Portobello Mushroom Parmigiana Recipe is a flavorful twist on the classic Italian dish, perfect for those seeking a hearty, vegetarian-friendly option. This recipe features meaty portobello mushroom caps filled with rich marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella, and savory prosciutto, all roasted to perfection. The dish is elevated with a topping of crispy, basil-infused panko breadcrumbs and garnished with roasted cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves. With a quick prep time of just 15 minutes and a total cook time of 30 minutes, this recipe is a convenient yet elegant choice for a delicious weeknight dinner. We always keep it on our monthly main meal rotation. It is that good.
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MARY'S TWO CENTS
Despite the pricey Prosciutto in the sheet pan mushroom parmigiana ingredient list, this recipe still ranks frugal on the Oh, That's Good!® rating scale. Omit the Prosciutto, and this recipe makes a cheap meal perfect for vegetarians.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM PARMESAN
The Mushroom Parmigiana recipe I’ve shared is unique for several reasons. Here’s what I think makes it a standout.
A Fusion of Flavors:
- Portobello Mushrooms as the Base: Instead of traditional eggplant or chicken for Parmigiana, this recipe uses meaty portobello mushrooms, which absorb flavors well. The mushrooms add an earthy depth, making the dish hearty and satisfying.
- Prosciutto Inside the Mushrooms: Adding a slice of prosciutto inside each mushroom cap before topping with marinara and cheese adds a layer of savory, slightly salty richness. The prosciutto that extends over the cheese crisps up slightly during roasting, adding texture and enhancing the overall flavor.
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes:
- Roasting the cherry or grape tomatoes with garlic and a couple of tablespoons of olive oil concentrates their sweetness and enhances their natural umami. These tomatoes serve as both a side and a complement to the richness of the mushrooms, creating a balanced flavor profile. You can add a small side salad or eat it as a complete meal.
Crispy Basil Panko Topping:
- Panko Bread Crumbs: Instead of a typical breadcrumb topping, this recipe uses panko, which is lighter and crispier. Toasting the panko with olive oil and fresh basil in a frying pan infuses it with aromatic flavors, providing a crunchy contrast to the soft, melty cheese.
- Basil: Fresh basil is used in the breadcrumb topping and as a garnish, adding a burst of freshness and a hint of peppery, anise-like flavor that cuts through the dish's richness.
Ease and Speed:
- This recipe is relatively quick and straightforward, taking only about 45 minutes from start to finish. Despite its simplicity, it delivers a gourmet experience with a rich flavor that feels much more elaborate.
Versatility:
- The recipe can easily be adapted for various dietary preferences. For example, you can omit the prosciutto for a great vegetarian recipe or experiment with different cheeses or herbs.
- This Mushroom Parmigiana is a creative twist on a classic dish, turning it into a flavorful, satisfying, and visually appealing meal perfect for weeknights or special occasions.
INGREDIENTS
Basil is necessary for the dish, but the chives and thyme are optional.
See the recipe card for exact quantities and measurements.
INGREDIENT NOTES
- For individual servings, use four large portobello mushrooms instead of the eight medium ones.
- Our favorite marinara sauce for this dish is Mezzetti brand jarred marinara. Its unique sweetness complements the savory ingredients.
- Thyme and chives are optional. Add the thyme when you add the basil and the chives as a final garnish.
INSTRUCTIONS (STEP-BY-STEP)
- Preheat oven to 425. Wipe the mushrooms, remove stems, and gills. Slice cherry tomatoes in half.
- Spread tomatoes on a sheet pan with half the garlic. Drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil. Toss to coat.
- Place mushrooms and the remaining garlic on the sheet pan. Drizzle each cap generously with olive oil.
- Place a slice of prosciutto into each mushroom cap, pushing it in to create space for the marinara.
- Fill each mushroom cap with marinara sauce.
- Top each mushroom cap with a slice of fresh mozzarella cheese.
- Place the sheet pan in the oven and roast for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. While the mushrooms are roasting, make the breadcrumbs.
- Add one tablespoon olive oil, panko bread crumbs, basil, and ½ teaspoon salt in a skillet over medium heat. Stir constantly until the crumbs are golden, 2-3 minutes.
- Add additional chopped basil, chopped chive or fresh thyme if desired.
- Serve on plates or shallow bowls with the basil bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese, to taste, if desired.
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SWAP IT OUT
The prosciutto is optional but awesome. Omit it for a great vegetarian main dish. You can also leave out the thyme and chives if desired.
CHANGE IT UP
For a great pizza twist on the recipe, swap pepperoni for the prosciutto and use pizza sauce instead of marinara.
Popular article alert!
What Spices Should Every Kitchen Have?
Make sure your spice game is on point!
EQUIPMENT
To make portobello mushroom Parmigiana, you need only a sheet pan, knife, skillet, and a small bowl for the breadcrumbs.
STORAGE
These mushrooms are best eaten immediately, but we have saved them in the fridge for the next day and re-reheated in the oven.
TOP TIP
After removing the sheet pan from the oven, place it under the broiler to get more char on the cheese. We love the flavor and texture it creates. Please do not leave the broiler unattended as the food can burn quickly.
FAQ'S
Portobello mushrooms are also known as Portabello, Portabella, and Portabella. Any of these spellings is accepted as correct. This mushroom was re-branded in the 1980s, and confusion led to different spellings.
They are called Baby Bella mushrooms. They are the same variety as Italian portobello (or portabella) mushrooms but at a younger stage.
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Equipment
- Sheet pan
- Skillet
- Small bowl
- Sharp knife
Ingredients
- 10 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes halved
- 2 cloves cloves, finely chopped or sliced
- extra-virgin olive oil (approximately 3 tablespoons) more or less as desired
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 medium portobello mushrooms stems and gills removed
- 3 cups marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- 3 cups fresh mozzarella cheese (12 ounces)
- 6 slices prosciutto
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup basil leaves finely chopped, plus a few more leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425 degrees. Place the halved cherry tomatoes on a sheet pan with half of the garlic.
- Drizzle with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Season with salt and black pepper then toss to coat the tomatoes with oil.
- Place the mushroom caps, gill side up, on the sheet pan nestled between the tomatoes. Drizzle each generously with olive oil. The mushrooms need the oil to cook properly and it adds a lot of Italian flavor to the dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining garlic over the mushrooms. Add a little more salt and black pepper.
- Press a piece of prosciutto into each mushroom. Press it firmly against the insides of the mushroom, leaving room for the marinara and cheese. If a little prosciutto sticks out the top, it is ok. It will get a nice char.
- Fill each mushroom cap with marinara sauce and top with mozzarella cheese.
- Place the sheet pan in the oven and roast for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- While the mushrooms roast, make the breadcrumbs. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add one tablespoon of olive oil, the bread crumbs, basil, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir constantly for 2 to 3 minutes until the crumbs are golden. Remove the pan from heat immediately. Place the breadcrumbs in a bowl for serving.
- Serve the mushrooms on plates or shallow bowls along with a few of the roasted cherry tomatoes. Top each mushroom with the basil bread crumbs and garnish with a few basil leaves.
Nutrition
I hope you make and enjoy this sheet-pan mushroom parmigiana. Please leave a comment and let us know.
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