Stuffed Mushroom Eyeballs Recipe
These Stuffed Mushroom Eyeballs are a spooky and savory appetizer perfect for Halloween or any themed party. Large white or cremini mushrooms are filled with a creamy mixture of cream cheese, cooked ground beef, Parmesan cheese, and garlic, then baked to golden perfection. Each ‘eyeball’ is topped with a pitted olive to mimic a pupil, creating a fun and delicious treat that’s sure to impress your guests.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 stuffed mushroom eyeballs 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Mushrooms
- 16 large white or cremini mushrooms
- Cooking spray or olive oil
- Pinch of salt and black pepper, for seasoning
For the Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup cooked beef, crumbled
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Chopped mushroom stems (from the 16 mushrooms)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Garnish
- 16 small pitted olives
- Optional: tiny slivers of red bell pepper or a few drops of Sriracha for a “bloodshot” effect
Instructions
- Prepare Mushrooms: Gently wipe the mushrooms clean with a damp cloth. Carefully remove the stems and finely chop them. Lightly scrape the gills from the caps to create space for the filling. Brush the inside of each mushroom cap lightly with olive oil or cooking spray, then season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
- Make Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, crumbled cooked beef, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped mushroom stems, fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined into a creamy and flavorful filling.
- Stuff & Assemble Eyeballs: Generously fill each mushroom cap with the prepared filling, mounding it slightly above the rim. Press one pitted small olive firmly into the center of the filling in each mushroom cap to represent the pupil of the eyeball.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the stuffed mushrooms on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and the filling has turned golden and is bubbling around the edges.
- Garnish & Serve: Optionally, for a spooky “bloodshot” eyeball effect, add tiny slivers of red bell pepper or carefully pipe thin lines of Sriracha sauce around the olive on each stuffed mushroom. Serve the stuffed mushroom eyeballs warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use fresh mushrooms that are firm and large enough to hold the filling without breaking.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to ensure a smooth filling.
- Feel free to substitute the cooked beef with cooked ground turkey or omit for a vegetarian version.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the filling.
- These stuffed mushrooms can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.
Keywords: stuffed mushrooms, appetizer, Halloween recipe, cream cheese stuffing, savory party snacks
Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/stuffed-mushroom-eyeballs-recipe/
