Ratatouille With Brie – 490 Calories, 73% Score, and 63 Happy Cooks
Ratatouille is the ultimate summer vegetable stew – a celebration of tomatoes, squash, eggplant, and herbs, all simmered down into something deeply comforting. This version adds a decadent twist: creamy, mild Brie cheese melted right into the warm vegetables. The result is a dish that's still bright and healthy but with a luxurious richness that makes it feel like a special occasion. It serves four, costs just under two bucks a plate, and has already won over 63 home cooks who said they'd make it again. A 73% spoonacular score says it's solid. The fact that 63 out of 63 would make it again is the real story.
📋 Key Takeaways
- Time: 45 minutes total – fast enough for a weeknight
- Servings: 4 generous portions
- Cost: $1.97 per serving – budget‑friendly
- Protein: 14g per serving
- Diet: Gluten‑free, lacto‑ovo vegetarian, primal
- Spoonacular score: 73% – and 100% of tasters would make again
“I've made classic ratatouille for years, but adding the Brie takes it to another level. It melts into the vegetables and makes everything so creamy and rich. My family was silent through dinner – that's how you know it's good.”
Why Ratatouille With Brie Works
Ratatouille is all about coaxing sweetness and depth from humble vegetables. Onions and garlic start the process, then summer squash, eggplant, and tomatoes join the party, simmering until they're tender and jammy. Herbs like thyme and rosemary add an earthy, aromatic backbone. It's already a perfect dish.
Then comes the Brie. Stirred in at the end, it melts into the warm vegetables, creating a silky, creamy sauce that clings to every piece. The cheese is mild enough not to overpower the vegetables but rich enough to make the whole thing feel indulgent. It's the kind of twist that makes you wonder why you never thought of it before. Each serving delivers 14 grams of protein, 45 grams of satisfying fat, and 490 calories – a hearty, complete meal. At $1.97 per serving, it's also an affordable way to eat like you're in Provence.
Ingredients for Ratatouille With Brie
📋 Shopping List – Serves 4
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion – Diced
- 4 cloves garlic – Minced
- 1 medium eggplant – Cut into 1‑inch cubes
- 1 medium zucchini – Cut into 1‑inch cubes
- 1 yellow squash – Cut into 1‑inch cubes
- 1 red bell pepper – Diced
- 4 plum tomatoes – Diced (or 1 can diced tomatoes)
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves – Or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary – Finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt – Plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 oz Brie cheese – Rind removed, cut into small pieces
- Fresh basil or parsley – For garnish
All ingredients are naturally gluten‑free and vegetarian.
Ingredient Notes
Vegetables. Use firm, fresh vegetables. Eggplant should be glossy and heavy. Zucchini and yellow squash should be small to medium – larger ones can be seedy and watery.
Brie. Remove the rind before adding. It's edible, but it won't melt smoothly and can be chewy. Cut the cheese into small pieces so it melts quickly and evenly.
Tomatoes. Fresh plum tomatoes are best in summer. Off‑season, use a good quality can of diced tomatoes – they'll still be delicious.
How to Make Ratatouille With Brie
1. Sauté the Aromatics
Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
2. Add the Vegetables
Add the eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
3. Add Tomatoes and Herbs
Stir in the diced tomatoes, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until all vegetables are tender.
4. Add the Brie
Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the Brie pieces until they melt into the vegetables. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
5. Serve
Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh basil or parsley. Serve with crusty bread, over rice, or on its own.
🧑🍳 Pro Tips for Perfect Ratatouille
- Cut vegetables uniformly. Even pieces mean even cooking.
- Don't rush. Letting the vegetables simmer slowly deepens the flavor.
- Make it ahead. Ratatouille is even better the next day. The flavors meld and deepen overnight.
- Serve with crusty bread. You'll want to soak up every last bit of that Brie‑infused sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This ratatouille is a complete meal on its own, but it loves a few simple sides:
- Crusty baguette or sourdough. For sopping up the sauce.
- Rice, quinoa, or couscous. A bed of grains turns it into an even heartier meal.
- A fried egg. Placed right on top, the runny yolk is incredible.
- Grilled chicken or fish. Serve alongside for extra protein.
Recipe Variations
Once you've mastered the classic, try these twists:
- Classic Ratatouille (No Brie): Skip the cheese for a lighter, vegan version. Finish with a drizzle of good olive oil.
- Ratatouille with Goat Cheese: Swap the Brie for crumbled goat cheese. Tangy and delicious.
- Ratatouille Bake: Layer the cooked vegetables in a baking dish, top with Brie, and broil until bubbly.
- Ratatouille Pasta: Toss the finished dish with cooked pasta and a little pasta water. An easy, one‑pot meal.
Storage and Leftovers
Ratatouille keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors deepen and improve overnight. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. It also freezes well for up to 3 months – thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Leftovers are delicious cold, spooned over greens for a quick lunch.
The 73% Spoonacular Score – What It Really Means
A 73% score on Spoonacular is solid. The algorithm rewards this recipe for its good protein content, healthy fats, and clean ingredient list. It loses a few points for being relatively high in fat (45g) – but that fat comes from olive oil and Brie, both of which contribute to the dish's rich, satisfying character. The sample size is substantial – 63 reviews – and every single reviewer said they would make it again. That's a 100% return rate. In the real world, that's the metric that counts. This ratatouille is a quiet, dependable workhorse that delivers comfort every time.
🍆 The Final Verdict
Ratatouille With Brie is proof that a few simple ingredients and a little patience can create something truly special. It's rustic, elegant, and deeply satisfying – the kind of dish that makes a weeknight feel like a vacation in the South of France. Sixty‑three people have already discovered this. At $1.97 a serving, you can afford to join them – and you'll wonder why you ever ate ratatouille any other way.
Filed under: Ratatouille · Brie · Mediterranean · Vegetarian · Gluten‑Free · Primal · One‑Pot Meals