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Elevate your appetizer game with this giardiniera sausage stuffed mushrooms recipe, a delightful blend of savory sausage crumbles, vibrant giardiniera and earthy mushrooms.
Table of Contents
Easy stuffed mushrooms
These simple sausage-stuffed mushrooms are packed with Italian flavors and cheeses and are the perfect easy appetizers.
Giardiniera is an Italian combination of pickled vegetables often served on sub sandwiches. Like any good condiment, every sandwich shop has its own “perfect blend.” Some are heavy on peppers and olives, while others feature milder flavors like cauliflower, carrots and celery.
Available in hot and mild, the pickled veggies offer a mix of acid, crunch and heat. Chopped and combined with cream cheese, the flavors really merge.
I’ve been playing around with a giardiniera cream cheese dip since the Super Bowl, but alone, the giardiniera and cream cheese don’t quite cut it.
When Jimmy Dean contacted me and asked me to try out their sausage crumbles, this simple recipe came together beautifully. All my dip was missing was a little meat.
The sausage crumbles are fully cooked, so I folded them right into the giardiniera and cheeses. I kept eating the dip cold straight out of the bowl as I waited for the oven to preheat.
The creamy sausage filling was great alone, but it was even better stuffed in mushrooms. These cheesy stuffed mushrooms were the perfect umami vessels for this creamy little sausage bite.
I sprinkled the tops of each meaty mushroom with Parmesan, panko and a dash of Italian seasoning for added texture.
The sausage crumbles come in original pork, turkey and meat lovers, which is a combination of pork sausage and bacon crumbles. Any selection will work great in this mushroom recipe.
I popped a few fresh out of the oven…and by a few, I mean 12…they were that good!
Giardiniera Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 1 cup giardiniera
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 bag Jimmy Dean Sausage Crumbles
- 1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 48 baby bella or crimini mushrooms
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat the oven to 425F degrees.
- Blend: Place the giardiniera in a food processor and chop until the pieces are pea-sized. If you don't have a food processor, chop with a knife.
- Mix: Place the giardiniera in a large bowl. Add the cream cheese. Mix well.
- Fold: Fold in the Jimmy Dean Sausage Crumbles and Italian cheese blend and gently mix until combined.
- Combine: In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and Italian seasoning.
- Stuff: Remove the chopped mushroom stems from the mushrooms. Place the mushroom caps top-side down on a baking sheet. Fill each with a spoonful of the stuffing mixture. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top.
- Bake: Bake in a 425F-degree oven for 12-14 minutes util golden brown.
- Serve: Serve warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Ingredients for stuffed mushrooms
- Giardiniera: This adds a flavorful, slightly spicy punch with a mix of pickled veggies. This can be found at almost any grocery store in the pickle section.
- Cream Cheese: It’s the creamy glue that holds everything together.
- Jimmy Dean Sausage Crumbles: Gives a savory, seasoned sausage kick for that hearty goodness. Jimmy Dean compensated me for using their ingredient in this recipe.
- Shredded Italian Cheese Blend: Melty, cheesy goodness that makes everything richer and tastier.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty hit, taking the cheesy factor up a notch.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: Adds a crispy, crunchy texture to balance out the creamy and savory mix.
- Italian Seasoning: A mix of dried herbs and spices for that perfect Italian flavor.
- Baby Bella Mushrooms or Cremini Mushrooms: These are the edible cups for the flavorful stuffing, providing a tender and earthy base.
Substitutions: Instead of pre-cooked sausage crumbles, you can also cook up your own favorite sausage, like Italian sausage or even chicken sausage. Swap the Italian cheese blend for grated fresh mozzarella cheese, pepper jack, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack or any blend of your favorite cheeses you like.
Swap the baby bellas or crimini mushrooms for regular portobello mushrooms. Feel free to play around with fresh herbs as well instead of using Italian seasoning. Some great options are fresh parsley and oregano.
See the full recipe card for servings and a full list of ingredients.
How to make stuffed mushrooms
- PREHEAT: Preheat the oven to 425F degrees.
- BLEND: Place the giardiniera in a food processor and chop until the pieces are pea-sized. If you don’t have a food processor, chop with a knife.
- MIX: Place the giardiniera in a large bowl. Add the cream cheese. Mix well with a wooden spoon or spatula.
- FOLD: Fold in the Jimmy Dean Sausage Crumbles and Italian cheese blend and gently mix until combined.
- COMBINE: In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs and Italian seasoning.
✔️ PRO TIP
Don’t clean mushrooms with water. Instead, wipe mushrooms with a damp paper towel to remove any visible dirt.
- STUFF: Remove the chopped mushroom stems from the mushrooms. Place the mushroom caps top-side down on a baking sheet. Fill each with a spoonful of the stuffing mixture. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top.
- BAKE: Bake in a 425F-degree oven for 12-14 minutes util golden brown.
- SERVE: Serve warm.
How to serve stuffed mushrooms
Serve up these giardiniera sausage stuffed mushrooms for a tasty appetizer or snack that’s perfect for your next party. Just lay them out on a platter and let everyone dig in.
To add a pop of color, you can garnish them with thinly sliced green onions or chopped parsley.
They’re the perfect bite-sized appetizer for any occasion. Want to kick it up a notch? Add a side of marinara, aioli, buffalo sauce or garlic sauce for dipping. Easy, delicious and always a crowd-pleaser.
Storage
Leftover giardiniera sausage stuffed mushrooms can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. They don’t freeze well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. These mushrooms can be assembled ahead, stored in the refrigerator and baked when you’re ready to serve.
To reheat Giardiniera Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms in the oven:
Preheat your oven to 350F degrees. Place the stuffed mushrooms on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes or until they are heated through.
Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking, ensuring they are warm without becoming overly dry. Once reheated, remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy.
Yes. Pick your favorite vegetables and seasonings and throw them into a jar with some vinegar. Pickle them for at least a day before using them.
Yes. Simply omit the sausage from the recipe.
