Ratatouille
Jump to Recipe
This ratatouille is so simple to make, and packed with vibrant vegetables in a rich, tomatoey sauce, which means it goes with just about anything. There’s something truly special about a classic ratatouille: aubergine, courgette, peppers and tomatoes slowly cook together until they become soft, silky, and full of sunshiney flavour.
It’s a dish that feels both rustic and elegant, simple yet incredibly satisfying. Whether you serve it as a hearty vegetarian main or as a colourful side alongside grilled meats, fish, or crusty bread, ratatouille is one of those timeless recipes that brings warmth and comfort to the table
Serving Suggestions for Ratatouille
- Grilled Chicken — lemony, herby chicken works beautifully with the soft, sweet vegetables.
- Steak or Lamb Chops — charred, savoury meat balanced by the freshness of ratatouille.
- Roast Pork or Pork Chops — the dish’s acidity cuts through pork’s natural sweetness.
- White Fish (Cod, Haddock, Sea Bass) — clean, mild fish with vibrant vegetables is a perfect match.
- Salmon — rich, oily salmon lifted by the tomato‑aubergine base.
- Sausages — herby or garlic sausages pair especially well.
- Rice, Couscous or Quinoa — simple grains that soak up the juices.
- Pasta — toss the ratatouille through penne or spaghetti for an instant vegetarian main.
- Crusty French Bread — perfect for scooping up the soft vegetables and juices.
- Saffron Rice — aromatic and colourful; a lovely contrast.
- Green Salad — sharp vinaigrette to balance the richness.
- Polenta (creamy or grilled) — soft, comforting base for the vegetables.
- Roast Potatoes or Chips — hearty, cosy, and surprisingly perfect

Ratatouille
Ingredients
- 1 courgette
- 1 aubergine
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 mixed peppers, sliced (or handful of frozen mixed peppers
- 2 onions, halved and sliced
- 1 tsp harissa
- ½ tsp garlic paste
- 500 g passata
- 150 g water
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- ½ tbsp basil
- ½ tbsp oregano
- large pinch of ground pepper
Instructions
- Halve the courgettes lengthways and thickly slice the aubergines. Place in a griddle pan and cook on both sides until they are slightly charred. Remove and set aside.
- In a large pan, add the olive oil, peppers and onions and cook for around 5mins. Then add the harissa and garlic and stir for a few mins.
- Slice the courgettes and cut the aubergines into quarters and add to the pan.
- Stir in the passata, water, vinegar, basil, oregano and season with pepper and simmer for around 10mins and serve when ready.
Top tip:
- This dish is great to make ahead and then reheat when you're ready to serve.
