Description
The gentle hum of my slow cooker fills the kitchen, promising a meal that practically makes itself. This effortless Slow Cooker Ratatouille fills the house with the earthy aroma of simmering vegetables, a comforting scent that signals dinner is nearly ready.
As someone who manages blood sugar levels while feeding a busy family, I have come to treasure recipes that deliver both incredible flavor and nutritional balance without demanding hours of my attention.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large eggplant, cubed (about 1 pound)
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and chop all vegetables into uniform, bite-sized pieces. Cutting them consistently ensures even cooking throughout the slow cooking process. The eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and onion should be roughly the same size.
- Layer Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the chopped eggplant, zucchini, onions, and bell peppers in your slow cooker. Add the minced garlic, dried herbs, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and toss gently to coat the vegetables with seasonings.
- Add Tomato Base: In a small bowl, mix the crushed tomatoes with tomato paste until well combined. Pour this mixture over the vegetables in the slow cooker. Add the bay leaf but do not stir everything together completely – this allows the vegetables to steam properly while maintaining some texture.
- Cook to Perfection: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The ratatouille is ready when the vegetables are tender but not mushy. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, you can remove the lid to allow some liquid to evaporate if you prefer a thicker consistency.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove the bay leaf and discard. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving. The fresh herbs add a bright note that complements the deep, developed flavors of the slow-cooked vegetables.
Notes
Pro tip: For even more flavor development, you can lightly sauté the onions and garlic before adding them to the slow cooker, though this is optional for truly effortless preparation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 125
- Sugar: 14g
- Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 5g