Description
Savory cauliflower parmesan steaks combine roasted vegetable goodness with crispy parmesan coating. Hearty Mediterranean-inspired flavors deliver robust nutrition that satisfies vegetarian and meat-loving palates alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large head cauliflower, stem trimmed and cut vertically into 1 in (2.5 cm) planks
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) marinara sauce
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup (60 ml) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup (6 g) basil leaves, torn if large
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Ignite the oven to 425°F (218°C) and lightly coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray or olive oil for optimal non-stick performance.
- Slicing: Transform the whole cauliflower into robust 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) steaks, maintaining the core’s structural integrity to prevent crumbling during cooking.
- Seasoning: Meticulously brush both surfaces of each cauliflower slice with olive oil, then lavishly dust with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring comprehensive flavor distribution.
- Roasting: Position the cauliflower steaks in a single, non-overlapping layer on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 30-35 minutes, rotating midway to achieve golden-brown edges and succulent tenderness.
- Cheese Application: Extract the baking sheet, cascade marinara sauce across each steak, then generously blanket with shredded mozzarella and half the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Finishing: Activate the broiler, return the sheet to the top rack for 2-3 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden-brown masterpiece.
- Serving: Transfer the cauliflower Parmesan steaks to serving plates, crown with remaining Parmesan, sprinkle fresh basil leaves, and dust with red pepper flakes for a zesty finale.
Notes
- Slice with Care: Use a sharp chef’s knife and cut cauliflower from top to bottom through the core to maintain steak-like thickness and prevent crumbling.
- Oil Coating Technique: Brush olive oil generously and evenly to help achieve crispy, golden-brown edges and prevent dry texture during roasting.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Watch closely during broiling to prevent burning, as cheese can quickly transform from perfectly melted to overdone in seconds.
- Serving Suggestions: Add fresh herbs like basil or parsley for vibrant color and bright flavor, complementing the rich marinara and melted cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 38 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Roasting, Broiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg