Carmen'S Ratatouille
A hearty vegetable and pasta stew with rich tomato flavors, seasoned with herbs and perfect for a comforting, wholesome meal that pairs well with crusty bread.
Ingredients
- 2 medium onions, thinly sliced ⓘ
- 2 garlic cloves, minced ⓘ
- 1/4 cup olive oil ⓘ
- 1 pound fresh zucchini, sliced ⓘ
- 1 green pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 (1 pound 12 ounce) can tomatoes, cut up ⓘ
- 2 cans condensed beef broth
- 1 cup water ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon oregano ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon white pepper ⓘ
- 1 package small shell macaroni ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook onions and garlic in olive oil in a large pot until light brown.
- Add zucchini and green pepper; sauté and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Add tomatoes, condensed beef broth, water, seasoned salt, oregano, and white pepper.
- Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes.
- Cook macaroni in boiling, salted water for 5 minutes.
- Drain the macaroni and add it to the soup.
- Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve hot, preferably with rye bread.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like basil or thyme to the ratatouille. You can substitute zucchini with yellow squash or eggplant for variety. If you prefer a vegetarian version, replace the beef broth with vegetable broth. Additionally, using whole wheat macaroni can increase the dish's nutritional value while maintaining its deliciousness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this ratatouille hot, accompanied by crusty rye bread for dipping. It also pairs beautifully with Mediterranean recipes like Lentil Soup(Greek) or can be a hearty main dish on its own. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or grated Parmesan for added flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the consistency. You can also microwave in short intervals until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Carmen'S Ratatouille contains roughly 433 calories, with 12g protein, 80g carbohydrates, and 14g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (131% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (110% of the Daily Value), and calcium (70% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2103mg per serving (91% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ratatouille ahead of time?
Yes, this dish can be made ahead of time and actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld together. Just store it properly in the refrigerator and reheat when ready to serve.
What can I use instead of macaroni?
If you don't have macaroni on hand, you can substitute with other pasta shapes like penne or fusilli. Alternatively, for a low-carb option, consider adding quinoa or serving the ratatouille over rice.
Is it possible to freeze leftovers?
Yes, you can freeze the ratatouille for up to 3 months. Make sure to cool it completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm on the stovetop.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).