These easy stuffing stuffed mushrooms turn savory Thanksgiving stuffing into a warm, cheesy appetizer everyone will reach for. Baby bella mushroom caps are filled with stuffing, cream cheese, garlic, Parmesan, and fresh herbs, then baked until the mushrooms are tender and the tops are golden.
They’re perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Friendsgiving, or any holiday party. They’re also one of my favorite ways to turn leftover stuffing into something completely new.
If your family loves stuffed mushrooms as much as mine does, you’ll want to save this simple recipe for the holiday season.
Other Easy Holiday Appetizers To Make
The Best Way to Use Leftover Stuffing
I’m always looking for creative ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers. Turkey sandwiches are delicious, of course, but sometimes you want something a little different.
That’s where these leftover stuffing stuffed mushrooms come in.
The stuffing already contains many of the flavors we associate with Thanksgiving, including bread, herbs, celery, onions, and savory seasoning. Mixing it with cream cheese, garlic, and Parmesan creates a rich filling that pairs perfectly with tender baby bella mushrooms.
You can make them with leftover homemade stuffing or prepare a box of stuffing specifically for this recipe. Either option works beautifully.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Uses only a handful of simple ingredients
- Ready in about 40 minutes
- Works with homemade or boxed stuffing
- A delicious way to repurpose Thanksgiving leftovers
- Easy to prepare before guests arrive
- Can be served as an appetizer or holiday side dish
- Naturally portioned into easy-to-eat individual bites
Ingredients for Stuffing Stuffed Mushrooms
Baby bella mushrooms
Baby bella mushrooms have a deeper, more savory flavor than white button mushrooms. Look for mushrooms that are firm, dry, and large enough to hold a generous spoonful of filling.
Prepared stuffing
You can use leftover homemade stuffing, boxed stuffing, cornbread dressing, or your family’s favorite holiday stuffing recipe. The stuffing should already be cooked before it is added to the mushrooms.
Cream cheese
Softened cream cheese helps bind the filling together and gives it a rich, creamy texture.
Parmesan cheese
Parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavor and creates a lightly golden topping as the mushrooms bake. Freshly shredded or grated Parmesan melts best.
Garlic
One minced garlic clove adds plenty of savory flavor without overpowering the stuffing.
Fresh thyme
Fresh thyme is optional, but it gives the mushrooms a lovely holiday flavor. Parsley, rosemary, or sage can also be used.
How to Clean Mushrooms
Mushrooms absorb water easily, so avoid soaking them in a bowl of water. Instead, wipe each mushroom with a slightly damp paper towel or use a soft mushroom brush to remove any dirt.
If you rinse the mushrooms, do it quickly and dry them thoroughly before filling them. Removing excess moisture helps prevent watery stuffed mushrooms.
How to Make Stuffing Stuffed Mushrooms
1. Prepare the mushrooms
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a baking dish or line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Clean the mushrooms and gently twist out the stems, creating a hollow space in each cap.
2. Make the stuffing mixture
Add the prepared stuffing, softened cream cheese, minced garlic, and half of the Parmesan to a medium mixing bowl.
Stir until the cream cheese is evenly distributed throughout the stuffing.
3. Fill the mushroom caps
Arrange the mushroom caps hollow-side up in the prepared baking dish.
Spoon the stuffing mixture into each cap, pressing it down gently and allowing the filling to mound slightly over the top.
4. Add the topping
Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan over the stuffed mushrooms. Add fresh thyme or another chopped herb, if desired.
5. Bake
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender, the filling is hot, and the Parmesan is lightly golden.
Serve the mushrooms warm or at room temperature.
Other Mushroom Recipes You’ll Love
How to Keep Stuffed Mushrooms from Becoming Watery
Mushrooms naturally release moisture as they cook, but these simple tips will help keep the finished appetizer from becoming soggy:
- Clean the mushrooms without soaking them.
- Dry the mushroom caps thoroughly.
- Do not overcrowd the baking dish.
- Use stuffing that is moist but not overly wet.
- Bake the mushrooms uncovered.
- Transfer the mushrooms to a serving platter instead of leaving them in the cooking liquid.
If your leftover stuffing is especially wet, add one or two tablespoons of additional Parmesan or seasoned breadcrumbs to help absorb some of the moisture.
Make Them Your Own
This stuffing stuffed mushroom recipe is easy to customize with ingredients you already have.
- Sausage: Add cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage or Italian sausage.
- Bacon: Mix crispy chopped bacon into the filling.
- Cranberries: Add finely chopped dried cranberries for a sweet and savory holiday variation.
- Cornbread dressing: Replace traditional bread stuffing with leftover cornbread dressing.
- Mozzarella: Add shredded mozzarella for an extra-cheesy filling.
- Breadcrumb topping: Sprinkle seasoned breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter over the mushrooms.
- Fresh herbs: Try sage, rosemary, parsley, or a combination of holiday herbs.
- Chopped mushroom stems: Finely chop and sauté the stems before adding them to the stuffing mixture.
Can You Make Stuffed Mushrooms Ahead of Time?
Yes. Clean the mushrooms, prepare the filling, and assemble the stuffed mushrooms several hours ahead of time. Cover the baking dish and keep it refrigerated until you are ready to bake.
Because the mushrooms will be cold, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
For the best texture, wait to add any breadcrumb topping until just before baking.
What to Serve with Stuffing Stuffed Mushrooms
These Thanksgiving stuffed mushrooms can be served as an appetizer before dinner or as a creative holiday side dish. They pair well with:
Add them to your Thanksgiving appetizer spread alongside cheese, crackers, dips, and fresh vegetables. You can also include them as part of a Christmas appetizer board.
PrintEasy Stuffing Stuffed Mushrooms
These easy stuffing stuffed mushrooms are filled with savory stuffing, cream cheese, garlic, Parmesan, and fresh herbs, then baked until tender and golden. They make a delicious Thanksgiving appetizer and an easy way to use leftover stuffing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 mushrooms 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Holiday Recipes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 24 medium baby bella mushrooms
- 1 cup prepared stuffing
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, optional
- Nonstick cooking spray or butter, for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a baking dish or line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wipe the mushrooms clean with a slightly damp paper towel. Gently twist and remove the stems to create space for the filling.
- Add the prepared stuffing, softened cream cheese, minced garlic, and half of the Parmesan cheese to a medium mixing bowl.
- Stir until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the cream cheese is evenly distributed.
- Arrange the mushroom caps hollow-side up on the prepared baking sheet.
- Spoon the stuffing mixture generously into each mushroom cap, pressing it down gently and mounding it slightly on top.
- Sprinkle the mushrooms with the remaining Parmesan cheese and fresh thyme.
- Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender, the filling is hot, and the cheese is lightly golden.
- Transfer the stuffed mushrooms to a serving platter. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use prepared homemade stuffing, boxed stuffing, or leftover cornbread dressing.
- If the stuffing is very wet, mix in one or two tablespoons of breadcrumbs or additional Parmesan.
- Avoid soaking the mushrooms in water because they can absorb moisture and become soggy.
- Finely chop and sauté the removed mushroom stems before adding them to the filling, if desired.
- Cooked sausage, bacon, dried cranberries, mozzarella, sage, or rosemary can be added for extra flavor.
- Assemble the mushrooms several hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time when cooking them directly from the refrigerator.
Make It Your Own
Add cooked sausage or crumbled bacon for a heartier appetizer. For a festive sweet and savory variation, stir finely chopped dried cranberries into the stuffing. You can also replace the traditional stuffing with cornbread dressing or add mozzarella for an extra-cheesy filling.
Storage
Store leftover stuffed mushrooms in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat them in a 350°F oven or air fryer until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended because the mushrooms may become watery after thawing.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Place leftover stuffed mushrooms in an airtight container and refrigerate them promptly.
Reheat them in a 350°F oven until warmed through. An air fryer also works well and can help restore some of the texture. Microwaving is convenient, but it may make the mushrooms softer.
Freezing is not recommended because mushrooms and cream cheese can develop a watery texture after thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use boxed stuffing for stuffed mushrooms?
Yes. Prepare the boxed stuffing according to the package directions before measuring it for this recipe. Allow it to cool slightly before mixing it with the cream cheese and Parmesan.
Can I use leftover cornbread dressing?
Absolutely. Leftover cornbread dressing can replace traditional stuffing. If the dressing is very moist, add a little extra Parmesan or breadcrumbs to firm up the filling.
What mushrooms are best for stuffed mushrooms?
Baby bella, cremini, and white button mushrooms all work well. Choose medium or large mushrooms that are relatively uniform in size so they cook evenly.
Do the mushroom stems need to be discarded?
No. Finely chop the stems and sauté them in a little butter or olive oil. Once softened, stir them into the stuffing mixture or save them for soup, gravy, eggs, or pasta.
Can stuffing stuffed mushrooms be served at room temperature?
Yes. These mushrooms are delicious warm or at room temperature, making them convenient for holiday parties. However, don’t leave them sitting out for an extended period.
Final Thoughts
These easy stuffing stuffed mushrooms combine two holiday favorites in one savory bite. The tender mushrooms, creamy filling, Parmesan topping, and familiar flavor of Thanksgiving stuffing make them a cozy appetizer that feels special without requiring much work.
Whether you prepare a fresh batch of stuffing or use leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner, this is one holiday appetizer you’ll want to make year after year.
