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Easy Kosher Quinoa Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms - Mediterranean recipe
These stuffed portobello mushrooms have become my go-to recipe when I want something filling and satisfying without the heaviness of meat. I discovered this combination accidentally one evening when I had leftover quinoa from Shabbat dinner and some beautiful portobellos sitting in my fridge. The earthy mushrooms paired with nutty quinoa create such a perfect match that I've been making variations ever since. The secret to getting these just right lies in properly preparing the mushrooms. You need to remove those dark gills completely and pat the caps dry, or your stuffing will end up watery. I learned this the hard way after my first attempt resulted in soggy quinoa that nobody wanted to finish. Now I always scrape out every bit of the gills with a spoon and let the caps sit cut-side down on paper towels for at least 15 minutes. What makes this version work so well is the combination of textures and flavors in the stuffing. The quinoa provides protein and a slight crunch, while sautéed onions and garlic add sweetness. Fresh herbs brighten everything up, and a sprinkle of kosher cheese on top creates that satisfying golden finish. The whole dish comes together in about 45 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. I like to serve these alongside a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette, or with roasted vegetables if I'm feeding a crowd. They're substantial enough to work as a main course for vegetarians, but they also make an elegant side dish for holiday meals. The best part is how well they hold their shape when you cut into them, making them as beautiful as they are delicious.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 285
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large portobello mushroom caps stems removed, gills scraped out
  • 1 cup quinoa rinsed
  • 2 cups vegetable broth or water
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
  • 1/2 cup kosher mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1/4 cup kosher Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Clean mushroom caps with a damp paper towel. Remove stems and scrape out dark gills with a spoon. Pat caps dry and place gill-side down on paper towels for 15 minutes.
  3. Rinse quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, bring vegetable broth to a boil. Add quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
  4. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Stir in cooked quinoa, sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix well and remove from heat. Let cool slightly, then stir in half the mozzarella cheese.
  6. Brush mushroom caps on both sides with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Place gill-side up on prepared baking sheet.
  7. Divide quinoa mixture evenly among mushroom caps, mounding it slightly. Top with remaining mozzarella and all the Parmesan cheese.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until mushrooms are tender and cheese is golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

These mushrooms can be assembled up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking. Add 5 extra minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for 3 days and reheat well in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes. For a dairy-free version, omit the cheese and add 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast to the quinoa mixture.
Nutrition Facts
4 servings per recipe
Serving size 1 serving
Calories 285
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g 15%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 15mg 5%
Sodium 420mg 18%
Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 14g 28%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.