Easy Homemade Ratatouille Recipe (2024)

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Homemade ratatouille with thin slices of eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, onion, and Roma tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and served over seasoned tomato sauce. Great for using up leftover vegetables from the garden!

Easy Homemade Ratatouille Recipe (1)

Ratatouille Origin

Ratatouille originates in France and is known as “peasant food” that farmers threw together when their summer crops came in.

This particular recipe serves as a main or side dish and is very versatile.

It’s great as-is with a side of crusty bread or can be served with noodles, roasted chicken breast or fish, or even with eggs for breakfast.

I once cooked some spaghetti noodles al dente and placed them in the tomato sauce, then topped it with vegetables. My family loved it!

This dish is great for using leftover vegetables too and the choices are not limited to only those listed in this recipe.

Potatoes, sweet potatoes, red and green peppers, beets, carrots, leeks, or mushrooms are all great additions!

What’s homemade ratatouille made of?

Easy Homemade Ratatouille Recipe (2)
Easy Homemade Ratatouille Recipe (3)
  • Eggplant
  • Zucchini
  • Yellow Squash
  • Onion
  • Tomatoes
  • Olive Oil
  • Tomato Sauce
  • Italian Seasoning
  • Sweet Basil
  • Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Grated Parmesan for Topping
Easy Homemade Ratatouille Recipe (4)

The Perfect Slice

To get vegetables cut this fine it’s quickest and easiest to use a vegetable slicer. I love this slicer from Amazon.

It’s perfect for slicing and grating, everything stays confined to the container as you slice for easier cleanup, and your hand is protected while you slice with a vegetable holder.

Can you make ratatouille ahead?

Yes! It’s great to throw together in a dish (or deliberately place in a pretty pattern) a day ahead of time and cover in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

The next day, uncover and pop in the oven for the same baking time.

Easy Homemade Ratatouille Recipe (5)

How long does it last?

Ratatouille lasts up to 4-5 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Great recipes to serve homemade ratatouille with:

Easy Homemade Ratatouille Recipe (6)

Recipes that also use up leftover vegetables:

Easy Homemade Ratatouille Recipe (7)

Homemade Ratatouille

Homemade ratatouille with thin slices of eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, onion, and Roma tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and served over seasoned tomato sauce. Great for using up leftover vegetables from the garden!

4.80 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dishes

Cuisine: French

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 Servings

Author: Tiffany

Ingredients

  • 1 Large Eggplant
  • 1 Large Zucchini
  • 1 Large Yellow Squash
  • 1 Large Onion
  • 3 Roma Tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 14.5 ounce Can Tomato Sauce
  • 2 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon Sweet Basil
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • Black Pepper, to taste
  • Freshly Grated Parmesan, for topping

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Rinse all vegetables prior to cutting each into thin slices, about ⅛"-¼" thick coins.

  • Mix tomato sauce with Italian seasoning, sweet basil, and salt. In a baking dish with at least 2-3" sides pour the seasoned tomato sauce into the bottom and spread evenly.

  • Begin layering vegetables flat over the top of the tomato sauce in a circular pattern, alternating each vegetable as you go. Once the tomato sauce is completely covered with the beautifully colored vegetables, drizzle olive oil on top and sprinkle with salt and black pepper to taste.

  • Bake for 55-60 minutes until vegetables are tender and tomato sauce is bubbling. Sprinkle with grated parmesan before serving.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn referral fees from products I love and recommend at no extra cost to you.

Nutrition

Calories: 108 kcalCarbohydrates: 16.4 gProtein: 4 gFat: 4.5 gSaturated Fat: 0.8 gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2 gCholesterol: 4 mgSodium: 386 mgFiber: 6 gSugar: 10 g

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Hi, I’m Tiffany!

Easy Homemade Ratatouille Recipe (12)I'm the recipe developer and food photographer behind Simply Happenings. I'm also a wife, mom to two adventurous little boys, registered nurse, and live in the great Midwest. I like to feature quick 30-minute dinners, one-pot meals, and delicious recipes you can cook with all of your favorite household appliances. Read More →

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Easy Homemade Ratatouille Recipe (13)Kerry

    Could I use yellow zucchini instead of squash?

    Reply

    • Easy Homemade Ratatouille Recipe (14)Tiffany

      Yes, yellow zucchini can be used in place of yellow squash. It has a slightly sweeter flavor, but will be delicious in this blend of vegetables.

      -Tiffany

      Reply

  2. Easy Homemade Ratatouille Recipe (15)Nan

    I’d love to make like the picture with veggies standing on their sides. Do I need extra sauce for that?

    Reply

    • Easy Homemade Ratatouille Recipe (16)Tiffany

      No extra sauce is needed for the vegetables to stand upright. The 14.5 ounce can gives you plenty of sauce. Let me know how it turns out!

      Reply

  3. Easy Homemade Ratatouille Recipe (17)Angela

    Looks delicious! What size can of tomato sauce do you use?

    Reply

    • Easy Homemade Ratatouille Recipe (18)Tiffany

      I used one 14.5 ounce can and my dish was a 2 quart that’s 10″ round and the sauce came up about 1″- 1.5″. If you happen to use more vegetables or a bigger dish you might need more sauce than that to spread out.
      I apologize for not having the amount listed in the recipe card. There was an update to all my recipe cards recently and it seems like it deleted some of the amounts I had. I’m trying to fix them all, so thank you for pointing that one out!

      Reply

Easy Homemade Ratatouille Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the secret of a good ratatouille? ›

Cooking each vegetable separately before combining them in ratatouille ensures that each component cooks to the right texture and retains its distinct flavor. Different vegetables have varying cooking times; for instance, eggplants and peppers take longer to become tender compared to tomatoes and zucchini.

What is an ingredient in a ratatouille? ›

Ratatouille is traditionally made with tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, onions, and eggplant when they are at the peak of their season at the same time. Garlic, thyme, and basil are often added to the mix as well.

What is the correct order of steps for making ratatouille? ›

Directions
  1. Step 1: Start with garlic and onions. TMB Studio. ...
  2. Step 2: Saute the vegetables. TMB Studio. ...
  3. Step 3: Add the stock and seasonings. TMB Studio. ...
  4. Step 4: Peel the tomatoes. TMB Studio. ...
  5. Step 6: Combine everything and serve. TMB Studio.
Apr 12, 2024

What can I substitute for eggplant in ratatouille? ›

I substituted portabella mushrooms for eggplant, which was not only delicious, but also shaved about 30 minutes off the cooking time. I substituted jalapenos for bell pepper just for fun. At the end, I tried something a friend from Toulouse taught me: add eggs at the end and poach them lightly in the ratatouille.

How to enhance ratatouille? ›

Fresh herbs: Thyme and basil add a fresh quality, lightening the velvety stewed vegetables. Olive oil: Use a nice extra virgin olive oil with some personality, like our slightly peppery Spanish Hojiblanca. Acidity: Red wine and sherry vinegar add a depth of flavor, balancing the sweetness of the cooked vegetables.

Why is ratatouille so healthy? ›

Ratatouille is packed with dietary fiber, potassium, vitamins A, C and K, folate and much more. With so many vegetables included, you're bound to meet the recommended daily amount of veggies your body needs.

What does ratatouille mean in French? ›

The word ratatouille derives from the Occitan ratatolha and is related to the French ratouiller and tatouiller, expressive forms of the verb touiller, meaning "to stir up". From the late 18th century, in French, it merely indicated a coarse stew.

How was ratatouille originally made? ›

This beloved summer stew first emerged as a solution for hunger, as it was invented by poor farmers back in 1700s Provençe. With so many bellies to fill, nothing could go to waste. Accordingly, the French peasants would cook their leftover vegetables for hours to create a hearty, coarse stew.

What are the two ways ratatouille is commonly served? ›

Ratatouille is usually eaten as an appetiser or side dish, however you can also eat it as a main meal. In France, ratatouille is usually eaten with fish, quiche, or souffle.

What is the actual dish in ratatouille? ›

Ratatouille is a classic French dish from the region of Provence that consists of eggplant, onions, bell peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs that are quickly seared and then gently stewed. The result is a creamy delicious mixture of fresh vegetables that serves as a wonderful main or side dish.

Should I salt eggplant before ratatouille? ›

Not necessarily; it depends on what you're looking for in the finished dish. Though salting works when you want the eggplant to be creamy and tender — such as with parmigiana — in those cases where you want the eggplant to retain its shape and have a slightly firmer texture — such as ratatouille — you can skip it.

Does ratatouille have potatoes in it? ›

Ratatouille, made with delicious vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, and eggplant, is a flavorful vegetable stew originating in France. In this Italian Ratatouille Recipe, known as Ciambotta, you'll find the same bright and chunky summer vegetables plus some added potatoes and fresh herb pesto.

What is the difference between ratatouille and caponata? ›

But, to me, ratatouille is more of a saucy stew, and the veggies will vary depending on what you have on hand. Caponata is more of a salad or an appetizer that is altogether savory, sweet, and sour, thanks to the use of briny olives, salty capers, sweet raisins, and a spike of vinegar.

What makes ratatouille unique? ›

It is a good example of “peasant cooking,” food characteristic of a rural countryside that has been elevated to the status of fine dining, as presented in the eponymous Pixar film of 2007. Ratatouille is usually served warm, but it can also be eaten cold as a refreshment on a hot summer day.

How to make the perfect ratatouille in Disney Dreamlight Valley? ›

To make ratatouille in Disney Dreamlight Valley, you'll need to bring the following ingredients to any of the stoves/hobs in the game: eggplant (AKA aubergine), zucchini (AKA courgette), onion, tomato, and the spice of your choice. Simply chuck those food items into any active hob and your job will be done.

What is the main lesson of ratatouille? ›

Anyone can cook. This one is seriously emphasized in this movie by not only Chef Gusteau, but by the theme of the movie. And it's so true, if you want to cook, you can. If the rat in this movie can put that much precision into Ratatouille, you can throw together a new recipe.

What is the best way to eat ratatouille? ›

How to Serve Ratatouille. Ratatouille can be the main dish with a side of crusty bread or a salad accompanying a meal, but it's also good served over polenta, pasta, mashed potatoes, quinoa, and rice. Use it as a filling for omelets and tarts or as a side for grilled or roasted meats.

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