Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Portobellos with Balsamic Glaze

Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Portobellos with Balsamic Glaze

Mia

These Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Portobellos with Balsamic Glaze transform humble mushrooms into an elegant Mediterranean-inspired dinner that's both satisfying and nourishing. The meaty portobello caps serve as edible bowls, their earthy flavor providing the perfect foundation for a creamy, herb-infused filling of ricotta cheese and tender spinach. Each bite delivers a harmonious balance of textures—from the tender-roasted mushroom to the velvety filling—all enhanced by aromatic garlic and fresh herbs.

Rooted in the Mediterranean tradition of celebrating vegetables as the star of the meal, this dish exemplifies the diet's emphasis on plant-based ingredients, quality dairy, and healthy fats from olive oil. The balsamic glaze adds a final flourish, its sweet-tart complexity cutting through the richness of the cheese while adding a restaurant-quality finish. Unlike heavy meat-based entrees, these stuffed mushrooms feel indulgent without weighing you down.

What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility and ease of preparation. Whether you're cooking for a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, these portobellos deliver impressive presentation with minimal effort. The mushrooms can be prepped ahead, making them ideal for busy schedules, and they pair beautifully with a simple arugula salad and crusty whole-grain bread. Best of all, they're naturally gluten-free and packed with nutrients, offering a complete meal that aligns perfectly with Mediterranean Diet principles while satisfying even the heartiest appetites.

Nutrition

40 minutes
None servings
245 calories
Fat 15.00g
Carbs 18.00g
Protein 12.00g

Ingredients

4 largeportobello mushroom caps, stems removed and gills scraped out
3 tbspextra virgin olive oil, divided
4 cupsfresh spinach, roughly chopped
3 clovesgarlic, minced
1 cuppart-skim ricotta cheese
1/4 cupParmesan cheese, grated
2 tbspfresh basil, chopped
1 tsplemon zest
1/2 tspsalt
1/4 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
1/2 cupbalsamic vinegar
1 tsphoney
2 tbsppine nuts, toasted (optional)
8 leavesfresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
knife
spoon
medium mixing bowl
measuring cups and spoons
pastry brush
large skillet
grater
small saucepan

16:8 Diet

This nutrient-dense recipe is ideal for the 16:8 eating window, providing balanced macronutrients with protein from ricotta and Parmesan, healthy fats from olive oil and pine nuts, and fiber-rich vegetables that promote satiety. The whole food ingredients deliver sustained energy without relying on processed foods or refined carbohydrates.

80/20 Diet

This recipe fits the 80/20 approach with the vast majority of ingredients being nutrient-dense whole foods—mushrooms, spinach, olive oil, fresh herbs, and quality cheeses—while allowing for small indulgences like balsamic glaze with honey. The dish emphasizes anti-inflammatory, fiber-rich ingredients that comprise well over 80% of the recipe.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This recipe is rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients including extra virgin olive oil, leafy greens (spinach), garlic, fresh basil, and lemon zest. The dish avoids processed foods and refined ingredients while emphasizing whole foods and healthy fats that support reduced inflammation.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with whole, minimally processed ingredients including fresh spinach, real ricotta and Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, and whole portobello mushrooms. The dish contains no artificial additives, preservatives, refined sugars, or highly processed components.

Diabetic Diet

This recipe is excellent for diabetic diets with its low glycemic index ingredients including non-starchy mushrooms and spinach, protein-rich cheese, and healthy fats from olive oil that help stabilize blood sugar. The dish contains no refined sugars or high-glycemic carbohydrates, and the fiber from vegetables supports blood glucose control.

Flexitarian Diet

This recipe exemplifies flexitarian eating by placing plant-based ingredients at the center—mushrooms, spinach, and herbs—while using dairy products as supporting ingredients. The dish is primarily vegetable-focused, nutrient-dense, and minimally processed, making it perfect for those reducing animal product consumption.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, containing no wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing ingredients. All components—mushrooms, spinach, ricotta, Parmesan, olive oil, herbs, and balsamic vinegar—are naturally gluten-free whole foods, making it safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This heart-healthy recipe features extra virgin olive oil as the primary fat source, uses part-skim ricotta to reduce saturated fat, and emphasizes vegetables rich in potassium and fiber. The dish avoids processed ingredients and fried foods while incorporating nuts, garlic, and leafy greens that support cardiovascular health.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense recipe is ideal for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing high-quality protein from ricotta and Parmesan, healthy fats from olive oil and pine nuts, and abundant vitamins and minerals from spinach and mushrooms. The balanced macronutrients and whole food ingredients support stable blood sugar levels and sustained energy throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This recipe supports intuitive eating principles by offering a satisfying, balanced meal that honors both nutrition and pleasure without restriction or guilt. The dish provides protein, healthy fats, and vegetables in a flavorful combination that encourages mindful enjoyment and natural satisfaction.

Low-Carb Diet

These stuffed portobellos are naturally low in carbohydrates, with the mushroom caps serving as a grain-free base and the filling featuring protein-rich ricotta and low-carb spinach. The recipe relies on healthy fats from olive oil and cheese while avoiding all grains, bread, pasta, and high-carb ingredients, making it perfect for low-carb eating.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe is a perfect example of Mediterranean Diet principles, featuring extra virgin olive oil as the primary fat, abundant vegetables (spinach, garlic), quality dairy (ricotta and Parmesan), and herbs for flavoring. The dish emphasizes plant-based ingredients with mushrooms as the star, uses minimal processing, and incorporates traditional Mediterranean ingredients like balsamic vinegar, basil, and pine nuts.

MIND Diet

This recipe supports brain health by featuring leafy greens (spinach), olive oil as the primary fat, nuts (pine nuts), and abundant vegetables. The dish avoids butter, red meat, and processed ingredients while emphasizing the nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich foods that the MIND Diet prioritizes for cognitive protection.

Mindful Eating

This recipe is perfect for mindful eating with its variety of textures (tender mushrooms, creamy filling, crunchy pine nuts), vibrant colors, and aromatic fresh herbs that engage multiple senses. The whole food ingredients and elegant presentation encourage slow, conscious consumption and sensory appreciation.

Vegetarian Diet

This completely vegetarian recipe features no meat, poultry, or fish, instead showcasing mushrooms as a hearty protein vehicle filled with ricotta cheese, Parmesan, and spinach. The dish provides adequate protein from dairy sources while emphasizing vegetables and healthy fats from olive oil and pine nuts.

Weight Watchers

This recipe aligns with Weight Watchers principles by using part-skim ricotta to reduce fat content, emphasizing vegetables (spinach and mushrooms) as the foundation, and incorporating minimal added fats. The nutrient-dense, whole food ingredients create a satisfying meal that supports weight management without feeling restrictive.

Instructions

1

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2 min
2

Clean the portobello mushroom caps gently with a damp paper towel to remove any dirt. Remove the stems and use a spoon to scrape out the dark gills from the underside of each cap.

3 min
3

Brush both sides of each mushroom cap with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and place them gill-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

2 min
4
1 min

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

5
4 min

Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until wilted and any liquid has evaporated, about 3-4 minutes.

6

Remove the skillet from heat and let the spinach mixture cool for 2 minutes.

2 min
7

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, chopped basil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Add the cooled spinach mixture and stir until well combined.

2 min
8

Divide the spinach-ricotta filling evenly among the four mushroom caps, mounding it slightly in the center of each cap.

2 min
9

Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the filled mushrooms and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is lightly golden on top.

25 min
10
2 min

While the mushrooms are baking, prepare the balsamic glaze. Pour the balsamic vinegar and honey into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

11
10 min

Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the balsamic mixture, stirring occasionally, until it has reduced by half and coats the back of a spoon, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat.

12

Remove the baked mushrooms from the oven and transfer them to serving plates. Drizzle each mushroom generously with the balsamic glaze.

1 min
13

Garnish with toasted pine nuts and fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Frequently Asked Questions