Best Slow Cooker Ratatouille Recipe For This Fall (2024)

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by Mihaela

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How to make the best Ratatouille recipe this fall? In a slow cooker, of course.

Looking for a healthy and delicious autumn recipe? How about some good old Ratatouille?

But there are so many versions today that it’s hard to know which one is the best ratatouille recipe, isn’t it?

Well, I always found it more interesting to mix the classic and the modern when it comes to cooking. That’s why I took a traditional ratatouille recipe and cooked it in a slow cooker (a.k.a Crock Pot).

Best Slow Cooker Ratatouille Recipe For This Fall (1)Making ratatouille in a slow cooker takes more time, but it’s really easy, because all you have to do is prep it, throw it in and leave it there until it’s done. There is no need to watch it or to adjust anything.

And because we are cooking the veggies at low temperature, they keep most of their nutrients and flavor, making them healthier and more delicious.

Best Slow Cooker Ratatouille Recipe For This Fall (2)

If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can find a decent priced one on Amazon, but you can also make this recipe in the oven, without a crock pot. I have included the instructions for doing that in the Recipe Notes below.

But before we rock the kitchen, I would like to tell you a few things about this dish. I have also included my best tips for making this easy slow cooker ratatouille recipe, so keep reading as it gets interesting.

Now, out of curiosity, how many of you know what ratatouille is?
Just to be clear, I am not talking about the movie, and the recipe was not named after it.

What is Ratatouille

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According to Wikipedia, Ratatouille is a stew made of veggies and it originates from south of France, more specifically Nice. Hence, it is sometimes called ratatouille niçoise.

In its old days, it was known as the poor man’s dish. Today, it became so popular around the world and although it is relatively cheap to make, it’s hardly for the poor.

The traditional ratatouille recipe is made of eggplant, zucchini, tomato, onion, garlic, seasoning, bell peppers, basil, and thyme.

But due to its current popularity, there are now so many versions of it.

Best Slow Cooker Ratatouille Recipe For This Fall (4)

Now, as mentioned above, I like to mix the classic and the modern when cooking. So today I will show you how to make a traditional ratatouille recipe in a slow cooker.

You can serve it as an appetizer, main, or side dish.

If you’re a vegetarian it’s great as a main. But since most foodies love it as a side dish, I will give you a few ideas on what to serve with ratatouille.

What To Serve With Ratatouille

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The answer to this would be quite broad because it goes perfectly with a lot of dishes. But I will narrow it down to my favorites, as I think you will love them too:

  1. Roast Chicken
  2. Steak
  3. Crusty bread or toasted sourdough (Vegetarian)
  4. Roast duck
  5. On a toast with melted mozzarella on top
  6. With avocado toasts (Vegan – if you skip the Parmesan cheese)
  7. Baked Salmon
  8. Grilled meats
  9. With fried eggs and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley

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Now that you know what to serve with ratatouille, I will also give you a few tips about cooking it:

  • Use only good quality olive oil. This will enhance flavor, while the cheapest ones will taint it.
  • The best way to make the spiral shape is to pick each veggie slice and build a small stack in your hand. Then place it into the slow cooker following its edges all the way around in a spiral shape.
  • Place the tomato sauce at the bottom of the slow cooker and not on the veggies, so that they will remain firm and keep their nice shape after cooking.

Now you know what ratatouille is, what to serve with it, and the best tips for cooking it. So let’s rock the kitchen, shall we?

Watch the video and see how to make Ratatouille in a slow cooker, and don’t forget to Subscribe to my Youtube Channel for more recipe videos.

How To Make Ratatouille In A Slow Cooker

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Slow Cooker Ratatouille Recipe

This slow cooker ratatouille recipe is a delicious autumn recipe that you can serve as an appetizer, main or side dish

Course dinner, lunch, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine French, Vegetarian

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 3 hours hours

Total Time 3 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 268kcal

Author Mihaela

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 can (250g/8oz) chopped tomatoes
  • 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 garlic cloves - minced
  • 1 Tbsp Italian spices
  • 1 large red onion
  • 1 medium eggplant
  • 1 white eggplant - (optional)
  • 1 medium zucchini
  • 2 red potatoes
  • 3 sweet peppers - different colors
  • 1/2 cup (50g) finely grated parmesan
  • A pinch of fresh thyme
  • Salt & pepper - to taste

Instructions

  • Slice all veggies using a mandoline. You can also slice them with a sharp knife, but a mandoline will make even and thin slices.

  • Place the chopped tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, garlic and Italian spices in the slow cooker.

  • Season generously with salt and pepper, and mix to combine. Add half of the grated parmesan.

  • Layer the sliced veggies on top. Make a spiral-shaped stack of veggies, then drizzle olive oil.(NOTES - The best way to make the spiral, is to pick each veggie slice and build a small stack in your hand. Then place it into the slow cooker following its edges all the way around.)

  • Add in the remaining parmesan. Season to your taste and sprinkle fresh thyme.

  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or on LOW for about 4-5 hours.

    NOTE: If you cook on HIGH check it after 2 hours. If you cook on LOW check it after 4. Cooking time depends on how thick the veggie slices are, and on the model of your slow cooker.

Recipe Notes

You can also make this recipe in the oven. Replace the slow cooker with a round oven-proof dish or a cast iron pan and cook it in the oven for about 1.5 hours,at 350F/180C.

The ingredients remain the same.

Nutrition

Serving: 340g | Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 312mg | Potassium: 1381mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 3136IU | Vitamin C: 143mg | Calcium: 226mg | Iron: 3mg

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Best Slow Cooker Ratatouille Recipe For This Fall (2024)

FAQs

What's the secret of a good ratatouille? ›

Cooking each vegetable separately before combining them in ratatouille ensures that each component cooks to the right texture and retains its distinct flavor. Different vegetables have varying cooking times; for instance, eggplants and peppers take longer to become tender compared to tomatoes and zucchini.

Can you make ratatouille the day before? ›

That time spent steeping in good oil makes ratatouille one of the rare vegetable dishes that improves as it sits. It is best made in advance, and you can be flexible with the way you cook it, roasting the vegetables in stages as time allows, then combining them all even days later.

How do you make ratatouille less watery? ›

Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or until the vegetables are tender, then uncover and cook for 1 hour more to allow some of the liquid to evaporate and the vegetables to meld further.

What is the correct order of steps for making ratatouille? ›

  1. Step 1: Roast Nuts. Start by roasting the pine nuts in a dry frying pan. ...
  2. Step 2: Prepare Eggplant. Dice the eggplant, put the cubes in a strainer and sprinkle with salt. ...
  3. Step 3: Slice the Onion. ...
  4. Step 4: Cook the Onion. ...
  5. Step 5: Add Tomato Puree. ...
  6. Step 6: Cook Peppers. ...
  7. Step 7: Mushrooms and Zucchini. ...
  8. Step 8: Eggplant.

Why does ratatouille taste so good? ›

This vibrant dish captures the essence of summer with its medley of fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs. Our version features tender squash, juicy tomatoes, earthy eggplant, and sweet bell peppers, all cooked in a rich tomato sauce infused with garlic, thyme, parsley, and basil.

Why is ratatouille so healthy? ›

Ratatouille is packed with dietary fiber, potassium, vitamins A, C and K, folate and much more. With so many vegetables included, you're bound to meet the recommended daily amount of veggies your body needs.

What do you traditionally eat with ratatouille? ›

How to Serve Ratatouille. Ratatouille can be the main dish with a side of crusty bread or a salad accompanying a meal, but it's also good served over polenta, pasta, mashed potatoes, quinoa, and rice. Use it as a filling for omelets and tarts or as a side for grilled or roasted meats.

Is ratatouille worth making? ›

Ratatouille Is a Worthwhile Labor of Love. Cooked in olive oil with garlic, herbs, and wine, this late summer vegetable stew is rich, tender, and transcendent when made well.

What are the two ways ratatouille is commonly served? ›

Ratatouille is usually eaten as an appetiser or side dish, however you can also eat it as a main meal. In France, ratatouille is usually eaten with fish, quiche, or souffle.

How do you take the bitterness out of ratatouille? ›

Many cooks will claim that salting an eggplant will remove its bitterness, but I learned from a Japanese friend that soaking it in cold water works better. Sometimes, I like to burn the skins off the peppers to introduce a smoky flavor to the ratatouille; you can do this on a grill or gas stove.

What if ratatouille has too much liquid? ›

If after the hour-long simmer, the ratatouille has more than a few tablespoons of water in the pan, use a spoon to drain and discard it. This usually is a problem only if you've used large vegetables, which have a higher water content than smaller ones. In a large bowl, toss the eggplant pieces with the kosher salt.

How long does homemade ratatouille last? ›

Nigella says this will keep in the refrigerator for 5 days, but it has never lasted that long in our house! It does keep very well though. I'm not a fan of cold ratatouille but be sure to take it out of the refrigerator well before you use it if you are going to serve it cold.

How to cut tomatoes for ratatouille? ›

Hold upright, cut around the stalk, then cut into 3 pieces. Cut away any membrane, then chop into bite-size chunks.

What is the final dish in ratatouille called? ›

The climax of the film sees Remy prepare the titular dish in the form of confit byaldi for the notoriously harsh food critic Anton Ego, who unexpectedly loves the dish due to nostalgia for his mother's cooking of traditional ratatouille. The movie gave widespread exposure to this dish around the world.

What does Remy put on top of ratatouille? ›

Fun fact: the signature dish Rémy serves at the end of Ratatouille isn't technically a ratatouille; it's a tian, which is an artful arrangement of sliced summer vegetables baked over a tomato and pepper sauce.

How to make the perfect ratatouille in Disney Dreamlight Valley? ›

To make ratatouille in Disney Dreamlight Valley, you'll need to bring the following ingredients to any of the stoves/hobs in the game: eggplant (AKA aubergine), zucchini (AKA courgette), onion, tomato, and the spice of your choice. Simply chuck those food items into any active hob and your job will be done.

What makes ratatouille unique? ›

Ratatouille is a rustic dish.” Most importantly (principle No. 3), the ingredients are cooked separately—never in the same pan. “What you want is vegetable jam,” Deshaies said.

What is the best way to eat ratatouille? ›

How to Serve Ratatouille. Ratatouille can be the main dish with a side of crusty bread or a salad accompanying a meal, but it's also good served over polenta, pasta, mashed potatoes, quinoa, and rice. Use it as a filling for omelets and tarts or as a side for grilled or roasted meats.

What is the main lesson of ratatouille? ›

At its core, “Ratatouille” entertains one foundational question: Should we as a people choose ignorance or empathy? In the film, rats are stigmatized to only be troublemakers, and humans to only be killers. But, Remy the rat makes a different choice.

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