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

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4.96 from 41 votes

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.

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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:

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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.

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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

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.

What is a peasant dish ratatouille? ›

ratatouille, seasonal vegetable stew of Provençal origin, comprising squash, tomatoes, and other garden vegetables and herbs.

What are the most common ingredients used in ratatouille? ›

Ratatouille is a French Provencal dish that consists of stewed vegetables. Though recipes and ingredients vary, there are some ingredients that are almost always used: eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini, onions, and bell peppers.

What is a substitute for eggplant in ratatouille? ›

I substituted portabella mushrooms for eggplant, which was not only delicious, but also shaved about 30 minutes off the cooking time. I substituted jalapenos for bell pepper just for fun. At the end, I tried something a friend from Toulouse taught me: add eggs at the end and poach them lightly in the ratatouille.

What is the secret for a good ratatouille? ›

Ratatouille requires ripe vegetables, a liberal hand with the olive oil, and patience: only long, slow cooking will give you the creamy soft vegetables, and intense, almost jammy sauce that sings of the sun. Anything else is just plain vegetable stew.

Why is ratatouille so healthy? ›

Ratatouille is packed with dietary fiber, potassium, vitamins A, C and K, folate and much more. With so many vegetables included, you're bound to meet the recommended daily amount of veggies your body needs.

What does ratatouille mean in English? ›

ˌrä-ˌtä-, -ˈtü-ē : a seasoned stew made of eggplant, tomatoes, green peppers, squash, and sometimes meat.

Is ratatouille French or Italian? ›

Ratatouille (/ˌrætəˈtuːi/ RAT-ə-TOO-ee, French: [ʁatatuj]; Occitan: ratatolha [ʀataˈtuʎɔ]) is a French Provençal dish of stewed vegetables that originated in Nice and is sometimes referred to as ratatouille niçoise ( French: [niswaz]).

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.

What do you traditionally eat with ratatouille? ›

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. I love serving it with flatbread or artisanal crackers and a good array of cheeses.

What 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 makes ratatouille so good? ›

Its stunning animation of the Parisian skyline and comedic relief from the main character, Linguine, provide the film with a sort of indescribable witty charm. The production of the film adds to why “Ratatouille” is the best Pixar movie ever.

Should I salt eggplant before ratatouille? ›

Not necessarily; it depends on what you're looking for in the finished dish. Though salting works when you want the eggplant to be creamy and tender — such as with parmigiana — in those cases where you want the eggplant to retain its shape and have a slightly firmer texture — such as ratatouille — you can skip it.

What's the difference between ratatouille and caponata? ›

But, to me, ratatouille is more of a saucy stew, and the veggies will vary depending on what you have on hand. Caponata is more of a salad or an appetizer that is altogether savory, sweet, and sour, thanks to the use of briny olives, salty capers, sweet raisins, and a spike of vinegar.

Is ratatouille a luxury dish? ›

While ratatouille has graced many a fine French table – and at least one fine film – it is a humble dish, invented by impoverished French farmers in the 18th century. Like many great dishes, it was meant to help people stretch their budget. Leftover vegetables were stewed for hours to give them new flavor and life.

What was the budget for ratatouille? ›

Was the movie, Ratatouille, a flop at the box office? No. Not even remotely. It made $620m worldwide, off an estimated production budget of $150m, so net profit after marketing, distribution and all other costs was probably around $300m.

How much profit did ratatouille make? ›

The film has grossed $206.4 million in the United States and Canada and a total of $623.7 million worldwide, making it the seventh-highest-grossing Pixar film.

How much did it cost to build Ratatouille ride? ›

The ride is one of the biggest additions to Disneyland Paris; its show building is similar in height to that of the expansive Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at the neighbouring Disneyland Park, and cost an estimated US$270 million to complete.

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