Elevate your appetizer game with these irresistible smoky bacon-stuffed mushrooms. Perfect for any gathering, these mushrooms are filled with a savory blend of creamy cheese, crispy bacon, and seasoned bread crumbs. Their rich, smoky flavor is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, making them the ideal starter for any occasion.
Ingredients:
- 12 button or cremini mushrooms
- 7 slices of bacon
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 – 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2-3 tbsp butter or reserved bacon drippings
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs, seasoned or plain
Directions:
- Prepare Mushrooms and Bacon: Preheat oven to 350°F. Clean mushrooms and remove stems, then chop stems and set aside. Cook 3 slices of bacon until limp and 4 slices until crisp. Reserve the bacon drippings.
- Cook Vegetables: In the reserved bacon drippings, sauté onions and chopped mushroom stems until soft.
- Make the Filling: In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, chopped crisp bacon, cheddar cheese, onion, and mushroom mixture. Season with black pepper and garlic powder.
- Stuff the Mushrooms: Fill each mushroom cap with the cheese mixture. Top with a piece of limp bacon. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and drizzle with bacon drippings or melted butter.
- Bake: Place mushrooms on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes until the tops are golden brown.
Conclusion and Tips:
These smoky stuffed mushrooms are sure to impress your guests with their rich, creamy filling. For an extra smoky flavor, use bacon drippings instead of butter. Feel free to share your own variations and experiences in the comments below!