Spinach and Ricotta-Filled Mushrooms
These restaurant-style stuffed mushrooms are generously filled with a silky mixture of whole-milk ricotta, garlicky sautéed spinach, nutmeg, lemon zest, and Parmesan, then crowned with melted mozzarella. Baked until bubbly and golden, they deliver the exact flavors of spinach-ricotta ravioli or lasagna in a naturally low-carb, gluten-free package.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This is the stuffed mushroom that never fails. The filling tastes exactly like the inside of your favorite spinach-ricotta cannelloni — creamy, garlicky, slightly nutty from Parmesan and nutmeg — but wrapped in juicy mushroom caps that soak up every bit of flavor. It’s elegant enough for Christmas Eve or date night, yet easy enough for Tuesday. Naturally low-carb and gluten-free, but so rich and satisfying that no one notices it’s “healthy.” Make double — they disappear.
Spinach and Ricotta-Filled Mushrooms
Classic Italian spinach-ricotta stuffed mushrooms with garlic, Parmesan, and golden mozzarella crust – creamy, elegant, and always devoured!
Ingredients
- 24 very large cremini mushrooms (2–2.5 inches wide)
- 1½ cups (375g) whole-milk ricotta, drained 15 min
- 10 oz fresh baby spinach (or 8 oz frozen, thawed & squeezed dry)
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, torn into small pieces (divided)
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan (divided)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg yolk (binds everything beautifully)
- Zest of 1 lemon + 1 tsp juice
- ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
- ¾ teaspoon salt & ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- Optional garnish: extra Parmesan, fresh parsley, red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Drain your ricotta now: place it in a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl for 15 minutes (or wrap in cheesecloth and squeeze). This single step makes the difference between creamy and watery filling.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment. Remove stems from mushrooms and scrape out every bit of the dark gills with a teaspoon (this prevents grey, bitter filling).
- Lightly brush caps all over with 2 tbsp olive oil, place gill-side DOWN on the sheet, and bake exactly 10 minutes. You’ll see liquid pool underneath — perfect!
- While they bake, make the spinach: heat remaining 1 tbsp oil/butter in a large skillet. Add minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add all the spinach. Sauté 2–3 minutes until completely wilted, then keep cooking another 2 minutes until the pan is dry. Spread on a cutting board to cool, then chop finely.
- In a large bowl, combine drained ricotta, chopped spinach, egg yolk, ½ cup Parmesan, lemon zest + juice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix vigorously until silky smooth. Taste — it should make you say “wow.” Adjust seasoning.
- Remove mushrooms from oven. Flip them over, pour off all liquid, and pat insides completely dry with paper towels. Your mushroom cups are now ready!
- Place a few small pieces of mozzarella (about 1 teaspoon total) in the bottom of each cap — these melt into hidden cheese surprises.
- Spoon a generous 1½ tablespoons of spinach-ricotta filling into each mushroom, pressing gently and mounding high. Really pack it in — they shrink a bit.
- Top each with remaining torn mozzarella and a sprinkle of the reserved ¼ cup Parmesan. Bake 12–14 minutes until mushrooms are tender and cheese is melted, then switch to BROIL (high) for 90 seconds until golden and blistered in spots — watch constantly!
- Rest exactly 8 minutes (they’re lava-hot inside). Transfer to a platter, grate a little extra Parmesan over the top, scatter chopped parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired, and serve warm. Watch them vanish in seconds.
Notes
Naturally gluten-free and low-carb (~3g net carbs each). Can be fully assembled (through step 9) 24–48 hours ahead — cover tightly and refrigerate. Flavor gets even better overnight!
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 323Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 11gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 92mgSodium 934mgCarbohydrates 14gFiber 3gSugar 2gProtein 23g
The recipes and nutritional information on Fungi Recipes are for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized dietary advice.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use whole-milk ricotta and drain it in a fine sieve 15 min — excess liquid = soggy mushrooms.
- Sauté spinach with garlic until bone-dry; any moisture will ruin the texture.
- Pre-bake caps gill-side down 10 min — removes 80–90% of the water.
- Season the filling aggressively — ricotta dulls flavor.
- Add mozzarella in two layers (under + over filling) for maximum cheese pull.
- Broil the last 90 seconds for that pizzeria-style blistered top.
- Rest 8 full minutes before serving — the filling is molten straight from the oven.
Ingredients Notes
- Cremini mushrooms – best flavor and perfect 2-inch size; large white buttons work too.
- Whole-milk ricotta – skim turns watery; Polly-O or Galbani in the tub is excellent.
- Fresh spinach – baby spinach wilts fastest; frozen works if squeezed like crazy.
- Fresh mozzarella – the soft kind in water, torn or diced small for gooey pockets.
- Parmesan – freshly grated (never the green can).
- Nutmeg & lemon zest – the secret restaurant tricks that make it taste “Italian.”
Variations and Substitutions
- Spinach-artichoke version: Add ½ cup chopped artichoke hearts + 2 tbsp cream cheese.
- Sausage & spinach: Brown ½ lb Italian sausage and fold in.
- Vegan: Cashew ricotta + vegan mozzarella + nutritional yeast.
- Greek style: Swap ricotta for feta + add dill and lemon.
- Truffle upgrade: Drizzle white truffle oil after baking.
- Mini version: Use baby bellas and reduce bake time by 5–6 min.
Storage Options
- Fridge: Airtight container up to 4 days (they reheat beautifully).
- Reheat: 350°F oven 10–12 minutes or air-fryer 340°F 6–8 min — never microwave.
- Freezer: Freeze fully baked or unbaked up to 2 months. Bake from frozen 25–28 min at 375°F.
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