Description
Ratatouille is a classic French Provençal dish featuring thinly sliced zucchini, squash, eggplant, and tomatoes layered over a rich piperade sauce made with roasted bell peppers and tomatoes. Baked until tender, this dish is both rustic and elegant, naturally vegan, gluten-free, and perfect as a healthy main or side dish.
Ingredients
2 red bell peppers
1 pound tomatoes (campari, roma, or vine tomatoes)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large shallots, peeled and roughly chopped
4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
4 sprigs thyme
1 sprig basil
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
Cracked black pepper
4–5 roma tomatoes, sliced ⅛-inch thick
1–2 squash, sliced ⅛-inch thick
1–2 zucchini, sliced ⅛-inch thick
1 Chinese or Japanese eggplant, sliced ⅛-inch thick
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Kosher salt
Cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Roast the bell peppers over an open flame or at 425°F for 15-20 minutes wrapped in foil. Steam in a covered bowl 5-10 minutes, then peel, deseed, and dice.
- Score the tomatoes, blanch in boiling water for 10-15 seconds, peel, and chop.
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté shallots and garlic until translucent. Add peppers, tomatoes, thyme, and basil. Simmer 30 minutes, remove herbs, blend, strain, and season with sugar, salt, and pepper. Reduce until thick.
- Preheat oven to 375°F with a sheet pan inside. Spread piperade sauce in a 12-inch oval casserole dish.
- Arrange zucchini, squash, eggplant, and tomato slices in alternating order, tightly shingled.
- Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cover with parchment.
- Bake 45 minutes until vegetables are tender but not mushy.
- Serve hot with extra sauce or a drizzle of piperade vinaigrette.
Notes
- Add cheese like goat cheese, feta, or parmesan before serving for extra flavor.
- Mix fresh herbs such as rosemary, oregano, or parsley.
- Use yellow peppers or heirloom tomatoes for more color variety.
- Add chickpeas or white beans to the sauce for a one-dish meal.
- Dish tastes even better the next day as flavors meld together.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
