Summary: A Spanish ratatouille from La Mancha, made with tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and onions slowly stewed in olive oil. Often served with a fried egg on top. Ready in 45 minutes, serves 6.
Cooked this recipe? Share your result with the community.
Category: Meatless Dishes, Spanish Cuisine
Success rate: not rated yet % of users mastered this recipe
Quick overview
- Dish: Manchego Pisto
- Category: Meatless Dishes, Spanish Cuisine
- Cuisine: Spanish (La Mancha)
- Main ingredient: Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, onions
- Guide: 12 Most Famous Spanish Dishes
- Total time: 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cooking)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Servings: 6 (portion weight: 9 oz)
- Key technique: Stewing
- Preparation types: Sautéing, stewing
- Dietary info & allergens: Vegan, gluten-free. Contains none of the main allergens.
- Suitable for: Tapas, side dish, light main
- Nutritional values (per serving): 150 kcal, Protein: 4 g, Fat: 8 g, Carbs: 14 g
- Storage: 4 days in fridge, 2 months in freezer
- Pairing: Crusty bread, red wine, sparkling water
- In short: Stewed vegetable medley with tomatoes and peppers.
- Last updated: 25. 9. 2026
WAGUU says: “Pisto is the taste of Spanish summer – sweet, colorful and full of sunshine.”
Key facts
| Prep time: | 15 minutes |
| Cooking time: | 30 minutes |
| Temperature: | Medium heat |
| Servings: | 6 |
At a glance
A colorful, sweet and savory vegetable stew. Delicious warm or cold, with or without a fried egg on top.
Ingredients
Base servings: 6 • Portion weight: 9 oz
| Ingredient | Amount | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | 1.8 lb | Ripe, chopped |
| Red pepper | 1 pc | Medium, diced |
| Green pepper | 1 pc | Medium, diced |
| Zucchini | 2 pcs | Medium, diced |
| Onion | 2 pcs | Medium, chopped |
| Garlic | 3 cloves | Sliced |
| Olive oil | 0.25 cup | Extra virgin |
| Sugar | 1 tsp | To balance acidity |
| Salt | 1 tsp | Fine sea salt |
Why you will love this recipe
- Versatile: Serve as a tapa, side dish, or main course with a fried egg.
- Healthy: Packed with vegetables and olive oil.
- Tastes even better the next day: The flavors deepen overnight.
Why it works: Cooking the vegetables separately preserves their texture. The slow stewing with tomato creates a sweet, concentrated flavor. A pinch of sugar balances the acidity.
Recipe overview
Prep: 15 min | Cook: 30 min | Difficulty: Easy | Servings: 6 | Type: Main | Origin: Spanish
Detailed method
Total progress: 0 % done
Phase 1: Sautéing – 10 min
Equipment: Large frying pan
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Sauté the onion and garlic until soft. Add the peppers and cook for 5 minutes.
VCP: The onions are translucent and the peppers are softened.
Phase 2: Adding zucchini – 5 min
Equipment: Same pan
2. Add the zucchini and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
VCP: The zucchini is slightly softened but still holds its shape.
Before you continue:
Do not overcook the zucchini – it should retain some bite.
Phase 3: Adding tomatoes – 15 min
Equipment: Same pan
3. Add the chopped tomatoes, sugar and salt. Simmer for 15 minutes, until the tomatoes have broken down and the mixture is thick.
VCP: The pisto is thick, glossy and rich in color.
Phase 4: Resting – 5 min
Equipment: None
4. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
VCP: The flavors meld together.
Phase 5: Serving – 3 min
Equipment: Plates
5. Serve warm or at room temperature, with crusty bread.
VCP: The pisto is colorful and appetizing.
Phase 6: Optional egg – 5 min
Equipment: Frying pan
6. For a more substantial meal, top with a fried egg.
VCP: The egg is fried to your liking.
Required equipment
| Utensil | Ideal size | Alternative | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large frying pan | 11 inch diameter | Sauté pan | Vegetables may overcrowd |
| Wooden spoon | 12 inch | Silicone spatula | None |
| Knife | Chef’s knife | Any sharp knife | None |
Shopping list
Nutritional profile
Values per 1 serving (without side dish). Calculated from average nutritional values of ingredients.
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per 1 serving | Per 6 servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 60 kcal | 150 kcal | 900 kcal |
| Fat | 3.2 g | 8 g | 48 g |
| of which saturates | 0.5 g | 1.2 g | 7.2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5.6 g | 14 g | 84 g |
| of which sugars | 3.6 g | 9 g | 54 g |
| Protein | 1.6 g | 4 g | 24 g |
| Salt | 0.4 g | 1 g | 6 g |
Reference intake of an average adult (8400 kJ / 2000 kcal).
WAGUU Pro level
- Pro standard: Verified recipe with precise ratios and visual control points.
- Tip 1: Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes – they are the soul of the dish.
- Tip 2: Cook the vegetables separately to preserve their individual textures.
- Tip 3: A pinch of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Tip 4: Serve with a fried egg for a complete meal.
Scientific background
The slow cooking of tomatoes breaks down their cell walls, releasing lycopene and other flavor compounds. The olive oil helps extract fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids. The sugar neutralizes the acidity, creating a balanced, sweet-savory flavor.
Fine Dining – Professional techniques
- Plate composition: Serve in a shallow bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
- Texture contrasts: The soft vegetables contrast with the crispy bread.
- Temperature contrast: Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Aromatic additions: A sprig of fresh basil or thyme.
Sensory radar
- Appearance: Vibrant red, green and yellow vegetable medley.
- Aroma: Sweet tomatoes, peppers, garlic.
- Taste: Sweet, savory, with a hint of acidity.
- Texture: Soft, stewed vegetables with a slight bite.
Pairing
- Wine: A young red Rioja or a dry rosé.
- Beer: A cold lager.
- Non-alcoholic: Sparkling water with lemon.
Different preparation variations
- With egg: Top with a fried or poached egg.
- With chorizo: Add diced chorizo for a meaty version.
Allergens and dietary information
Contains: None of the main allergens • Gluten: Gluten-free • Suitable for: Vegans, vegetarians
Suitable for
Tapas, side dish, light main, picnic.
Substitution catalogue
- Zucchini: Eggplant or yellow squash.
- Fresh tomatoes: Canned chopped tomatoes.
FAQ
Can I make pisto ahead of time?
Yes, it keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavor improves overnight.
Can I freeze pisto?
Yes, it freezes well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.
What do I serve with pisto?
Crusty bread, rice, pasta, or a fried egg on top. It is also delicious as a tapa.
Is pisto the same as ratatouille?
They are similar, but pisto usually contains fewer vegetables and is cooked longer until very soft. Ratatouille often includes eggplant and herbs de Provence.
WAGUU Petr advises: Cooking for 6 or more?
6–8 people: Double the recipe – it tastes even better the next day. 10+ people: Cook in a large roasting tin in the oven at 350°F for 45 minutes.
Serving suggestion
Storage and reheating
Fridge: 4 days • Freezer: 2 months • Reheating: Reheat gently in a pan or microwave.
Author: WAGUU Petr & Team • Published: 27 Sep 2026
More Recipes from This Article
More recipes you might like
Why WAGUU?
Recipes on WAGUU are checked for accuracy of ingredients, procedures and nutritional values.
Photo gallery from the process
Community photos: Cook, take a photo and share your result.
You can upload photos in the comments below or send them by email.
Did you film a video tutorial for our recipe? Insert a link to YouTube, YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, Pinterest, Vimeo or X (Twitter) in the comment – we will gladly publish it and help promote you and your content.
Most common mistakes
- Overcooking the zucchini: It should retain some bite. Add it later in the cooking process.
- Not using ripe tomatoes: Unripe tomatoes lack sweetness and flavor.
- Skipping the sugar: A pinch of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Not resting: Letting the pisto rest allows the flavors to meld.