Vegetarian Francesinha

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with this Vegetarian Francesinha—a plant-based twist on Portugal’s iconic sandwich. This hearty, flavor-packed recipe layers golden-brown plant-based sausages, sautéed mushrooms, and grillable halloumi between thick slices of bread, all smothered in a rich, savory beer-infused tomato sauce. Topped with melted cheese and baked to golden perfection, this vegetarian delight is a vibrant medley of textures and bold flavors. Perfect for a cozy dinner or weekend indulgence, this recipe brings the traditional taste of Francesinha to vegetarians while remaining a decadent treat for all. Serve it hot with extra sauce for dipping and savor every comforting bite! Keywords: Vegetarian Francesinha, plant-based Portuguese sandwich, beer-infused tomato sauce, comfort food recipe, vegetarian indulgence.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 whole large onion, sliced
• 2 whole garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 400 grams canned tomatoes
• 500 milliliters vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 whole bay leaf
• 150 milliliters beer
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 whole plant-based sausages
• 4 slices thick slices of bread
• 200 grams grillable halloumi cheese
• 200 grams mushrooms, sliced
• 4 slices sliced cheese (e.g., cheddar or gouda)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the sliced onion and minced garlic; sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the tomato paste, and then add the canned tomatoes with their juice. Use a spoon to break them up a bit.

Step 4

Pour in the vegetable broth, paprika, cayenne pepper, bay leaf, and a pinch of salt and black pepper.

Step 5

Add the beer to the pot, stir well, and let the sauce simmer for about 20 minutes.

Step 6

Meanwhile, in a small non-stick pan, fry the plant-based sausages until browned on all sides. Set aside.

Step 7

In the same pan, add a tablespoon of butter and sauté the mushrooms until tender. Set aside.

Step 8

Dilute the cornstarch in a small bowl with a bit of water until smooth, then add it to the sauce. Stir and let it cook for another 5 minutes until thickened.

Step 9

Remove the sauce from heat and blend it with an immersion blender until smooth. Adjust seasoning with more salt if needed.

Step 10

Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F).

Step 11

Assemble the Francesinha: on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, place a slice of bread.

Step 12

Layer with a plant-based sausage, some mushrooms, a slice of halloumi, and repeat the layer ending with a second bread slice.

Step 13

Cover the sandwich with two slices of cheese, making sure to entirely cover the top.

Step 14

Repeat the assembly for the second serving.

Step 15

Pour the hot sauce generously over each assembled sandwich to cover them completely.

Step 16

Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and golden.

Step 17

Serve hot on a plate, with extra sauce if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2164.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2922.1

Total Fat 173.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 78.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.9g
Cholesterol 260.9mg	0%
Sodium 8000.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 208.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 31.9g	0%
Total Sugars 49.2g
Protein 129.0g	0%

Vitamin D 46.2IU	0%
Calcium 2972.9mg	0%
Iron 19.3mg	0%
Potassium 3841.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.6%

Protein: 17.8%

Carbs: 28.6%