_taste_uk
You may also like…
Perfectly Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice
Thai Jasmine Rice is the quiet hero of meal times, effortlessly turning the ordinary into something special with its lovely aroma and soft texture. This…
Easy Thai Peanut Curry Recipe (Better Than Take-Out!)
Comforting, exotic, and better than take-out, this Thai Peanut Curry is a must-try. Its rich, creamy texture and blend of spices and flavors make it…
