Description
Deliciously creamy and savory stuffed mushrooms filled with a rich blend of cream cheese, smoked cheddar, roasted red peppers, garlic, and onions, topped with a crispy Parmesan crust and baked to golden perfection. A perfect appetizer or party snack that’s easy to prepare and impressively flavorful.
Ingredients
Scale
Mushrooms
- 30 medium raw button mushrooms (about 1 1/2 pounds)
Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/4 cups shredded smoked cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup roasted red pepper, drained and diced
- 2 tablespoons grated onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Topping
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Mushrooms: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange a 9×13-inch baking dish ready for stuffing. Gently pop off the stems of the mushrooms and discard or save for another use. Use a damp paper towel to carefully clean the mushroom caps, avoiding rinsing them directly with water to prevent sogginess.
- Make the Cheese Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded smoked cheddar cheese, diced roasted red pepper, grated onion, and minced garlic. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Stuff the Mushrooms: Using a spoon, fill the hollowed-out caps of each mushroom with the cheese mixture. It’s fine if the filling slightly overflows but avoid overpacking to maintain a tidy appearance.
- Add Parmesan Crust and Arrange: Lightly press each stuffed mushroom top into the grated Parmesan cheese to form a crust. Place the mushrooms cheese-side up in the prepared baking dish. They can be placed close together since they will shrink during baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the stuffed mushrooms in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes until the tops are puffed up and golden brown. Serve them warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Do not wash mushrooms directly under water to avoid sogginess; use a damp cloth or paper towel instead.
- You can save mushroom stems to use in soups, stocks, or finely chop them and add to the filling.
- For a spicier twist, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the filling.
- This recipe can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in a microwave or oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: stuffed mushrooms, cream cheese stuffed mushrooms, baked mushrooms, appetizer, party snack, vegetarian appetizer, smoked cheddar, roasted red pepper
