Ratatouille hotpot recipe | Good Food

Vegetarian ratatouille hotpot with cheesy potato topping in a white dish

1 tbsp oil
2 red onions
chopped into 2cm dice
2 garlic cloves
crushed
2 red peppers
cut into 2cm dice
3 courgettes
cut into 2cm dice
1 aubergine
cut into 2cm dice
400g can chopped tomato
3 potatoes
thinly sliced
¼ nutmeg
grated
150ml double cream
small bunch basil
chopped
85g gruyère
(or vegetarian alternative), grated
salad
to serve (optional)

Method

step 1
Heat the oil in a shallow flameproof casserole dish or pan. Add the onions and cook for 2 mins, then tip in the garlic, peppers, courgettes and aubergine. Cook over a medium heat for 10 mins (adding a splash of water if the dish looks dry), until the vegetables are soft.
step 2
Stir in the tomatoes and 4 tbsp water. Season well. Cover and leave to bubble gently for 15 mins. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
step 3
Meanwhile, tip the potato slices into a bowl. Season with salt, pepper and the nutmeg, then pour over the cream. Toss everything to coat. Remove the casserole dish from the heat and stir in the basil. Lay the potato slices on top of the ratatouille, creating a spiral pattern, then pour over any remaining cream. Place in the oven, uncovered, for 40 mins.
step 4
Remove from the oven and increase heat to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Scatter over the cheese and bake for a further 20 mins until golden and bubbling. Serve with salad, if you like.