Have you ever wondered what to serve with ratatouille? It can be a hard dish to pair with the perfect side.
We have searched the internet to find 20 of the best side dishes for ratatouille. Each one of these amazing side dish recipes will go perfectly with your favorite ratatouille recipes.
Some of the sides on our list are hearty, while others are nice and light. No matter what, you’ll find something here that you love!
Contents
What is Ratatouille?
Ratatouille is a classic French stew. It is made with roasted vegetables. Some common ingredients in ratatouille are:
- eggplant
- zucchini
- tomatoes
- yellow squash
- bell peppers
The delicious, veggie-forward meal is tasty, especially when paired with one of these great side dishes.
1. Cilantro Lime Rice
Our cilantro lime rice is a great side dish to serve with ratatouille. The fresh lime zest and light flavor of cilantro add a lot to the ratatouille meal.
Cilantro lime rice only takes a few minutes to make. You can serve it on the side of your ratatouille or scoop the roasted vegetables right on top of the rice. This easy rice side is a great way to add lots of bright flavor to your vegetable dish.
2. Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Garlic is a powerful flavor that goes perfectly with ratatouille. Pair your roasted vegetable dish with this one-pot garlic pasta from Damn Delicious, and you will have a perfect main dish.
This recipe uses chicken broth to make the pasta sauce extra creamy. You can use vegetable broth or just water for a vegetarian option. Use a low-sodium broth to keep the pasta low in salt.
Garlic adds a lot of rich taste to the meal. Serve ratatouille right on top of the pasta for a nice, one bowl entree.
3. Rice Pilaf
Are you still wondering what to serve with ratatouille? A tasty rice pilaf may be your answer. Simply Recipes will show you how to make a fantastic rice pilaf that perfectly compliments your entree.
Rice pilaf has delicious but basic seasonings. It is made with onion, celery, ground black pepper, parsley, and salt. These simple additions give the rice a mild taste that goes well with strong, flavorful veggies.
4. French Bread
A slice of homemade French bread is very hard to resist. Warm, soft bread is just too good! It is also the perfect side dish to serve with ratatouille. Ratatouille is a French entree, so it is natural to pair it with French bread!
This recipe from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe is simple enough to make at home. Yeast, water, flour, salt, olive oil, and a little sugar. It does take a little time to make this bread, so be sure to start early. You want the loaf to be baked fresh for your main course!
5. Lemon Couscous
Ratatouille goes well with bright, light flavors. Lemon is an ingredient that complements the roasted veggies well. This lemon couscous recipe from Cooking Classy is a fantastic grain to serve with your summer veggie dinner.
Couscous cooks very quickly. The tiny pasta absorbs liquid very quickly, getting tender in just a few minutes.
Be sure to use fresh lemon juice in this recipe for the best taste. Serve your roasted vegetables right on top of the couscous to create a perfect meal.
6. Creamy Polenta
Polenta and ratatouille are a classic combination. The wonderful flavor of the vegetables goes well with the creamy cornmeal dish. This recipe from Love and Lemons is very simple and can be made while your ratatouille roasts.
Stoneground polenta is added to boiling water. Salt and olive oil are mixed in the creamy dish and cooks in just a few minutes.
Use chicken broth or vegetable broth to make the dish even creamier and more flavorful. Add dried basil, ground black pepper, or garlic powder to spice up your side. Polenta and veggies is one pairing that you won’t be able to resist.
7. Fruit Salad
Ratatouille is a wonderful summer lunch or dinner. Fresh fruit is also in season in the summer. Why not make a tasty fruit salad to go with ratatouille? It is a perfect seasonal pairing!
This classic fruit salad recipe from Downshiftology is healthy and tasty. Use the fruits exactly as listed, or choose your favorite fruit to add into the mix.
The zesty honey-lime dressing is what really makes this side dish exceptional. The bright, lime flavor is also perfect with ratatouille. Serve your ratatouille cold alongside the fruit salad for a refreshing summer meal.
8. Grilled Chicken
Ratatouille is a vegetable-based meal. Adding meat to the plate will give you more protein and a heartier dish.
We like to pair grilled chicken with our vegetable entree. This recipe from Once Upon a Chef will help you make a wonderful grilled chicken breast.
Marinate chicken breast in olive oil, garlic, thyme, and oregano. Cook the chicken on the grill to give the meat a nice caramel color and taste.
9. Balsamic Glazed Salmon
Fresh fish is a good answer to the question of what to serve with ratatouille. There are lots of good fish choices that pair well with zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers. We especially like this balsamic glazed salmon recipe from Well Plated By Erin.
The salmon glaze is made with honey, garlic, balsamic, and dijon mustard. The salmon can be cooked in the oven right alongside your veggies. This is a delicious and healthy side dish choice that will make your meal complete.
10. Mushroom Risotto
Ratatouille is primarily made with veggies. You may want to choose a heartier, grain-based side dish to make your meal more filling. Mushroom risotto is a wonderful choice to make a hearty dinner.
This recipe from Recipe Tin Eats is incredibly flavorful. The creamy rice dish is made with lots of parmesan cheese. Serve the French veggies right on top of the risotto with mushrooms or on the plate next to the main dish.
11. Roasted Potatoes and Carrots
Our carrot and potato recipe may be one of the best answers to the question of what to serve with ratatouille. When you already have the oven on to cook your veggies, you might as well throw some chopped potatoes in as well.
Our carrots and potatoes are baked in one pan. That means fewer dishes to clean up! The soft texture of the potatoes goes well with the ratatouille. Potatoes are pretty filling, so they will make your dinner hearty.
12. Garlic Butter Pork Chops
Pork is another meat that goes well with ratatouille. Juicy pork chops are easy to make with this recipe from Rasa Malaysia.
It only takes about 15 minutes to make this tasty pork. Lots of butter and garlic are key to the irresistible flavor. The meat is cooked in a skillet until browned. Serve the pork chops hot with your ratatouille.
Scoop the extra garlic butter from the pan and pour it over your veggies. It makes a great sauce!
13. Cornbread
Cornbread is one of the best, classic side dishes to serve with ratatouille. Cornbread is very easy to make and can be in the oven in just a few minutes. Give this recipe from Cafe Delites a try, and you will not be disappointed.
This cornbread can be made in a cast-iron skillet or a regular square baking pan. Cornmeal, butter, milk, and egg are the main ingredients. Add the sugar to make a sweeter bread, or skip it for a savory version.
Add some chopped jalapeno slices to the bread to make the cornbread spicy or a half-cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the batter for an exciting side dish. The possibilities are endless!
14. Buttermilk Biscuits
A tender, flakey buttermilk biscuit is a delicious side to serve with ratatouille. Biscuits go well served with almost anything! This recipe from Sugar Spun Run will help you make those warm biscuits that you are craving.
Layering cold butter into the dough is the key to making flakey biscuits. Try putting the warm veggies in the middle of the baked biscuit to make a veggie sandwich. It sounds like a perfect lunch or dinner idea!
15. Flatbread
Flatbread is another wonderful, neutral side to serve with ratatouille. It will taste delicious with your main course, no matter which veggies you use for your simmer dish.
We love the idea of using this flatbread from Sally’s Baking Addiction but replacing the sliced tomato with the ratatouille veggies. Rather than a simple flatbread pizza, you will get a flavorful, creative, veggie pizza!
Follow the directions exactly, and you will still enjoy a tasty side. The tomatoes on the veggie pizza will complement the fresh veggies in any ratatouille dishes. You can never have enough veggies!
Make the flatbread dough in advance. Wrap it well and store it in the fridge for up to two days. When you are ready to make your flatbread, simply unwrap your prepared dough, add some cheese and toppings and bake! Make-ahead recipes save time and help you enjoy a homemade meal in just a few minutes.
16. Pinto Beans
These easy, homemade pinto beans from Minimalist Baker are made in one pot. That means easy clean-up and fewer dishes later on! The beans are very flavorful, even though they require little effort.
Start by soaking dry pinto beans overnight. This helps make them tender and soft. If you forget to soak the beans in advance, follow the direction on your pinto bean bag for a quick soak method. This will just involve boiling the beans and letting them sit for an hour or two in hot water.
Use the chipotle in adobo sauce listed in the ingredients for a spicy twist. You can choose to skip the chipotle and the chili powder for a mild bean side. We love them both ways!
Beans are a fantastic way to add vegan protein to your dinner. Everyone will be excited to eat a big serving of these tasty, homemade pinto beans!
17. Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
Casseroles are always a great idea when you are looking for an easy, hearty side. They are quick to put together, easy to eat, and simple to clean up after. Give this chicken and rice casserole from Spicy Southern Kitchen a try, and you will not be disappointed.
The casserole begins by poaching chicken breast in chicken bullion. You can save time and skip this step by using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. The dish will taste just as amazing, and you do not need to cook any meat!
Use wild rice in place of white rice for an even healthier side. Try using different cheese to add new flavors to the casserole. Cheddar, parmesan, and Monterey jack would all work wonderfully.
18. Lemon Pesto Rice
Nothing can beat the beautiful, bright green color of pesto. The color of the fresh basil will make such an impact on your plate! Kalyn’s Kitchen will show you how to make the perfect lemon pesto rice to pair with ratatouille.
Use store-bought pesto to make the rice even easier. You can make your own homemade pesto using fresh basil, nuts, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Try making boil-in-a-bag rice to get your side prepared even faster.
19. Polenta Chips
These tasty polenta chips from A Spicy Perspective go with just about everything. The flavors are tasty yet fairly mild. Serving this side will let the veggies in your entree take center stage.
Premade polenta is sliced and sprinkled with a little garlic powder and olive oil. The chips are baked in the oven until crispy. They actually look like french fries! Everyone in your family will be excited to eat these healthy, crispy chips. They even make a wonderful vegan and vegetarian option to pair with your dinner.
20. Homemade Gnocchi
Gnocchi is a soft, tender pasta that is surprisingly easy to make. All you need is some flour, egg, butter, and cooked potatoes. Spend With Pennies will show you exactly how to whip up this restaurant-worthy side.
Cooking gnocchi only takes a few minutes. Boil the homemade pasta, and once the little potato puffs float to the top of the pot, they are ready to be served.
Eat the gnocchi on the side of your ratatouille, or mix the veggie stew right into the pasta. The juice from the stew makes a tasty sauce. A little parmesan is sprinkled on top, and your entree will be complete!
Amazing Side Dishes to Serve with Ratatouille
There are so many great sides to pair with your fresh, homemade ratatouille. It may be hard to decide what to make first!
From hearty meat dishes to light vegan options, there is something here for everyone. Let us know which side is your favorite! Enjoy.
Leave a Reply