Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Bake (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Buffalo Casserole Base
01 -
2½ cups veggie broth (go for low-sodium)
02 -
1 cup vegan buffalo sauce (Frank's Red Hot works perfectly!)
03 -
¼ cup + 2 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes
04 -
1 tsp garlic powder
05 -
1 tsp onion powder
→ Thickener
06 -
1 heaping tbsp cornstarch mixed with 3 tbsp water
→ Casserole Mix
07 -
2 cans (15oz each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed (low-sodium preferred)
08 -
1 medium cauliflower head, cut into bite-sized florets
09 -
2 celery ribs, chopped
10 -
1 cup uncooked brown rice
→ Optional Topping
11 -
Vegan ranch dressing for serving
# Instructions:
01 -
Get your oven nice and hot at 435°F while you prep everything else.
02 -
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the veggie broth, buffalo sauce, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and onion powder until everything's well combined. Mix your cornstarch with water to make a slurry, then slowly whisk it into the sauce mixture. Set this aside for now.
03 -
Spread your chickpeas across the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Top them with the cauliflower florets and chopped celery. Sprinkle the uncooked brown rice evenly over everything, then pour your buffalo sauce mixture over the whole dish. Use a wooden spoon to make sure all the rice is completely covered by the sauce.
04 -
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake on the center rack for 1 hour.
05 -
Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes to get some nice browning on top.
06 -
Take the casserole out of the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Top with vegan ranch dressing if you like, and enjoy your spicy, hearty meal!
# Notes:
01 -
Oven times may vary slightly depending on your appliance, but shouldn't be off by more than 5-10 minutes either way.
02 -
For a lower-carb version, try substituting cauliflower rice and cutting the cooking time in half. Consider replacing the cauliflower florets with broccoli to avoid cauliflower overload.
03 -
The cornstarch makes this casserole thicker and creamier. If you prefer a fluffier texture, feel free to leave it out.