The mark of a great vegetarian dish is one that will be eagerly devoured by a diehard carnivore. This one fits the bill in spades: meaty slices of portobello sautéed with a thicket of peppers and onions, then tucked into a toasted roll and topped with a cap of melted provolone. Unlike so many vegetarian dishes out there masquerading as healthier than the meaty creations they replace (yes, we're looking at you, 1,490-calorie mushroom burger from The Cheesecake Factory), you could eat this cheesesteak seven days a week and end up skinnier than when you started. And trust us, you won't even have to be a vegetarian to enjoy it!
Nutrition: 340 calories, 14 g fat (6 g saturated), 740 mg sodium
Serves 4
You'll Need
1 Tbsp canola or olive oil
2 large portobello mushrooms, stems and gills removed, sliced
1 medium yellow onion, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Salt and black pepper to taste
4 slices provolone
4 soft whole-wheat hoagie rolls, split and toasted
How to Make It
- Heat 1⁄2 tablespoon oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the portobello slices and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until nicely caramelized.
- Transfer to a plate. Heat the remaining 1⁄2 tablespoon oil in the same pan.
- Add the onion and pepper and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened and beginning to brown.
- Return the mushrooms to the pan and stir in the soy sauce and Worcestershire.
- Cook for another 2 minutes, until the vegetables have absorbed most of the liquid.
- Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.
- Divide the vegetables into four piles in the pan and top each with a slice of cheese (the residual heat will help to melt it).
- Once the cheese has begun to melt, tuck the vegetable piles into the rolls.
Eat This Tip
A portobello mushroom is a kind of white button mushroom that grow to be the same size as your average hamburger, but you probably knew that already. What you might not have known is that portobellos are packed antioxidants, B vitamins, potassium, and yes, they even have protein (plant based) and are much better for your body than red meat.