Festive Holiday Stuffed Mushrooms: A Deliciously Cheesy and Crunchy Treat
Stuffed mushrooms are more than just an appetizer on our holiday menu; they’re a statement of elegance and ease. These festive holiday stuffed mushrooms, ready in less than an hour, are the epitome of a last-minute, yet impressively delicious dish.
We’ve lovingly filled baby bella mushrooms with a mixture that’s rich in texture and flavor, boasting a harmonious blend of creamy Alouette cheese, crunchy walnuts, and sweet cranberries.
These festive holiday stuffed mushrooms are little gems bursting with a savory, sweet, and nutty essence, making them the ultimate bite-sized sensation.
If you’re new to the art of stuffing mushrooms, fear not – it’s surprisingly simple. Follow along for our top tips to create this classic holiday appetizer.!
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Festive Holiday Stuffed Mushrooms
- Baby Bella Mushrooms (caps cleaned and prepped)
- Mushroom Stems (finely chopped)
- Butter (for cooking and topping)
- Garlic Clove (minced)
- Alouette Garlic & Herb Spreadable Cheese (or plain cream cheese with added spices)
- Dried Cranberries (chopped)
- Walnuts (chopped)
- Panko Crumbs (for topping)
Optional Variations for The Festive Holiday Stuffed Mushrooms
- Boursin Cheese (alternative to Alouette cheese)
- Plain Cream Cheese (as an alternative or addition)
- Thyme or Rosemary (for topping)
- Parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Festive Holiday Stuffed Mushrooms Are Easier Than You Think
If you have ever experienced soggy festive holiday stuffed mushrooms you know how nasty they can be. We don’t make those in my kitchen and you are not making them in yours. Here are tips to know and why you’ll love the simple recipe.
Cleaning and Prepping Your Mushrooms Without Waste
It’s important to clean your mushrooms well, as they often carry dirt from their growth environment.
Give them a brief rinse and gently wipe them with a damp paper towel. This process ensures your mushrooms are clean without becoming waterlogged.
Also, you turn them down so that their insides drain out onto a paper towel, it works well, and I do do this in advance of preparing the recipe.
Preventing Soggy Festive Holiday Stuffed Mushrooms
Nobody likes a soggy mushroom!
The key to mastery of non-soggy mushrooms is less is more.
The trick is in the brief rinse and using a filling that’s creamy but not overly wet. Our combination of Alouette cheese, cranberries, and walnuts strikes the perfect balance to keep the mushrooms from becoming soggy. As you might know, Alouette cheese and Boursin are spreadable, but drier, just like cream cheese, so less is more and the mushrooms are moist, so using their stems as part of the recipe follows my waste not want not lifestyle (Italian chica here as we always discuss) and it adds just enough moisture for us to be able to mix things up without having a watery puddle. ALL goodness.
The Ideal Mushrooms for StuffingWith The Perfect Mushrooms
Our recipe uses baby bella mushrooms for their meaty and satisfying texture, but to be honest we use any mushroom we find that looks perfect when we are in the store from the super-size stuffing white mushrooms, to complete portabella caps and even the basic fresh whole white mushrooms (white in a package, etc). Know that if you use larger mushrooms your filling will not fill as many mushrooms (yes Captain Obvious here)
Creating the Perfect Filling For Festive Holiday Stuffed Mushrooms
Our filling is a delightful dance of flavors and textures. We start with buttery, chopped mushroom stems, and optional additions of fresh minced garlic (if garlic breath and garlic are not your thing run away from the recipe now) then add in the rich Boursin or Alouette cheese, tart cranberries, and crunchy walnuts. You can change the filling and just use our recipe as a shell to create your own recipe!
Now, IMO, Boursin is not as spreadable, so I do seek out the Alouette more often than not, but whatever your store has worked with it, Boursin works, just not as creamy which can work in your favor if you don’t cook out the moisture as much as you should.
Flex Your Skills: Festive Holiday Stuffed Mushroom Alternatives
Our recipe offers the flexibility to tailor the stuffing to your liking. While we use Alouette garlic and herb spreadable cheese for its creamy texture and rich flavor, there are delicious alternatives:
- Boursin Cheese: If you prefer Boursin, keep in mind that their package portions are smaller. You might need more than one to match the required amount. Alternatively, mix it with cream cheese to reach the desired quantity.
- Plain Cream Cheese: A classic option that works beautifully when spiced up with your choice of herbs and seasonings.
Enhancing the Flavor Of your Festive Holiday Stuffed Mushrooms
- Herb Toppings: To add a fragrant touch, consider topping your mushrooms with a sprinkle of thyme or rosemary. Remember, a little goes a long way with these potent herbs.
- Parsley Sprinkle: For a fresh and colorful finish, garnish the mushrooms with chopped parsley right after they come out of the oven.
- Crispy Finish: If you love a crispy top, a quick few seconds under the broiler can do wonders. But watch closely – it only takes a moment!
These simple variations and tips allow you to customize the mushrooms to your taste, ensuring each bite is a delightful surprise to your holiday guests.
The Make-Ahead Magic of Festive Holiday Stuffed Mushrooms
Yes, you can prepare these stuffed mushrooms ahead of time! They freeze beautifully and can be baked straight from the freezer – just add a bit more cooking time.
But do go from the freezer to the oven, because moisture from defrosting may not be your BFF during this process.
Storing Festive Holiday Stuffed Mushroom Leftovers
Got leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, and enjoy the flavors even after the party. Use these chopped up on sandwiches or oven a plain piece of baked salmon, etc.
Recipe For Festive Holiday Stuffed Mushrooms To Print And Save
We’re eager to hear how these Festive Holiday Stuffed Mushrooms turn out for you! Share your experiences in the comments below and let us know if you added your twist to this holiday favorite.
With roots in Sicily and Rome, Dana combines her family’s culinary heritage with her experience as a travel writer and chef to create authentic Italian recipes. Drawing from time in Italy, cherished Nonna’s recipes, and her expertise with modern kitchen appliances, she simplifies traditional Italian cooking. Dana’s approach keeps the authentic flavors and tastes intact, offering easy yet genuine Italian dishes for everyday cooking.
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