Best Ratatouille Recipe
Nothing beats this easy ratatouille recipe when you’re looking to impress a mostly vegetarian crowd. We say mostly because even the biggest meat eaters will love this ratatouille dish. Tender, melt-in-your-mouth, golden brown veggies in a tomatoey, garlicky, herby sauce from scratch elevates any menu. While it only takes about an hour and a half, your loved ones will think that you were in the kitchen all day! The best part? The flavor will continue to improve and develop day after day if there are any leftovers (which we doubt!). Vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free guests rejoice – there’s finally a veggie option that matches the energy of every other comforting side!
What is Ratatouille
While many of us know ratatouille as a movie about a small, adorable rat who can cook, most of us don’t actually know what is ratatouille usually made of! In most cases, this vegetable-filled, stew-like dish that originated in Nice, France, is made best in season due to the fact that it’s made with a variety of fresh, slow-roasted summer vegetables such as zucchini, squash, and tomatoes and paired with herbs like basil and thyme.
While many traditional ratatouille recipes call for the use of a mandolin for thin, layered slices and hours in the oven, in our stove top ratatouille we cube everything and cook it in a heavy-bottomed pan to keep it super simple. For this ratatouille recipe, you’ll need:
Eggplant
Zucchini
Yellow summer squash
Kosher salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
Garlic powder and garlic cloves
Extra-virgin olive oil
Yellow onion, chopped
Fresh thyme
Roma tomatoes
Bell peppers
Fresh basil
Crusty bread
What to Serve with Homemade Ratatouille
As the French do, we like to pair this ratatouille dish with bright, bold, comforting flavors! For mains, it goes beautifully with Salmon en Papillote (Salmon in Parchment), Wine Braised Beef with Mushrooms, Chicken Provençal, Herb Crusted Pork Roast with Port Wine Sauce, or Mushroom Ragù with Polenta. Make it hearty and pair it with a carby side like Lemon Rice, White Rice, Creamy Polenta, Cauliflower Gnocchi, or Perfect Couscous. We also love a slightly more involved carb-forward main such as Wild Mushroom Risotto, Pasta Carbonara, or creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese. One thing is for sure, Sourdough Bread is a must!
How to Make Easy Ratatouille
Follow our step-by-step instructions for a rich, flavorful, and easy ratatouille recipe:
Chop everything! There are a handful of vegetables to cut up for this colorful garden vegetable stew – but – don’t fret, pop on your favorite album and enjoy! Pro tip: try to cut everything uniformly so it cooks evenly and looks beautiful!
Cook in batches! The vegetable mix should turn a golden brown color and slightly caramelize on the bottom, deepening the flavor! The easiest way to achieve this is by making sure there is only a single layer so the vegetables don’t steam but rather roast. After the large diced vegetables are finished, you’ll remove the mixture and cook the onion, garlic, tomato, and herb mixture!
Let the flavors marry! Add the vegetable mixture into the tomato mixture and allow the stew to cook until you’re satisfied with the texture. We recommend cooking the vegetables for at least 30 minutes until they are nice and tender. However, you can continue to cook the ratatouille for up to 1 hour until they have gotten even softer and almost stew-like.
Simple Tools You’ll Need For Homemade Ratatouille
Plant-Based Doesn’t Mean Bland! Try These Flavorful Vegetarian Side Dish Ideas!
We’re always looking for ways to get our veggies in! This hearty, slow-cooked ratatouille is packed with em’ but when we’re looking for something different, we like:
The Most Comforting Yet Healthy Side: Ratatouille
Did you impress your guests with this vegetable ratatouille? We want to see all the gorgeous colors! Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!
