Ratatouille is a simple dish of layered vegetables cooked until tender. We top it with fresh herbs and a splash of olive oil.
Healthy, simple, and pretty, serve these roasted vegetables with crusty bread or even pasta.
What is Ratatouille?
Ratatouille (rat-a-too-ee) comes from Nice, France, and is actually a simple but delicious vegetarian dish (and it was also in this style in the Disney movie of the same name).
There are two different ways this dish can be prepared. Either with chunked vegetables cooked in a broth resembling a vegetable stew or sliced and layered like as in this particular recipe.
If time allows, I prefer the presentation and texture of this sliced and layered ratatouille recipe. The roasting adds great flavor and I love the texture of the thinly sliced vegetables. It can be served as an elegant main dish, or as a beautiful side dish with chicken or pork chops!
Ingredients/Variations
This recipe is a great way to enjoy those fresh garden veggies and a hearty and healthy vegetarian entree!
VEGGIES Eggplant, tomatoes, and zucchini are sliced, then sauteed and arranged in layers in a pan. Yellow squash, peppers… add your favorite vegetables to the mixture.
SAUCE Crushed tomatoes, peppers, spices, garlic, and onion simmer together to create this delicious sauce! The diced pepper (or shredded carrot) adds a bit of sweetness to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
Short on time? Replace the homemade sauce with marinara.
How to Make Ratatouille
This delicious ratatouille recipe is simple to prepare.
- Simmer the sauce ingredients in a pan until thickened (per recipe below). Spread the sauce into a baking dish.
- Thinly slice vegetables (I use a mandolin) and stack them. Arrange the stacked vegetables on their side over the sauce. Brush with olive oil.
- Cover and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes or until the veggies are tender and browned.
Top with chopped basil, and serve immediately! A slice of homemade garlic bread or fresh french bread is the perfect pair for soaking up this delicious sauce!
As a side dish, serve with balsamic pork loin, roasted chicken breasts, or this easy grilled salmon recipe.
Got Leftovers?
Ratatouille makes great leftovers! Especially the next day when all of the flavors have had a chance to really blend together.
For leftovers, keep ratatouille in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you are ready to reheat, for up to a week. Refresh flavors with a little salt and pepper and enjoy!
Ratatouille can also be served cold on a bed of salad greens for a quick and nutritious lunch at work, too!
Delicious Vegetable Side Dishes
- Easy Ratatouille – made with chopped veggies
- Oven Baked Tomatoes – delicious garlic parmesan crust!
- Zucchini Casserole – just 3 main ingredients
- Easy Grilled Eggplant – just season, grill & serve!
- Easy Oven Roasted Asparagus – ready in 15 mins
Did you make this delicious Ratatouille? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Ratatouille
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 small onion chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded carrot or diced red bell pepper
- 14 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 small eggplant sliced
- 1 large zucchini sliced
- 3 roma tomatoes sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper or more to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook onion, garlic, and bell pepper in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat, 4-5 minutes or until tender.
- Add crushed tomatoes and seasonings and simmer 15 minutes or until thickened. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile, cut vegetables to 1/8" thickness.
- Pour sauce into a 2 qt baking dish. Arrange sliced vegetables standing up on their sides over the sauce. Brush with remaining olive oil.
- Cover and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve hot or warm.