Provençal-Style Ratatouille
A vibrant French vegetable stew featuring eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes slow-cooked to perfection with herbs and garlic. This french-inspired vegetarian ready in about 50 minutes pairs diced yellow bell pepper, medium, diced tomatoes, small, finely diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 140 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 medium, cut into 1/2-inch cubes eggplant
- 2 medium, cut into 1/2-inch cubes zucchini
- 1, diced yellow bell pepper
- 3 medium, diced tomatoes
- 1 small, finely diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large skillet, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat; add 2 medium diced eggplant cubes and 2 medium diced zucchini cubes, cooking for 8 minutes until slightly softened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 1 small diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sautéing for 3 minutes until onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 medium diced tomatoes, 1 diced yellow bell pepper, 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme, and 1/2 tsp sea salt; reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until vegetables are tender but hold their shape.
- Step 4: Uncover and simmer for an additional 5 minutes to thicken the sauce, then stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil and adjust salt if needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Provençal-Style Ratatouille take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Provençal-Style Ratatouille?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep diced yellow bell pepper from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Provençal-Style Ratatouille?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Provençal-Style Ratatouille for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Provençal-Style Ratatouille?
French vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 35-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
