Slow Cooker Ratatouille
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Published Jun 17, 2016, Updated Mar 20, 2023
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A delicious slow cooker ratatouille with summer vegetables. Serve as a side, over rice or quinoa, with a grilled protein or even in an omelet.
Important question…where is your slow cooker right now? Is it tucked away in a cabinet? Hiding out in the basement? I know that most people, myself included, tend to forget about slow cooking over the summer because it’s HOT and we’re drawn to cold foods, but there are plenty of summer slow cooker recipes to be made! To prove it I’m teaming up with my favorite blogging friends to bring you a host of healthy slow cooker recipes that are perfect for summer.
My contribution to this roundup is a slow cooker ratatouille and I’m pretty sure this dish is going to become a summer staple because Isaac and I both LOVED it. It’s not only amazingly easy to toss together, but it’s absolutely delicious and so versatile.
It’s an awesome Sunday meal prep/batch cooking recipe because it makes a large amount and you can use it in a variety of ways throughout the week. Here’s what I’m thinking:
- as a side with grilled or baked protein
- add beans and serve as a vegetarian main
- over crusty bread, pasta, rice, polenta or quinoa
- for breakfast with eggs (shakshuka style) or in an omelet
- as a filling for crepes
- over a baked sweet potato
- on a sandwich or pizza
- cold as a salad
- with tortilla chips
So many options!! You might want to make a double batch. 🙂
Summer Vegetable Ratatouille
In terms of picking what veggies to use for the ratatouille, I simply went to our local farmers market and stocked up on all the summer veggies I could find — onions, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, bell pepper, eggplant and fresh basil.
That’s really all you need to make a good ratatouille.
Ratatouille is usually sautéed, baked or simmered in a large pot but the slow cooker makes it so easy. You simply toss all your ingredients in, set it and forget it… for a few hours. Trust me, you won’t be able to forget it for long because after a couple hours your house will smell like an amazing Italian restaurant. And once it’s cooked you’ll be delighted by the flavor.
Summertime slow cooking has never been better!
Want More Slow Cooker Recipes? Check out these:
- Vegetarian Slow Cooker Freezer Meals
- Slow Cooker Cheesy Mexican Quinoa Casserole
- Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili
- Slow Cooker Dairy-Free Butter Chicken
- Caribbean Pulled Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Summer Slow Cooker Frittata
- Slow Cooker Mango Chicken & Sweet Potato Bowls
Slow Cooker Ratatouille
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons coconut oil, or ghee
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large eggplant, chopped
- 1 orange bell pepper, chopped
- 4 summer squash/zucchini squash
- 1 cup chopped grape tomatoes
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2-1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, optional
- 1 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except basil into a large slow-cooker, cover and cook. Cook for 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low). The ratatouille is ready when the vegetables have softened, but aren’t mushy. If you’re worried about the ratatouille being too watery, remove the slow cooker lid and cook on high for the last hour. Just before serving, gently stir in fresh basil. Serve warm or cold as a side or over a whole grain like quinoa or rice as a main entree.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can this be done on the stovetop on low? How long would you suggest?
I don’t see why it wouldn’t work on the stovetop using medium/low heat. That said, I don’t know how long it will take because I haven’t tried it. I’m guessing 20-30 minutes — maybe less. I’d just keep stirring and checking it and stop cooking when the veggies are tender to your liking. Let me know if you try it!!
I’ve been looking for a good slow-cooker Ratatouille recipe, after reading the comments, I definitely need to try it. Could this be scaled down for a 4 quart slow cooker? Any recommendations on adjustments?
Hi Andy! So glad you found my recipe. I think your best bet would be to half the recipe for a 4 quart slow cooker! Let me know how it turns out.