Ratatouille is a delectable vegetable stew that originated from Nice, France. Its a hearty and healthy dish that combines a variety of vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
The beauty of ratatouille is that its versatile, and can be enjoyed as a main dish or a side. But what do you serve with ratatouille to make it a full, satisfying meal? Here are 15 delicious suggestions.
The best side dishes to serve with ratatouille are brown rice, French onion soup, teriyaki pork chops, French bread pizza, eggplant parmesan, polenta, roasted chicken, grilled salmon, grilled halloumi, couscous, quinoa salad, garlic bread, and mashed potatoes.
Starting with a simple but classic pairing – brown rice. The nutty and chewy texture of brown rice complements the soft and tender vegetables in ratatouille. Brown rice is also a fantastic source of fiber and whole grains, making this combination a nutritious and filling meal. Dont hesitate to mix the ratatouille and rice together for a delightful blend of flavors.
French onion soup as a side to ratatouille might sound unconventional, but the rich, savory flavors of the soup wonderfully contrast the light, herbal notes of the ratatouille. The sweetness of caramelized onions and the richness of beef broth provide a depth of flavor that elevates the entire meal.
Adding a protein to your meal can turn ratatouille from a side dish into a star. Teriyaki pork chops, with their sweet and savory glaze, bring a different flavor profile that marries surprisingly well with the ratatouille. The meaty, hearty texture of the pork chops also adds a satisfying contrast to the tender vegetables.
Looking to make your meal a bit more fun and casual? Try pairing your ratatouille with French bread pizza. The crispy crust and melty cheese of the pizza provide a delightful contrast to the stewed vegetables. Plus, you can even top the pizza with some ratatouille for an exciting twist.
Eggplant Parmesan and ratatouille share a common ingredient – eggplant. The breaded and fried eggplant slices, smothered with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, offer a different preparation of eggplant that contrasts yet complements the stewed eggplant in the ratatouille. Its a great way to explore the versatility of this wonderful vegetable.
Creamy, buttery polenta makes a fantastic partner to ratatouille. The smooth texture of the polenta is a nice contrast to the chunky vegetables, and its mild flavor allows the ratatouille to shine. Polenta is also incredibly comforting, making your meal feel like a big, warm hug.
A simple roasted chicken can be a great companion to ratatouille. The chicken, seasoned with just salt and pepper, allows the complex flavors of the ratatouille to take center stage. Plus, the crispy skin and juicy meat of the chicken adds a delightful texture contrast to the dish.
Ratatouille can be served as a first course with bread; it can also be served as a side dish, as you would any vegetable side. However, I most enjoy serving ratatouille as a main-ish dish; that is, as an anchor to a summer’s dinner.
1 Steak Frites
Steak Frites, a classic French dish that consists of a juicy steak accompanied by crispy fries, could be an indulgent companion to ratatouille. The hearty steak contrasts nicely with the vegetable-heavy ratatouille, while the fries can be perfect for scooping up any leftover sauce.
I think you might be surprised by how easy it is to make your own noodles!
The resulting pitas are soft, airy, and easy to pull apart. This dish is great to serve as a simple accompaniment to your meal, and I also like to use these pita breads to make wraps with leftover ratatouille (it’s delicious both hot and cold!)
If you want to switch things up, try a blend of parsley, thyme, marjoram, and oregano to keep up the French flavor profile for an ultimate authentic pairing with ratatouille.
The whole thing comes together in only twenty minutes! That includes both making your own garlic butter and cooking the steak to perfection.
It’s not strictly traditional, but I sometimes scoop my ratatouille straight onto my bread to get everything in one bite! Having a bread side is great for soaking up the flavor-packed juices leftover from cooking as well.
Traditional French Ratatouille? Do it yourself! With this easy-to-follow recipe | A Typical Dish
FAQ
Is ratatouille a side or main dish?
Is ratatouille an actual meal?
How would you describe ratatouille on a menu?
Is ratatouille really a peasant dish?
Should Ratatouille be a side dish?
Many families have the ratatouille as the main course and a salad and crusty bread are the side dishes. If you want the ratatouille to be the side, think about grilling any kind of chops or steaks. The hearty grill flavor is a good balance for the vegetables.
How long does Ratatouille last?
Ratatouille is one of those fabulous dishes that can be served either as a main or side dish. It also happily keeps for days, being meat and dairy-free. In fact, the pictured Ratatouille was consumed by me over the course of 5 days in various forms, including as: A meal in its entirety – In a bowl eaten with with crusty bread on the side!;
What do you eat with Ratatouille?
This classic French dish of stewed late summer vegetables is anything but fancy, but it’s a darn good way to use seasonal produce! Serve it as a side dish with fish or chicken, or as a main dish with white beans and crusty bread. What is ratatouille? Ratatouille is a classic dish from Southern France of stewed vegetables.
Is Ratatouille a modern dish?
At that point, it became the modern version of the eggplant, zucchini, pepper and tomato dish we enjoy today, and many chefs get creative with riffs on the classic preparation, adding other vegetables or trying different preparation styles. What Is Ratatouille?