Easy Ratatouille Recipe
This Easy Ratatouille Recipe is one of my popular posts. You can make one day in advance, keep in the fridge (covered) and reheated before serving. Ratatouille is a traditional French Provençal stewed vegetable dish, originating in Nice.
France is famous the world over for many things, first and foremost their unrivaled cuisine. From hors d’oeuvres like brie and pate, entrées such as bouillabaisse and duck confit, and desserts ranging from mousses to crepes, France has something for everyone. I was fortunate enough to visit France a few years back and thoroughly enjoyed every part of the country. My husband is a history buff and loved visiting Normandy and cities like Caen that we visited in the North. We could have spent weeks and weeks in Paris alone, but unfortunately only had about five days to see the city. Five days isn’t enough to cover the museums alone, so we had to rush around like tourists (we still tried to blend in every now and then by slowing it all down and sipping on a café and people watching, not sure how convincing we were!). We found the Parisians to break stereotypes as nine out of ten were for the most part very courteous and even helped us to find our way. The Eiffel Tower was breathtaking day and night, and we found the Arc De Triopmphe to be nothing short of triumphant. The Palais Garnier was another favorite of ours, though we didn’t catch an opera there (on our list for next time). As we journeyed south we made stops in scenic Lyon and the home of the Pope’s Palace (Palais des Papes) in Avignon.
Our favorite area of France (in addition to Paris) was the French Riviera. Friends told us to stay in Nice, not bad advice but there are some many other great cities along the coast worth seeing. Montpellier was a unique, gem of a city and we took enough pictures in Èze to start a postcard company. I still think of the lavender scent in Grasse, and it was more than evident why Cannes was chosen as the perfect destination for A-Listers to flock to once a year. Our train ride to Italy along France’s southern coastline fortunately was right on the coast and gave us direct views of some of the prettiest, blue water paradise enjoyed by swimmers, boaters and gazers. The food in South of France so impressed us at every turn. The seafood from Marseille and the region as a whole whether having a bourride (a light fish broth that has garlicky aioli and is served over crunchy French bread and parsley) or Sole Meunière.
Another couple of favorites from the South of France are Ratatouille and Ciambotta , both vegetarian dishes. There are different approaches to cooking each, and they are flexible to work as appetizers or entrées, lunch or dinner. Ratatouille often has two vegetables that are my favorites to work with in eggplant and zucchini, and while the vegetables in France are some of the freshest tasting on Earth the Ratatouille tastes just fine when I make it at home here in the US.
Easy Ratatouille Recipe and Ingredients
Ratatouille Recipe Inspired by my Unforgettable Trip to France
Ingredients
- 1 medium-sized eggplant
- 1 cup zucchini, (diced)
- 1 cup yellow squash, (diced)
- 1 green bell pepper, (diced)
- 1 red bell pepper, (diced)
- 1 whole onion, (diced)
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1 tsp salt, (use less or more according to your liking)
- 1 garlic clove
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ tsp oregano
- ⅛ tsp ground coriander
- ¼ tsp dried thyme
- ½ cup shredded fresh basil
- black pepper, (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Spread the chopped eggplant, zucchini, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and tomatoes out onto a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Roast for 20 minutes then remove the pan from the oven.
- Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic. Stir and cook until lightly caramelized. Add the roasted vegetables to the pan and continue to cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add oregano, thyme, and coriander. Adjust the seasoning with extra salt and black pepper if necessary. Stir in the basil and mix well. Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition
Adopted from Emeril Lagasse and Epicurious
Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
I have never had ratatouille before, but I bet I would like it. All those amazing flavors in one dish - YUM 🙂
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
That looks delicious! It's so colorful, and the ingredients are so healthy.
Jeanette
I honestly had no idea what ratatouille was until last night. I had heard of it, but never knew what it was LOL. This looks awesome! We need to try it!
Diana Villa
I love your recipe as always, very healthy and yummy options. I can't wait to try your recipe 😀
Savannah miller
Oh this looks so good and very healthy! I never tried a ratatouille before
lisa
This recipe has me drooling already! It looks so good I can't wait to try it. I love all things vegetable!
sicorra
Love all the different colors of vegetables in this dish. it looks very healthy and satisfying.
tina
Oh, yum!! I can smell it from here!!
Liz Mays
Oh we would have a blast making trying this recipe. My daughter and I have a blast making meals from other countries.
tara pittman
I love everything that is in this dish. Just dont ask me to pronounce it.
Melissa
This recipe looks delicious- so bright, vibrant, and healthy!
Heather
Wow its chalk full of veggies! My kind of meal! I love zucchini! Funny about blending in and trying not to look like a tourist. I would so fail at that since I've very rarely visited another country.
Ricci
I love Ratatouille!! I have never been to France before but it's definitely on my bucket list!!
victoria
Looks delicious and healthy I need this for my diet and a healthy lifestyle. I will save this for the instruction and ingredients.
Chanelle
I have never had Ratatouille. We went to France last December, but because of my horrible sweet tooth, I was more focused on the sweet confections.
patricemfoster
Love to try Ratatouille although never hear of it. Looks Devine make me want to go to fancy France restaurant.
Elizabeth O.
You make it seem so easy to make! Thanks for sharing this recipe, it looks so flavorful and yummy.
Chubskulit Rose
I never thought raratouille is that simple to make. Thanks for showing us how.
Eileen Mendoza Loya
The first time I heard about this dish was in a Disney movie. I have never sampled the actual dish, but I guess now I will. Didn't know it was this easy to make!
Karlyn Cruz
This looks tasty. I may never make it to France, but I'll be trying out your recipe.
Erin (@SugarCrumbs)
Oh yum yum! I think I could even make this on a busy night! Thanks for sharing!
danavento
eggplant is so versatile I bet it turned out great!
Claudette Esterine
When i really need to unwind, I play a computer game - SIMS - and this is one of the dishes they can cook. I thought it was a make believe dish so imagine my surprise to see this recipe! I must try it. 🙂
Dhemz
oh, my goodness! I'm salivating right now. So colorful and appetizing!
Melissa
This looks like a delicious meal and it is so pretty. I would love to serve this to my family!
Crystal McWhirter-Lopez
What a great way to use of fresh veggies. I've never cooked eggplant, but I would love to try this recipe!!
Ourfamilyworld
I love how colorful this dish is. I've had Ratatouille before and I love it. I want to try making this.
Lynndee
Just printed your recipe. Thanks! I am definitely going to cook this because I love all the veggies in it. You know what? You just made me so hungry. 🙂
Ann Bacciaglia
This looks so delicious and easy to make. I will have to get the ingredients i need so i can make this on the weekend. I am sure it will be a huge hit.
CourtneyLynne
Omg your Ratatouille recipe sounds beyond delicious!!! I so need to give it a try! Yum!
Jesica Helgren (@themommybunch)
My sister and I were just discussing what we make with zucchini! This looks really amazing!
Fashionable Librarian
How colorful...wondering when I will be brave enough to try eggplant...lol
Ourfamilyworld
I've always thought that Ratatouille is a very complicated dish. I've had this before, but I've never tried making it.
winifredjac
That looks beautiful... and delicious. Doesnt seem as hard as I thought!
katrina g
It looks so good.
HilLesha
This looks and sounds delicious! My best friend had it when he was on a culinary trip in France, and he loves it. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Rosey
That does look delicious. I remember asking for fromage in France, and getting a bowl of cream cheese, lolol Your food experience is much nicer. 😉
Ana De Jesus
I am not a fan of ratatouille but I like how it has symbolic meaning to you. It is also nice when a dish is personal to you and your life experiences.
Shannon P
The colors look absolutely appetizing, and it sounds like it smells and tastes amazing!
Amanda || Growing Up Madison
That looks really delicious and I'm just jealous of you visiting France. Paris is on my bucket list and I have to make it there within the next 5 years.
Melanie@Toots + Dill
You know...I've seen the cute movie with the lil mouse but I never really realized what ratatouille was! This looks delicious!!! I'm going to have to France one day!!
poshjournaladmin
France is beautiful 🙂
poshjournaladmin
Hope you'll like it
Emily
We’ve made this recipe a few times and it’s SO good! However, tonight was the first time I made it (vs. my husband) and I didn’t realize until everything was all cooked that I still had the 2 bell peppers sitting on my cutting board. I re-read the recipe and can’t see where I was supposed to add those in—I’m assuming to be roasted with the rest of the veggies but wanted to reach out in case I’m mistaken. Thanks so much!
Rika
Hi Emily,
I am glad to hear that you and your husband liked this recipe. Thanks for pointing that out, I just fixed it. All vegetables should be roasted, including bell peppers. Again I really appreciate you looking out!
Best,
Rika