Why this fits a family on a budget
Using seasonal vegetables and a single store-bought crust keeps the total cost around $1.02 per serving, well under the $3 target, and the two-appliance approach — air fryer then oven — cuts overall cook time so everything finishes within 40 minutes.
1. Slice the eggplant, roma tomatoes, yellow squash, and red bell pepper into thin rounds or strips, approximately 1/4 inch thick. Pat the eggplant slices dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
2. In a medium bowl, toss all the sliced vegetables with 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic powder, dried thyme, dried basil, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes. Working in batches if needed, arrange the seasoned vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the vegetables are tender and the edges look slightly caramelized and golden.
4. While the vegetables cook, preheat the oven to 400°F. Unroll the vegan pie crust sheet onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard evenly over the surface of the crust, leaving a 1.5-inch border around the edges.
5. Arrange the air-fried vegetables over the mustard layer in a slightly overlapping, decorative pattern — alternate colors for a nice visual. Fold the bare dough border up and over the edges of the vegetables, pressing gently to form a rustic rim.
6. Place the baking sheet in the preheated 400°F oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, until the crust edges are golden brown and firm to the touch.
7. While the galette bakes, whisk together the remaining 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl to make the vinaigrette.
8. Remove the galette from the oven and let it rest for 3–4 minutes so it holds its shape when sliced. Drizzle the Dijon-herb vinaigrette over the top and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.
9. Slice into 4 wedges and serve warm directly from the pan.
Cost is a national-average estimate and varies by store and region.
This recipe was generated by Plento Pasto's AI from a library of family-friendly dishes and reviewed for a real photo before publishing. Cooking times, costs, and nutrition are estimates — use your judgment in the kitchen.