Prepping the vegetables for Vegetable Tian is a little like unloading the dishwasher—it always feels like it will take longer than it actually does. And having the counter cleared of all those dirty dishes is a lot like eating more vegetables … it just feels good.
In this case, it’s an amazing side dish too! I think you’ll enjoy it so much, you’ll want to add it to your holiday side dishes and impress your friends and family.
Vegetable Tian is a striking dish and deliciously uncomplicated for healthy holiday dinners.
What exactly is a Tian?
Tian is a reference to the type and shape of the actual baking dish used also known as an Au Gratin Baking Dish
. It is a shallow, wider dish at the top, sloping down to a narrower bottom versus a casserole pan
with taller, straight sides.
Either type pan is suitable for this recipe, it’s just good to know that each produces slightly different results.
The wider top allows for more moisture to evaporate and more surface area for the crust. Deeper, straight sides of a casserole will produce slightly more juices in the bottom of the pan (see photo below).
A tian is also called a gratin because of the classic browned layer of cheese or breadcrumb topping. To keep the recipe gluten-free, I chose a simple topping of cheese. It may look like ratatouille, especially the one depicted in the animated movie, but it isn’t—ratatouille is more like a stew.
Versatility is just one more thing I love about this easy vegetable side dish. The Provençal version is made with alternating rows of sliced zucchini, eggplant, and tomato. I am not a fan of eggplant, so I’ve customized the recipe for even more eye-catching color.Â
Tips for the best Vegetable Tian:
- Choose a mix of vegetables with high and low water content. Zucchini, yellow summer squash, and tomato are all high water content; sweet potato, Yukon gold, and butternut squash are low water content. Using both will balance the amount of liquid.
- Slice dense winter squash a little thinner in order for everything to cook evenly, because high water content veggies cook faster than the low water content type. A mandolin slicer
is an efficient tool, but a sharp Chef’s knife does the job just fine. - The vegetables do not have to be perfectly round;Â any shape is suitable as long as it can be sliced for layering. Larger rounds, like butternut squash, are cut in half or quartered for a better fit.
- Create the layering pattern alternating between high and low water content. Alternate the layering pattern as such: zucchini, sweet potato, yellow squash, butternut, tomato, potato.
- Select a quality melting cheese. (See printable below.)
is an efficient tool, but a 
does the job just fine.
Vegetable Tian: Classic Gratin Comfort
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for preparing pan
- 1 small sweet yellow onion -- diced , about 1 cup
- 1 small red bell pepper -- diced , about 1 cup
- 2 cloves garlic -- minced
- 1 med zucchini (about 8 ounces) -- unpeeled, sliced 1/8-inch thick
- 1 med yellow squash (about 8 ounces) -- unpeeled, sliced 1/8-inch thick
- 3 small Yukon Gold potatoes (about 10 ounces) -- unpeeled, sliced 1/8-inch thick
- 1 small sweet potato (about 10 ounces) -- unpeeled, sliced 1/8-inch thick
- 5 small tomatoes (about 12 ounces) -- sliced 1/4-inch thick
- 1 small butternut squash , sliced 1/8-inch thick -- peeled
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 1/4 teaspoons dried rosemary -- crushed
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese -- Gruyere , Fontina, or Gouda (see notes)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400 degrees. Brush a light coat of olive oil in a 12-inch au gratin baking dish or 9x11-inch casserole dish.
- Cook the onions and bell pepper in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until onion is translucent and soft, about 8 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook 2 more minutes.
- While the onions are cooking, slice the vegetables (low water content can be thinner than higher water content). Once prepped, spread the vegetables out on a rimmed baking sheet and season evenly with 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper.
- Spread the onion mixture evenly in the bottom of the baking dish and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon thyme and 3/4 teaspoon rosemary. Place the sliced vegetables in the baking dish vertically, in an alternating pattern, until the dish is filled (save any leftover sliced vegetables for another recipe).
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 teaspoon thyme and 1/2 rosemary over the top of the vegetables. Season with any salt or pepper remaining on the rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Top with cheese and continue to bake another 15 minutes or until the vegetables are soft and the cheese is beginning to brown. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
More Vegetable Side Dish Favorites:
Tuscan Roasted Broccoli
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Roasted Garlic Aioli
Curry Roasted Acorn Squash & Pecans
Roasted Beets with Blackberry-Ginger Balsamic & Feta
Savory Sweet Potatoes
Broccoli-Cauliflower Gratin
Roasted Vegetable Medley with Rosemary & Thyme
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Roasted Garlic
Wondering what to do with the extra vegetables?
Vegetables are rarely the same size, producing just the right amount. No worries! Use those extras for a stir-fry, Frittata or Breakfast Casserole.
Got Vegetable Tian leftovers?
This dish is as comforting and tasty warmed up as it is fresh. You’ll enjoy seeing it in your lunch, or added to Quiche and soups. Our favorite way to enjoy the leftovers is topped with a sunny-side-up egg for breakfast!
Click on photo for Facebook video of all the yolk-tastic goodness.
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Kristen Purcell says
Graduate student here. I made this for weekly meal prep, absolutely delicious! Reheats beautifully
Judy Purcell says
Hi Kristen! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment — really appreciate that! 🙂
Katie Mae Stanley says
This looks so beautiful and simple! It would make for a great additional vegetable for my Thanksgiving table this year!
Carrie Forrest says
This looks absolutely incredible. I want to try it soon
end of the fork says
I love a gratin and this looks really delicious with all the different flavours and textures!
dailyciabatta says
Great tip to combine summer squash and zucchini with starchier vegetables! This gratin looks so stunning!
RecipestoNourish says
This is so beautiful! I love veggie Tian’s! So yummy with all of that beautiful cheesy goodness.
Hope says
This looks so fresh, colourful and tasty! The perfect side dish, I can’t wait to try this 🙂
Monique says
This is such a beautiful side dish, what a rainbow of healthy veggies! Love the detailed instructions too.
Megan Stevens says
This is so beautiful, both the before and after shots. And thanks for those tips, so helpful!
Jean says
I’ve never had a tian before and it sounds so delicious. I love the presentation!
Joni Gomes says
Beautiful! Almost too pretty to eat…but definitely going to eat it 🙂
Renee Kohley says
So so pretty! My girls would be so happy with this on the table – eye pleasing is so important! Thank you for the great idea!
Lindsey Dietz says
When I first saw this, I thought it was ratatouille! So beautiful, and who can resist veggies covered in cheese?!
linda spiker says
Cheesy veggies are the best veggies:)
Karen says
For some reasons my comments haven’t been going through. I thought I would stop back by and try again. I’m so happy to have this recipe, it is similar to a dish I had at a friends house and I loved it.
Susan says
It’s beautiful definitely on my list to make!
mjskit says
WOW! What a beautiful dish! I’ve never made a tian but am always amazed at people who make them. It’s great that you can use a variety of vegetables. Thanks for the tips! I do especially like the combination you used. Lovely Judy!
kitchenriffs says
I’m a sucker for any and all gratins. Love them! This vegge tian looks wonderful — so seasonal and flavorful. Thanks!