Grilled Portabella Pizzas
This recipe offers a delicious and healthier take on pizza by using large portabella mushrooms as the base. Brushed with olive oil and topped with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and optional fresh ingredients, these grilled portabella pizzas are a quick, flavorful, and gluten-free alternative perfect for a light meal or appetizer.
Equipment
- 1 Grill or Grill Pan
- 1 Basting Brush For oiling mushrooms
- 1 Tongs For handling mushrooms on grill
- 1 Small Bowl For mixing oil and seasonings
- 1 Spoon For spreading marinara sauce
Ingredients
Main
- 4 large portabella mushrooms
- 1 TBSP olive oil
- 1/2 cup low-sodium marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella
- Optional ingredients for seasoning and toppings: fresh basil leaves sea salt, black pepper, black olives, green
Instructions
- Gently clean portabella mushroom caps with a damp cloth and carefully remove the stems.
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper (if using). Lightly brush both sides of the mushroom caps with the seasoned olive oil.
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Place the mushroom caps gill-side down on the hot grill. Grill for 3-5 minutes, or until softened and grill marks appear.
- Flip the mushroom caps over so they are gill-side up. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of low-sodium marinara sauce evenly over the inside of each mushroom cap.
- Generously sprinkle part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese over the marinara sauce.
- If desired, add optional toppings such as sliced black olives or green peppers on top of the cheese.
- Close the grill lid (or cover the grill pan if possible) and continue to cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Carefully remove the grilled portabella pizzas from the grill.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving warm.
Notes
1. Choose large, firm portabella mushrooms. Gently wipe them clean with a damp cloth; avoid washing under running water as they absorb moisture, leading to a soggy texture. You can scoop out the dark gills for a cleaner appearance, but it's optional. 2. Ensure your grill is well preheated to achieve good grill marks and cook the mushrooms evenly. If using a grill pan, ensure it's smoking hot before adding the mushrooms. 3. For an extra layer of flavor, lightly season the mushroom caps with salt and pepper before brushing with olive oil. A touch of garlic powder can also enhance the savory profile. 4. Once assembled, if the cheese isn't melting sufficiently on the grill, you can carefully transfer the mushroom pizzas to a preheated oven or broiler for a few minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden, watching closely to prevent burning.