Baked Ratatouille

This oven baked ratatouille recipe is a classic French Tian side dish. Made with tomatoes, eggplant, green and yellow zucchini, this is a hearty fall meal.

Ratatouille has been one of my favourite side dishes for years. Usually, I make the stewed version of this dish. It includes the same basic ingredients, but is quicker to prepare. The last few times I have made the classic oven baked ratatouille and I love it so much.

Oven baked ratatouille has a presentation that is sure to blow people away. This dish is a centrepiece. It is one of my ‘go-to’ side dishes any time we have guests over. Plus, not only does it look incredible, it is also very delicious!

If you are interested in the stovetop stewed version, then check the recipe here: Stovetop Ratatouille.

Scooping out some ratatouille

This oven baked ratatouille recipe is also a popular conversation piece. People love to talk about not only how this dish looks and tastes, but also about the Pixar movie called Ratatouille The movie, which is a classic, is named based off this dish. I highly recommend the movie, if you have never seen it.

Getting all the ingredients ready

Tips to making oven baked ratatouille

  • Use vegetables of different colours to give the best visual display: green and yellow zucchini, eggplant and roma tomatoes
  • Try to make sure that all the vegetables are the same size. 
  • Slice the vegetables with the same thickness. I aim for the slices to be about 1/4 inch thick.
  • Use Italian eggplant, if possible. There are many different types of eggplant, and I find that Italian eggplant has a similar diameter to zucchini and roma tomatoes.

Slice the vegetables about 1/4 inch thick

I find it best to prep everything first. Slice all the vegetables and get all the ingredients ready to be assembled before you actually start making the ratatouille.

Spread the diced tomatoes, onion and garlic evenly on the bottom of the casserole dish

The sliced vegetables in ratatouille are assembled on a bed of stewed tomatoes. I use one 28oz can of diced tomatoes, with a diced onion and a few minced garlic cloves. Spread it evenly on the bottom of the casserole dish.

arrange the sliced vegetables following a consistent pattern

There are many different types of baking casserole dishes that can be used. I used an oval baking dish, as you can see in the photos. I have also used a cast iron skillet which worked great. You can also use square or rectangular dishes. The shape of the dish will result different patterns

I start assembling the ratatouille with the outside circle first.  Place one slice of each vegetable stacked horizontally together. Then keep adding more sliced vegetables, following the same colour pattern. Since one of the great things about baked ratatouille is the visual display, I make sure to use the same pattern through the whole dish. 

Work on arranging the inner ring

Once you have finished the outer ring, move on to the inner ring adding the sliced vegetables the same way. Since I am using oval shaped dish, I wasn’t able to do a complete inner circle. Instead I assembled the sliced vegetables in an inner arc. Then went the other way for another inner arc. Finally there was a little bit of space in the very middle. I added some sliced vegetables in there as well to fill that spot.

Tips to assembling the ratatouille slices

  • Follow the same colour pattern order when placing the slices.
  • Keep the slices close together without much space. That way they will stay standing up once the dish has been baked. 
  • Follow the shape of the dish you are using. If using a circle or oval dish, circle or arc rows work great. If using a rectangular dish, use straight rows, side by side.

Use fresh oregano, thyme and olive oil

The final step of preparing the ratatouille is to top it with olive oil, herbs, salt and pepper. I used fresh oregano and thyme. I also love to use tarragon, but it can be difficult to find locally.

Spread the fresh herbs on top

Spread the fresh herbs, salt, pepper and olive oil evenly across the top. Now the ratatouille is ready to go in the oven!

Bake at 350F for 90 minutes. Cover with foil for the first 45 minutes.

Cover the dish with foil and bake in a 350F oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 45 minutes. hours. The sliced vegetables should be fully cooked, and beautifully roasted.

Scooping out some ratatouille

Baked Ratatouille

This oven baked ratatouille recipe is a classic French Tian side dish. Made with tomatoes, eggplant, green and yellow zucchini, this is a hearty fall meal.
5 out of 5
4 reviews
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This oven baked ratatouille recipe is a classic French Tian side dish. Made with tomatoes, eggplant, green and yellow zucchini, this is a hearty fall meal.
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 8 people

Ingredients

  • 2 medium green zucchini
  • 2 medium yellow zucchini
  • 4 Italian eggplant
  • 5 roma tomatoes
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (28oz can)
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 3 tbsp fresh oregano minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh thyme minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • Slice green and yellow zuchini, eggplant and roma tomatoes into 1/4 inch sliced round meddalions. Try to make all the slices the same width.
  • Mix the can of diced tomatoes with the onion and garlic. Spread the mixture evenly across the bottom of a medium sized casserole or baking dish.
  • Start assembling the ratatouille rows by placing one slice of each vegetable, standing upright and stacked together, up against the edge of the baking dish. Keep adding a slice at a time, following the same colour pattern and moving along the edge of the dish. Once the outer row is complete, continue the same way with the inner row.
  • Mix together the olive oil with the minced oregano, thyme, salt and pepper. Drizzle it evenly across the top of all the sliced vegetables.
  • Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 45 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked through and soft.
  • Serve.

Nutrition

Per serving:

Calories: 154kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 4gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 375mgFiber: 7gSugar: 9g

Nutrition Disclaimer

Categories

This oven baked ratatouille recipe is a classic French Tian side dish. Made with tomatoes, eggplant, green and yellow zucchini, this is a hearty fall meal.

Did you try this recipe?

Leave a comment and let me know how it turned out. Or, take a picture to share on Instagram and tag me @theblackpeppercorn.

5 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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4 comments

  • 5 stars
    Wow, this was amazing!!! It did take a bit longer for mine to bake, but I had a very full pan! I wanted to top worth panko, so I mixed that with the olive oil and herbs. Fantastic and I’ll make it again!!!

    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    I love this recipe! The ease of the recipe coupled with the deep rich taste were a hit at our dinner table. It was quite a sight to behold with the beautiful array of colours. Great the next day also(if there’s any left) as the flavours intensify. Added to our families roster for sure.

    • Reply
  • I have always loved ratatouille and this presentation is stunning for entertaining. I’m pinning this to my entertaining board right now. Thinking this is the perfect side dish for our Christmas Eve Prime Rib! Thank you for posting this!

    • Reply
    • This would be amazing with Prime Rib! And yes, the presentation is ideal for entertaining. I plan to make it again for Thanksgiving dinner

      • Reply

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