Let’s Get This Out of the Way First…
This ain’t your basic chopped mushroom soup from a can, or a “light lunch idea” blog post that turns into a dissertation about someone’s life in Tuscany. Nope. This is the kind of recipe you make when you want to eat something hot, cheesy, garlicky, loaded with sausage—and still stay low carb.
Perfect for folks doing keto, low carb, or just skipping bread without feeling sad about it.
It’s hearty enough to eat as a full dinner, and fancy-looking enough to roll out at a party. Plus it’s a one-pan cleanup job, which means less kitchen mess and more time with your feet up.
Why These Mushrooms Work (Even If You Don’t Like Mushrooms)
I get it, some people say they “don’t like mushrooms.” Usually, what they mean is they’ve only had them slimy, half-cooked, or raw in a salad. These are a different beast.
When baked properly, mushrooms turn into little flavor bombs. They soak up the juices from the sausage, garlic, cheese, and herbs like tiny edible bowls—and they’re only two carbs each, so you can pop ‘em like candy.
Ingredients (The items That Makes a Difference)
Alright. Here’s what you need, and what not to skip.
Mushrooms
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20–24 white or cremini mushrooms (medium-sized; get ‘em firm and clean, not the shriveled bargain bin ones)
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Olive oil, for brushing
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Salt – not too much, mushrooms shrink and concentrate flavor
The Filling
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1 lb Italian sausage (get the loose kind or remove it from the casing)
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped (optional, but worth it for flavor even on keto — 1/4 cup only adds ~3g net carbs to the whole batch)
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1/2 tsp fennel seeds, lightly crushed (seriously, don’t skip this if you want it to taste Italian)
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1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (add more if you like heat)
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1 tsp dried oregano
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1/2 tsp black pepper
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Salt, to taste (go easy here if your sausage is salty)
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4 oz cream cheese (room temp; makes the mix creamy and rich)
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1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
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1/4 cup grated parmesan (real stuff, not the shaker bottle cheese)
Topping
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Extra mozzarella + parmesan for the top
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Chopped fresh parsley or basil, optional garnish
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A little olive oil drizzle before baking (trust me)
Equipment
Nothing fancy here. You’ll need:
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Large skillet
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Baking sheet or casserole dish
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Small spoon or melon baller to hollow the mushrooms
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Mixing bowl
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Oven (obviously)
Step-by-Step (Cooking Keto Italian Stuffed Mushrooms)
1) Prep the Mushrooms
Wipe the mushrooms clean with a damp paper towel. Don’t soak them—they’re sponges.
Twist out the stems gently and set them aside. Don’t toss those stems, we’re using them in the filling.
Use a small spoon or your thumb to widen the hollow inside each cap. You’re making space for serious filling, not a dainty smear.
Line them up on a baking sheet, hollow-side up. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. Pop them into a 375°F (190°C) oven for 10 minutes while you cook the filling. This step keeps them from getting soggy later. Trust the process.
2) Cook the Filling
While the mushrooms are pre-baking, time to make the flavor bomb.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the sausage. Break it up with a wooden spoon and let it brown. Don’t rush it. Let it get those golden brown crispy bits. That’s flavor.
Once it’s halfway browned, add:
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Minced garlic
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Onion (if using)
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Chopped mushroom stems
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Crushed fennel seed
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Red pepper flakes
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Oregano
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Pepper
Cook until everything’s soft and aromatic and the sausage is cooked through, about 7–8 minutes.
Turn the heat down to low and stir in the cream cheese. Let it melt and mix in. You should end up with a thick, creamy, sausage-packed mixture that you could honestly eat with a spoon at this point.
Mix in the shredded mozzarella and parmesan last. Stir until it’s melty, gooey, and amazing.
Taste it. Adjust salt if needed.
3) Stuff the Mushrooms
Take the pre-baked mushrooms out of the oven and let ‘em cool a few minutes so you don’t burn your fingerprints off.
Use a small spoon to pack each mushroom full of filling. You want a nice heaping scoop, like a mini meatball wearing a mushroom hat.
Once they’re all filled, top with a pinch more mozzarella and parmesan. Don’t skip this step—the cheesy crust on top is what makes these next-level.
Drizzle with a tiny bit of olive oil.
4) Bake to Melted Perfection
Slide the stuffed mushrooms back into the oven at 375°F for 15–18 minutes, or until the tops are golden, the filling is bubbling, and the mushrooms are tender.
If you want a more browned top, broil them for 1–2 minutes at the end—but keep an eye on it. Cheese goes from golden to charcoal real fast.
5) Let ‘Em Rest
This step is annoying, but important.
Let the mushrooms sit for 5 minutes after baking. The cheese will set a little, and you won’t burn your mouth on the first bite.
Scatter chopped parsley or basil over the top if you’re feeling fancy—or skip it if you’re just eating straight off the pan. No shame.
Tips You Don’t Want to Miss
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Mushroom Size Matters: Too small and you’re doing surgery with tweezers. Too big and they get watery. Aim for golf ball–sized caps.
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Sausage Choice: Mild Italian sausage gives rich flavor without spice overload. Hot sausage works great if you like a kick.
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Make Ahead Friendly: You can prep the filling and stuff the mushrooms ahead of time. Just refrigerate and bake when ready.
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Meal Prep Tip: Leftovers are awesome the next day, warmed in the oven or air fryer. They don’t freeze great though—cream cheese gets weird.
What to Serve with These Italian Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
These stuffed mushrooms are a meal on their own if you’re eating low-carb. But if you want something on the side:
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A quick arugula salad with lemon and olive oil
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Roasted zucchini or cauliflower rice
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Keto garlic bread (made with almond flour)
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A small glass of dry red wine (if you’re not strict keto)
They also work great as a party appetizer—just use smaller mushrooms and halve the filling quantities.
Why Many keto Folks Love These
Here’s the thing. Keto gets boring when you eat the same four meals every week. But these mushrooms? They bring flavor that makes you forget you’re skipping bread or pasta.
The sausage gives you protein and fat, the cheese brings that satisfying stretch, and the mushrooms carry it all without needing a crust.
No weird flours. No xanthan gum. No fake noodles.
Just real food, full of flavor, done right.
Nutrition (Rough Estimate Per Serving of 4 Mushrooms)
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Calories: 330
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Protein: 18g
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Fat: 27g
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Net Carbs: 4g
It’s low-carb but still filling. You can thank the fat content and that creamy sausage-cheese combo for that.
When to Enjoy this mushrooms
Let me give you a few ways these mushrooms have been used in real kitchens:
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Football Sundays – My buddy John made two trays of these for game day, and they were gone by halftime. Even the non-keto crowd was fighting over the last one.
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Keto Date Night – Sarah DM’d me on Instagram saying her husband thought she ordered from a restaurant. All she did was follow this exact recipe.
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Post-Workout Dinner – One guy on Reddit said he makes a double batch of these after lifting. High fat, high protein, low carb. Hits the spot.
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Holiday Appetizer – I brought a batch to Thanksgiving once and my aunt (who usually turns her nose up at “diet food”) asked for the recipe.
Last Note Before You Go Cook
You don’t need to be a gourmet chef to pull this off. If you can brown sausage, stir cheese, and stuff things with a spoon, you’re good.
Skip the 50-step casseroles and weird keto experiments for now. Start with these mushrooms. Then make ‘em again next week because they’re that good.
PrintKeto Italian Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe
Juicy mushrooms stuffed with garlicky Italian sausage, cream cheese, herbs, and melty mozzarella. These low-carb stuffed mushrooms are rich, cheesy, and perfect for dinner, meal prep, or party appetizers. No breadcrumbs, no weird substitutes, just real food packed with flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings (about 4 mushrooms per person) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian, Keto, low carb
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
For the Mushrooms:
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20–24 medium white or cremini mushrooms
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1 tbsp olive oil
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Pinch of salt
For the Filling:
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1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot, casing removed)
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped (optional)
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Mushroom stems, chopped
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1/2 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
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1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
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1 tsp dried oregano
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1/2 tsp black pepper
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Salt, to taste
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4 oz cream cheese (softened)
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1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Topping:
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Extra mozzarella & parmesan
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Chopped fresh parsley or basil (optional)
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Olive oil drizzle
Instructions
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Prep Mushrooms: Wipe mushrooms clean, remove stems, and gently hollow out caps. Set stems aside.
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Bake Caps: Drizzle mushroom caps with olive oil and a little salt. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes.
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Make Filling: In a skillet, brown sausage over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, chopped stems, fennel seed, red pepper flakes, oregano, and pepper. Cook until soft and browned.
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Creamy Mix: Lower heat. Stir in cream cheese until melted, then mix in mozzarella and parmesan. Adjust salt.
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Stuff: Spoon filling into each mushroom cap. Top with extra cheese and a light drizzle of olive oil.
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Bake: Bake stuffed mushrooms at 375°F for 15–18 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbling.
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Rest & Serve: Let rest 5 minutes. Sprinkle with herbs and serve warm.
Notes
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Use smaller mushrooms for appetizers, larger ones for a full meal.
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Filling can be made ahead and stored in the fridge up to 2 days.
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To reheat, use an oven or air fryer for best texture.
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Not freezer-friendly due to cream cheese.
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Skip onions for stricter keto macros.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 330 Sugar: 1g Sodium: 560mg Fat: 27g Saturated Fat: 11g Unsaturated Fat: 14g Trans Fat: 0g Carbohydrates: 5g Fiber: 1g Protein: 18g Cholesterol: 65mg