Exactly How To Reheat Ratatouille – I Test 3 Methods [Pics]

I’m always guilty of going overboard with ratatouille and making far more than we can finish in one sitting.

But luckily, it’s one of those dishes where the flavors meld overnight, and it can taste even better the next day (as long as you reheat it correctly).

With that in mind, I decided to try out three different reheating methods to see which one gave the best results.

I’ve also included a few quick tips on how best to store and freeze ratatouille.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best way to reheat ratatouille is on the stove. Transfer the ratatouille from the refrigerator and into a pan. Cover the ratatouille with a lid and reheat it gently on medium heat. Stir occasionally until it is simmering and heated through. A portion of ratatouille should reheat in 5-6 minutes.

A note on my experiment

One Sunday night, I prepared a large pan of ratatouille and popped the leftovers into the fridge overnight.

The next day, I separated it into three different portions and set out to find the best reheating method.

I tried the following:

• On the stove (best method)
• In the oven (slower but good for big portions)
• In the microwave (quickest method)

All three methods worked well, and I was happy with my results.

If you’re in a rush and only have one or two servings to heat, I’d recommend using the microwave.

For larger portions, both the stove and the oven worked equally well.

Reheating ratatouille on the stove

To reheat ratatouille on the stove, transfer it from the refrigerator and into a saucepan. Cover the ratatouille with a lid and heat it gently on medium heat. Stir it occasionally until it is simmering and heated through. Be careful that the ratatouille doesn’t catch on the bottom of the pan.

How to reheat ratatouille on the stove:

1. Take your ratatouille out of the fridge and spoon it into a saucepan.
2. Heat the saucepan on medium heat.
3. Cover the ratatouille with a lid to keep the moisture in. Add a few tablespoons of water or extra sauce if the sauce seems dry.
4. Stir the saucepan occasionally to prevent the stew from sticking to the bottom.
5. Keep stirring until the ratatouille is simmering, then remove it from the stove and serve.

Ratatouille has a delicate flavor and texture.

You don’t want to overcook it while reheating. 

Medium heat will evenly warm the stew without turning it mushy.

My verdict

I was happy with my results and would recommend this method.

The stove is good for quickly heating both large and small portions.

And you have good control over the heat levels and final consistency of the dish.

Reheating ratatouille in the oven

To reheat your ratatouille in the oven, preheat it to 300°F (150°C). Spoon the ratatouille into an oven-proof dish and cover it with foil or a lid. Heat the dish for about 15 minutes, depending on the portion size. Check the dish occasionally and stir it, making sure that you don’t over-cook the stew.

How to reheat ratatouille in the oven:

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Transfer the ratatouille from the fridge to an oven-safe dish.
3. Cover the dish with foil to keep the stew moist.
4. Heat the ratatouille for 15 minutes (depending on the portion size).
5. Check on the stew after a few minutes and stir occasionally to ensure it heats through evenly.

Tip: the exact amount of heating time varies depending on how much ratatouille you have in your dish. 

The type of oven you’re using also makes a difference. 

Use a shallow dish to help the stew to heat more quickly.

My verdict

This method worked well, and the ratatouille came out moist and tasty.

The only downside is it’s a little awkward to check on the stew.

The oven is good for heating big portions.

Reheating ratatouille in the microwave

To reheat ratatouille in the microwave, remove it from the fridge and scoop it into a microwave-safe dish. Cover the dish with a lid or some plastic wrap. Heat the ratatouille in 30-second intervals, stirring in the breaks until the mixture is piping hot. 

How to reheat ratatouille in the microwave:

1. Take the ratatouille out of the fridge and transfer it to a microwave-safe dish.
2. If the ratatouille seems dry, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to losen the sauce.
3. Cover the dish with a lid or some plastic wrap to keep the stew moist.
4. Heat at 30-second intervals, stirring during the breaks.
5. Repeat the process until the ratatouille is warm.
6. Allow the ratatouille to rest for a minute before serving.

The lid will keep the moisture in and stop any splattering, which can make a mess inside the microwave.

It’s important that you stir the stew to help the heat spread evenly throughout the dish. 

If you neglect the stirring, you’ll end up with hot and cold spots.

My verdict

This method worked well, and I was happy with the result.

It’s perfect for one or two portions for a quick lunch but I wouldn’t use it for a big portion.

How to store ratatouille

To store ratatouille in the fridge, let it first cool down and then put it in an airtight container. A glass container is preferable as plastics stain easily. The ratatouille will last for between three and four days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze the ratatouille in freezer bags.

Can you freeze ratatouille?

You can freeze ratatouille, but its texture will change. The vegetables traditionally used in ratatouille don’t freeze that well and will turn mushy once thawed. But, the mixture will still taste the same. I would plan to use it as a pasta sauce or the base to a soup where texture is less of an issue.

How to freeze ratatouille:

1. Allow the ratatouille to cool down to room temperature.
2. Spoon the ratatouille into freezer bags and remove as much air as possible.
3. Seal the bags and then label and date them.
4. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Removing the air from the freezer bag will prevent premature freezer burn.

You can also use an airtight container to store the ratatouille, but I would cover the surface of the sauce with a layer of plastic wrap to ensure there’s no air gap.

Exactly How To Reheat Ratatouille

In this short recipe, I show you the best way to revive and reheat your leftover ratatouille.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: French

Keyword: ratatouille, reheat ratatouille

Prep Time: 0 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes minutes

Total Time: 6 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 person

Calories: 72kcal

Ingredients

• 1 portion ratatouille
• 1 tbsp water optional

Instructions

• Take your ratatouille out of the fridge and spoon it into a saucepan.
• Heat the saucepan on medium heat.
• Cover the ratatouille with a lid to keep the moisture in. Add a few tablespoons of water or extra sauce if the sauce seems dry.
• Stir the saucepan occasionally to prevent the stew from sticking to the bottom.
• Keep stirring until the ratatouille is simmering, then remove it from the stove and serve.

Notes

Ratatouille has a delicate flavor and texture. So you don’t want to overcook it while reheating.

Medium heat will evenly warm the stew without turning it mushy.

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 72kcal