Description
Ratatouille with Garlic and Olive Oil is a comforting Mediterranean vegetable dish made with tender eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and ripe tomatoes gently simmered in extra virgin olive oil and fragrant garlic. This healthy, vegetarian recipe delivers rich flavor using simple ingredients and traditional cooking methods. Perfect as a main dish or side, it tastes even better the next day and pairs beautifully with crusty bread or rice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium eggplants, diced
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 red bell peppers, sliced
- 4 ripe tomatoes, chopped (or 1 can 400g crushed tomatoes)
- ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
- Sprinkle the diced eggplant with salt and let it rest for 20 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté eggplant until golden and tender. Remove and set aside.
- Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and sauté zucchini until lightly golden. Remove and set aside.
- Add remaining olive oil to the pan. Cook chopped onion until soft and translucent.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in sliced bell peppers and cook for 5 minutes until slightly softened.
- Add chopped tomatoes, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Return eggplant and zucchini to the pan. Reduce heat and cook gently for 15–20 minutes until vegetables are tender and flavors blend.
- Taste, adjust seasoning, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best Mediterranean flavor. This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Serve with crusty bread, rice, or alongside grilled fish or chicken.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg