Imagine impressing your guests with a sophisticated, melt-in-your-mouth appetizer that looks like it was crafted by a professional chef—but takes just 50 minutes to prepare! These Elegant Make Ahead Mushroom Croustades are your secret weapon for elegant entertaining, combining the rich, earthy flavors of sautéed mushrooms with creamy cheese nestled in crispy pastry shells. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or looking for a show-stopping hors d'oeuvre, these French-inspired croustades will elevate your culinary game and leave everyone asking for your recipe.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 12 small pastry shells
- 2 cups mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by finely chopping mushrooms, measuring out cream cheese, and chopping fresh parsley.
- Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add finely chopped mushrooms and sauté until they release their moisture and become golden brown, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Remove mushrooms from heat and let cool slightly for 5 minutes to prevent overheating the cream cheese in next steps.
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sautéed mushrooms, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are well incorporated.
- Season the mushroom mixture with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) for final preparation.
- Arrange pastry shells on a clean baking sheet, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
- Carefully spoon the mushroom cheese mixture into each pastry shell, filling them generously but not overflowing.
- Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until pastry shells are golden brown and filling is heated through.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Can be served warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- Choose fresh, high-quality mushrooms for the best flavor—cremini or white button mushrooms work wonderfully.
- Ensure cream cheese is truly softened at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Don't rush the mushroom sautéing process; golden-brown color means maximum flavor development.
- For make-ahead convenience, you can prepare the mushroom mixture up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate.
- Allow the croustades to cool slightly after baking to let the filling set and prevent burning your guests' mouths.
- For extra elegance, garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a light dusting of Parmesan just before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 95kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 15mg
