Stuffed mushrooms are a delightful appetizer or snack. They are simple to make and can be adapted to various dietary needs, including keto and low-carb diets. This article explores several recipes for keto-friendly meatball stuffed mushrooms, offering a range of flavors and ingredients.
Philly Cheesesteak Keto Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
These mushrooms capture the essence of a Philly cheesesteak without the carbs. Portobello mushroom caps are filled with beef, sautéed peppers, onions, and melted cheese, making for a satisfying and easy keto dinner.
Ingredients:
- Portobello mushroom caps (about 3oz each)
- Thinly shaved beef
- Onions
- Bell peppers
- Provolone cheese slices (or shredded mozzarella)
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Prepare the Mushrooms: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Clean the portobello caps by removing the stems and gently scraping out the dark gills with a spoon. Rub both sides of the caps with olive oil (or use nonstick cooking spray). Place them on a rimmed baking sheet with the topside up.
- Bake the Mushrooms: Bake for 10-15 minutes, until they are soft and cooked through. Remove from the oven and drain any excess liquid.
- Cook the Cheesesteak Filling: While the mushrooms are baking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and bell peppers and sauté for a couple of minutes. Add the thinly shaved beef, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until the meat is cooked through.
- Stuff the Mushrooms: Spoon the cheesesteak mixture into the baked mushroom caps.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Top each mushroom cap with a slice of provolone cheese (or shredded mozzarella). Bake for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted. For browned cheese, broil for a few minutes.
- Serve: Serve these Philly cheesesteak portobellos warm. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container.
Meatball Stuffed Mushrooms
This recipe uses homemade meatballs nestled in fresh mushrooms, topped with marinara sauce and cheese. It's a great appetizer for parties or a family movie night.
Ingredients:
- Medium mushrooms (portobello or baby bella)
- Ground beef (lean, 85/15 recommended)
- Parmesan cheese
- Breadcrumbs (or pork rind crumbs for low-carb)
- Egg
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt and pepper
- Marinara sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a large sheet pan with cooking spray.
- Prepare Meatballs: In a bowl, mix the ground beef, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs (or pork rind crumbs), egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until combined.
- Prepare Mushrooms: Clean the mushrooms and remove the stems. Place them bottom side up on the prepared sheet pan.
- Assemble: Roll one tablespoon of the meat mixture into a ball and place it on top of each mushroom.
- Add Sauce and Bake: Place 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce on top of each meatball. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the meatball reaches 160°F.
- Add Cheese and Broil: Top evenly with mozzarella cheese. Bake for an additional 5 minutes until melted. If desired, turn the broiler on high for a few minutes to brown the cheese, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Serve: Serve warm, garnished with more Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, with marinara sauce on the side if desired.
Keto Meatloaf Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
This recipe combines the flavors of meatloaf with the heartiness of portobello mushrooms for a satisfying low-carb meal.
Ingredients:
- Portobello mushroom caps
- Ground beef
- Egg
- Almond flour
- Spices (Italian spices recommended)
- Tomato paste or low-carb BBQ sauce
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare Mushrooms: Remove the stems from the mushrooms and clean out the gills by scraping with a spoon. Spray both sides of the mushrooms with nonstick cooking oil and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Prepare Meatloaf Mixture: In a large bowl, add the ground beef, egg, almond flour, and spices. Mix well.
- Stuff Mushrooms: Divide the meatloaf mixture into 4 and fill each mushroom cap. Smooth the tops with your hands.
- Add Sauce and Bake: Add ½ tablespoon of tomato paste or low-carb barbecue sauce on top of each mushroom and spread around.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through and the mushrooms are fork-tender.
- Serve: Serve warm. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container or frozen for later.
Italian Sausage and Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
This recipe features a creamy, savory filling made with Italian sausage, cream cheese, and Parmesan.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Ingredients:
- White mushrooms
- Ground Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- Cream cheese (softened)
- Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Prepare Mushrooms: Wash the mushrooms and remove the stems. Finely chop the stems and set aside.
- Cook Sausage: Cook the Italian sausage in a skillet until browned. Drain any excess grease.
- Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked Italian sausage, chopped mushroom stems, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and softened cream cheese. Mix well. A food processor can be used for a smoother filling.
- Stuff Mushrooms: Stuff the mushroom caps with the filling.
- Bake: Arrange the stuffed mushrooms on a baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they have cooked through.
- Serve: Serve warm.
Tips and Variations
- Low-Carb Options: When making meatball stuffed mushrooms for a keto diet, use pork rind crumbs instead of breadcrumbs.
- Meat Variations: Experiment with different meats such as ground turkey, chicken, or a combination.
- Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture for a spicier kick.
- Cheese Variations: Try different cheeses like mozzarella, provolone, or a blend of Italian cheeses.
- Freezing: Stuffed mushrooms can be frozen before or after baking. Freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag to prevent sticking.
- Reheating: Reheat leftover stuffed mushrooms in the microwave or oven until heated through.
Nutritional Information
Note: Nutritional information is an estimate provided by online nutrition calculators and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto