Bacon and cream cheese create a perfect union with mushrooms in this recipe, a crowd-pleaser for gatherings. It's a dish that has evolved with the addition of fresh herbs, now an essential ingredient.
This recipe was born from a quest for the ultimate appetizer. Learning from overcooking mishaps and fine-tuning the process, it now yields succulent mushrooms filled with a savory cream cheese blend every time.
Ingredients
- Large mushrooms — 16, stems removed and finely chopped
- Cream cheese — 8 oz, softened
- Bacon — 8 slices, cooked and crumbled
- Garlic — 2 cloves, minced
- Green onions — 2, thinly sliced
- Grated Parmesan cheese — ¼ cup
- Fresh parsley — 2 tbsp, chopped
- Worcestershire sauce — 1 tsp
- Ground black pepper — ½ tsp
- Olive oil — for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Brush a baking sheet with olive oil.
- Mix cream cheese, bacon, mushroom stems, garlic, green onions, Parmesan, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper.
- Generously fill mushroom caps with the mixture.
- Arrange on the baking sheet; consider adding smoked paprika on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, broil for the last 2 minutes for a golden top.
- Cool before serving, best enjoyed warm.
Substitutions
- Bacon — Use sun-dried tomatoes for a vegetarian alternative.
- Cream cheese — Substitute with drained ricotta cheese.
- Green onions — Chives are a milder alternative.
Variations
- Spicy — Add finely diced jalapeño.
- Crunchy topping — Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs on top before baking.
Dietary Restrictions
- Gluten-free — Check bacon and Worcestershire sauce for hidden gluten.
- Dairy-free — Use dairy-free cream cheese.
Equipment
- Measuring spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Oven mitts
- Small spoon or piping bag
Storage and Reheat
- Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm.
Pro Tips
- The moisture — Remove excess moisture from mushroom caps before stuffing.
- The stuffing — Use a spoon or piping bag for even stuffing.
- The cooking — Arrange cap-side down for even cooking.
