Ratatouille
A classic French vegetable medley of eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, and bell peppers, baked until tender and fragrant. This french-inspired vegetarian ready in about 75 minutes pairs medium, diced tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 1 medium, diced into 1/2-inch cubes eggplant
- 1 medium, diced into 1/2-inch cubes zucchini
- 2 medium, diced tomatoes
- 1, diced red bell pepper
- 1, diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss 1 medium diced eggplant, 1 medium diced zucchini, 2 diced tomatoes, 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 diced yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a large bowl until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Transfer mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and spread into an even layer. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Remove foil and bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until vegetables are tender and edges are golden. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ratatouille take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (20 min prep + 55 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 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 medium, diced tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in 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 Ratatouille for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 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
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Made for my kids and they devoured it.
- ★★★★★
So flavorful and easy to make!
- ★★★★☆
A bit bland, but still delicious. Took longer than expected to cook.