Easy Ratatouille
Make easy homemade ratatouille with fresh vegetables and herbs. A vegan, gluten-free dinner that's naturally anti-inflammatory and gut-friendly.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 medium zucchini, diced into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large red bell pepper, chopped into 1-inch chunks
- 1 large yellow bell pepper, chopped into 1-inch chunks
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried herbes de Provence
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Sea salt to taste
- Fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- 1
Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1-2 minutes.
- 2
Add the diced yellow onion and sauté until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally, about 4-5 minutes.
- 3
Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
- 4
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pot along with the cubed eggplant, then sauté the eggplant for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- 5
Toss in the diced zucchini and chopped bell peppers, continuing to sauté for another 4-5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften slightly.
- 6
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to develop its rich flavor.
- 7
Pour in the crushed tomatoes along with all their juices, then add the herbes de Provence, dried basil, thyme, and cayenne pepper.
- 8
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes until all vegetables are tender and flavors have melded together.
- 9
Taste the ratatouille and season generously with sea salt and fresh ground black pepper according to your preference.
- 10
Remove from heat and stir in the balsamic vinegar, then fold in the chopped fresh parsley and fresh basil just before serving.
- 11
Ladle the ratatouille into bowls and serve warm, optionally drizzling with additional olive oil or serving over quinoa or crusty whole grain bread.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed tomatoes | Fresh tomatoes, blanched and chopped | Fresh tomatoes provide more live enzymes and probiotics for gut health while reducing sodium content |
| Extra virgin olive oil (4 tablespoons) | Extra virgin olive oil (2 tablespoons) plus vegetable broth (2 tablespoons) | Reduces overall fat and calories while maintaining moisture and flavor through the addition of liquid |
| Herbes de Provence mix | Fresh herbs: 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped | Fresh herbs contain more polyphenols and antioxidants that support anti-inflammatory responses and gut microbiome diversity |
| Tomato paste (2 tablespoons) | Sun-dried tomato paste (1.5 tablespoons) or additional crushed tomatoes (3 tablespoons) | Sun-dried tomatoes contain higher concentrations of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that reduces inflammation |
| Sea salt and black pepper only | Sea salt, black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika plus 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder | Additional spices boost anti-inflammatory compounds without increasing sodium |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 235 |
| Total Fat | 10g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 420mg |
| Carbohydrates | 31g |
| Fiber | 9g |
| Sugar | 12g |
| Protein | 8g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
