Cajun Ratatouille

Elevate your dinner table with the bold and vibrant flavors of Cajun Ratatouille, a spicy Southern twist on the classic French vegetable medley. This dish combines a rainbow of fresh vegetables—eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, and bell peppers—infused with robust Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and fresh thyme. Simmered to perfection in a rich, garlicky tomato base, it delivers a satisfying balance of smoky heat and hearty plant-based goodness. Ready in just an hour, this gluten-free and vegan-friendly recipe is as versatile as it is flavorful. Serve it warm with crusty bread or fluffy rice for a comforting main course, or pair it with grilled proteins for a vibrant side dish that will become a household favorite. Perfect for healthy weeknight dinners or impressing guests with a burst of Louisiana-inspired flavor!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 medium Eggplant
• 2 medium Zucchini
• 2 medium Yellow Squash
• 1 large Red Bell Pepper
• 1 large Green Bell Pepper
• 1 large Yellow Onion
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 14 oz Crushed Tomatoes (canned)
• 3 tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 tbsp Cajun Seasoning
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 4 sprigs Fresh Thyme
• 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black Pepper

Directions

Step 1

Wash and dry all vegetables. Dice the eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper into bite-sized pieces. Dice the onion and mince the garlic cloves.

Step 2

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the diced onions to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the diced eggplant to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil if the pan becomes too dry.

Step 5

Stir in the zucchini, yellow squash, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are slightly tender but still hold their shape.

Step 6

Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes, and add the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme sprigs, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the mixture simmer for 25-30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, and allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed by adding more salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning based on your preference.

Step 9

Remove the thyme sprigs before serving. Garnish the ratatouille with freshly chopped parsley.

Step 10

Serve warm as a main dish with crusty bread or rice, or as a hearty side dish to accompany grilled proteins.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2201.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1022.3

Total Fat 47.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 11168.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 141.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 42.3g	0%
Total Sugars 87.4g
Protein 24.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 372.8mg	0%
Iron 10.2mg	0%
Potassium 4728.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.2%

Protein: 8.8%

Carbs: 51.9%