Baked stuffed mushrooms are a delicious appetizer that can be made for any occasion. When stuffing mushrooms, it’s important to cook them at the right temperature to ensure they are cooked through without drying out. Finding the perfect baking temperature for stuffed mushrooms ensures they come out perfectly baked with a tender, juicy filling encased in a lightly crisped mushroom cap.
What is the Ideal Temperature for Baking Stuffed Mushrooms?
The ideal baking temperature for stuffed mushrooms is 350°F. This temperature allows the mushrooms to cook through without overcooking. At 350°F, the mushrooms become tender and browned within 25-30 minutes. Cooking them at a higher temperature may dry them out while cooking them at a lower temperature would result in the filling not getting hot enough.
Factors that Affect Stuffed Mushroom Cooking Time
While 350°F is ideal, cooking time can vary based on:
- Mushroom size – Smaller mushrooms may cook faster than larger mushrooms
- Filling ingredients – Fillings with meat or cheese may require more time than vegetable-based fillings
- Number of mushrooms – A larger number of mushrooms will require more time to cook through
- Pan size and material – Mushrooms baked in a crowded pan or a dark metal pan may cook faster
To account for these factors, check stuffed mushrooms 5-10 minutes before the estimated cooking time and continue baking if the mushrooms are still undercooked.
How to Tell When Stuffed Mushrooms are Done
Stuffed mushrooms are fully cooked when:
- The mushroom caps feel tender when pierced with a fork or toothpick
- The filling is piping hot throughout
- The cheese in the filling has fully melted (if applicable)
- The edges of the mushroom caps are lightly browned
Undercooked mushrooms will feel firm and rubbery while overcooked mushrooms will be dried out and shriveled. Use these visual and textural cues to determine when your stuffed mushrooms are perfectly baked.
Tips for Baked Stuffed Mushrooms
Follow these tips for the best baked stuffed mushrooms:
- Preheat properly – Allow your oven to fully preheat before baking. Mushrooms baked in an underheated oven will cook unevenly.
- Use a baking sheet – Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Brush with oil – Lightly brush the mushroom caps with oil before baking for a crispier texture.
- Keep them spaced – Arrange the stuffed mushrooms so they aren’t cramped together to allow air circulation.
- Retain moisture – Tent foil over the baking sheet to retain moisture as the mushrooms cook.
What is the Best Filling for Baked Stuffed Mushrooms?
You can get creative with stuffed mushroom fillings. Some excellent options include:
- Breadcrumb filling – Breadcrumbs, Parmesan, herbs, and olive oil make a classic filling.
- Sausage and cheese – Cooked sausage and shredded cheese is a hearty, flavorful option.
- Crab filling – A mixture of crab meat, cream cheese, breadcrumbs, and lemon juice.
- Spinach and feta – Sauteed spinach, feta, red onion, garlic, and spices.
- Vegetable medley – Diced zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and basil.
The options are endless! Choose a filling that matches the flavors you enjoy or what pairs well with the meal.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Baked Stuffed Mushrooms
Follow this simple step-by-step guide for baked stuffed mushrooms:
- Clean mushrooms and remove stems. Finely chop stems.
- Mix filling ingredients in a bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Brush mushroom caps lightly with oil and stuff each cap with the filling.
- Arrange stuffed mushrooms on a foil-lined baking sheet spaced apart.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until tender and filling is hot.
- Remove from oven and tent with foil. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Ingredients
- 1 lb white mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1⁄2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1⁄4 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
- Clean mushrooms and carefully remove stems. Finely chop stems.
- In a medium bowl, stir together breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix in chopped mushroom stems.
- Brush outside of mushroom caps lightly with olive oil. Fill each cap with stuffing mixture, mounding slightly.
- Arrange mushrooms on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes until tender.
- Remove from oven and tent with foil. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Be sure to bake the stuffed mushrooms fully until the filling is piping hot and the mushrooms are tender throughout. Enjoy this appetizing starter hot out of the oven!
Common Questions about Baked Stuffed Mushrooms
Can you freeze baked stuffed mushrooms?
Yes, baked stuffed mushrooms freeze well for future use. To freeze:
- Cool stuffed mushrooms completely after baking.
- Place in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 2 hours.
- Transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers and store frozen up to 2-3 months.
- Reheat frozen stuffed mushrooms in a 350°F oven until hot, 15-20 minutes.
How long do baked stuffed mushrooms last in the fridge?
Properly stored leftovers will last 3-4 days refrigerated. Place cooked stuffed mushrooms in an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of baking. Reheat to 165°F before serving.
Can you make baked stuffed mushrooms ahead of time?
Yes, baked stuffed mushrooms can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance. Assemble stuffed mushrooms up to a day ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake. Allow the chilled mushrooms to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
Should you cook mushrooms before stuffing?
It’s best not to pre-cook mushrooms before stuffing them. The high moisture content of raw mushrooms helps prevent the caps from drying out during baking. Cooked mushrooms will release more moisture in the oven.
What can I use if I don’t have fresh mushrooms?
If fresh mushrooms are unavailable, you can substitute an 8-ounce package of presliced mushrooms from the grocery store refrigerated produce section. Canned mushrooms also work well for stuffing.
Cooking Tips for Baked Stuffed Mushrooms
Take your stuffed mushrooms from ordinary to extraordinary with these simple tips:
- Sear meat in the filling – Browning meats like sausage or ground beef in the filling adds rich, roasted flavor.
- Sauté vegetables – Onions, garlic, zucchini and other vegetables will be more flavorful when sautéed before adding to the filling.
- Use flavorful breadcrumbs – Toasted breadcrumbs or panko will give you a crisper texture and nuttier taste.
- Season generously – Don’t be afraid to add herbs, salt, pepper, Parmesan, hot sauce or other seasonings to amp up the flavor.
- Stuff them generously – Heaping plenty of filling into each mushroom cap results in a nice baked stuffed mushroom.
- Add cheese – Melting cheese like mozzarella, cheddar, feta or goat cheese makes the filling extra decadent.
Feel free to customize the filling to suit your tastes – the possibilities for baked stuffed mushrooms are endless!
Baked Stuffed Mushroom Recipe Variations
Change up your standard stuffed mushroom recipe with fun new flavors:
Mexican Stuffed Mushrooms
- Taco meat or shredded chicken
- Shredded Monterey jack cheese
- Salsa
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced onions
- Seasoned with cumin, chili powder and garlic
BBQ Chicken Stuffed Mushrooms
- Shredded rotisserie chicken
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- BBQ sauce
- Chopped scallions
- Bacon bits
Mediterranean Stuffed Mushrooms
- Sundried tomatoes
- Baby spinach
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Kalamata olives
- Roasted garlic
- Oregano and basil
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
- Lump crab meat
- Cream cheese
- Old Bay seasoning
- Lemon juice
- Worcestershire sauce
- Chopped parsley
Let your imagination run wild coming up with your own signature stuffed mushroom recipes!
Substitutions for Stuffed Mushroom Ingredients
If you’re missing an ingredient for stuffed mushrooms, here are some easy substitutions:
- No breadcrumbs? Use crushed crackers, panko, oats or cornmeal instead.
- No Parmesan? Substitute any shredded cheese like cheddar or mozzarella.
- No fresh parsley or herbs? Use 1 teaspoon dried herbs per tablespoon fresh.
- No mushrooms? Substitute a mix of chopped cauliflower and zucchini.
- No oil for brushing? Butter, olive oil spray or nonstick spray work too.
With a few simple swaps, you can make stuffed mushrooms work with what you have on hand!
Conclusion
Baked stuffed mushrooms are a simple yet impressive appetizer for any occasion. Cook them at 350°F for the perfect baked texture with a hot, juicy filling. Adjust cooking time as needed based on the size and number of mushrooms. Use visual and textural clues to test for doneness. Feel free to get creative with the filling – sauce up ground meat, add flavorful cheeses, or use vegetables and fresh herbs. No matter what you stuff them with, baked stuffed mushrooms are sure to be a hit!
