Laura Smith
Stuffed mushrooms are an easy-to-make, tasty treat that can be served as a bite-sized appetizer or even a main course. They are versatile and can be adapted to suit your taste—for instance, you can choose from a variety of cheeses, including Parmesan, Gruyère, fontina, or feta. You can also add herbs like parsley and thyme, and nuts like pecans, almonds, or walnuts. The mushrooms should be cleaned and dried before being stuffed with a mixture of your chosen ingredients and baked in the oven. Sausage-stuffed mushrooms are also a popular variation that can be made with mild Italian sausage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Appetizer |
| Ingredients | Mushrooms, Cheese (Parmesan, Gruyère, Fontina, Feta, Cream Cheese), Herbs (Parsley, Thyme, Basil), Bread Crumbs, Butter, Olive Oil, Garlic, Sausage, Onion, Pecans, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Pine Nuts, Salt, Pepper |
| Preparation | Clean mushrooms with a damp paper towel, remove stems and chop them, cook stems and other ingredients, mix with cheese and herbs, stuff mushroom caps, bake |
| Baking Temperature | 350-400°F (175-200°C) |
| Baking Time | 20-25 minutes |
| Storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days |
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What You'll Learn
- Choose your mushrooms: Cremini or baby bella mushrooms are best
- Clean and prep: Rinse mushrooms and wipe with a damp paper towel
- Make the filling: Combine cheese, breadcrumbs, herbs, nuts, and flavourings
- Stuff the mushrooms: Use a spoon to fill each mushroom cap with a generous amount
- Bake:
Choose your mushrooms: Cremini or baby bella mushrooms are best
When it comes to choosing mushrooms for your stuffed mushroom recipe, Cremini or baby bella mushrooms are the best option. These mushrooms, which are essentially the same species, offer a deeper, more complex flavour than white button mushrooms, resulting in a tastier appetizer. Cremini mushrooms, also known as baby bellas, provide a more intense mushroom flavour without being overpowering, even for those who are not fans of mushrooms.
Cremini mushrooms are also ideal for stuffing due to their size. They are small enough to serve as bite-sized appetizers, yet large enough to hold a generous amount of filling. When selecting Cremini or baby bella mushrooms, look for the biggest ones you can find, as they will hold more of the breadcrumb mixture and be easier to fill.
To prepare these mushrooms for stuffing, start by rinsing them in a colander under cold running water to remove any dirt. You can then remove the stems by pulling them out with your hands or snapping them off, leaving a well in the cap for the stuffing. Be sure not to soak the mushrooms in water for too long, as this can cause them to become soggy when baked. After cleaning, gently wipe the mushrooms with a damp paper towel to remove any remaining dirt from the caps and stems.
Once the stems are removed, finely chop them and set them aside to be used in the filling. The caps can then be arranged on a greased baking sheet, ready to be stuffed. By choosing Cremini or baby bella mushrooms and preparing them properly, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and flavourful stuffed mushrooms.
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Clean and prep: Rinse mushrooms and wipe with a damp paper towel
Preparing mushrooms for stuffing involves cleaning and pre-cooking them. Mushrooms are grown close to the ground and can have a lot of dirt stuck to them, so cleaning them before cooking is crucial. To clean mushrooms, start by giving them a quick rinse in a colander under cold running water. This will help to remove any dirt clinging to the caps and stems.
Next, wipe the mushrooms with a damp paper towel. This step ensures that any remaining dirt or residue is removed. It is important not to soak the mushrooms in water for too long, as this can cause them to become soggy when baked.
Once the mushrooms are clean, you can begin preparing them for stuffing. Remove the stems by snapping or pulling them out, and finely chop the stems. Set the caps aside, as these will be filled with the stuffing.
At this point, you can also choose to sauté the chopped mushroom stems with other ingredients such as onions, garlic, and herbs to create a flavourful base for your stuffing. This step adds depth of flavour and ensures that your mushrooms are fully cooked when baked.
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Make the filling: Combine cheese, breadcrumbs, herbs, nuts, and flavourings
When making stuffed mushrooms, the filling is key. The best stuffed mushrooms have a little of everything in each bite, so make sure to chop your filling ingredients into small pieces that will evenly incorporate with one another.
For a classic flavour, combine grated cheese, breadcrumbs, herbs, nuts, and flavourings. Parmesan is a classic choice, but you can also use Gruyère, fontina, or even feta. For a smooth and luxurious filling, add some cream cheese. Fresh herbs like parsley and thyme add colour and cut through the richness of the filling. You can also add chopped pecans or pine nuts for a deliciously crumbly texture and crunch.
If you're looking for a unique filling, you can try sautéed onions and crunchy pecans instead of breadcrumbs for extra texture and flavour. This also makes the dish naturally gluten-free.
Don't forget to season your filling! Before you load up the mushroom caps, drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle them with salt to add extra flavour.
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Stuff the mushrooms: Use a spoon to fill each mushroom cap with a generous amount
Now that you have your filling ready, it's time to stuff the mushrooms! Place the mushroom caps on a large baking sheet. If you're using cremini mushrooms, you can simply pull out the stems with your hand. Otherwise, place the mushroom in your palm, cap side down, and snap off the stem to create a well for the stuffing. Be sure to chop the stems finely, as they will be added to the filling.
Use a spoon to fill each mushroom cap with a generous amount of stuffing. As you spoon the stuffing onto the mushrooms, don't worry if some of it tumbles off—simply do your best to get as much into each mushroom as possible. Aim for about one tablespoon of filling for small to medium-sized mushrooms, creating a small mound on top. Be careful not to overstuff the mushrooms, as they will shrink in the oven.
Before baking, you can also drizzle the stuffed mushrooms with olive oil and sprinkle them with salt to add extra flavour.
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Bake: Drizzle with
Now it's time to bake your stuffed mushrooms! Place the mushroom caps on a large baking sheet and drizzle them with olive oil. Flip the caps so that the well-side is facing up and they are ready to be filled. Use a spoon or a small spoon to fill each mushroom cap with a generous amount of stuffing, creating a small mound on top. Be careful not to add too much stuffing, as the mushrooms will shrink in the oven. Once you've stuffed all the mushrooms, you can drizzle them with a little more olive oil and sprinkle them with salt.
Then, bake your stuffed mushrooms in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the mushrooms are slightly soft and tender. If you are baking from frozen, simply add a little extra cooking time. For a guide on when they're ready, the mushrooms should be piping hot and there should be liquid forming under each cap.
Once they're cooked, remove the mushrooms from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving. If desired, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley for a pop of colour and freshness. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need mushrooms, butter, olive oil, garlic, breadcrumbs, cream cheese, Parmesan, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper. You can also add other ingredients like nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, or meat.
Cremini mushrooms, also known as baby bella mushrooms, are recommended for their deeper, more complex flavor compared to white button mushrooms. Choose small to medium-sized mushrooms for bite-sized appetizers.
Rinse the mushrooms quickly under cold water and dry them thoroughly with a paper towel before cooking. Avoid soaking them for too long. Ensure your filling is not too wet, and chill it before stuffing to help hold the mixture together.
Preheat your oven to between 350°F and 400°F. Bake the stuffed mushrooms for approximately 20 to 25 minutes, until they are hot, tender, and golden.
