Recreate Olive Garden's stuffed mushrooms at home with this copycat recipe, a blend of cheeses, herbs, and clams that perfectly captures the essence of the restaurant's beloved appetizer. Ideal for any occasion, from game days to elegant dinners, these mushrooms elevate your meal with their rich and savory filling.
Dive into the art of stuffing mushrooms, using the stems in another delicious creation, and bring a piece of Olive Garden right to your dining table.
Equipment / Appliances Needed
To prepare this restaurant-quality dish, you'll need a few kitchen essentials:
- An oven for baking,
- A mixing bowl to combine your stuffing ingredients,
- A spoon to stir together all the filling ingredients, and a
- An oiled baking dish to achieve that golden perfection.
- An instant pot can be handy, but it's not mandatory for this recipe.
- Precise measuring utensils, such as 1 teaspoon and ¼ cup measures, will be crucial to nail that authentic Olive Garden flavor.
Prep Time
Before the baking begins, setting everything up is key. Wash the mushrooms and pat them dry before you start. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees to ensure it's ready for baking.
The prep work will take approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on how fast you are with cleaning and stuffing the mushrooms. Once prepped, the mushrooms will bake to perfection in no time.
Ingredients for Authentic Olive Garden Flavor
- 8-12 large button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms, firm and plump
- Stems from mushrooms, finely chopped (save the stems for another recipe)
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 green onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup of clam juice for stuffing
- 1 can (6 ounces) of clams, drained and finely minced
- 1 teaspoon of butter and oregano
- 1 egg, beaten
- ¼ cup finely grated romano cheese
- 2 tablespoons mozzarella cheese, freshly grated
- ¼ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- Olive oil for greasing the baking dish
How to Proceed
- After washing the mushrooms, carefully remove the stems and chop them, setting them aside for another use.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray.
- In a mixing bowl, stir together all the filling ingredients, including the minced clams, garlic, green onion, butter and oregano, egg, breadcrumbs, and cheese.
- Place the stuffing mixture inside each mushroom cavity and slightly mound it for a generous fill.
- Arrange the stuffed mushrooms in the lightly oiled baking dish, ensuring they are not touching.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes until the mushrooms are tender.
- Remove the foil and sprinkle each mushroom with the grated mozzarella cheese, then bake for an additional few minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
These steps will guide you through the process of preparing Olive Garden's iconic stuffed mushrooms, ensuring a delicious result every time.
Nutritional Information Breakdown
- Calories: Approx. 180-220 calories per serving
- Total Fat: 12-15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4-6 g
- Cholesterol: 20-30 mg
- Sodium: 300-500 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 10-15 g
- Dietary Fiber: 1-3 g
- Sugars: 1-3 g
- Protein: 7-10 g
Remember that the nutritional content can vary based on the size of the mushrooms and the exact amount of stuffing used.
Preparing the Perfect Dish
When preparing Olive Garden stuffed mushrooms, the secret is in the stuffing. Each mushroom cap should be generously filled, creating a slight mound for a hearty bite. The mixture of Italian cheeses, garlic, and clams provides a rich and satisfying flavor that is quintessential to this dish. For an extra touch of elegance, garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
- Pair this dish with a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette or creamy dressing
- Serve alongside pasta dishes such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne with marinara sauce or a creamy Alfredo sauce.
- Goes well with crusty bread or garlic bread, a side of cooked rice or quinoa, or simply enjoy with with a glass of wine such as Pinot Noir or Chardonnay, or serve them with a cocktail like a classic martini or a refreshing gin and tonic
Baking Tips to Ensure Golden Perfection
To achieve that desirable golden top on your stuffed mushrooms, pat the mushrooms dry before stuffing. This prevents excess moisture from making them soggy. Additionally, combining the appropriate ratio of romano and mozzarella cheeses will give you that perfect melt and color.
Always preheat your oven to ensure even cooking, and remember to cover the baking dish with foil for the initial baking to keep the mushrooms moist.
After removing the foil, keep a close eye on the mushrooms as they finish baking. The freshly grated mozzarella cheese should become golden without burning. If needed, a quick broil can add the final touch of color, but watch them closely to avoid overcooking.
These tips will help you bake stuffed mushrooms that are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the palate.
How to Store Stuffed Mushrooms
Leftover stuffed mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. Make sure to place them in a covered container and sprinkle a cup of freshly grated mozzarella cheese over the top before reheating to revive that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.
For best results, reheat them in the oven or an air fryer to maintain the texture. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the mushrooms soggy.
Recipe Notes and Variations
For those looking to put their spin on this recipe, consider using an air fryer for a quicker cooking time and a crispier finish. Followers of your culinary journey might appreciate tweaks to the stuffing, such as adding crab meat for a different seafood twist or substituting Italian sausage for the clams.
These variations can put a personal touch on the classic restaurant recipe, making it uniquely yours.
Do You Cook Mushrooms Before Stuffing Them?
Yes, pre-cooking mushrooms before stuffing them is often recommended, especially larger varieties like portobello mushrooms. Pre-cooking helps remove excess water, ensuring the mushrooms are tender and enhancing the flavor.
For smaller mushrooms, such as cremini or white button mushrooms, you can clean them with a dry paper towel and lightly sauté them to remove moisture. This step prevents the stuffed mushrooms from becoming soggy after baking.
Why Doesn't Olive Garden Have Stuffed Mushrooms Anymore?
Access to Olive Garden's menu decisions or announcements makes it easier to say why it might not have stuffed mushrooms anymore. Menu items often change due to customer preferences, seasonal availability of ingredients, or shifts in the restaurant's culinary strategy.
For the most accurate information, contacting Olive Garden or visiting their official website would be the best approach.
Why Are My Stuffed Mushrooms Soggy?
Stuffed mushrooms can become soggy if too much moisture is present in the mushrooms themselves or from the stuffing. To prevent this:
- Clean mushrooms with a dry paper towel instead of washing them with water.
- Pre-cook the mushroom caps to release any excess water.
- Avoid adding too much liquid to the stuffing mixture.
- Bake the stuffed mushrooms in a lightly oiled baking dish at the right temperature to ensure they're cooked through without retaining excess moisture.
Olive Garden Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe: A Delicious Copycat Guide
Equipment
- An oven for baking,
- A mixing bowl to combine your stuffing ingredients,
- A spoon to stir together all the filling ingredients, and a
- An oiled baking dish to achieve that golden perfection.
- An instant pot can be handy, but it's not mandatory for this recipe.
- Precise measuring utensils, such as 1 teaspoon and ¼ cup measures, will be crucial to nail that authentic Olive Garden flavor.
Ingredients
- 8-12 large button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms, firm and plump
- Stems from mushrooms, finely chopped (save the stems for another recipe)
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 green onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup of clam juice for stuffing
- 1 can (6 ounces) of clams, drained and finely minced
- 1 teaspoon of butter and oregano
- 1 egg, beaten
- ¼ cup finely grated romano cheese
- 2 tablespoons mozzarella cheese, freshly grated
- ¼ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- Olive oil for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- After washing the mushrooms, carefully remove the stems and chop them, setting them aside for another use.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray.
- In a mixing bowl, stir together all the filling ingredients, including the minced clams, garlic, green onion, butter and oregano, egg, breadcrumbs, and cheese.
- Place the stuffing mixture inside each mushroom cavity and slightly mound it for a generous fill.
- Arrange the stuffed mushrooms in the lightly oiled baking dish, ensuring they are not touching.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes until the mushrooms are tender.
- Remove the foil and sprinkle each mushroom with the grated mozzarella cheese, then bake for an additional few minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Notes
- For those looking to put their spin on this recipe, consider using an air fryer for a quicker cooking time and a crispier finish. Followers of your culinary journey might appreciate tweaks to the stuffing, such as adding crab meat for a different seafood twist or substituting Italian sausage for the clams.
- These variations can put a personal touch on the classic restaurant recipe, making it uniquely yours.
More Olive Garden Copycat Recipes
Olive Garden's Classic Lasagna Recipe
Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo Recipe
Olive Garden Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe
Olive Garden Chicken Marsala Recipe
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