Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a dish created in the Provence region of France and is primarily an eggplant stew simmered in a rich thick vegetable-based tomato sauce.

The main ingredients in ratatouille have an assortment of roasted eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, garlic, fresh herbs, and then simmered in a delectable fresh-style marinara style sauce.

During the summer season when fresh vegetables are plentiful, we love making this lighter stew and it's so versatile with our serving suggestions and additions you can add to this recipe.

This recipe can be adapted with more or less of what you really prefer, and although it has no meat in it, you can even add cooked meats in this stew for a heartier stew.

The stew is traditionally served over hard-crusted French bread served plain in a bowl,  or with cooked rice, some cooked pasta, and then garnished with a drizzle of olive oil.

Through the years I have made different versions of this recipe using leftover cooked meat added IE: boneless chicken, boneless beef, or pork that (which is not authentic) but adds a bit more flavor to the sauce.

Our family also loves a little spice added to the sauce so we always have some red pepper flakes and grated cheese  available on the table for garnishing.

During those hot summer days, this light lunch is perfect served with a few pieces of toasted garlic baguette bread.

Just scroll to the bottom of the page to print off the directions for this super easy-to-make Ratatouille recipe.

Italian Caprese Roasted Eggplant

Eggplant topped with melted provolone cheese baked with a ripe slice of tomato, chopped pepperoncini, and loaded with garlicky flavors, if you love eggplant you will be in love with this roasted Caprese style easy recipe.

During the season we just love coming up with new ideas to top eggplant slices, it's healthy and can be so versatile.

This recipe can be adapted with meats, other vegetables, more or less cheese, and just about anything you like on top drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil gets this roasted in around 15 minutes.

I love a crispier cheese so I do like to broil mine for a few minutes to get it all toasty.

Since we have some picky eaters that aren't vegetable lovers, adding some crushed meatballs, and sliced cooked sausage makes these family members very happy.

Of course in a hurry, you can add sliced pepperoni to your topping also, anything goes on top but for today, we kept our low calories with some fresh basil, sliced tomato, pepperoncini, and then melted cheese.

Great as an appetizer, light lunch, and perfectly stuffed in a piece of hard-crusted Italian bread if you don't mind the carbs!

Even after you've roasted this caprese-style eggplant you can even top it with your favorite deli meats.

We have some shortcut step-by-step instructions for you, tips, and suggestions below in our recipe card to change up your eggplant every time you make it.

Just scroll to the bottom of the page to print off the directions.

Fusillioni Pasta with Sausage

This Fusillioni Pasta with Sausage is a fun-shaped pasta with sausage and so easy to make but the best part is it will feed a large family with a gourmet fresh ragu economically.

The kids always asked for this meal during the week, it's certainly satisfying and filled their tummy and even the pickiest of eaters loved this fun fusilli corkscrew-shaped pasta.

It became not only one of the kid's favorite meals in our home but one of the tastiest meals to prepare in no time, and sometimes I even substituted sausage with ground beef if I didn't have it on hand.

There are many variations you can add to get even more vegetables and protein into this dish to become even more chock full of vitamins we will leave you a list of additions you can add.

If you can't find this cute little shaped pasta for this meal, of course, you can use any kinds you prefer in it, or try and order online with our link below.

Scroll to the bottom to get this delicious recipe and let your family be the judge of a new favorite dish in your home.