Spring Garden Ratatouille with Herbed Goat Cheese
A vibrant, oven-baked vegetable medley featuring eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers with creamy goat cheese. This french-inspired vegetarian ready in about 55 minutes pairs diced red bell pepper, small, diced yellow onion, minced garlic 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, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes eggplant
- 2 medium, diced into 1/2-inch cubes zucchini
- 1, diced red bell pepper
- 1 small, diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 cup, crumbled goat cheese
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a 9x13-inch baking dish over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium eggplant, 2 diced medium zucchini, 1 diced red bell pepper, and 1 diced small onion; cook for 8 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add 1 cup diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup vegetable broth, and 1 tsp dried thyme.
- Step 3: Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 4: Remove foil, sprinkle 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese over the top, and bake uncovered for 5 minutes until cheese melts. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spring Garden Ratatouille with Herbed Goat Cheese take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 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 Spring Garden Ratatouille with Herbed Goat Cheese?
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 red bell pepper from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spring Garden Ratatouille with Herbed Goat Cheese?
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 Spring Garden Ratatouille with Herbed Goat Cheese 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 Spring Garden Ratatouille with Herbed Goat Cheese?
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
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
