I took my cooking show on the road this past week! I made a special birthday dinner for a cherished family member. Of course, it was a great day filled with swimming to take advantage of the last warm days of summer before fall came into full swing. We had a great opportunity to catch up on family news! So, I decided to make my Italian Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms to nosh on as we waited for the main course.
One of the great things about this recipe is that the major components can be done ahead of time.
Of course, this really made it easy for me to meal prep the night before to focus on the visit the next day. These are a great appetizer to include as part of a big holiday meal or family gathering where you may have people over for the day. It can make a light lunch that will help guests get over the hump without ruining dinner. Let's get started!
Prep the mushrooms:
First, find some nice stuffing mushrooms. Remove the stems. Scrape out the dark gills on the inside of the mushroom cap with a small spoon. This step can be done ahead of time. Once completed store in a plastic bag or airtight container.
Make the filling:
Next, preheat a pan on the stove to medium heat. Add some olive oil to saute the ground Italian sausage. I used mild, but you could use sweet or hot as well. Once the sausage has cooked about halfway add the sliced green onions and minced garlic then cook until done.
Add in the spinach, and let it wilt. Add the cooked herb stuffing, and cheeses. Stir until combined well and melted. This can be stored in an airtight container if prepping ahead. Or....you can eat the Italian Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms right now! 🙂
Stuffing the mushrooms:
Next, take the filling, and stuff your prepped mushrooms. I like to pile them high. Visually they look great, and they are very filling. You could easily make this for a quick weeknight dinner, and serve with a large green salad.
Baking the mushrooms:
Now, arrange the Italian Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 20-23 minutes or until the stuffing has a nice crust or are a little bit browned. If you made this ahead, cook for a few extra minutes to make sure the cold filling is warmed up. No one likes cold stuffed mushrooms! These make great game-day snacks too!
Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container for up to one week.
If you enjoyed this you may like Bacon Brussel Sprouts, or Smoky Deviled Eggs!
Recipe
Italian Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 14-16 large stuffing mushrooms stems and gills removed
- 1 6-ounce herb or chicken flavored stuffing mix cooked according to box directions
- 1 lb Italian sausage regular, sweet, or hot (taste dependent)
- 4 green onions sliced
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 4 ounces spinach fresh
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prep mushrooms by removing the stems, and scraping out dark brown gills with a small spoon. Set aside. If preparing in advance, store in a plastic bag or airtight container.
- Heat a pan on medium heat, add Italian sausage to brown. Once halfway browned add sliced green onions and minced garlic. Cook until done. Add spinach, and allow to wilt.
- Add cooked stuffing, and cheeses. Combine well, and cook until cheese is completely melted. Set aside to cool for a few minutes. If prepping ahead, this can be stored in an airtight container.
- Preheat oven to 350-degrees.
- Stuff the mushrooms, and arrange on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-23 minutes. If you have prepped ahead allow for a few minutes of cooking time if your filling is not room temperature.
- Once done serve immediately, or store in an airtight container for up to one week.
Amanda says
I LOVE sausage stuffed mushrooms! They're always such a satisfying bite. It's so great that you can prep them ahead of time, too. It really makes entertaining so much easier when you can get things ready to go before the guests arrive. These would be so perfect for Thanksgiving!
mondayismeatloaf says
I know I’m whipping up a batch of these next week! Stuffed mushrooms are the bomb!
Miranda says
Oh my goodness! These stuffed mushrooms look so good. I bet that sausage filling really adds some flavor too! I think I need to make a birthday dinner just so
I have a reason to make these.
mondayismeatloaf says
Thanks! These are perfect any time of year, please enjoy!
Marisa Franca says
Two of our favorite ingredients!! Mushrooms and sausage are a great combination. The stuffed mushrooms will be great appetizers during the holidays -- well, really any time of year. And any time I can prepare dishes ahead of time -- those are the dishes I'll pick.
mondayismeatloaf says
Nice, I hope you enjoy because we certainly have!
Debra says
What an awesome recipe, just in time for holiday party season. I love to take something that is pretty and filling and that can be picked up, cuz who has extra hands at a cocktail party? Even better that these can be prepped the day before.
mondayismeatloaf says
I love these can be prepped the day ahead as well. Makes life so much easier!
Dana Sandonato says
Stuffed mushrooms are SO good. These remind me of some stuffed mushrooms they were passing around at a cocktail hour at a recent wedding I went to. We were knocking so many of them back! They were so so addicting! These will be great for the holidays.
mondayismeatloaf says
These are great for the holiday season! Sounds like a great wedding!
Sues says
Oh yum... I could totally eat these as a meal. Especially since there's sausage in them- sausage makes for the very BEST stuffed mushrooms!
mondayismeatloaf says
Definitely a great meal!
carmyy says
I once tried to eat my weight in stuffed mushrooms. They are my absolute favourite! I'm going to try my hand at making your version and you know, proceed to eat all of it by myself haha.
mondayismeatloaf says
Love it! These def can make a meal on their own!
Tracy says
Oh I love love love recipes like this that can be prepped the day before. It makes life SO much easier - especially when you're visiting loved ones!
mondayismeatloaf says
It definitely makes entertaining so much easier!
Tina says
I have never had sausage and stuffing together before. I think it's about time I try it. Your stuffed mushrooms look amazing and easy too. Especially love pre-prep idea. Thanks for sharing your recipes!
mondayismeatloaf says
You’re welcome! I love the idea that they can be prepped ahead as well.
Garlic + Zest says
Your stuffed mushrooms sound like a meal on their own! I doubt that I'd have the willpower to stop at one or two! Great to serve at my holiday cocktail party -- I'm pretty sure these will be the first to get gobbled up.
mondayismeatloaf says
You bet! Serve them with a leafy green salad and it makes a great meal or appetizer!
Sarah says
Omg, stuffed mushrooms sound so good! I love how much flavor you can pack into a tiny little mushroom. And I love it when you can prep food ahead of time-- its such a time saver!
mondayismeatloaf says
It’s definitely a lifesaver especially during the holidays!
Gloria Duggan says
With all the holiday parties around the corner, I am always looking for new ideas for appetizers. I love mushrooms. The flavours here sound fantastic. They are party presentation perfect.
Traci says
So delicious! I love every ingredient in this stuffed mushroom recipe and am certain I will not be able to control myself in their presence. I love it that you used the stuffing mix too. What a great shortcut! These are going to fly off the holiday appetizer table! Thanks for sharing 🙂