Beef and Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

4th of July weekend is upon us! As the most highly anticipated summer cooking holiday of the year (sorry Memorial Day and Labor Day, but you know it’s true…) it’s imperative to have your menu game on point. And I’m not talking just the expected hot dogs and hamburgers. You need some winning sides ready if you’re going to impress at that neighborhood BBQ or block party!

Stuffed mushrooms are one of my favorites appetizers or sides any time of year, because you can make them as heavy or light as you’d like them to be, depending on what you choose to fill them with. Plus, in the summer, you can even cook ’em on the grill! The cow-loving folks at the Texas Beef Council recently reached out to us with an especially inspired idea… next time you’re debating between making burgers or stuffed mushrooms, why not treat yourself to the best of both worlds and stuff a mushroom full of beefy, blue cheesy goodness?

Beef and Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

Created by Texas Beef Council

Ingredients

1/2 pound Ground Beef
1/4 teaspoon salt
36 to 40 small button or cremini mushrooms (about 1-1/2 to 2-inch diameter)
1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/4 cup soft whole wheat bread crumbs
3 tablespoons minced chives
1/2 teaspoon steak seasoning blend
Minced fresh chives (optional)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Remove and reserve stems from mushrooms. Season mushroom caps with salt; set aside. Mince stems to yield 1/2 cup; discard remaining stems.

Combine Ground Beef, minced stems, blue cheese, bread crumbs, 3 tablespoons chives and steak seasoning. Spoon beef mixture evenly into mushrooms.

Place stuffed mushrooms on rack in broiler pan. Bake in 375°F oven 15 to 20 minutes.

Sprinkle with additional chives, if desired.