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).
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.
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
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.
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
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:
- Roast Chicken
- Steak
- Crusty bread or toasted sourdough (Vegetarian)
- Roast duck
- On a toast with melted mozzarella on top
- With avocado toasts (Vegan – if you skip the Parmesan cheese)
- Baked Salmon
- Grilled meats
- With fried eggs and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley
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
Slow Cooker Ratatouille Recipe
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
Nutrition
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Hello! This dish looks amazing ! However I’m allergic to vinegar, with what can I replace the balsamic vinegar ?
Hi Noemi,
Thanks for reading my blog and trying my recipes!
You can skip the balsamic vinegar, it is not an essential ingredient in this recipe. Or, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice.
Delicious ???
Thanks! I’m so glad you like it
I’ll give this ratatouille recipe a try this weekend and let you know how it goes 🙂