It doesn’t traditionally look like this. This version is based on the Disney film which based theirs on a specific chef’s version, who was really the only one presenting it that way. Traditionally it looks more like:

https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ratatouille.jpg

It’s roasted/poached veggies. It’s good! Op is serving with gnocchi for starch.

And that’s not technically ratatouille, which is usually a stew. But op made what’s true to the movie, like a confit byaldi

It’s actually very good and flavorful. The sauce is made with sautéed red and yellow peppers, onion, garlic basil salt and pepper and the dish is topped with fresh basil, fresh parsley and thyme, diced garlic, salt pepper and olive oil. I didn’t find that it lacked anything. Would be perfect on top of some pasta or browned gnocchi.

We made it for the first time a few weeks ago, we made it in a tomato sauce. It’s good, not great. It gave us plenty of leftovers but for me the name was fancier than the food itself.

I never liked it in North America when I tried it for these reasons.

But then I had it in the south of France, and holy crap it was almost life-changing. I had ordered a meat dish as well and all I wanted to eat was the ratatouille! I can see why this dish is popular there, as it really depends on having high quality vegetables to make the dish sing.

I think of it like a a good steak. If your steak quality is poor, it will not be good on its own and should be used with additional sauces and flavours.