Ratatouille is a classic French casserole from the south of France. It's made with summer vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes, flavored with basil, garlic and fresh herbs. It pairs well with bread, pasta, roasted meats, seafood and more. Here are my top picks for what to serve with ratatouille.
Usually served in a casserole dish, ratatouille can also be made as a chunky stew. (Find my favorite easy ratatouille recipe here.) The combination of these ingredients creates a burst of flavors that is both savory and refreshing.
Rich roasted veggies and bright acidity from tomatoes can make the choice of what to serve with it a bit challenging. These easy and guaranteed-to-please side dishes are picked especially for serving with ratatouille. Choose one of these and you'll have the best ratatouille dinner ever!
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Bread
Enjoy ratatouille is by serving it with crusty bread, cheesy garlic bread or as a topping for bruschetta. This allows the flavors of the ratatouille to shine through the bread. Bread is a perfect compliment to soak up all the delicious sauce when made as a chunky stew.
Appetizers
These tiny bites can be served as appetizers before the dinner or as small bites during dinner. Aromatic warm olives, earthy mushrooms and crispy fried ravioli are all welcome partners for ratatouille.
You can also use ratatouille as a topping for pizza or as a filling for omelets or frittatas.
Salads
Some fresh and simple ingredients tossed in a large bowl and lightly dressed make a perfect side dish for ratatouille. The classic French casserole has a lot of big flavors so I personally prefer a lighter salad.
During cooler weather, or if ratatouille is the main dish, you may prefer one of the richer, bolder salads featured farther down. These salads all have complimentary and contrasting textures and flavors and suit the meal perfectly.
Vegetable Sides
Ratatouille is full of delicious and healthy veggies but there's always room for more! Crispy stuffed mushrooms, steamed asparagus and elegant roasted Romanesco are all a great compliment to the savory vegetable stew.
Potatoes
The French love their potatoes and they do them so well. Each of these potato recipes have contrasting textures and flavors, making them a perfect pairing for French ratatouille.
Risotto
Rice is a good pairing for ratatouille. Choose one of these easy, creamy risotto recipes or make an easy rice pilaf.
Pasta
Try a simple dish of pasta with lemon or sun-dried tomatoes or go for a more luxurious seafood pasta. Any one of these recipes are an excellent choice to pair with sweet roasted ratatouille.
Gnocchi
With it's lovely firm texture that gives way to a soft, pillowy interior, gnocchi is a special side to serve with ratatouille. Choose a simple sauce or toss in some melted or brown butter for an easy side dish that will let your vegetables shine.
Vegan Main Dishes
For a vegetarian or vegan option, ratatouille is great as a main dish. Serve it over a bed of rice or quinoa for a nutritious and filling meal. Also see the two vegan pasta recipes above for more options. The combination of the sweet, caramelized flavors of the roasted vegetables and tangy tomatoes with these hearty vegetarian dishes is a match made in heaven.
Fish + Seafood
Fish or seafood is a delicious light main dish for ratatouille. Choose a recipe with a simple preparation or Mediterranean flavors to compliment the chunky vegetable stew.
Chicken + Turkey
One of the best ways to enjoy ratatouille is as a side dish. It goes well with grilled meats like chicken, pork, or beef as well as stewed and sauced recipes. The rich tomato sauce and fresh herbs add a burst of flavor that complements the smoky, savory taste of roasted, stewed or grilled meat.
Pork
Pork makes a great partner. Grill a pork chop, cook up some French or Italian sausages, or use ground pork in these flavorful stuffed peppers.
Lamb
For a luxury meal, cook up some traditional lamb. Easy and unexpected, this recipe is a great way to surprise your guests.
Beef
Stewed Italian beef or pan fried steak are other luxurious choices to serve with ratatouille. The recipes are simple but stunning and will make your mouth water.
I hope these recipes have helped you plan the best possible meal, starring your ratatouille recipe. Let me know in the comments below if you've found a new favorite recipe!
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Cheers friends! Sabrina
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