Hearty Baked Ratatouille
This Hearty Baked Ratatouille is a delightful and vibrant dish that celebrates the flavors of traditional Mediterranean cuisine. Bursting with a medley of fresh vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers, this wholesome casserole is perfectly seasoned with garlic and fresh basil, creating a symphony of taste. A sprinkle of feta cheese adds a creamy richness that enhances the dish without overwhelming it. Ideal as a comforting side or a light main course, it’s perfect for sharing with friends and family at any gathering.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
3 tablespoons (none)
garlic cloves
5 (chopped)
eggplant
1 large (diced (unpeeled))
green bell peppers
2 (diced)
tomatoes
2 large (chopped)
onion
1 large (cut into 1-inch pieces)
zucchini
1 large (cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
fresh basil
1/2 cup (chopped or 1 tablespoon dried basil)
red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons (none)
feta cheese
4 ounces (diced (optional))
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large, heavy-bottomed Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
3
Add the chopped garlic cloves and sauté for about 1 minute, stirring frequently until fragrant.
4
Next, add the diced eggplant, green bell peppers, chopped tomatoes, onion, and zucchini to the pot. Sauté the mixture for approximately 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly.
5
Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let the vegetables simmer for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender.
6
Remove the lid and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the juices reduce and thicken.
7
Stir in the red wine vinegar, and season the mixture with salt and pepper according to your taste.
8
Transfer the vegetable mixture to a 9-inch pie dish, spreading it evenly.
9
If desired, sprinkle the diced feta cheese over the top.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until the ratatouille is heated through.
11
Serve warm, and enjoy this hearty, vegetable-packed dish!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Baked Ratatouille?
Hearty Baked Ratatouille is a vibrant Mediterranean vegetable dish featuring a medley of eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers seasoned with garlic and fresh basil.
What vegetables are included in this recipe?
The recipe includes eggplant, green bell peppers, tomatoes, onion, and zucchini.
Is this ratatouille recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this dish is vegetarian and can be made vegan by omitting the feta cheese.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe requires 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
How many garlic cloves are used?
You will need 5 chopped garlic cloves for this recipe.
Do I need to peel the eggplant?
No, the eggplant should be diced but remains unpeeled.
What is the oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How should the onion be prepared?
The onion should be cut into 1-inch pieces.
How long should the garlic be sautéed?
Sauté the chopped garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.
What is the initial sauté time for the mixed vegetables?
The vegetables should be sautéed for approximately 5 minutes before simmering.
How long do the vegetables simmer while covered?
The vegetables should simmer covered on low heat for about 25 minutes.
Why do the vegetables simmer uncovered for 10 minutes?
Simmering uncovered allows the juices to reduce and thicken.
When should the red wine vinegar be added?
Stir in the 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar after the simmering process is complete.
What kind of baking dish is needed?
The mixture should be transferred to a 9-inch pie dish for baking.
How much feta cheese is used?
The recipe calls for 4 ounces of diced feta cheese, which is optional.
How long does the dish bake in the oven?
Bake the ratatouille for about 20 minutes until it is heated through.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute 1/2 cup of fresh basil with 1 tablespoon of dried basil.
How should the zucchini be cut?
The zucchini should be cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
How many green bell peppers are needed?
The recipe requires 2 green bell peppers, diced.
What size tomatoes should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 large tomatoes, chopped.
Is this dish healthy?
Yes, it is a healthy, vegetable-packed casserole suitable for many diets.
What type of pot is best for the stovetop steps?
A large, heavy-bottomed Dutch oven is recommended for sautéing and simmering.
How should the ratatouille be seasoned?
Season the vegetable mixture with salt and pepper according to your personal taste.
Is the feta cheese sprinkled before or after baking?
The feta cheese is sprinkled over the top before the final 20-minute bake.
Can this be served as a main course?
Yes, it works well as both a comforting side dish or a light main course.
What is the preparation for the eggplant?
You should use 1 large eggplant, diced and unpeeled.
Should the dish be served warm or cold?
The dish is best enjoyed served warm.
What makes this a Mediterranean dish?
The use of olive oil, eggplant, zucchini, garlic, and feta cheese gives it its Mediterranean character.
Are there any vegan options for this recipe?
Yes, simply leave off the feta cheese to make the recipe completely vegan.
What is the total simmering time?
The total simmering time is approximately 35 minutes (25 covered and 10 uncovered).