This easy barefoot contessa vegetable tianis a delicious, nutritious side dish featuring layers of tender potatoes, courgettes, and tomatoes, baked with aromatic onions and garlic, and topped with melted Gruyère cheese. It’s a versatile recipe that allows you to use common vegetables you have on hand, making it both convenient and flavorful.
Ingredients Needed
- 3 tbsp good olive oil, divided
- 2 large yellow onions, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 450g (1lb) medium waxy potatoes, unpeeled, sliced ¼-inch (5mm) thick
- 340g (¾lb) courgettes, sliced ¼-inch (5mm) thick
- 570g (1¼lb) medium tomatoes, sliced ¼-inch (5mm) thick
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, plus extra sprigs
- 55g Gruyère cheese, grated
How To Make Vegetable Tian
- Preheat the oven and prepare the dish: Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Brush a 23×33cm (9×13-inch) baking dish with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Cook the onions and garlic: In a pan over medium-low heat, cook the onions in 2 tbsp olive oil for 8-10 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Spread the onion mixture in the baking dish.
- Assemble the layers: Arrange the sliced potatoes, courgettes, and tomatoes in tight alternating layers over the onions. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, thyme leaves, and thyme sprigs, then drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Bake covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
- Add cheese and finish baking: Remove the thyme sprigs, sprinkle Gruyère over the top, and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Serve: Let cool slightly and serve warm.

Recipe Tips
- Uniform Slicing: Slice all vegetables evenly to ensure they cook at the same rate.
- Fresh Herbs: Use fresh thyme for a more vibrant flavor.
- Cheese Choice: Gruyère adds a nutty taste, but you can substitute with mozzarella or cheddar if preferred.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Arrange vegetables in a single layer to promote even cooking and browning.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the tian rest for a few minutes after baking to allow flavors to meld and make serving easier.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store leftover Vegetable Tian in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat leftover Vegetable Tian in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, covered, until warmed through.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 portion (approx. 1/6 of the dish)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Total Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
- Sodium: 340 mg
- Potassium: 450 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
- Dietary Fiber: 3 g
- Sugars: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
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Barefoot Contessa Vegetable Tian
Description
This easy barefoot contessa vegetable tianis a delicious, nutritious side dish featuring layers of tender potatoes, courgettes, and tomatoes, baked with aromatic onions and garlic, and topped with melted Gruyère cheese. It’s a versatile recipe that allows you to use common vegetables you have on hand, making it both convenient and flavorful.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the dish: Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Brush a 23×33cm (9×13-inch) baking dish with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Cook the onions and garlic: In a pan over medium-low heat, cook the onions in 2 tbsp olive oil for 8-10 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Spread the onion mixture in the baking dish.
- Assemble the layers: Arrange the sliced potatoes, courgettes, and tomatoes in tight alternating layers over the onions. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, thyme leaves, and thyme sprigs, then drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Bake covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
- Add cheese and finish baking: Remove the thyme sprigs, sprinkle Gruyère over the top, and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Serve: Let cool slightly and serve warm.
Notes
- Uniform Slicing: Slice all vegetables evenly to ensure they cook at the same rate.
- Fresh Herbs: Use fresh thyme for a more vibrant flavor.
Cheese Choice: Gruyère adds a nutty taste, but you can substitute with mozzarella or cheddar if preferred. - Avoid Overcrowding: Arrange vegetables in a single layer to promote even cooking and browning.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the tian rest for a few minutes after baking to allow flavors to meld and make serving easier.