Late summer vegetables get transformed into a rich spicy ratatouille. Serve over cheese ravioli for a hearty pasta dinner!
spicy rataouille with ravioli

I thought baseball season was getting to be long and unending, but that’s probably only because my subconscious forgot about Sunday Night Football.

Which, by the way, is a total misnomer because it is actually SUNDAY ALL DAY FOOTBALL.

You guys. I’ve been duped.

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Well, I wouldn’t say it’s exactly conventional but this ravioli ratatouille is my version of football watching comfort food. Not the kind that you eat while watching football, but the kind that you eat while your spouse watches football and monopolizes the television and ignores you for 24 hours straight.

Sure, I should have probably been spending all of this enforced free time practicing for my thesis defense talk instead of sulking over a bowl of noodles, but that just wouldn’t be in the weekend spirit, now would it?

I knew you would understand me.

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Here’s the beauty of this dish – it’s a celebration of all things late summer! My CSA is still doling out the quite the tomato/eggplant/pepper bounty, so it just feels right. This ratatouille is probably a bit more complicated than most, but trust me – WORTH IT. It’s pretty much the best version of ratatouille I’ve ever had, and I have tried my hand at aย lotย of ratatouille recipes. Each of the vegetables gets sauteed separately (but in the same pan! I’m not a masochist), so that the flavors keep building, layer by layer. Then they’re all stewed together for 20 minutes while the ravioli cooks.

I can’t even explain the magic that happens in that pot, except to say that it just feels really smooth.

Silky.

Lush.

And most definitely like something you really need a big bowl of. With extra raviolis on top, please and thank you!

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I’m really into mini raviolis at the moment (the cuteness!!) but you should just go with your gut and what’s available at your local supermarket. Tortellini would also work well here!

Spicy Ratatouille with Ravioli
 
Late summer vegetables get transformed into a rich spicy ratatouille. Serve over cheese ravioli for a hearty pasta dinner!
Yield: 6-8 servings
Ingredients
  • ½ cup olive oil, divided
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced, divided
  • 2 cups chopped tomatoes, cut into ¾-inch pieces
  • kosher salt
  • 2-3 pinches of red chili flakes
  • 2 cups chopped onions, cut into ¾-inch pieces
  • 2 medium zucchini, cut into ¾-inch pieces
  • 3 red bell peppers, seeded and cut into ¾-inch pieces
  • 1 medium eggplant, cut into ¾-inch pieces
  • ⅓ cup water
  • 30 basil leaves, divided
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1½ lb ravioli
Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large saute pan over medium-high heat, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil. Add ⅕ of the garlic, ¼ tsp salt, and the tomatoes. Season with the chile flakes. Saute until softened, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a medium saucepan and set aside.
  3. In the same pan, heat another tbsp of olive oil. Add ⅕ of the garlic, ¼ tsp salt, and the onions. Saute until slightly soft and lightly golden, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to the pan with the tomatoes and set aside.
  4. Repeat in the same pan, heating another tbsp of olive oil, ⅕ of the garlic, ¼ tsp salt, and the zucchini. Cook over high heat until browned, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to the pan with the tomatoes and onions. Set aside.
  5. Repeat again with ⅕ of the garlic and another tbsp of olive oil. Stir in the bell peppers and ¼ tsp salt. Cook over medium-high heat until browned, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to the pan with the rest of the veggies. Set aside.
  6. For the last time, add the remaining garlic, olive oil, the eggplant, and ¼ tsp salt to the pan. Saute until browned and cook through, adding water if the pan gets too dry. Add the eggplant to the saucepan of veggies.
  7. Add the water to the saucepan of veggies, along with 10 whole basil leaves, and the bay leaf. Bring to a simmer and cook, covered, over medium heat for 20 minutes.
  8. Meanwhile, cook the ravioli according to package directions and to desired consistency. Drain. Toss the pasta with the ratatouille when it is finished cooking. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Remove the bay leaf and serve with remaining basil.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 bowl

More late summer veggie love:

late summer vegetable stew with brown butter cornbread

Late Summer Vegetable Stew with Brown Butter Cornbread

gratin with tomatoes, eggplant and chard

Gratin with Tomatoes, Eggplant, and Chard

falafel-stuffed eggplant with tahini sauce and tomato relish

Falafel-Stuffed Eggplant with Tahini Sauce and Tomato Relish

From Around the Web:

Late Summer Bruschetta from A Cozy Kitchen

Fig Goat Cheese Salad with Fig Vinaigrette from Nutmeg Nanny

Ratatouille Pappardelle from A Cedar Spoon

Tomato and Basil Bake from Taste and Tell

Late Summer Corn Soup with Fresh Herbs from Once Upon A Chef

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45 Responses to Spicy Ratatouille with Ravioli

  1. Ratatouille has always been a favourite. This is so colourful and delicious.

  2. I love ratatouille. And this one here looks so vibrant and full of delicious flavors. Lovely share, Joanne.

  3. It’s actually All Weekend Long Football, if you count the college games. Which are definitely counted in my house. Bring on the extra ravioli with your gorgeous sauce!

  4. HECK YES to football watching comfort food. I strongly dislike football, but the hubs is OBSESSED. SO I need something to eat while I pretend to enjoy watching it with him like a good wife. But, really, I’m just there for the ravioli. Pinned!

  5. bellini says:

    I have some tiny ravioli in the freezer, it is the veggies I am missing, but this is on my bucket list now.

  6. haha, I am married to a dude who isn’t into sports, so I have no idea what you’re going through! At least these football party-things seem to involve a lot of good food!! I’d eat a whole pot of this stuff!

  7. Oh yes…I’ll have mine with extra ravioli on top, thank you very much! This sounds perfect!

  8. God love your CSA because this spicy ratatouille looks amazing!!!! oh my gawd!

  9. Ratatouille is one of my favorites, but made spicy and paired with ravioli? HEAVEN! This bowl of Yummmm is perfect for football and every other day of the week! Pinned! Cheers!

  10. I love ratatouille and I love ravioli so this is a must for me!

  11. I bought a ton of peppers the other day, as they were so cheap and I wanted to make the most of that before summer ends. This looks like the perfect way to eat them.

  12. Julia says:

    I love putting silky, smooth, luscious things in my face, and this pasta looks like a real winner! I know you’re going to knock em dead when you go to defend your thesis – and I hope you’ll celebrate with a huge pour of wine and all the fancy cake!

  13. Heather says:

    I am so thankful that my husband is not a huge football fan. He’ll watch a game now and then, but that’s it. So, so, so thankful. :p

  14. Mira says:

    This will definitely make me happy, if I had it for dinner on the weekend! Pinned!

  15. I’m loving the thought of little ravioli mixed with ratatouille! Fortunately, there was no football on our tv yesterday, but I always welcome comfort food!

  16. Ratatouille is so delicious. I love your ravioli version. It’s so colorful!

  17. I am all for ravioli ratatouille over football watching! Especially when its chock full of veggies and pepper flakes!!! YUM!

  18. cheri says:

    Beautiful dish Joanne!

  19. So you’re a football wife? When I first heard that term I just died laughing. My sister says they ignore you and don’t come up for air until football is over. But I think this ravioli dish could make anyone ignore football and their spouse all together lol. This looks divine.

  20. Yum!! I have all the veggies for ratatouille that I was planning to make with sausage, but now I’m totally craving tortellini. Great idea!!

  21. I love this fusion of two awesome things! Mmmmm!

  22. Eileen says:

    Yes to summer vegetables! I love the idea of making ratatouille into a full meal with plenty of tasty ravioli. So good!

  23. Christine says:

    Yummy dish! The highlight of my divorced life is No Sports Ever! Still not sure about the tradeoff, but still, rather nice.

  24. Christine says:

    Great recipe! Am making it on Wed. after I receive my grocery delivery.

  25. Susan says:

    Oh my, I NEED to make this while harvest season lasts. Ravioli, tortelini, any pasta!

  26. tigerfish says:

    I made ratatouille (in the oven) last week with eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes. Toss with pasta and it makes such a easy one-dish meal.

  27. Erica says:

    Those little ravioli are so so so cute. And I love that you made this spicy!! Looks amazing, definitely fall comfort right there ๐Ÿ™‚

  28. This looks so fresh and packed with veggies! The ravioli is adorable and I love the spices here ๐Ÿ™‚

  29. Oh man, I would eat this all in one sitting! I am sure it is worth the effort ๐Ÿ™‚

  30. This looks pretty insanely delicious! And I so wish we lived close because we could make a day of it every football Sunday. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  31. Cailee says:

    This is WAY better than football food if ya ask me!! I’m SUCH a meal person!! Way better than snacks! This looks delicious!! …Also, all of your recipes do!! YUM! ๐Ÿ™‚ These veggie loaded goodies are sure to satisfy!!

  32. Izzy says:

    It’s like all day Sunday foodball and then every single other day of the week football! I told myself I was gonna try to enjoy it this year, haha! I used to eat ravioli all the time but haven’t for so long. I love this ratatouille version ๐Ÿ™‚

  33. easypeasy says:

    Can’t wait to try this!!! Ratatouille is good on it’s own, doing it this way makes it sound even better! ๐Ÿ™‚

  34. Sarah says:

    Oh yes. This. These are the perfect late summer/early fall vegetables that we all know and love. Looks fabulous!

  35. This looks delicious and just the thing for late summer / early fall produce. I love the mini ratatouilles too!

  36. Kelly says:

    I love ratatouille and adding ravioli to make it a complete meal is such a great idea! Way better than watching football ๐Ÿ˜‰ Looks amazing!

  37. Krista says:

    This is perfect for wallowing with whilst being ignored by football-obsessed spouse. ๐Ÿ™‚

  38. Love ratatouille! This ravioli looks delicious! Great recipe! ๐Ÿ˜€

  39. Kate says:

    Your ravioli are so cute I just want to pinch their little cheeks!

  40. Reeni says:

    Definitely with extra ravioli on top! I’ve never seen a ravioli ratatouille! I’m in love!

  41. Danguole says:

    Oh my god, ratatouille. How have I not made it this summer at all? STOP TIME OUT or whatever they do in football. I need to get this in before summer ends for realsies.

  42. Johanna GGG says:

    I’d sulk over noodles too rather than doing my defence talk – pasta is always great for procrastination!

  43. I don’t mind all day sport, but with the choice of American football and this pasta dish, the pasta wins!

  44. Lynn says:

    My sister and I were talking about football on Sunday – we’ve always loved hearing it in the background while spouses, etc. watch. It’s a good sound to cook to. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Love the look of this dish – will try!

  45. elly says:

    I love ratatouille and “best you’ve ever had” is a ringing endorsement if I’ve ever heard one, so I’ll have to try it. And I am always so jealous of your mini ravioli. I can never find it!

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