Italian Stuffed Mushrooms

A Savory Bite-Sized Favorite for Gatherings and Holiday Tables

These Italian Stuffed Mushrooms are a crowd-pleasing appetizer packed with flavor and texture. Crispy bacon, savory ham, fresh herbs, and gooey cheese come together in a delightful bite-sized treat that’s perfect for parties, potlucks, or cozy family dinners.

Ingredients

• 4 bacon strips, diced
• 24 to 30 large fresh mushrooms
• 1/4 pound ground fully cooked ham
• 1 medium tomato, finely chopped
• 1 cup onion and garlic salad croutons, crushed
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

1. Cook the Bacon
   In a skillet, cook the diced bacon until crisp. Set aside the drippings.

2. Prepare the Mushrooms
   Remove stems from mushroom caps and set the caps aside. Mince half the stems and discard the rest.

3. Sauté the Filling
   Add the minced stems to the bacon and drippings in the skillet. Sauté for 2–3 minutes.

4. Mix the Stuffing
   Remove from heat and stir in the ham, tomato, crushed croutons, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, and oregano.

5. Stuff the Mushrooms
   Firmly pack the mixture into each mushroom cap.

6. Bake
   Arrange stuffed mushrooms in a greased 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan.
   Bake at 425°F for 12–15 minutes, or until mushrooms are tender.

Yield:

Makes approximately 2 to 2-1/2 dozen stuffed mushrooms.