These baked portobello mushrooms are easy to prepare and packed with delicious cheese and garlicy goodness. Meaty enough to satisfy any carnivore, and versatile enough to work as a main or side.
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I think all kids have certain vegetables that they just won't eat. In fairness, I know I am luckier than many as both of my kids eat a reasonably good range, my younger one in particular. But mushrooms are a sticking point for both.
They'll nibble the odd bits raw as I'm cutting them up, but the texture cooked just doesn't work for them. These baked portobello mushrooms, however, at least tempted them into a few bites, which is a success in my book. And I was more than happy to eat the rest.
How are portobello mushrooms different from white or crimini mushrooms?
Portobello mushrooms, or portobella, are larger in size than the common white mushroom or crimini. But in actual fact, they're all the same kind of mushroom.
Portobellos are simply the mature version, while white and crimini are the different colored skin versions of the immature fungi.
Portobellos have a large cavity which is great for stuffing, and you can even use them in place of burger patties, buns or as a base for mini "pizzas". Not that I've gone that route myself, mind you. Well, yet.
A favorite way with them, for me, is simple baked portobello mushrooms. Baking/roasting really brings out the best in their wonderful flavor and they don't need a whole lot more to taste delicious.
How to clean portobello mushrooms
As with other mushrooms, ideally you want to wipe portobello mushrooms with a damp paper towel rather than wash them directly in water.
Mushrooms can become mushy if they get too wet, so wiping helps avoid that. If any parts of the skin are particularly damaged, you can peel a section back. It will leave the skin slightly striped, but you'll hardly see it.
For some other uses, such as to use them as "buns", you may want to remove the gills with a spoon as well for a drier mushroom when cooked. However for these baked mushrooms I'd suggest just wiping and removing the stem. The gills have a great flavor and help keep these juicy.
Steps to make this dish
- Wipe the portobello mushrooms clean and remove the stems. Finely chop or mince the garlic.
- Lightly oil a baking dish or baking sheet and put the mushrooms on top in a single layer, gill side up.
- In a small bowl, mix together the oil, garlic, thyme and a little salt and pepper.
- Divide the mixture between the mushrooms, drizzling over the inside. Top each with a thin slice of butter.
- Bake the mushrooms for around 15 minutes until tender.
- While they are cooking, mix together the cheeses. After the 15 min, top the mushrooms with the cheese and return to the oven for around 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and gently golden.
What to serve with baked portobello mushrooms
One of the great things about this dish is that it is very versatile. These garlicy, cheesy mushrooms work just as well as a main with a side of mashed potato, cauliflower or why not try parsnip puree. You could also serve them with some wilted greens or a hearty salad.
Alternatively, serve them as a side to steak, grilled or roasted chicken or pork chops.
However you choose to serve them, these baked portobello mushrooms are easy, flavorful and one dish you definitely need to add to your menu soon!
Try these other tasty mushroom dishes:
- Mushroom galette
- Japanese mushroom rice
- Mushroom stroganoff
- Plus get more vegetarian meals as well as sides in the archives.
Baked portobello mushrooms
Ingredients
- ¾ lb portobello mushrooms
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp parmesan grated
- 3 tbsp mozzarella grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F/200C.
- Wipe the portobello mushrooms clean and remove the stems. Finely chop or mince the garlic.
- Lightly oil a baking dish or baking sheet and put the mushrooms on top in a single layer, open side up.
- In a small bowl, mix together the oil, garlic, thyme, and a little salt and pepper. Divide the mixture between the mushrooms, drizzling over the inside. Top each with a thin slice of butter.
- Bake the mushrooms for around 15 minutes until tender.
- While they are cooking, mix together the cheeses. After the 15 min, top the mushrooms with the cheese and return to the oven for around 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and gently golden.
Notes
Serving size around 1 mushroom per person as a side, 2-3 as a main.
Nutrition
See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store.
I first shared the recipe for Baked Portobello Mushrooms on Sunday Supper Movement where I am a contributor.
Becky
I discovered this recipe about a month ago and we are addicted! I’ve made it about 5 times and it’s always a hit.
Thank you. So easy and delicious!
Caroline's Cooking
I'm so glad to hear you have been enjoying them!
Darren
Delicious - just made these as a starter!
Caroline's Cooking
Great as a starter, glad you enjoyed!
Mary
Can I use jarred minced garlic?
Caroline's Cooking
I don't see why not - to me it's generally not quite as good flavor-wise but shouldn't really impact this much.
MJ
Thanks so much!
I never thought about just wiping the mushrooms clean instead of running under water to wash. I never made whole portabella mushrooms before. I added diced zucchini that I had left over from another dish and used fresh mozzarella cheese instead. It came out delicious! So simple but tasted so gourmet.
With much gratitude for your post.
MJ
Caroline's Cooking
I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed! And yes, easy to adapt with veggie additions. Indeed, wiping saves them being waterlogged so works well (unless, of course, there's more dirt hanging on).
Lesley
Very delish! Quick and easy too! I’ll be making these more often. Thanks for the recipe!
Caroline's Cooking
So glad to hear you enjoyed, and will be making again!
Mike
This recipe is awesome and fun. It inspired me to experiment with the filling with some leftover stuff. I added some cream cheese, sour cream, and a little horseradish. Turned out amazing. Im going to add and take away ingredients just to make it a little different everytime.
Thank you
Mike
Caroline's Cooking
So glad to hear have been enjoying and experimenting - it's definitely one you can mix and match in the filling!
TRUDY
Are we removing the gills?
Caroline's Cooking
I don't tend to, no, as they do add to the flavor.
popple
Found your recipe a little while ago Excellent, I sometimes add chopped sautéed peppers (always have them in the freezer) bacon and spinach go very well also.
Caroline's Cooking
Glad you have been enjoying, and those sound like tasty additions as well!
Tom Drenoske
Delicious! I added a little bit of pepper jack to the other cheeses and increased the parmesan because these were huge mushrooms. I ate it in small bites to make the enjoyment last longer.
Caroline's Cooking
So glad to hear you enjoyed! And yes, one of the nice things about these is you can adjust the cheeses to taste and amounts depending on the size of the mushrooms.
MiMi
Amazing! I filled the cap with some sauteed onion and spinach before adding mozzerella and parm. So delicious. Served with Trader Joe's Fried Cauliflower Stir Fry with an egg. Too bad I can't post the pic. Delicious and beautiful. Thanks for the recipe.
Caroline's Cooking
That sounds like a delicious meal! Yes, I do enjoy spinach and onion as part of a stuffing for mushrooms, too, so can see that being a tasty addition. Glad to hear you enjoyed.
Brenda L Lutz
I actually used some tomato, Basil goat cheese crumbles and provolone as I didn't have mozzarella on hand, was delish!!
Caroline's Cooking
Glad you enjoyed, and sounds tasty - yes definitely one you can easily adapt to what you have on hand.
Lynn
A wonderful recipe. I substituted Gruyere cheese for the Mozzarella and added a fèw teaspoons of Panko bread crumbs to the cheese mixture.
Caroline's Cooking
Glad to hear you enjoyed, and always love gruyere so can see that being good in here too!
Carolyn d. Barlage
How would it taste with smoked gouda bits of bacon
Caroline's Cooking
It will definitely be different but I can see it working. One of the nice things about this recipe is its very adaptable.
Vicky
Made this with some huge portobellos and we had them with a salad on the side. Needed to cook slightly longer. I’ve been looking for a good recipe for a mushroom ‘steak’ and this certainly does the trick…. Thank you! 😁
Caroline's Cooking
Glad to hear you enjoyed! And yes, since the mushrooms can vary in size etc, the timing may need adjusted here and there, but at least it's something that you can take in any out to check without an issue.
Ez
I see all these recipes call for removing the stems. It's such a waste! They have the most flavour. Take out the stems, put them through a garlic press and put the paste you get back on top of the mushrooms for the best flavour!
Caroline's Cooking
Interesting, that's not something I have tried with the stems (and actually not sure I can see a raw stem pressing but I haven't tried so maybe I am wrong). I generally really like the stems as well, just here removing allows a little more space to fit in the cheese etc, but it's certainly fine to leave them in as well.
Oscar Laborda
I used rosemary by mistake, more garlic , too much butter and thin slices of jarlsberg cheese. Delicious
Caroline's Cooking
Glad you enjoyed, and indeed they are great for being open to variations.
Mike Govette
Perhaps mincing the stems and adding them to the cheese mixture...
Caroline's Cooking
Yes, you certainly could give that a try!
Cassandra Preston
I should’ve read the comments before starting.There are so many helpful comments. I threw my steam’s away assuming they wasn’t good for anything.The different flavors of cheese were used.
Caroline's Cooking
It's certainly something you can easily vary to taste and depending on what you are pairing it with - tasty either way!
JM
I find this method retains way too much liquid; it fills the plate once you cut the portobello. A better approach is to cook it "outside up" for 10 min to remove excess liquid and then proceed as proposed.
Caroline's Cooking
I think it depends a little on your mushrooms and taste, but yes certainly if you prefer less liquid this is a way to reduce it. Serving with something that can soak up the juices also works (since they are tasty, too).
Amy
We added bacon on top! Such a delicious recipe.
Caroline's Cooking
Bacon sounds like a great addition, glad you have been enjoying!
Crystal Stearns
I have been placing my mushrooms on a cooling rack over a baking sheet so that the extra juice will drip onto the baking sheet. The mushrooms are still juicy, but they're not watery.
Caroline's Cooking
Sounds like a good idea to get rid of extra moisture, if needed. Thanks for mentioning!
Natalie Bonnet
Perfect with a salad and homemade vinaigrette. Thank you for the recipe!
Caroline's Cooking
Sounds perfect indeed - glad you enjoyed!
Molly
I didn't have thyme so chopped some fresh basil and oregano into oil mix. Also smashed up a gluten free wasa cracker and tossed the crumbs into cheese mix, added a perfect crunch. This was delicious, thank you!
Caroline's Cooking
So glad to hear you enjoyed - and yes, this is definitely one of those recipes you can tweak especially with the herbs based on what you have etc.
Ilse Maria
Thank you Caroline.
This week I received my first box of farm items.
It contained two big Portobello mushrooms.
Your recipe is so delicious and it will be a special
dish in my house
Caroline's Cooking
So glad to hear you enjoyed and perfect way to use some of your box!
Claire in Hawaii
Loved all the comments too! Added sautéed spinach, onions, leftover buffalo burger, bacon bits, Rugged Coastal Cheddar, and green onions under the mozzarella & parmesan, and drizzled with olive oil for the last 5 minutes.. 5+ Stars! Mahalo!
Caroline's Cooking
Great to hear you enjoyed (and sound like some tasty additions!)
lizard brains
I had a couple spare mushrooms sitting around so tried this dish- absolutely delicious!
Caroline's Cooking
Great, glad to heat you enjoyed!
Barry c
Great recipe. Little different my family's style but just as good! We add fresh sliced almonds to it from the local market right before it's done nice crunch and flavor and we sprinkle with a lil Cajun style seasonings if it's going with seafood. Awesome post.
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, and yes there are definitely a few ways to make something along these lines. Those flavors sound tasty too!
April
First time main portobello mushrooms. Also chopped some leftover broccoli and roaseted potatoes along with cheese. Yummy!! Thank you for the excellent directions.
Caroline's Cooking
So glad to hear you enjoyed. Love roasted broccoli and all sounds like a tasty meal.
SLausell
I love it! I also use less oil and no butter and is still delicious. Thanks Caroline 😊
Caroline's Cooking
Glad to hear you enjoyed!
Aksd
thank you for the recipe - quick, simple, and absolutely delicious! i’ve twice made this with whatever cheese i had and it was great both times, can’t imagine you can go wrong regardless what kind you use. i also used less oil to make it a bit healthier and it was still fantastic - will reduce even further next time to prob half the amount or less. I expect I’ll be using this recipe the rest of my life.
Caroline's Cooking
So glad to hear you are enjoying the recipe! And yes, you can use a range of cheeses depending on what you have and to taste.
TG
Excellent recipe! My husband said that they were better than some stuffed mushrooms that we have eaten at restaurants. They are a new family favorite!
Caroline's Cooking
That's so nice to hear! Glad you are both enjoying.
Shirrene
Looked quick & easy so I tried making this with ready-packed grated cheese (the ones which are a combination of 3 types of cheese used for pizzas). So good... my hubby said he went to heaven & came back! Lol. Thanks, Caroline!
Caroline's Cooking
Glad to hear you enjoyed, and yes ready grated mix sounds like a great easy option too.
Sarah
This recipe is AWESOME! I only had a graded Parmesan mix, but it was still delicious! Had all the ingredients on hand. Looking forward to making this again. I would post pictures if there were a place to.
Caroline's Cooking
So glad to hear you enjoyed!
Itto
Caroline you sly dog you this is delish. Will use again 3 times a week. Thank you 🙏
Caroline's Cooking
Not been called that before but glad to hear you enjoyed 🙂
Winnie
These mushrooms taste so so great! This is a keeper recipe. Thank you very much!
Caroline's Cooking
So glad to hear you enjoyed, they're a favorite of mine too.
Donna
Just made these and they are delish! Since we will be with other people tomorrow I did substitute garlic for red onions. Turned out really well and at the end added balsamic syrup ... yum!!!
Caroline's Cooking
Glad to hear you enjoyed! Yes balsamic definitely pairs well.
Madison Smith
Needed a quick mushroom recipe and this one comes in handy! Loved the garlicy flavor!
Caroline's Cooking
Glad to hear you enjoyed! The garlic really does pair so well, doesn't it?
James
Thanks Caroline! These tasted amazing
Caroline's Cooking
Glad to hear it, we love them too!
Carmen E Feuer
Ive got to try this..When i was young one of my dads friends made stuffed mushrooms..Ive been a fan ever since..
Caroline's Cooking
Hope you enjoy! It's something I remember having when I was a child, too, and similarly loved.