Ratatouille is a hearty, rustic stew made with summer vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers. It’s the perfect plant-based comfort food from Provence, and a must-try whether you bake it, simmer it on the stove, or add your own twist.
What Is Ratatouille?
Ratatouille is a classic Provençal dish from southern France, made with fresh vegetables simmered together until tender and flavorful. It’s traditionally vegan and gluten-free, and often served warm or at room temperature.
What’s in Ratatouille?
Typical ingredients include:
- Eggplant
- Zucchini
- Red and yellow bell peppers
- Onion
- Garlic
- Tomatoes (fresh or canned)
- Olive oil
- Herbs like thyme, rosemary, and basil

How to Make Ratatouille
The easiest way to make ratatouille is to chop all your vegetables and simmer them slowly with olive oil and herbs until they melt together into a delicious, aromatic stew. You can also bake them layered for a movie-style presentation.
What Does Ratatouille Taste Like?
Ratatouille tastes rich, sweet, and savory, with tender vegetables and fragrant herbs. The slow cooking brings out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes and peppers.
Creative Ratatouille Recipes
Ratatouille Pasta
Toss warm ratatouille with your favorite pasta shape for an easy vegan dinner full of flavor and texture.

Ratatouille in Crock Pot
Set it and forget it! This slow cooker version is great for batch cooking and lets all the flavors develop beautifully.

What to Serve with Ratatouille
Serve it with crusty French bread, rice, couscous, or polenta. It’s also delicious with grilled chicken, fish, or tofu for a balanced meal.

FAQs:
Q: How to make ratatouille?
A: Cook chopped vegetables (like eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers) in olive oil with tomatoes and herbs until tender and flavorful.
Q: What does ratatouille taste like?
A: It’s savory, slightly sweet, and full of herbaceous Mediterranean flavors.
Q: What to serve with ratatouille?
A: Bread, rice, pasta, couscous, polenta – or as a side to grilled proteins.
Q: What is ratatouille?
A: A traditional French vegetable stew from Provence made with summer vegetables.
Related Recipes:
Find your favorite ratatouille recipe on Cookpad!
