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? ›

Ratatouille requires ripe vegetables, a liberal hand with the olive oil, and patience: only long, slow cooking will give you the creamy soft vegetables, and intense, almost jammy sauce that sings of the sun. Anything else is just plain vegetable stew.

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.
6 days ago

What are the most common ingredients used in ratatouille? ›

Ratatouille is a French Provencal dish that consists of stewed vegetables. Though recipes and ingredients vary, there are some ingredients that are almost always used: eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini, onions, and bell peppers.

What consist of 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.

How to enhance ratatouille? ›

Season to taste with additional salt (I usually add ¼ teaspoon more) and black pepper. Serve in bowls, perhaps with a little drizzle of olive oil, additional chopped basil, or black pepper on top (all optional). Like all stews, this ratatouille's flavor improves as it cools. It's even better reheated the next day.

Why is my ratatouille watery? ›

It won't work in a wok or sauce pan – the heat is not spread out enough and the ratatouille will become too liquidy. So basically you kind of need to stick around in the kitchen and stir it often. If you see that there is too much liquid, turn the heat up.

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? ›

Is Ratatouille a Side Dish or a Main Dish? Both! Ratatouille can be served as a first course with bread; it can also be served as a side dish, as you would any vegetable side. However, I most enjoy serving ratatouille as a main-ish dish; that is, as an anchor to a summer's dinner.

Does ratatouille have potatoes in it? ›

Layer of spiced tomato sauce, creamy béchamel, and layers of veggies - yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, potato, bell pepper.

How long does ratatouille last in fridge? ›

Ratatouille takes some time to make, and tastes better the next day, so plan ahead. The upside is that it's a perfect make-ahead dish for a party. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, then gently reheat it, or bring it to room temperature before serving. This recipe is part of.

What is a good substitute for yellow squash in ratatouille? ›

Zucchini – You can also use other summer squash, such as yellow squash and patty pan squash, as they are similar in texture and flavor. Eggplant – You don't need to peel it, but you can if you like. Onion – A yellow onion or a white onion are most common in a traditional ratatouille recipe. Olive Oil.

What are 5 foods in ratatouille? ›

Modern ratatouille uses tomatoes as a foundation for sautéed garlic, onion, zucchini (courgette), aubergine (eggplant), bell pepper, marjoram, fennel and basil. Instead of basil, bay leaf and thyme, or a mix of green herbs like herbes de Provence can be used.

What does ratatouille mean in French? ›

The word ratatouille comes from Occitan ratatolha. The dish is a traditional vegetable stew that was once known as a poor man's meal but is now one of the most known and loved around the world.

Does ratatouille contain onion? ›

Ratatouille is a southern French dish made from eggplant, zucchini, onions, capsic*ms, tomatoes, and garlic.

How to make the perfect ratatouille 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? ›

At its core, “Ratatouille” entertains one foundational question: Should we as a people choose ignorance or empathy? In the film, rats are stigmatized to only be troublemakers, and humans to only be killers. But, Remy the rat makes a different choice.

What is the moral of ratatouille? ›

It conveys a message that there are a lot of difficulties in our life, we just need to be like Remy, focus on our goals, and find out a way to achieve them. We all are unique in our own ways. We need to figure out our strengths and polish them from time to time.

What is Remy's flaw in ratatouille? ›

He's enthralled, consumed, obsessed with the idea of someday becoming a great chef. Remy has a problem, though: He's a rat. A Parisian rat with a heightened sense of smell, a discerning palate and a natural skill in the culinary arts … but, still a rat.

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