Ingredients:
- 20 medium Cremini Mushrooms (Baby Bellas)
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil, for brushing
- Pinch of Kosher Salt
- 2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 1 medium Shallot, finely minced
- 2 cloves Garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 tsp Fresh Thyme Leaves, finely chopped
- Mushroom Stems, reserved and finely chopped
- 4 oz Cream Cheese, full fat, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup Sharp Mature Cheddar Cheese, freshly grated
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano), finely grated
- 1/4 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- 2 Tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Gently wipe the mushroom caps clean, twist off the stems (reserve stems for filling), and brush caps lightly with olive oil. Place caps cavity-side up on the baking sheet and lightly sprinkle the cavity with salt.
- Finely chop the reserved mushroom stems. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and cook until soft (2-3 minutes). Add the chopped stems and thyme. Sauté until all moisture has completely evaporated and the mixture looks dry (5-7 minutes). Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly (about 5 minutes).
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, grated Cheddar, grated Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, and pepper. Add the cooled mushroom-shallot mixture. Mix thoroughly with a spatula until everything is evenly incorporated and forms a stiff, scoopable paste.
- Using a small spoon or your fingers, tightly mound the filling high into each mushroom cap cavity. Aim for a dome shape.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese filling is bubbling, golden brown on top, and the mushroom caps are tender. Let the mushrooms rest for 5 minutes before serving piping hot.