Pizza-Bella Stuffed Mushrooms
by Amanda Keefer
Pizza gets a gluten-free, veggie-packed spin here! Let kids fill their own mushrooms and turn snack time into a fun learning experience in the kitchen. Add chopped spinach, peppers or tomatoes for extra flavor and nutrition.
Pizza stuffed mushrooms is a dish that features mushrooms stuffed with mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, and any type of meat (we used pepperoni). These stuffed mushrooms are filled with pizza ingredients so you can enjoy all those glorious flavors without actually eating a pizza pie.
What we love about these Pizza-Bella Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are a popular party food, but their origins are somewhat of a mystery. Some say they originated in Italy, while others claim they came from the Middle East.
Whatever their origins, stuffed mushrooms are now a staple at parties and gatherings around the world. They’re usually made with a mixture of bread crumbs, cheese, and herbs, and can be served as an appetizer or main course. But, these Pizza-Bella Stuffed Mushrooms are fun take on the old favorite.
And get this, there is a National Stuffed Mushroom Day in the United States that most Italian restaurants celebrate on the fourth of February! In the 19th century, the French began to explore eating fungi for consumption. This started a widespread acceptance of cooking fungi and creating original meals out of them.
Stuffed mushrooms are made by removing the stems and using a spoon to hollow them out. The stems are sometimes put into a pan to cook in olive oil and garlic before adding other ingredients and using them to fill the mushroom caps.
Here is a more in-depth look at the ingredients in our take on stuffed mushrooms:
Marinara Sauce
A traditional tomato or marinara sauce is made of tomatoes, onions, garlic, basil, and at times bay leaf. Tomato sauce is a concentrated liquid extract from tomatoes. This sauce has an antioxidant called Lycopene which gives tomatoes that red color and reduces heart disease. The fruit is rich in minerals and vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and many more nutrients. As for taste, the sugars and carotenoids break down while the sauce is being cooked to give it a unique and satisfying taste.
Pepperoni
Pepperoni is a variety of spicy salami from cured pork and beef seasoned with chili pepper and other spices. It is a classic Italian American product that is famous for going on pizza as everyone’s favorite topping. It has a spicy, smoked, bold flavor to it. Slices of this meat contain protein, with vitamins and minerals. Pepperoni helps in bone development and contains an antioxidant called selenium. Selenium keeps the immune system strong and even helps with DNA synthesis.
Portabella Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a spore and fungus that is produced above ground. They have been widely regarded as something you don’t eat, being they can be poisonous to humans, but over the centuries, people figured out ways to find the right mushrooms and how to cook them to get their incredible benefits. Mushrooms mitigate the risks of heart conditions, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and more diseases. However, mushrooms are not classified as vegetables, but they provide many of the same nutrients.
Mozzarella
Mozzarella is an Italian cheese made from Buffalo milk. This cheese is lower in fat and sodium compared to other cheeses. Like any cheese, mozzarella is an excellent source of protein, calcium, and phosphorus. This cheese can be enjoyed in all meals, no matter the time of day. With its sweet, floral, grassy, and milky taste, this cheese is a go-to choice.
Pizza stuffed mushrooms are a fun, tasty dish that someone can make as an activity with their family or for an intimate date night. This meal is healthy and delicious because of the benefits involved. Pizza-stuffed mushrooms are full of flavor and satisfaction.
Recipe and photography by Katie of Mom to Mom Nutrition and Healthy Family Project.
Pizza-Bella Stuffed Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 4 portabella mushrooms stems removed
- 1 cup low-sodium marinara sauce
- 12 slices pepperoni
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray. Place mushrooms on baking sheet and fill evenly with marinara, pepperoni and cheese.
- Bake 10 minutes, or until mushrooms are tender and cheese has melted.
- Top with basil.
