Cheesy Clam Stuffed Mushrooms
Indulge in these delightful Cheesy Clam Stuffed Mushrooms, inspired by the beloved Olive Garden favorite! Each mushroom cap is generously filled with a flavorful mixture of tender clams, aromatic green onions, and a blend of cheeses, all enveloped in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture. This easy-to-prepare dish is perfect as an appetizer or a side, offering a delicious seafood twist that will impress your family and friends at any gathering. Serve them hot, garnished with fresh parsley for an elegant touch!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh Mushrooms
8-12 (Cleaned and stems removed)
Canned Clams
1 (6 ounce) can (Drained and finely minced, reserve 1/4 cup clam juice)
Green Onion
1 (Finely minced)
Egg
1 (Beaten)
Minced Garlic
1/2 teaspoon (Minced)
Garlic Salt
1/8 teaspoon
Italian Style Breadcrumbs
1/2 cup
Dried Oregano Leaves
1 teaspoon
Butter
1 tablespoon (Melted and cooled, plus 1/4 cup for drizzling)
Parmesan Cheese
2 tablespoons (Finely grated)
Romano Cheese
1 tablespoon (Finely grated)
Mozzarella Cheese
2 tablespoons (Finely grated for stuffing)
Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 cup (Finely grated for garnish)
Fresh Parsley
For garnish (Finely diced)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Lightly oil a small baking dish to prevent sticking.
3
Carefully clean the fresh mushrooms by gently washing them and removing the stems. Pat the mushrooms dry with a paper towel (Save the stems for future use).
4
In a mixing bowl, combine the drained and finely minced clams, finely minced green onion, minced garlic, garlic salt, melted butter, and oregano. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
5
Stir in the Italian-style breadcrumbs, beaten egg, and reserved 1/4 cup of clam juice into the mixture, blending well to create a cohesive stuffing.
6
Incorporate the grated Parmesan, Romano, and 2 tablespoons of mozzarella cheese into the stuffing mixture, ensuring a uniform distribution of flavors.
7
Using a teaspoon, fill each mushroom cap with approximately 1 1/2 teaspoons of the clam stuffing mixture, allowing it to mound slightly above the edges.
8
Arrange the stuffed mushrooms in the prepared baking dish and drizzle the remaining 1/4 cup of melted butter evenly over the tops.
9
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is heated through.
10
Remove the foil and sprinkle the reserved 1/4 cup of grated mozzarella cheese over the stuffed mushrooms. Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or just until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
11
Garnish the stuffed mushrooms with freshly diced parsley before serving. Enjoy your warm, cheesy clams stuffed mushrooms!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cheesy Clam Stuffed Mushrooms?
They are a flavorful appetizer inspired by Olive Garden, featuring mushroom caps filled with minced clams, green onions, breadcrumbs, and a blend of three cheeses.
How many mushrooms are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 8 to 12 fresh mushrooms.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How should I prepare the mushrooms?
Gently wash the mushrooms, remove the stems, and pat them dry with a paper towel.
Should I throw away the mushroom stems?
The recipe suggests saving the mushroom stems for future use rather than discarding them.
What type of clams are used in this recipe?
You will need one 6-ounce can of clams, which should be drained and finely minced.
Do I need to save the clam juice?
Yes, you should reserve 1/4 cup of the clam juice to use in the stuffing mixture.
What kind of breadcrumbs are best for the filling?
The recipe specifies using Italian-style breadcrumbs for the best flavor.
Which cheeses are used in the stuffing?
The stuffing includes finely grated Parmesan, Romano, and mozzarella cheese.
How much mozzarella cheese is used for the stuffing?
Use 2 tablespoons of finely grated mozzarella cheese inside the stuffing mixture.
How much mozzarella is needed for the topping?
You will need an additional 1/4 cup of grated mozzarella cheese to sprinkle on top at the end.
What seasonings are added to the clam mixture?
The mixture is seasoned with minced garlic, garlic salt, and dried oregano leaves.
How much stuffing goes into each mushroom cap?
Each mushroom cap should be filled with approximately 1 1/2 teaspoons of the clam stuffing.
Should the stuffing be level with the mushroom rim?
No, the stuffing should mound slightly above the edges of the mushroom cap.
Is butter used in this recipe?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of melted butter is mixed into the stuffing, and 1/4 cup is drizzled over the tops before baking.
Should the baking dish be greased?
Yes, lightly oil a small baking dish to prevent the mushrooms from sticking.
Do I bake the mushrooms covered or uncovered?
Bake them covered with aluminum foil for the first 35-40 minutes.
How long is the total baking time?
The total time is about 40-45 minutes: 35-40 minutes covered and 5 minutes uncovered.
When do I add the cheese garnish?
Remove the foil after the initial bake, add the mozzarella, and return to the oven for 5 minutes.
How do I know the mushrooms are finished cooking?
The mushrooms should be tender, the filling heated through, and the cheese topping melted and slightly golden.
What is used to garnish the dish before serving?
Garnish the stuffed mushrooms with freshly diced parsley.
Is this a copycat recipe?
Yes, these mushrooms are inspired by the popular Olive Garden appetizer.
What is the role of the egg in the recipe?
One beaten egg is used to help bind the stuffing ingredients together.
Can I use fresh garlic?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic.
What type of onion should I use?
Use one finely minced green onion.
Can these be served as a side dish?
Yes, they are versatile enough to be served as either an appetizer or a side dish.
How much garlic salt is required?
The recipe uses 1/8 teaspoon of garlic salt.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients in total, including the garnish.
What is the texture of the finished mushrooms?
They are tender mushrooms with a savory, cheesy, and seafood-rich filling.
Are these mushrooms served hot?
Yes, they are best served hot immediately after the cheese has melted.