Ina Garten Sausage-stuffed Mushrooms Recipe

Ina Garten’s Cozy Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe

Sausage-stuffed mushrooms emerge as a delectable party favorite that tantalizes taste buds with their irresistible combination of savory ingredients.

Bite-sized and packed with robust flavor, these little morsels transform ordinary appetizers into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Elegant yet unpretentious, they blend creamy textures with hearty fillings that complement each gathering’s mood.

Crispy edges and tender centers create a delightful contrast that keeps guests coming back for more.

Each mushroom cap becomes a canvas for culinary creativity, promising satisfaction in every single bite.

The harmonious blend of ingredients ensures a memorable gastronomic adventure that delights even the most discerning palates: get ready to impress!

Why Stuffed Mushrooms Work for Any Occasion

  • Savor Rich Flavor Combinations: These stuffed mushrooms pack a powerful taste punch with the savory sausage, creamy mascarpone, and sharp Parmesan creating a mouthwatering blend that dances across your palate.
  • Master Elegant Party Appetizer: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a sophisticated dish perfect for impressing guests at dinner parties, holiday gatherings, or upscale potlucks with minimal cooking expertise required.
  • Enjoy Quick Hands-On Preparation: Despite the gourmet result, the recipe involves straightforward cooking techniques like crumbling sausage, mixing ingredients, and simple baking that even novice cooks can confidently execute in under an hour.
  • Experience Textural Delight: Each bite offers a delightful contrast between the crispy golden-brown topping, tender mushroom caps, and creamy, well-seasoned sausage filling that provides an exciting sensory experience.

Ingredients That Fill Your Mushrooms with Flavor

Main Ingredients:

Fresh Mushrooms: – Mushroom Caps: Tender base for the stuffing, choose firm and clean mushrooms without blemishes.

  • Mushroom Stems: Adds extra flavor to the sausage mixture, finely chop for better texture.
Meat Component:
  • Sausage: Ground meat providing rich flavor, select Italian or mild sausage for best results.
Binding and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: Light and crispy texture for the stuffing, helps bind ingredients together.
  • Mascarpone Cheese: Creamy element that adds richness to the filling, smooth and soft consistency.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that provides depth of flavor to the stuffing.
Aromatics and Seasonings:
  • Scallions: Fresh onion-like flavor, adds brightness to the mixture.
  • Garlic: Intense aromatic that elevates the overall taste profile.
  • Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the dish's natural flavors.
Liquid and Oil Components:
  • Olive Oil: Used for cooking and tossing mushrooms, helps with even cooking and moisture.
  • Marsala Wine: Adds depth and complexity to the mushroom flavor, optional but recommended.
Herbs:
  • Parsley: Fresh herb that provides color and light herbal notes to the final dish.

How to Bake a Batch That Steals the Show

How to Bake a Batch That Steals the Show

Step 1: Warm Up The Kitchen

Crank the oven to a cozy 325°F. Grab a baking dish and set it nearby.

Step 2: Mushroom Makeover

  • Gently trim mushroom stems
  • Finely chop the stems
  • Toss mushroom caps with
  • Olive oil
  • Marsala wine

Set aside these flavor-packed caps.

Step 3: Sausage Sizzle

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium flame. Crumble sausage and cook until beautifully browned, about 8-10 minutes. Toss in:
  • Chopped mushroom stems
  • Scallions
  • Minced garlic
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until everything smells incredible.

Step 4: Create The Dreamy Filling

Sprinkle panko into the sausage mixture and quickly toast. Swirl in mascarpone until creamy and smooth. Pull skillet off heat and fold in:
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley

Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Step 5: Stuff And Prepare

Generously fill each mushroom cap with the luscious sausage mixture. Nestle them snugly in the baking dish.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 50 minutes until the tops turn golden and crispy. Let cool slightly before serving these irresistible bites.

Tips to Keep Them Juicy and Golden

  • Select Mushroom Perfection: Grab large, firm mushrooms with smooth, intact caps that can hold the savory filling without falling apart during baking.
  • Embrace Marsala Magic: Don't overlook the Marsala wine – it transforms the dish with deep, rich undertones that elevate the entire flavor profile. No Marsala? Medium-dry sherry works wonderfully as a backup.
  • Master Sausage Browning: Thoroughly cook the sausage until it's completely browned, creating a delicious base that intensifies the overall taste and texture of the stuffing.
  • Pack Like a Pro: Generously fill each mushroom cap, pressing the mixture firmly to create a compact, secure filling that stays put during roasting.
  • Achieve Golden Greatness: Watch closely during the final baking minutes, aiming for a gorgeous golden-brown top that promises crispy, irresistible edges and maximum flavor.

Store and Reheat Without Drying Out

  • Freeze Wisely: Flash-freeze individual mushrooms on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe container. This prevents them from sticking together and preserves their delicate texture. Seal tightly in a zip-top bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Frozen sausage-stuffed mushrooms will maintain quality for up to 2 months.
  • Prep-Ahead Strategy: Assemble the mushrooms completely and store unbaked in the refrigerator up to 24 hours before cooking. Cover with plastic wrap to keep moisture locked in and flavors melding. This technique allows for stress-free entertaining and maximizes make-ahead convenience.
  • Leftover Revival: Store cooled mushrooms in an airtight container, layering between parchment paper to prevent sticking. Refrigerate for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness.

Stuffing Variations You’ll Want to Try

  • Vegetarian Mushroom Medley: Replace sausage with a blend of diced portobello mushrooms, quinoa, and crumbled feta cheese for a plant-based alternative.
  • Spicy Southwestern Stuffed Caps: Swap Marsala wine with tequila, add jalapeños, swap Parmesan for pepper jack cheese, and include cilantro for a zesty Mexican-inspired version.
  • Mediterranean Herbed Edition: Use ground lamb instead of sausage, incorporate fresh mint and dill, replace mascarpone with Greek yogurt, and sprinkle crumbled feta on top for a Greek-style transformation.
  • Seafood Fusion Filling: Substitute sausage with chopped crab meat or shrimp, add lemon zest, mix in cream cheese instead of mascarpone, and garnish with chives for an elegant seafood variation.

Pop One More in Before Saying Goodbye

Culinary magic sparkles through Ina Garten’s sausage-stuffed mushrooms, revealing gourmet simplicity with profound flavor complexity.

Savory sausage mingles with earthy mushrooms, creating an irresistible appetizer guaranteed to elevate any gathering.

Mediterranean influences dance within this recipe, showcasing elegant ingredients that transform humble vegetables into spectacular bites.

Kitchen enthusiasts will discover Mediterranean charm through each carefully crafted morsel.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these mushrooms promise memorable dining experiences that celebrate seasonal ingredients.

Let those taste buds explore – share this spectacular recipe, comment with excitement, and spread deliciousness across social networks with passionate culinary enthusiasm.

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Ina Garten Sausage-stuffed Mushrooms Recipe

Ina Garten Sausage-stuffed Mushrooms Recipe


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4.5 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Ina Garten’s sausage-stuffed mushrooms deliver a luxurious appetizer straight from her Barefoot Contessa kitchen. Savory Italian sausage nestled in tender mushroom caps creates an irresistible bite that will delight guests at any gathering.


Ingredients

Scale

main ingredients:

  • 16 extra-large white mushrooms, caps and stems separated
  • 0.75 pound (340 grams) sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 5 ounces (140 grams) Italian mascarpone cheese

filling and binding ingredients:

  • 0.75 cup (180 milliliters) minced scallions, white and green parts (6 scallions)
  • 0.67 cup (160 milliliters) panko (Japanese dried bread flakes)
  • 0.33 cup (80 milliliters) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)
  • 2.5 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

liquids and seasonings:

  • 5 tablespoons good olive oil, divided
  • 2.5 tablespoons Marsala wine or medium-dry sherry
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by positioning the rack in the center and preheating to 325°F (163°C), ensuring an even cooking temperature.
  2. Clean and prepare mushroom caps by carefully trimming stems and finely chopping them. Gently toss mushroom caps with olive oil and Marsala wine in a shallow dish, allowing them to marinate while preparing the filling.
  3. Heat the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and break into small crumbles, cooking for 8-10 minutes until achieving a rich, golden-brown color.
  4. Incorporate chopped mushroom stems into the sausage, cooking for an additional 3 minutes to develop deep flavor profiles. Introduce scallions, minced garlic, salt, and pepper, continuing to cook for 2-3 minutes until aromatics are fragrant.
  5. Fold panko breadcrumbs into the meat mixture, toasting briefly to enhance crispness. Swirl mascarpone cheese into the skillet, creating a creamy, luxurious texture.
  6. Remove skillet from heat and fold in grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed to balance flavors.
  7. Generously fill each mushroom cap with the sausage mixture, ensuring a substantial and even distribution of the filling.
  8. Arrange stuffed mushrooms in a single, snug layer within a baking dish, allowing them to support each other during cooking.
  9. Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 50 minutes, monitoring until the tops become golden brown and the filling develops a crispy exterior.

Notes

  • Grab robust, unblemished mushrooms with sturdy caps that can handle generous stuffing without falling apart during cooking.
  • Marsala wine transforms the dish, delivering complex, deep umami flavors that elevate the entire appetizer; substitute medium-dry sherry if needed.
  • Thoroughly brown sausage before mixing with other ingredients, ensuring maximum flavor development and creating a rich, well-integrated filling.
  • Compress the stuffing mixture tightly into mushroom caps, using gentle pressure to create a compact, secure filling that won’t crumble when baked.
  • Watch carefully during the final baking minutes, aiming for a golden-brown crispy top that promises delicious caramelization and irresistible texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 74
  • Sugar: 0.8g
  • Sodium: 196mg
  • Fat: 4.9g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Carbohydrates: 3.1g
  • Fiber: 0.4g
  • Protein: 4.3g
  • Cholesterol: 11mg
Isabella Rodriguez

Isabella Rodriguez

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning

Education

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Diploma: Grand Diplôme®
  • Focus: Intensive training in classic French cuisine and pastry techniques, combining the Diplôme de Cuisine and Diplôme de Pâtisserie.

Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.

At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.

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