We just had to share the amazing spicy bacon-stuffed mushrooms we made recently! While browsing at the store, we stumbled upon some gorgeous mushrooms that were too good to just use as a side dish. Luckily, we had some bacon, cream cheese, and ranch dressing in the fridge that were still within their expiration dates.
Usually, we'lI use ranch seasoning to add flavor to the cream cheese when making stuffed mushrooms, but this time we substituted it with ranch dressing since we didn't have any in the pantry. I must say, it was the best decision ever! The flavor was incredible and the mushrooms turned out fantastic.
Best way to cook bacon
Preparing these spicy bacon-stuffed mushrooms is a breeze, with the only potential hurdle being the cooking of the bacon and stuffing of the mushrooms. However, they are a straightforward dish to make!
TIP: Achieving perfectly crispy bacon is a breeze when you bake it in the oven. Skip the messy pan-frying and instead line a baking sheet with foil to place the bacon on. Then, bake the bacon at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes. The result? Crispy bacon with an amazing aroma that fills your kitchen. Once you're done, let the bacon grease cool and save it for future cooking or dispose of it with the foil.
If you prefer, you could also air-fry the bacon. However, bear in mind that you can only cook a few pieces at the same time, and there may be a bit more mess involved in the cleanup. Finally, chop up the crispy bacon and use it to make delicious spicy bacon-stuffed mushrooms.
How to make Spicy Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
To remove all the dirt, rinse the mushrooms with cold water. Then, leave them in a colander to dry or use a paper towel to dry them.
When preparing the mushrooms, remove the stems and gently scoop out some of the loose mushroom around the stem without damaging the mushroom. This will make it a breeze to fill the mushrooms with the delightful cream cheese ranch mixture.
To create the perfect blend of flavors, simply mix cream cheese, bacon, ranch dressing, garlic, and habanero (for those who enjoy a bit of heat) with a dash of garlic powder. Alternatively, you can substitute the ranch dressing for 2 Tablespoons of light sour cream mixed with 1 Tablespoon of dry ranch mix.
Now it's time to fill those mushrooms up! Grab a spoon and scoop about a tablespoon of the filling (adjusting for the mushroom's size). Gently fill each mushroom to the top with the scrumptious cream cheese mixture. Keep going until each mushroom is stuffed to perfection.
For an extra cheesy flavor, add more cheese on each of the spicy bacon-stuffed mushrooms. You can use either parmesan or cheddar cheese (we like white NY Sharp Cheddar) to complement the dish. If you experiment with a different type of cheese, please share your experience with us.
Place the mushrooms in the oven and bake for 15 minutes until the cheese has melted and the tops become golden in color.
You can easily add a touch of flavor to your dish by topping it with cilantro, parsley, or green onions if you have them on hand. However, the mushrooms still pack a delicious punch even without these additional herbs.
Enjoy!!!!
Spicy Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 3 Slices Bacon
- 5 Tablespoons Philadelphia Cream Cheese Whipped Cream Cheese
- 1 Tablespoon habanero Optional
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 2 Tablespoons Lite Ranch Dressing
- 12 Bella Mushrooms
- 2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese or Cheddar Cheese
- ½ Cup Cilantro Optional for topping
Instructions
- To make crispy bacon, preheat the oven to 375 degrees and place the bacon on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, then allow it to cool before chopping or crumbling it into small pieces. Set it aside for later.While the bacon is cooking, wash the mushrooms, removing their stems. Use a paper towel to gently dry them, then place them on a baking sheet lined with foil.12 Bella Mushrooms
- Blend cream cheese (our preferred choice is Philadelphia Whipped Cream Cheese), cooked and chopped bacon, ranch dressing, garlic powder, and habanero (optional) together in a bowl.3 Slices Bacon, 5 Tablespoons Philadelphia Cream Cheese, 1 Tablespoon habanero, 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder, 2 Tablespoons Lite Ranch Dressing
- Take each mushroom and stuff it with the mixture of bacon, cream cheese, and ranch. Then, put them back on the baking sheet.
- You can enhance the flavor of mushrooms by sprinkling either parmesan or cheddar cheese on top.2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese or Cheddar Cheese
- Place the mushrooms in the oven and allow to bake for 15 minutes, or until the mushrooms have turned a beautiful golden brown color.½ Cup Cilantro
- Feel free to add some cilantro, parsley, or green onion as a finishing touch, but it's entirely up to your preference. With that, savor your dish!
Please let us know what you think