Description
Savory stuffed mushrooms with Italian sausage blend classic Italian flavors into an irresistible appetizer. Hearty ingredients and simple preparation make this dish a crowd-pleasing starter you’ll want to share with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 large white or cremini mushrooms, stems reserved
- 0.5 lb (226.8 g) Italian sausage (mild or hot), casing removed
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-style)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray or additional olive oil
Instructions
- Prep Mushrooms: Gently clean mushroom caps with a damp cloth, removing stems and finely chopping them for the filling mixture.
- Cook Sausage: Crumble Italian sausage in a skillet, browning thoroughly until no pink remains, creating a rich, caramelized base for the filling.
- Build Flavor Base: Incorporate chopped mushroom stems, minced garlic, and herbs into the sausage, sautéing until the mixture develops a deep, aromatic profile.
- Create Filling: Remove from heat and blend cream cheese into the sausage mixture, forming a creamy, cohesive stuffing that binds all ingredients together.
- Prepare for Baking: Arrange mushroom caps on a baking sheet, generously filling each cap with the sausage-cream cheese mixture and topping with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
- Roast to Perfection: Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 20 minutes, allowing the mushrooms to become tender and the cheese to transform into a golden, crispy crust.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the stuffed mushrooms rest briefly before serving, allowing flavors to meld and ensuring an optimal eating temperature.
Notes
- Clean Mushrooms Gently: Use a damp paper towel to wipe mushrooms, avoiding direct water contact to prevent mushroom waterlogging and maintain their delicate texture.
- Brown Sausage Perfectly: Ensure complete browning without burning by cooking over medium-high heat, breaking meat into small, uniform crumbles for even flavor distribution.
- Manage Moisture Carefully: Drain excess fat from sausage to prevent soggy mushroom bottoms and maintain a crisp, appetizing presentation.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Replace cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives like cashew cream for lactose-intolerant guests, and use plant-based sausage for vegetarian versions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 202
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 38 mg