Turkey and Cauliflower Open-Faced Sandwiches with Harissa
Open-faced sandwiches featuring golden French bread topped with spiced cauliflower in cheese sauce and sliced turkey. The harissa adds warm, smoky heat that complements the creamy cauliflower while fresh basil and lemon brighten each bite. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual lunch when you want something more substantial than a regular sandwich but don't want to spend hours cooking.
Ingredients
- 1 can (11 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original French Bread
- 2 boxes (10 oz each) frozen cauliflower & cheese sauce
- 2 teaspoons harissa
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- ¾ lb thinly sliced deli turkey breastrotisserie chicken or ham3/4 lbprotein
shredded chicken or sliced ham
- 4 lemon wedges
- 6 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
Instructions
- 1
Heat oven to 350°F and spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray
- 2
Cut dough loaf in half crosswise to make 2 loaves and place seam sides down 3 inches apart on cookie sheet
- 3
Cut 3 diagonal slashes 1/2-inch deep on top of each loaf and bake until golden brown
- 4
Cool baked loaves while preparing filling
- 5
Microwave both pouches of vegetables as directed on box
- 6
Mix microwaved vegetables with harissa and chopped garlic in medium bowl
- 7
Set oven control to broil and cut loaves in half horizontally
- 8
Place cut loaf halves cut sides up on same cookie sheet
- 9
Place turkey on each loaf half and top with cauliflower mixture
- 10
Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat until thoroughly heated
- 11
Squeeze lemon wedge over each sandwich and sprinkle with sliced basil and black pepper
Tips
Make deeper slashes in the bread for better expansion and more rustic appearance during baking.
Let the bread cool completely before slicing to prevent it from becoming gummy or compressed.
Adjust harissa amount to taste - start with less if you're sensitive to heat and add more as needed.
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers up to 2 days. Reheat in 300°F oven until warmed through.
Bake bread up to 1 day ahead and store covered at room temperature.
Serve immediately while bread is warm and cauliflower is hot.
Common Mistakes
Don't skip cooling the bread to avoid gummy texture when slicing.
Place broiler rack 4-5 inches from heat to avoid burning the tops.
Substitutions
shredded chicken or sliced ham
FAQ
Can I use fresh cauliflower instead of frozen?
Yes, steam fresh cauliflower until tender then mix with cheese sauce or melted cheese and proceed with recipe.
How long will these sandwiches keep?
Best eaten immediately but leftovers keep refrigerated 2 days. Reheat in oven rather than microwave for better texture.
Can I make the bread from scratch?
Absolutely, use any crusty French bread recipe or substitute store-bought French bread loaves.