Easy Ratatouille Recipe | Healthy, Budget-Friendly - Elavegan (2024)

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Are you looking for an easy Ratatouille recipe which is ready in about 30 minutes?! Check out this flavorful and healthy Ratatouille recipe which contains only veggies and is therefore low in calories (low carb and keto). This easy vegetable stew is a delicious vegan dish which can be served as a side (with e.g. bread/rice) or as a hearty main.

Easy Ratatouille Recipe | Healthy, Budget-Friendly - Elavegan (1)

What Is Ratatouille?

Ratatouille is a classic French vegetable dish which is vegan and contains eggplant (aubergine), zucchini, tomatoes, onion, and peppers. The veggies are fried and cooked in some oil. I prefer not to use too much oil and added red wine which made the vegan Ratatouille even more delicious in my opinion! My recipe is not a classic/traditional French Ratatouille but that doesn’t mean it’s not as good!

Easy Ratatouille Recipe | Healthy, Budget-Friendly - Elavegan (2)

Ingredients Of This Easy Ratatouille Recipe

As mentioned before, this easy Ratatouille recipe contains lots of colorful and healthy veggies. The Ratatouille ingredients which I used are eggplant (aubergine), zucchini, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and pepper. Furthermore, I added different spices to make the Ratatouille a little bit spicy and very flavorful.

I really hate boring/bland savory dishes, so I always season them really well. In addition to the veggies and spices, I also added red wine (you can use vegetable broth instead), a little bit tomato paste, and balsamic vinegar. And that’s pretty much it. This vegan Ratatouille is seriously an easy recipe which everyone can make for dinner.

Easy Ratatouille Recipe | Healthy, Budget-Friendly - Elavegan (3)

How To Make Ratatouille?

First, you need to chop all the veggies. I prefer chunky pieces, about 3 cm in diameter but you can chop the veggies smaller if you like. The smaller you chop the veggies the faster they will cook.

So, after you chopped the veggies, heat oil in a pan. You can use olive oil or any other vegetable oil of choice. One tablespoon is enough in my opinion. First, fry the onion over medium heat, for about 4-5 minutes until lightly browned.

Next, add the eggplant and cook it for 8-10 minutes or until softened (I added the red wine and all spices after a few minutes). Finally, add the other veggies and cook for a further 10 minutes. I like it when the veggies aren’t too soft but if you prefer them really soft, cook them for a few minutes more.

Finally, add the balsamic vinegar and tomato paste. Ready is your easy Ratatouille recipe.

Easy Ratatouille Recipe | Healthy, Budget-Friendly - Elavegan (4)

Can I Freeze Ratatouille?

Yes, you can double the recipe and freeze half of the batch. Place in an airtight container and freeze the Ratatouille for up to 3 months. Thaw and then reheat in a skillet when you want to eat it!

Easy Ratatouille Recipe | Healthy, Budget-Friendly - Elavegan (5)

This Easy Ratatouille Recipe Is:

  • Vegan
  • Gluten-Free
  • Low in calories
  • Low-carb
  • Keto
  • Healthy
  • Flavorful
  • Hearty
  • Comforting
  • Easy to make
  • A delicious dinner or side
  • Cooked in one pot (skillet)

Easy Ratatouille Recipe | Healthy, Budget-Friendly - Elavegan (6)

Difference between Ratatouille and Tian?

If you want to bring this easy savory recipe to a party, I would recommend making a Tian. What is a Tian you might ask? It’s basically the same dish, however, the veggies are thinly sliced with a mandoline, layered in a baking dish, and then cooked in the oven. It looks very nice and impressive, almost mesmerizing.

I made it a few times in the past and really loved how pretty it turned out. I must admit though that it was pretty time consuming to make a Tian. Therefore I probably won’t make it again when I am alone or just cook for my family. But it’s really a nice eye-catcher for a party! 🙂 Here you can see a picture:

Easy Ratatouille Recipe | Healthy, Budget-Friendly - Elavegan (7)

Should you recreate this easy Ratatouille recipe, please leave a comment below and don’t forget to tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with @elavegan and #elavegan because I love to see how your vegan Ratatouille turned out! And for more vegan stews, definitely also check out the following recipes: Easy Lentil Stew and Vegan Gumbo.

Easy Ratatouille Recipe | Healthy, Budget-Friendly - Elavegan (8)

Easy Ratatouille Recipe | Healthy, Budget-Friendly - Elavegan (10)

Easy Ratatouille Recipe

Author: Michaela Vais

This easy Ratatouille recipe can be made in about 30 minutes. It's low-carb, keto, vegan, gluten-free, low in calories, and fat. A tasty dinner or side dish which contains healthy ingredients such as eggplant (aubergine), zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, etc. This flavorful veggie stew can be also served with bread or rice.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 7 minutes mins

Cook Time 23 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine French

Servings 3

Calories 194 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 large eggplant (aubergine)
  • 1 large zucchini
  • 3 tomatoes
  • 1 bell pepper
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine or vegetable broth
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp brown sugar or any other sweetener
  • 3/4 tsp sea salt (or less/more to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/3 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (or less if you don't like it too spicy)
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • Fresh thyme chopped roughly (to taste)
  • Black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Chop all veggies (eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, bell pepper) into 1-inch (3 cm) pieces. Finely chop onion and garlic.

  • Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat, add onion and sauté for about 4-5 minutes or until lightly browned.

  • Add garlic and eggplant and cook for 3-4 minutes, then add the red wine and all spices. Let simmer on low-medium heat for a further 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  • Add all remaining ingredients (except tomato paste and balsamic vinegar) and cook for about 10 minutes or until the veggies are soft (but not mushy). If you prefer more sauce, add more red wine or broth.

  • Finally, add the tomato paste (you can add more than 1 tbsp if you want a thicker sauce) and the balsamic vinegar.

  • Taste and adjust seasoning. Enjoy! This easy Ratatouille recipe can be served with bread or rice.

Notes

  • If you don't like any of these spices, for example, oregano, simply leave them out. You can also add fresh basil if you like the taste.
  • Recipe serves 3. Nutrition facts are for one serving.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Ratatouille Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

194

% Daily Value*

Fat

5.7

g

9

%

Carbohydrates

20.8

g

7

%

Fiber

10.6

g

42

%

Sugar

19.8

g

22

%

Protein

5.7

g

11

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically

Easy Ratatouille Recipe | Healthy, Budget-Friendly - Elavegan (11) Simple and Delicious Vegan Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!

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Easy Ratatouille Recipe | Healthy, Budget-Friendly - Elavegan (2024)

FAQs

What's the secret of a good ratatouille? ›

Fresh tomatoes are key for making ratatouille that tastes fresh and lively, not dull and heavy. We'll grate the tomatoes (or blitz the in the food processor) and cook them with onion and garlic to make an irresistible tomato sauce. I tried this recipe with canned tomatoes and it didn't taste nearly as nice.

What is a substitute for eggplant in ratatouille? ›

Ratatouille without eggplant (aubergine) - French - nicolaspujol.com. This easy ratatouille without eggplant is a variation from the French recipe, using carrots, zucchini, squash, onion, garlic, honey, peppers and spices.

What are the most common ingredients used 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.

Is ratatouille expensive to make? ›

If you want to make ratatouille, all you need is one eggplant, one zucchini, two tomatoes, and one onion. If you thought it couldn't get any better, it should cost you less than $5 for all your ingredients.

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.

Which of the following is the correct order of steps for making ratatouille? ›

  1. Step 1: Roast Nuts. Start by roasting the pine nuts in a dry frying pan. ...
  2. Step 2: Prepare Eggplant. Dice the eggplant, put the cubes in a strainer and sprinkle with salt. ...
  3. Step 3: Slice the Onion. ...
  4. Step 4: Cook the Onion. ...
  5. Step 5: Add Tomato Puree. ...
  6. Step 6: Cook Peppers. ...
  7. Step 7: Mushrooms and Zucchini. ...
  8. Step 8: Eggplant.

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 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? ›

Layers of yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, potato, and bell pepper on a bed of flavorful tomato and béchamel sauce... for a comforting veggie dinner.

What do you traditionally eat with ratatouille? ›

Let's get cooking!
  • Homemade French Bread. What do you traditionally eat with ratatouille? ...
  • Easy Grilled Chicken Breasts. This recipe is especially ideal if you've got really fresh and seasonal veg in your ratatouille. ...
  • Garlic-Butter Steak. ...
  • Mushroom Rice Pilaf. ...
  • Veal Milanese. ...
  • Pasta Bolognese. ...
  • Baked Pork Chops. ...
  • Baked Polenta Chips.
Sep 8, 2023

What pairs well with ratatouille? ›

Ratatouille is a classic French casserole from the south of France. It's made with summer vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes, flavored with basil, garlic and fresh herbs. It pairs well with bread, pasta, roasted meats, seafood and more.

What do you eat with 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.

What is a substitute for zucchini in ratatouille? ›

Vegetable Variations: This versatile ratatouille recipe works well with different veggies. Substitute zucchini with summer squash or eggplant, and use any bell pepper color if red is unavailable.

What was the budget for ratatouille? ›

Can you prep ratatouille in advance? ›

When you are ready to return to them, combine with the tomatoes, remaining herbs and oil and cook for at least an hour to finish. Or make the entire dish ahead. It is best to make your ratatouille one or two days before serving so the flavors have a chance to meld and mellow.

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 goes good with ratatouille? ›

Enjoy ratatouille is by serving it with crusty bread, cheesy garlic bread or as a topping for bruschetta. This allows the flavors of the ratatouille to shine through the bread. Bread is a perfect compliment to soak up all the delicious sauce when made as a chunky stew.

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 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.

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