A recipe that celebrates vegetables

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There are many ways to prepare ratatouille. Some versions are simmered with cubed vegetables, while others focus on a more refined presentation, with vegetables arranged in thin slices.

We chose this second approach. A fragrant homemade sauce, carefully layered vegetables, and slow cooking that allows them to become tender while retaining their shape.

The result is as beautiful to serve as it is to eat.

And for cheese lovers, a gratinated version is offered at the end of the recipe.

“My son Gaël asked me for a ratatouille with beautiful layered vegetables, like in the movie Ratatouille. I created this version for him… and he asked for more. Mission accomplished!”
— Marilyn

Did you know?
This layered vegetable presentation is inspired by confit byaldi, a modern interpretation of ratatouille where vegetables are arranged in thin slices rather than cubes. We have adapted this version to be simple to make at home, while maintaining its elegance.

Summary
🔍 Information	Details
⏱️ Prep time	30 minutes
🍳 Cook time	1 hour 05 minutes
⏲️ Total time	1 hour 35 minutes
🔧 Difficulty level	Intermediate
🍽️ Servings	6
🔥 Approximate calories	170 kcal per serving, without cheese

Ingredients
For the sauce
2 tbsp olive oil 1 large onion, thinly sliced 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 red or orange bell pepper, diced 2 Roma, Italian, or Bella tomatoes, diced 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp Herbes de Provence with garlic flower François Lambert Salt and pepper to taste
Gourmet option, optional
2 to 3 tbsp red pesto This is not a traditional ingredient, but it adds a nice depth of flavor while letting the vegetables take center stage.
For the vegetables
2 small Italian eggplants 1 to 2 green zucchinis 1 to 2 yellow zucchinis, optional 6 to 8 Roma or Bella tomatoes A few fresh basil leaves For a more uniform presentation, choose vegetables with similar diameters when possible.
For the gratinated version, optional
Grated Parmesan cheese or Gruyère cheese or Havarti cheese

Instructions

Prepare the sauce
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large pan, heat olive oil.
- Sauté onion and bell pepper for about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds before stirring in tomatoes, tomato paste, and herbs.
- Simmer for about 10 minutes.
- If desired, stir in red pesto and continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Using an immersion blender, blend the sauce until smooth.
- Spread all the sauce evenly on the bottom of an oven-safe dish.
Prepare the vegetables
- Using a mandoline or a good knife, slice the eggplants, zucchinis, and tomatoes into rounds about 3 to 5 mm thick.
- If the eggplants are much larger than the other vegetables, cut the rounds in half for a more uniform presentation.
Assemble the ratatouille
- A round dish allows for the classic spiral presentation. A rectangular dish works just as well by arranging the vegetables in rows.
- Arrange the vegetables upright, in rows or in a spiral, alternating:
  - 🍅 Tomato
  - 🥒 Zucchini
  - 🍆 Eggplant
- The slices should slightly overlap.
- Drizzle with a light stream of olive oil.
- Add a little herbs, pepper, and, if necessary, a small pinch of salt.
Cooking
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 45 minutes.
- Then remove the aluminum foil.
- Continue baking for 20 minutes.
- If the vegetables have released a lot of liquid, extend the cooking time by 5 to 10 minutes, until the sauce is slightly reduced.
Gratinated version, optional
- Sprinkle with a thin layer of cheese.
- Broil for 2 to 4 minutes, until the cheese is lightly golden.
When serving
- Let the ratatouille rest for about 10 minutes.
- Add fresh basil, torn by hand, just before serving.

Approximate nutritional information per serving
Nutrient	Amount
Calories	170 kcal
Protein	5 g
Carbohydrates	25 g
Sugars	13 g
Fiber	7 g
Fat	7 g
Saturated fatty acids	1 g
Sodium	230 mg
Health score	9/10 Strengths: Very rich in vegetables and fiber, source of vitamins, naturally vegetarian and low in saturated fat. Note: Values may increase with the addition of red pesto, cheese, or extra olive oil.

Our tips

✔ Choose vegetables of similar diameter when possible for a more harmonious presentation.

✔ Roma tomatoes hold up a little better when cooked, but Bella tomatoes also give excellent results.

✔ Blending the sauce creates a uniform texture and highlights the vegetables better.

✔ Red pesto is an optional addition that enriches the sauce without replacing the basic recipe.

✔ This ratatouille is delicious on its own, with good country bread, or as a side dish for roasted chicken, grilled meat, or fish.

✔ A mandoline allows for very regular slices and a more refined presentation, but a good knife also yields excellent results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this ratatouille be prepared in advance?

Yes. It keeps very well in the refrigerator for 3 days, and the flavors are often even better the next day.

Can I only use green zucchini?

Yes. Yellow zucchini adds color, but it is not essential.

Is it absolutely necessary to blend the sauce?

No, but we recommend it. A smooth sauce gives a more refined presentation and highlights the vegetables better.

Is red pesto mandatory?

No. It is simply an optional addition that brings a richer flavor to the sauce.

What cheese should be used for the gratinated version?

Parmesan is the classic choice, but Gruyère or Havarti also give excellent results.

Can this ratatouille be served as a main dish?

Yes. Accompanied by good bread, a salad, or even a little rice, it makes an excellent vegetarian meal. It also goes very well with grilled meats, roasted chicken, or fish.

👀 Did you know? We also eat with our eyes
Even before the first bite, our brain observes the colors, shapes, contrasts, and arrangement on the plate. A visually balanced presentation can make a dish more inviting and create positive anticipation.
Visual Cue	What Our Brain Notices
🌈 Color Variety	Contrasts naturally attract the eye and give an impression of freshness and abundance.
🔁 Repetition of Shapes	Regular patterns give a sense of order and make the presentation more pleasant to observe.
📐 Organization	A clear composition helps the eye scan the plate and gives the impression that each element has been carefully chosen.
✨ Anticipation Effect	A beautiful presentation mentally prepares one for a flavorful experience even before aromas and textures come into play.
In summary: color attracts, repetition soothes, organization reassures, and the overall effect stimulates the desire to taste.

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