Looking for a way to make pizza a little different? Make it on a mushroom cap! Portobello Pizzas are deliciously packed with flavor.
Do you love mushrooms? How about pizza? Love pizza? How about stuffed mushrooms?
How about pizza-stuffed mushrooms?!
If you’re a mushroom lover, then this is for you.
Portobello Pizzas
Yes, you heard that right, these Portobello Pizzas are basically pizza-stuffed mushrooms.
Loaded with your sauce of choice, your favorite toppings, and a sprinkling of cheese, these fun guys make for tasty appetizers, hearty snacks, and alternative pizzas when maybe you can’t muster up the real thing.
What are portobello mushrooms?
Portobello, or portabella or portobella mushrooms are the very large dark brown mushroom that develops when you allow a cremini mushroom to become fully mature. The mushroom got the name in the 80s to make it seem more special.
The portobello is several inches in diameter with a fully open, flat cap. They are known for their rich flavor and dense texture, almost like meat. They are used as a substitute for meat in some dishes and are delicious grilled.
How do you clean a portobello mushroom?
Clean a portobello just like you would any other mushroom. Wipe it with a damp cloth right before preparing them for serving.
Is it okay to eat the gills of a portobello mushroom?
There is nothing wrong with the gills of the portobello mushroom. They are completely edible, though they may darken a dish if you are chopping them to a saute or other recipe.
How do you make Portobello Pizzas?
The process for making portobello pizzas is rather simple.
- Wipe the mushroom caps clean and remove the stem.
- Place them, gill-side up on a baking sheet. Spray with olive oil and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Broil until they give up their liquid. Drain the liquid and return them gill-side up to a baking dish.
- Top with sauce and pizza toppings. Broil until the toppings are hot and the cheese is melted.
What’s it cost to make Portobello Pizzas?
Portobello mushrooms can run pretty high in price, depending on where you buy them. I’ve found packages of 2-3 for $1.99 at ALDI, but more than $4.00 at Ralphs.
- mushrooms $3.98
- pesto $0.94
- chicken $0.50
- tomato $0.30
- feta – $0.65
- mozzarella – $0.48
A batch of four deluxe stuffed mushrooms comes to about $6.85 or $1.71 each.
This isn’t necessarily a cheap dish to prepare, but they are delicious and simple and can be pulled together with little bits of leftovers.
Be sure to look for portobellos on sale or clearance. When you see a great price, snatch them up and make pizza-stuffed mushrooms. You can also adjust the toppings to reduce your costs further. Peso and feta can be rather pricey, so buy those on sale when you can.
Can I make pizza-stuffed mushrooms with smaller mushrooms?
If smaller mushrooms are all you can find, you can still make an approximation of this dish. Clean the mushrooms and remove the stems. Broil as directed.
Smaller mushrooms won’t be big enough to fill with all the toppings included here, so limit them to sauce and cheese. Broil until the cheese melts and serve immediately.
If you prepare this recipe, be sure to share a picture on social media and hashtag it #GOODCHEAPEATS. I can't wait to see what you cook up!
Portobello Pizzas
Ingredients
- 4 portobello mushrooms wiped and stems removed
- olive oil spray
- salt
- black pepper
- 4 tbsp pesto
- 1/2 cup chicken (cooked and cubed)
- 1 roma tomato , seeded and chopped (can also use chopped grape tomatoes)
- 1/4 cup feta cheese crumbles
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
Instructions
- Place the mushrooms gill side up on a lined tray. Spray with olive oil and season to taste with salt and black pepper.
- Place under the broiler for 3 to 4 minutes or until the mushrooms give up their liquid. You will smell cooked mushrooms. That's okay, as long as they don't burn. Drain the liquid.
- Divide the pesto among the mushrooms and spread to coat each one well.
- Divide the chicken among the mushrooms. Likewise the tomatoes.
- Divide the feta cheese crumbles among the mushrooms. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the mushroom caps as well.
- Cook in the broiler or on a hot grill until the toppings are hot and the cheese is melted and browned in spots. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Kate
These were so easy and yummy to make. I’m getting ready for an event and I’m watching my calories, so this was a wonderful way to enjoy the flavors of pizza without consuming the crazy calories of regular pizza!