Description
Festive Christmas stuffed mushrooms bring elegant appetizer magic to holiday gatherings. Savory cremini mushrooms brimming with herbed cream cheese and crisp bacon promise delightful bites you’ll crave at first taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (453 grams) cremini or white button mushrooms
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (30 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Aromatic and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) olive oil, divided
- ¼ cup (40 grams) finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Finishing Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (30 grams) panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sanitize whole mushrooms using a moistened cloth, meticulously removing surface debris without waterlogging the delicate fungi.
- Carefully extract mushroom stems, finely dice them alongside onions, preparing ingredients for a robust filling.
- Sauté chopped stems and onions in olive oil, developing deep caramelized flavors and releasing aromatic compounds until vegetables soften and become translucent.
- Introduce minced garlic during final moments of sautéing, allowing its pungent essence to permeate the mixture without burning.
- Transfer sautéed vegetable mixture into a mixing vessel, incorporating cream cheese, grated Parmesan, fresh thyme, seasoning with salt and pepper to create a harmonious flavor profile.
- Arrange mushroom caps presentation-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet, creating uniform spacing for even heat distribution.
- Generously fill each mushroom cavity with prepared cheese mixture, creating elegant mounds that slightly exceed the mushroom’s natural contour.
- Combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, ensuring uniform coating that will transform into a crispy, golden exterior during baking.
- Liberally dust breadcrumb mixture across stuffed mushrooms, creating a textural contrast to the creamy interior.
- Drizzle residual olive oil over assembled mushrooms to enhance browning and add subtle richness.
- Roast in a preheated 400°F oven, monitoring carefully until mushrooms become tender and breadcrumb topping achieves a burnished golden hue.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, providing a vibrant visual and herbaceous note to the finished appetizer.
- Serve immediately while warm, allowing guests to appreciate the dish’s optimal temperature and textural complexity.
Notes
- Gently clean mushrooms to preserve their delicate texture and prevent waterlogging, ensuring a perfect appetizer.
- Choose cremini or white button mushrooms with firm, intact caps for the best stuffing results.
- Pat mushroom caps completely dry after cleaning to help breadcrumbs adhere and create a crispy topping.
- Customize the filling by swapping cream cheese with goat cheese or adding cooked bacon bits for extra flavor complexity.
- Make ahead by preparing stuffed mushrooms and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, which intensifies the flavors.
- For gluten-free options, replace panko with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to maintain the crispy texture.
- Prevent soggy mushrooms by not overcrowding the baking sheet and allowing space between each cap for even roasting.
- Enhance vegetarian appeal by adding chopped spinach or sundried tomatoes to the cream cheese mixture for more depth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg