I’ll be honest with you: had it not been for the popular Disney movie of the same name, I would not have known about ratatouille. So, if you’re like me and haven’t heard about it, here’s a bit of the history on this savory vegetable stew! Ratatouille hails from Provence, France. Its name comes from the French words, “rata,” which means “chunky stew,” and “toullier,” which means “to stir up.” The stew dates back as far as the 18th century when peasants had to come up with a way to use up their ripened summer vegetable harvest. The soup features a variety of vegetables, including zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic, and onions. With all these refreshing ingredients, this soup is definitely exploding with flavor! The abundance of hearty vegetables makes ratatouille filling, making it a complete meal on its own. But of course, it’s always more interesting to serve it with side dishes that complement its flavors. And that’s exactly what I have for you today: the perfect sides that go wonderfully well with the rustic French soup. So without further ado, here are 16 scrumptious dishes to serve with ratatouille. Pair your ratatouille with these sides for a more than satisfying, French-approved meal!
1. Flank Steak
If you’re like me and can’t live without meat, then you should pair your ratatouille with a nice, big, juicy steak. Any cut will do, but you can’t go wrong with a perfectly seared flank steak. The rich flavors of tomatoes, eggplant, and bell peppers pair so well with the beef, which is a delight for the senses! This meal is highly nutritious and hearty and is perfect for lunch or dinner.
2. Pork Chops
Ratatouille tastes fantastic with all types of meat, so you really can’t go wrong with pork. If you want something rich and decadent to counterbalance the freshness of the vegetables, pair it with some moist and tender pork chops. Yum.
3. Lamb
Sure, steak and pork chops go wonderfully with ratatouille. But no meat tastes better with this vegetable stew than a perfectly seasoned leg of lamb. It’s the most popular Provencal pairing, and for good reason. Marinated in olive oil, thyme, rosemary, garlic, lemon, salt, and pepper, a grilled leg of lamb provides an intense umami flavor, which gives a wonderful contrast to the subtlety of ratatouille. Together, they create a delicate balance that is sure to delight your tastebuds.
4. Veal
Ratatouille is incredibly moist and tender, so it’s nice to give it a drier and chewier companion. A lean and flavorful piece of veal fits the bill. Veal adds another depth of flavor and texture, and also some extra nutrition! Together in one meal, these two elements are filling and satisfying.
5. Chicken
Ratatouille and chicken are another fool-proof pairing that will surely knock your socks off. Add a garden salad and bread, and you’ll have a perfectly hearty and healthy feast. Whether it’s grilled or roasted, chicken adds an extra dose of flavor. When served with ratatouille, you’ll have a healthy, well-rounded meal.
6. Italian Sausage
Crumble up some savory and smoky Italian sausage and sprinkle it over your ratatouille for an explosion of meat and veggie goodness! Better yet, why not cook the vegetables in some of that sausage fat for an even tastier stew? Sure, it won’t be as healthy, but the flavor combination hits all the right notes, so it’s worth the splurge! Oh, here’s another creative approach: want the perfect antipasto to your ratatouille? Slice up some cheese and Italian sausage, and you’re all set!
7. Rice
If you’re the type who can’t have a meal without a starchy carb, this one’s for you. Together, rice and ratatouille make a super satisfying meal. You can pair your ratatouille with a bowl of steamed white rice for a simple and nourishing lunch or dinner. Or, you can add some basil and fresh sun-dried tomatoes to your rice for an extra punch of flavor.
8. Quinoa
Now, if you want something as filling as rice, but don’t want all the calories, opt for quinoa instead. It’s just as hearty, but minus all the guilt! Quinoa also pairs perfectly with the deep flavors of the fresh vegetables and herbs.
9. Pasta
Apart from rice, you can also never go wrong with serving your ratatouille with pasta. I love how the caramelized juices from the veggies serve as the sauce to pasta. It’s pure genius! Combined with lots of freshly grated parmesan, pasta and ratatouille make such a fine Italian-American meal. You can choose whatever kind of noodles you want: from spaghetti to penne to fusilli. There’s really no wrong answer when it comes to pasta. Thick pappardelle works amazingly as well! You can also add Mediterranean flavors by topping your pappardelle with some basil and feta. Then, squeeze some lemon juice over the dish to brighten it up even further. Perfection!
10. Risotto
AWhat’s better than a savory risotto? Easy: one that’s topped with ratatouille. Seriously, who can say no to a creamy, butternut squash-infused arborio rice loaded with vibrant veggies? Together, these two make a heck of a comfort dish! Who needs meat when you have this hearty and flavorful vegetarian meal?
11. With an Omelet
Eggs and ratatouille are perfect together. Creamy eggs and crisp veggies? The flavor and textural contrasts are on point! Ratatouille paired with an omelet is a wonderful way to start the day. Or, better yet, why not combine these two elements to make one magnificent dish? Ratatouille omelette, anyone? It’s easy to make, too! It’s a super quick and hearty breakfast you can have any day of the week. Whether you use a soupy or grilled ratatouille, your omelet will still taste just as amazing.
12. Creamy Polenta
Here’s another dish that can benefit from a ratatouille (and vice versa): a creamy and cheesy polenta. Just like rice and pasta, polenta is also a popular side to ratatouille. There’s just something about the combination of cornmeal and crisp veggies that makes the dish so well-balanced. The juice of the veggies serves as the sauce of the crisp polenta. Topped with goat cheese, the flavors and textures create a cozy and comforting meal.
13. Bread
Aside from rice, ratatouille also craves the heartiness of bread. Whether it’s a baguette, Tuscan, sourdough, or ciabatta, a thick and crusty bread makes a fine companion to the stew. Aside from the heartiness it brings, bread also adds a wonderful contrast. It’s also perfect for dipping and sopping up all those lovely veggie juices! How can anyone say no to that? To prepare, just grill your bread slices with olive oil until toasted. Have a small bowl of olive oil with balsamic vinegar for dipping.
14. Rice Pilaf
We already know that rice and ratatouille are a match made in heaven. But here’s one version that might delight even more: rice pilaf. Riced cooked in butter, garlic, and sherry, mixed with earthy mushrooms, and then topped with a savory ratatouille? Oh boy! Who needs meat when you have that combination of lovely flavors? It may be all-veggie, but trust me, this pairing is more than enough to fill your belly and satisfy your soul.
15. Fried Egg
Sometimes, the simplest things in life are the most extraordinary. Ratatouille is already packed with flavor, so all it really needs is a fried or poached egg on top to finish it off. Just imagine yourself slicing through the yolk and having that molten golden center run down the stew. Ooh, the thought of it alone makes my mouth water! And you can also place a bed of rice underneath for a hearty, tasty, and nutritious rice bowl. It’s the perfect dish to brighten up cold a cold or cloudy day.
16. Red Wine
Just because ratatouille is all-veggie, doesn’t mean it can’t count as a stand-alone meal. In fact, the stew is incredibly hearty and flavorful as it is, I bet you won’t even yearn for meat or anything else. But you can definitely add a little kick to your simple meal by having some wine with it. With ratatouille, you can’t go wrong with a nice glass of Shiraz. Its flavors complement wonderfully with savory and tomato-y veggie dishes, which is exactly what ratatouille is. Click on a star to rate it!
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