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You are here: Home / Side dish / Simple Ratatouille Recipe (a French Classic)

Simple Ratatouille Recipe (a French Classic)

Updated 13 May 2025 Published 19 March 2025 45 Comments

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Simple Ratatouille Recipe Pinterest Image
Simple Ratatouille Recipe Pinterest Image
Simple Ratatouille Recipe Pinterest Image
Simple Ratatouille Recipe Pinterest Image
Simple Ratatouille Recipe Pinterest Image
Simple Ratatouille Recipe Pinterest Image
Simple Ratatouille Recipe Pinterest Image

This Simple Ratatouille Recipe is a classic French stew that is as delicious as it is versatile! Serve as a side dish with meat or fish, or as a main course with pasta!

Simple Ratatouille Recipe (a French Classic) pictured in a bowl with spoon and garnished with Parmesan cheese shavings and basil leaves.

Table of contents

  • Background
  • Why You Should Make Simple Ratatouille
  • How to Make Simple Ratatouille
    • Ingredients
    • Method
  • What do you serve Simple Ratatouille with?
  • Can you make Ratatouille in advance?
  • Variations and Substitutions
  • Storage
    • Refrigeration
    • Freezing
  • Reheating
  • More Vegetable Main Courses and Side Dishes

Background

There’s one dish I’ve made more than any other from my blog, my Simple Ratatouille Recipe!

I developed it after buying a glut of cheap fresh vegetables at a local market. 

My kids were huge fans of the Ratatouille Disney Movie, so this became a firm family favourite.

Over the years, I’ve been making this recipe slightly differently from the original one I posted, so I’m updating it today (March 2025). 

I took new photos and used a cast-iron pan to make the ratatouille. 

I was a little timid with the heat, as you can easily overheat cast iron, so not as much moisture came out of the vegetables. 

Plus, I usually judge the water by eye and pour it into the base of the can of tomatoes to wash out the remaining tomato juice. 

However, I used what I’d previously written, which was 4 tbsp. Hence, the ratatouille looks less saucy than I usually make it. 

It also didn’t help that my peppers and courgettes were bigger than usual! 

So rest assured that when you follow the rewritten recipe instructions, your ratatouille will be more stew-like.

Simple Ratatouille Recipe overhead shot of bowl of ratatouille garnished with Parmesan shavings and basil leaves.

Why You Should Make Simple Ratatouille

  • A French Classic that has stood the test of time.
  • It’s low in carbohydrates, so it’s good for those needing a low-carb diet, such as people with type 2 diabetes or for weight loss.
  • A way to get kids to eat more vegetables after watching Ratatouille, the movie.
  • Great as a vegan/vegetarian side dish or main course (served with pasta and grated hard cheese).
  • Quick and easy to make in one pan on the stovetop.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day!
  • Nutritious and full of dietary fibre!
  • Perfect for a seasonal glut of bell peppers, aubergines (eggplant), and courgettes (zucchini).
Simple Ratatouille Recipe pictured in a bowl on a plate with spoon. Parmesan cheese and basil in the background.

How to Make Simple Ratatouille

Ingredients

Simple Ratatouille ingredients: Courgettes, aubergine, bell peppers, onion, tinned chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.
  • Extra virgin olive oil – or olive oil if you have none.
  • Brown onion, chopped – you could also use red onion.
  • Garlic cloves – avoid Chinese ones.
  • Red bell pepper
  • Green pepper
  • Orange or yellow pepper
  • Aubergine (eggplant)
  • Courgettes (zucchini)
  • Chopped Italian tomatoes – good quality brands make the best rich sauce.
  • Italian tomato puree – again, use a quality brand for the best flavour.
  • Dried Herbes de Provence or Italian mixed herbs – or use fresh herbs.
  • Water
  • Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Method

Full instructions are in the recipe card below.

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan on low to medium heat to soften the onion and garlic.Chopped onions and crushed garlic in a pan with extra virgin olive oil.
  2. Add another tablespoon of olive oil, the diced eggplant, bell peppers, and courgettes, then fry stirring continuously for 10 minutes.Pan showing added diced aubergine (eggplant), courgettes (zucchini), red, green and yellow bell peppers.
  3. Add the tinned Italian chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, mixed herbs, seasoning, and water.Pan showing added chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, mixed herbs and water.
  4. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally (until vegetables are cooked through).Simple Ratatouille in cast iron pan.
  5. Serve ratatouille garnished with Parmesan cheese shavings and basil leaves (optional) as a side dish or on a bed of spaghetti/pasta as a main course.

What do you serve Simple Ratatouille with?

Ratatouille is a traditional French side dish that is great with chicken, steak, fish etc. 

You can also serve it with rice, cauliflower rice, or any grain such as quinoa.

Our preferred way to eat it is with pasta (spaghetti or fusilli) with plenty of grated Parmesan or Cheddar cheese!

You can also serve it cold along with cold cuts of meat, salad, etc.

My kids used to enjoy leftovers in their lunch boxes at school.

Simple Ratatouille in a bowl - landscape shot. Parmesan cheese and basis in background.

Can you make Ratatouille in advance?

Yes, the flavour of Ratatouille improves with age, so making it the day before will make it even tastier.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Use chopped fresh tomatoes instead of tinned Italian chopped tomatoes. Great if you have a glut of homegrown tomatoes.
  • Add a little heat with some red pepper flakes.
  • Switch things up by adding some finely grated orange zest.
  • Instead of Parmesan cheese, we often serve this ratatouille with grated Cheddar cheese.
Simple Ratatouille garnished with basil in a bowl with Parmesan cheese and basil in background.

Storage

Refrigeration

Ratatouille can be kept in the fridge for 3 days. I store it in a glass bowl with a plate on top. 

Avoid storing in a metal bowl as it can taint the flavour.

Freezing

You can freeze ratatouille for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge or instantly in a microwave.

Simple Ratatouille garnished with Parmesan cheese and basil leaves in a bowl.

Reheating

Reheat ratatouille in a saucepan on the stovetop under a lid for several minutes or covered in a microwave (stirring halfway through).  

Reheat until it reaches a temperature of 75°C (165°F) on a digital food thermometer. 

More Vegetable Main Courses and Side Dishes

Here are some more vegetable-based mains and side dishes from me and other food bloggers:

Fork full of Vegetable Dhal Curry with rice & garnished with coriander yogurt dressing.
Vegetable Dhal Curry
  • Warm Lentil, Cherry Tomato & Halloumi Salad
  • Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables with Couscous
  • Speedy Mediterranean Vegetable Couscous
  • Vegetable Dhal Curry with Coriander and Mint Raitha
  • Crispy Coated Roast Potatoes
  • Pea Puree with Garlic
  • Spring Greens with Lemon & Mustard Dressing

I’m sure you’ll love my Simple Ratatouille recipe! 

Don’t feel you need to adhere to the quantities of vegetables, you can adapt this recipe to what you have available. 

Pin my Simple Ratatouille recipe for later!

Simple Ratatouille Recipe Pinterest Image

Leave a comment and rating below when you’ve made this recipe; I love getting your feedback! You can also share your pictures by tagging @FabFood4All over on Instagram.

Simple Ratatouille Recipe pictured in a bowl on a plate with spoon. Parmesan cheese and basil in the background.
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Simple Ratatouille Recipe (a French Classic)

Simple Ratatouille is a classic French vegan stew that is great as a side dish or can be served with pasta as a main course.
Course Main, Side Dish
Cuisine French
Prep Time 12 minutes minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes minutes
Servings 6
Author Camilla Hawkins

Equipment

  • 1 Wooden chopping board
  • 1 large pan
  • 1 long wooden spoon
  • 1 Measuring jug

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 3 large garlic cloves crushed
  • 1 medium red bell pepper deseeded and diced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper deseeded and diced
  • 1 medium yellow or orange bell pepper deseeded and diced
  • 1 large aubergine diced
  • 2 medium courgettes sliced into half-moon shapes
  • 400 g / 14 oz can Italian chopped tomatoes
  • 2 heaped tbsp Italian tomato puree
  • 1 tsp Herbes de Provence/Italian mixed herbs
  • 120 ml / 4 fl oz water
  • Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Garnish

  • Parmesan cheese shavings optional
  • Fresh basil leaves optional

Instructions

  • Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large pan on a low to medium heat and soften the onion and garlic for about 7-10 mins under a lid stirring occasionally.
  • Add another tbsp of olive oil, the chopped peppers, aubergine (eggplant) and courgette (zucchini) and fry stirring continuously for about 10 minutes (longer for a more caramelised flavour).
  • Add the tinned chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, mixed herbs, seasoning and water.
  • Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally (until vegetables are cooked through).
  • Serve ratatouille garnished with Parmesan cheese shavings and basil leaves (optional) as a side dish or on a bed of spaghetti/pasta.

Video

Notes

This dish improves with age and tastes even better a day or two later.
When adding the water I pour it into the empty chopped tomatoes can to rinse out the remaining juice.

Previously published 8/04/2012.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angie

    30/03/2023 at 6:59 pm

    Super delicious recipe Thankyou.
    We had it blitzed with chorizo and pasta twirls

    Reply
    • Camilla

      02/04/2023 at 9:03 pm

      Thanks Angie, sounds lush:-)

      Reply
  2. Cilla

    17/04/2021 at 12:02 pm

    I make this and freeze it in tubs for one. Have it with pasta or jacket potato delicious.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      18/04/2021 at 12:03 am

      Excellent Cilla, I make this recipe more than any other on my blog:-)

      Reply
  3. Janice Dawe

    14/11/2020 at 1:57 pm

    Made this today was lovely can’t believe I not made it before

    Reply
    • Camilla

      14/11/2020 at 5:02 pm

      Excellent Janice, better late than never as they say:-)

      Reply
  4. Matt

    08/12/2015 at 5:15 pm

    I’m part of the club “I’ve never prepared it before”. I’ll start thanks to you Camilla!
    Matt

    Reply
    • Camilla

      08/12/2015 at 5:43 pm

      Great Matt:-)

      Reply
  5. Laura @ KneadWhine

    12/06/2015 at 5:42 pm

    I can’t believe I’ve never made ratatouille before. Looking forward to making this in the week.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      12/06/2015 at 6:04 pm

      Wow Laura, we have this probably the most often of all my dishes as my daughter loves it so much! I really must re-shoot as the photography is dire LOL!

      Reply
  6. Paul Wilson

    11/05/2015 at 3:31 pm

    Looks very tasty.

    Reply
  7. Heather Haigh

    26/03/2015 at 10:05 pm

    The first time I ate Ratatouille was on my honeymoon, and I have had fond memories of it ever since. Must make some!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      26/03/2015 at 10:34 pm

      This is made so often here as daughter loves it;-)

      Reply
    • Roger

      22/07/2020 at 11:40 am

      Great dish. Have garden full Courgette so lots RAT will be made et consumed. Great recipe. Thanks million. Stay safe. Roger

      Reply
      • Camilla

        22/07/2020 at 4:07 pm

        Thanks Roger! Not a week goes by when I don’t make this recipe and I have lots of courgettes coming my way via my plants too so can’t wait to use them:-)

        Reply
  8. Ursula Hunt

    22/01/2015 at 10:57 am

    Great tasty way to get your 5 a day

    Reply
  9. Maddy

    12/10/2014 at 7:22 pm

    Wow, you had some bargains 🙂 I love to make use of vegetable bounties in dishes like this, but sadly we no longer have a market or greengrocers since Mr T moved in. We’re lucky if they knock 20p off battered bananas and squishy onions there 🙁

    Reply
    • Camilla

      15/10/2014 at 11:07 pm

      Yes that was a good day, haven’t had one so good since though!

      Reply
  10. Paul Wilson

    02/10/2014 at 1:38 am

    Looks smashing – healthy too.

    Reply
  11. Kirsty Fox

    21/09/2014 at 4:08 pm

    Looks like a good meal, I have never made this before but would definitely give it a try.

    Reply
  12. Elizabeth

    14/09/2014 at 2:00 pm

    Mmm what a lovely hearty veggie recipe! Love all these flavours and I bet it’d be great with pasta 🙂

    Reply
    • Camilla

      14/09/2014 at 3:45 pm

      Thanks Elizabeth, we have it with pasta all the time – it’s my daughter’s favourite:-)

      Reply
  13. Geoff Clark

    27/07/2014 at 11:39 am

    It has great eye appeal, very colourful

    Reply
  14. Jayne Sullivan

    04/07/2014 at 12:39 pm

    Such a quick and simple idea for a filling vegetarian meal. Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply
  15. Ursula Hunt

    22/06/2014 at 12:46 pm

    so colourful

    Reply
  16. Ursula Hunt

    01/05/2014 at 12:25 pm

    That’s my ratatouille made and frozen in batches ready for the future

    Reply
    • Camilla

      01/05/2014 at 4:23 pm

      Fabulous, why have I never done this? Probably because my son & daughter loves it cold in their packed lunches the next day or we have it reheated and it always improves with age:-)

      Reply
  17. Carolyn Clapham

    16/04/2014 at 6:26 pm

    I should have added that in my version with sausages and roast potatoes, the ratatouille is oven roasted – not as quick, but just as simple!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      17/04/2014 at 9:37 pm

      I love the taste of oven roasted mediterranean vegetables:-)

      Reply
  18. Carolyn Clapham

    16/04/2014 at 6:23 pm

    Packed with goodness, easy to make and sounds delicious. It goes with so many things as a side dish. I often do variations on the same theme. One includes sausages and roast potatoes too, for a very substantial meal.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      17/04/2014 at 9:39 pm

      I think my daughter could quite easily eat ratatouille every night:-)

      Reply
  19. Ursula Hunt

    11/04/2014 at 12:19 pm

    I adore Ratatouille, it is a very healthy side dish to many meals in our house

    Reply
  20. Laura Caraher

    09/04/2014 at 9:35 pm

    I must have a go at making as this looks delicious 🙂

    Reply
    • Camilla

      09/04/2014 at 10:19 pm

      It’s my daughter’s favourite dish:-)

      Reply
  21. Paul Wilson

    03/03/2014 at 12:23 am

    Simple and healthy and tasty, by the look of it.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      03/03/2014 at 8:39 am

      My daughter even takes this to school to have in her packed lunch the following day:-)

      Reply
  22. Maya Russell

    06/01/2014 at 7:44 am

    I’d have to really dice the vegetables up into tiny pieces or my kids wouldn’t eat ratatouille. Great recipe though!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      06/01/2014 at 2:19 pm

      I read once that you have to give a child something 20 times before they’ll eat it and I have to say I think this is very true:-)

      Reply
  23. Lisa Williams

    22/10/2013 at 12:56 pm

    I am only just coming around to ratatouille but I have to say I love the look of this one delish 🙂

    Reply
  24. Tracy Nixon

    06/08/2013 at 2:00 pm

    Lovely recipe! I adore this during the Summer and the kids love it too!

    Reply
  25. sallyann johnston

    29/07/2013 at 11:26 am

    This sounds lovely gonna try it tonight x

    Reply
  26. Victoria Androsova

    25/07/2013 at 9:57 pm

    will need to try your way of cooking it, mine once didnt work)

    Reply
  27. hopeeternal

    09/04/2012 at 10:54 pm

    Thought I’d pay you a return visit as you had visited me! I am very fond of Ratatouille. I like to add a little dried orange peel (or freshly grated zest) for a little ‘South of France sunshine’ feel.
    http://hopeeternalcookbook.wordpress.com/2010/05/03/ratatouille-nicoiseprovencale/
    hopeeternal
    http://www.hopeeternalcookbook.wordpress.com
    Meanderings through my Cookbook

    Reply
    • Camilla

      09/04/2012 at 11:18 pm

      Thank you so much for being the first person to leave a comment on my website, it means a lot. When I get more accustomed to blogging I will have to set up a list of blogs like yours that I can recommend. I will certainly try the orange zest idea the next time I make Ratatouille!

      Reply
      • hopeeternal

        10/04/2012 at 11:22 am

        Always good to be first 😉 …and good to make links with other like minded people too.
        h/e

        Reply

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