Made with Italian sausage, cream cheese, and fresh herbs, these Stuffed Mushrooms make the perfect easy appetizer recipe!
Just like Bacon-Wrapped Dates and Texas Caviar, Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms can be prepared in advance and served at room temperature, making them a perfect recipe to entertain with.

If you are looking for an easy appetizer that always impresses, these Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms fit the bill!
The filling for these stuffed mushrooms is made with spicy Italian sausage that is mellowed out with both cream cheese and shredded cheese. It is a cheesy, slightly spicy, creamy, flavorful filling and downright heavenly.
If that wasn't enough, the stuffed mushrooms are topped with a buttery, crisp, breadcrumb, adding flavor and texture to the appetizer.
Not only is this recipe for stuffed mushrooms incredibly delicious, but they are also fairly easy to make and can be prepared in advance, which makes for easy entertaining.
There is nothing NOT to love about these Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms.
Notes on Ingredients Needed
- Button Mushrooms: Because of their size and natural cavity, button mushrooms are the perfect vessel for stuffing and serving as a bite-sized appetizer.
- Sausage: Use store-bought or homemade ground Italian Sausage to give the stuffing so much zip and flavor. Turkey or chicken Italian sausage is a great option to keep this recipe a bit lower in fat and calories.
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese gives this filling so much creamy goodness. You can use full-fat cream cheese or ⅓ less-fat cream cheese. Do not use fat-free cream cheese, as it can cause your filling to be watery and separate.
- Cheese: To add an additional cheesy richness to the filling for the stuffed mushrooms, I recommend using a combination of both mozzarella and parmesan, for both flavor and melting factor. Feel free to replace the mozzarella with fontina or gruyere cheese.
- Shallots: Instead of using garlic and onions, shallots work best to lend a mild onion and garlic flavor to the filling, without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: I highly recommend using panko breadcrumbs, to keep the topping light and crisp.
How to Make Stuffed Mushrooms
- Instead of running the mushrooms under water, which will cause them to soak up water and become soggy, use a damp kitchen towel or damp paper towel to gently rub the dirt off the mushrooms.
- Remove the stems of the mushrooms, and place the mushroom caps on a baking sheet.
- Chop the stems of the mushrooms up finely. They will add bulk and an earthy flavor to the filling. Not to mention, cut down on food waste!

- Brush the mushroom caps evenly with melted butter. This will help flavor each layer of the mushrooms and form a barrier to keep the cream cheese sausage filling and the mushrooms from making one or the other soggy.

- To begin to prepare the filling, brown the sausage over medium-high heat in a large saute pan, breaking the sausage into bite-sized pieces as it browns.
- Once browned, drain off the grease and transfer the cooked sausage to a large mixing bowl and return the skillet to the heat.

- To the skillet, add the butter to melt. Once melted, add in the shallots, chopped mushroom stems, and thyme and saute for just a couple of minutes, or until the shallot is just soft. Don't be tempted to saute the shallots and mushroom stems with the sausage. It is best to keep them separate, s that the porous mushrooms don't absorb the grease rendered from the sausage, which can make your filling overly greasy.

- Once the shallots and mushrooms are softened, remove them from the heat and add them to the mixing bowl with the browned sausage.
- Add in the cream cheese, cheese, and seasonings until the ingredients are well combined.

- Fill each cavity of the mushroom caps with the prepared filling.
- For the breadcrumb topping, mix together the remaining melted butter and breadcrumbs and dip/roll the top of the mushroom in the panko mixture. This topping gives these stuffed mushrooms a crispy texture that is a perfect contrast to the softer filling and mushroom.

- Once the mushrooms are assembled, bake until warmed through and the topping is browned.
- Transfer the stuffed mushrooms to a tray and serve warm or at room temperature.

Note on Serving
Stuffed Mushrooms can safely be left at room temperature for up to 2 hours, making them a great appetizer to serve at a gathering.
Preparing in Advance
This recipe for Stuffed Mushrooms can be assembled up to 12 hours in advance, making this a great recipe to entertain with effortlessly!
- Prepare the stuffed mushrooms as directed up to baking.
- Place the mushrooms in a single layer in an airtight container and refrigerator and refrigerate for up to 12 hours, any longer than that, the mushrooms can begin to get soggy.
- When ready to bake, remove them from the refrigerator while the oven is preheating.
- Bake for 25 minutes, instead of 20 minutes.
More Party-Worthy Appetizers
If you tried these Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below!

Stuffed Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 18-20 medium button mushrooms
- 8 ounces ground Italian sausage casings removed if needed
- 2 small shallots minced
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- ⅓ cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- ¼ cup parsley minced divided
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a sheet pan with foil.
- Using a damp towel, brush the dirt off the mushrooms. Remove the stems from the mushrooms and place the mushroom caps, cavity-side up on the pan. Finely dice the mushroom stems to use in the filling.
- Add sausage to a medium skillet and saute until fully browned, over medium heat, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Once browned, drain off excess grease transfer the sausage to a mixing bowl, and return the skillet to the heat.
- Over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Once the butter has melted, add mushroom stems, shallots, and fresh thyme and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the shallots have softened. Remove from the heat and add this mixture to the mixing bowl with the cooked sausage.
- Add cream cheese, parmesan, mozzarella, 2 tablespoons parsley, onion powder, and black pepper to the sausage mixture and stir to combine everything evenly together.
- Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a skillet or in the microwave. Brush the cavity of the mushroom caps with the butter, using about 1 tablespoon. Combine the remaining melted butter with the panko breadcrumb in a small mixing bowl, stirring until the breadcrumbs are moistened.
- Using a small spoon or cookie scoop, divide the sausage mixture evenly between mushroom caps. Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs over the filling and use your fingers to help adhere the breadcrumbs to the mixture.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and mushrooms are cooked through. Sprinkle with parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in 2020 and updated in 2022.
Jo
We had these last weekend, and my family can't get enough of these flavorful stuffed mushrooms. They were enjoyable and tasty, even my picky kids love them.
Kristen Chidsey
That is always a compliment when the picky kids enjoy! Thanks for sharing.
Caroline Y
These are really THAT good! I could just eat the stuffing and be happy 🙂 We are making these again for the Superbowl!
Kristen Chidsey
I agree! The stuffing is irresistible! Perfect for the SuperBowl!
Kristyn
That stuffing is delicious!! These are the perfect appetizer that everyone loves. Just make a ton, because they go fast!
Stacy
Super Yummy! I would like to freeze up a bunch to bake later... . 2 Questions: 1) Would I freeze them with the breadcrumbs on them or do that step right before baking? and 2) What would be my bake temp and time with frozen mushrooms?
thank you
Stacy
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Stacy! So glad you enjoy these stuffed mushrooms. To freeze, I would bake as directed and allow to cool. Place them on a sheet pan and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Transfer to an airtight freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. To bake, arrange frozen mushrooms on a sheet pan and bake at 325 degrees for 30-35 minutes.
Ashley F.
The filling is amazing in these mushrooms! So good!
Taryn
Delicious! My whole family loved them.
Beth
These were fabulous! Perfect little bite sized appetizer!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed Beth!
Katie
Made this for the family and it was hit!