Addicting Stuffed Mushrooms

These stuffed mushrooms are perfect for any weeknight dinner or dinner party! They are mushroom caps filled with a mixture of cream cheese, spinach and artichoke spreadable cheese, and tasty Italian turkey sausage. This stuffed mushroom dish is baked until it is beautifully golden brown, making it presentable for dinner guests. 

Addicting stuffed mushrooms are also super easy to make! They can even be prepared ahead of time so you can quickly cook them right before your guests arrive. Don’t forget to make extra stuffed mushrooms because this appetizer will be gone as soon as you serve them. 

The secret ingredient of this irresistible dish is the Avocado Crack No Sodium seasoning. This savory seasoning brings out the natural umami flavor of the mushrooms. The seasoning also takes the flavors of this stuffed mushroom dish to the next level. With a lightly flavored, rich, and smooth cream cheese-based stuffing and the natural flavor of the mushroom, there is no doubt that this is one of the tastiest appetizers ever.   

Ingredients:

Avocado Crack No Sodium seasoning 

1lb ground Italian Turkey sausage 

15 Baby Bella mushrooms 

1/2 block of softened Cream Cheese

1  container Alouette Spinach Artichoke spreadable cheese 

Cookware Needed:

• Large skillet  
• Strainer 
• 8x8 baking pan 

Tips For Success

• Make sure you do not soak the mushrooms in water to wash them otherwise, they will be soggy after they are baked. The best way to clean them is to quickly rinse them under running water or wipe them down with a wet paper towel.
• When shopping for mushrooms, choose mushrooms that are smooth and dry-looking. Slimy mushrooms that look soft have already started to spoil.
• Select mushrooms that are around the same size so that they will cook evenly in the oven.  

How to Make The Best Stuffed Mushrooms 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Quickly rinse the mushrooms and make sure there isn’t any dirt leftover on the skin. 
3. Remove the stems from the mushrooms.
4. Brown the ground Italian turkey sausage on medium heat. 
5. Drain the meat so that the oil and liquid released from the meat will not be stuffed into the mushrooms. TIP: do not skip this step, or your stuffing may become overly greasy or too mushy. 
6. Add the cooked meat and the two types of soft cheeses into a bowl. 
7. Thoroughly mix the meat and cheeses until you get a homogeneous texture. 
8. Carefully spoon the stuffing into mushrooms.
9. Place the stuffed mushrooms on a baking tray and bake them for 15 minutes or until they turn golden brown on top. 
10. Broil the mushrooms for 10 mins on high. Make sure to watch closely, so they do not burn. This step is to give the stuffed mushrooms a slightly crispier texture. 

What Are the Best Mushrooms For Stuffing? 

My favorite mushrooms to use are baby bella mushrooms. Baby bella mushrooms are also known as cremini mushrooms. These mushrooms have an earthy flavor, and they are just the right size for stuffing. They also have a more complex flavor that works well with the Avocado Crack seasoning. Baby bella mushrooms are also bite-sized, making them the perfect shareable appetizer. If you want to stuff large mushrooms, you can also use portobello mushrooms. Small or medium-button white mushrooms are also a good choice since they are small and milder in flavor. 

Health Benefits of Mushrooms

Mushrooms are not only tasty, but they also have fantastic health benefits! Mushrooms are low calories yet still packed with all sorts of vitamins and minerals. For instance, they contain plenty of vitamin D, which is important for bone development. Baby bella mushrooms also have plenty of zinc, a vital nutrient for the immune system. They are also an excellent source of potassium. This nutrient lessens the tension in blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. By eating more mushrooms, you may be able to mitigate your chances of getting severe health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's. 

Substitutions 

• Meat: Instead of Italian turkey sausage, you can substitute it for various meats such as pork sausage, bacon, shredded chicken, or pepperoni.
• Cheese: I use cream cheese for a rich and smooth stuffing, but you can also top the mushrooms with shredded parmesan before baking or mix in gouda, goat cheese, mozzarella, gruyere, or cheddar. You can also substitute the cream cheese for a plant-based cream cheese substitute if you are vegan. 
• Vegetables: Vegetables such as minced garlic, spinach, bell peppers, and chopped up mushroom stems can also be added to the stuffing. 
• Herbs: Stuffed mushrooms are also great with fresh herbs as a garnish or even mixed into the stuffing. You can add parsley, cilantro, sage, thyme, or a mixture of whatever you like. 

 How To Meal Prep Stuffed Mushrooms 

Stuffed mushrooms are excellent for meal prepping. You can pre-make the stuffing and then save the stuffing in the fridge until you want to make the stuffed mushrooms. You can also stuff the mushrooms a day or two in advance and then keep them in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake them. This makes it easy to quickly make meals for busy weeknights or keep cooking when you are entertaining guests to a minimum.  

Another way to meal prep stuffed mushrooms is to freeze them. You can free uncooked stuffed mushrooms by freezing them in a freezer-safe bag. Stuffed mushrooms can last up to 3 months in the freezer. They don't even need to be defrosted. All you have to do is bake them 7-10 minutes longer than the regular baking time. 

How to Store stuffed Mushrooms

If any of these addicting stuffed mushrooms are miraculously leftover, you can save them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to five days. 

Do not freeze stuffed mushrooms once they have been cooked since they will not hold up well. You can, however, freeze stuffed mushrooms before they have been cooked. 

Let me know how yours came out! 💚🥑✨ - Yolanda