A cozy, colorful one-pot dinner with tender veggies, herbed tomato sauce, and protein-rich quinoa — warm, nourishing, and easy to clean up.

I’ll be honest — I used to think ratatouille was too fancy for a weeknight. But once I tried this One-Pot Ratatouille with Quinoa, I realized it’s the exact opposite.

It’s a warm, rustic veggie stew filled with zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, and bell pepper, all simmered together with garlic and herbs. The quinoa cooks right in the pot, soaking up all that herby tomato goodness. One pot. One mess. Tons of flavor.

It’s hearty, meatless, and totally satisfying — even for my husband, who “needs protein” with every meal (he didn’t miss it, trust me!).

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 small onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 small eggplant, diced

• 1 zucchini, diced

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• ½ cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed

• 1½ cups vegetable broth

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• ½ tsp dried thyme

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Optional: fresh basil, red pepper flakes, or parmesan for topping

Instructions:

1. Sauté the aromatics:
   Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 2–3 minutes. Add garlic and cook another 30 seconds.

2. Add veggies:
   Stir in eggplant, zucchini, and bell pepper. Cook for 5–6 minutes, until slightly softened.

3. Build the sauce:
   Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, quinoa, broth, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.

4. Simmer:
   Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until quinoa is tender and most liquid is absorbed.

5. Serve:
   Fluff with a fork and garnish with fresh basil or a sprinkle of parmesan if desired. Serve warm and cozy!

Sarah’s Tips:

• Want it saucier? Add a splash of broth at the end or top with a dollop of Greek yogurt.

• Add protein: Stir in white beans or top with a fried egg for extra staying power.

• Make ahead: This tastes even better the next day — perfect for lunches!

Why You’ll Love It:

This meal is cozy, comforting, and packed with fiber, flavor, and plant-powered goodness. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you feel like you’re taking care of yourself — and it all happens in one pot. No stress, no mess, just real food and real satisfaction.

Nutrition (Per Serving, makes 4 servings):

• Calories: 340

• Protein: 11g

• Carbs: 38g

• Fat: 14g

• Fiber: 7g

• Sugar: 9g