If your summer garden (or farmer’s market haul) is bursting with zucchini, eggplant, and tomatoes — this one’s for you.

This Skillet Chicken Sausage Ratatouille takes the classic French veggie dish and gives it a quick, protein-packed twist. With browned chicken sausage, tender summer vegetables, and a rich tomato-herb sauce, it’s a rustic, hearty meal that’s still light and clean.

Made all in one pan and perfect for soaking up with crusty bread or serving over quinoa, this is a go-to summer dinner that’s fresh, flavorful, and easy.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 package (about 12 oz) pre-cooked chicken sausage, sliced

• 1 small eggplant, diced

• 1 zucchini, sliced

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped

• 1 small red onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved

• ½ tsp dried thyme

• ½ tsp dried basil

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Optional: fresh basil for garnish

Instructions:

1. Brown the sausage
   In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced chicken sausage and cook for 4–5 minutes until golden. Remove and set aside.

2. Sauté the veggies
   In the same skillet, add a touch more oil if needed. Add eggplant and onion first, and cook for 5 minutes. Then stir in zucchini, bell pepper, garlic, and tomatoes.

3. Season and simmer
   Add thyme, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 8–10 minutes, until veggies are tender and the tomatoes have created a light sauce.

4. Add sausage back in
   Return the sausage to the pan, stir to combine, and cook another 2–3 minutes to heat through.

5. Serve warm
   Garnish with fresh basil and serve as-is, over quinoa, pasta, or with crusty whole grain bread.

Sarah’s Tips:

• Make it vegetarian: Swap chicken sausage for chickpeas or white beans.

• Meal prep win: This reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day!

• Make it spicy: Use spicy chicken sausage or add crushed red pepper flakes.

• Low-carb option: Serve over cauliflower rice or just enjoy it as-is.

Flavorful Conclusion:

This Skillet Chicken Sausage Ratatouille is rustic, fresh, and full of bold, summery flavor. It’s one of those easy weeknight dinners that helps you use up a bunch of veggies in a way that’s hearty and delicious — no oven required, and only one pan to clean.

Nutrition (per serving, serves 4):

• Calories: 370

• Protein: 26g

• Carbs: 20g

• Fat: 22g

• Fiber: 6g

• Sugar: 8g