Ratatouille recipe

This classic ratatouille recipe has been triple tested in our kitchens. Warming and comforting, a veggie packed ratatouille is easy to make with any leftover veggies you've got in the fridge.

This ratatouille recipe will take around 50 mins to prepare and cook and serves 8 people. A portion of this delicious vegetable mix works out at only 120 calories per serving. So it's a low calorie meals option which is great if you're following a diet like the 5:2.

This dish is ideal for vegetarians too, as it is filling enough to enjoy as a main meal. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days, but make sure to reheat thoroughly before serving. This recipe can be stored in the freezer too - use within 1 month and defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.

If you want to go really indulgent with the ratatouille recipe, pop it in an oven dish mixed with a good portion of pasta, top with cheese and pop under the grill for a ratatouille pasta bake. Or if you want to go more dinner party with it, serve with a mix potatoes and veg. We love it with these crispy garlic and rosemary potato slices.

Ingredients

• 4tbsp olive oil
• 2 red onions, cut into wedges
• 4 cloves garlic, finely sliced
• 2 aubergines, roughly chopped
• 3 mixed peppers, roughly chopped
• 3 courgettes, roughly chopped (you could use 1 small marrow instead if you like)
• 2x400g tins chopped tomatoes
• 3tbsp tomato purée
• 1tsp sugar
• 1tsp Italian mixed dried herbs
• 2tbsp balsamic vinegar

Method

1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the onions, garlic, aubergines and peppers, and fry for 10 mins until soft.
2. Add the courgettes and fry for 5 mins. Add rest of ingredients, season, bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 mins, until tender.

Ratatouille is a classic French stew which uses ‘end of summer’ vegetables like tomatoes, aubergine, courgette and peppers. Ratatouille is a traditional French dish that originated in the coastal city of Nice. The recipe will most commonly include plenty of tomato and garlic - as well as lots of veg! The veggies are stewed in a rich tomato sauce to make a Ratatouille. It’s a simple dish that can be served for lunch, dinner or as a side dish.

Ratatouille is often served with crusty bread - as the sauce is so rich, you’ll want some bread for dipping. It’s great as a vegetarian main served with couscous, rice or other grains. You could even add ratatouille as a pizza topper - if you wanted to give your classic pizza a twist! Ratatouille can also make a perfect side dish. Try serving it with meaty meals like chicken fillets or white fish. Or why not toss in some pasta for a bowl of comforting carbs.