This Creamy Mushroom Dip is baked with baby bella and shiitake mushrooms, cream cheese, and a blend of Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano for a warm, bubbly appetizer that disappears fast.

Close-up overhead shot of golden baked creamy mushroom dip in a white oval dish garnished with fresh parsley, surrounded by toasted crostini

I started making this creamy mushroom dip shortly after my husband and I got married. It was always the first thing to go at our gathering; and honestly, it still is!

What makes this version different from most mushroom dips? Two things: I use a mix of baby bella and shiitake mushrooms (the shiitakes add a meatier, more complex flavor), and instead of the usual cheddar or Gruyère, I go with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano. That Italian cheese combination gives the dip a savory depth that people can't quite place, but they definitely want more of.

It's a perfect warm appetizer for parties, game day, or really any time you want something comforting on the table. Serve it with crostini, crackers, fresh veggies, or tortilla chips - basically anything scoop able.

Key Ingredients for Creamy Mushroom Dip
How to Make This Mushroom Dip
Related Recipes

Key Ingredients for Creamy Mushroom Dip

Here's what goes into this dip: For full list of ingredients and measurements, see recipe card.

Overhead pic of creamy mushroom dip ingredients including button mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, parmesan, shallots, garlic, olive oil, and fresh parsley

Baby bella mushrooms (cremini): the earthy, reliable base. I use a full 16 oz.

Shiitake mushrooms: 5 oz adds a deeper, almost umami richness. While baby bellas give you that familiar earthy flavor, shiitakes bring a meatier, almost smoky quality. If you can't find shiitakes, oyster mushrooms work, or use all cremini.

Cream cheese: the creamy backbone. You can use reduced-fat if you want to lighten things up.

Mayonnaise: adds tang and helps with the texture. Light mayo works here too.

Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano: freshly grated is non-negotiable for the best flavor.

Vegetarian note: Traditional Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano contain animal rennet, so they're technically not vegetarian. BelGioioso and 365 by Whole Foods both make vegetarian-friendly Parmesan alternatives that work well here.

How to Make This Mushroom Dip

See recipe card for full set of instructions.

Step 1: Sauté the mushrooms.

Chopped button mushrooms, diced red onion, and minced garlic added to a white pan with olive oil to start the creamy mushroom dip

First, preheat your oven to 375° F. Then heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped baby bella and shiitake mushrooms, onion, and garlic. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until the mushrooms are tender and have released their moisture. You want them golden and concentrated; not watery.

Sautéed mushrooms being stirred in a pan until golden and softened for the creamy mushroom dip filling

Step 2: Make the cream cheese base.

Glass bowl with cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, parmesan, and fresh chopped parsley combined as the base for creamy mushroom dip

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, ¼ cup each of Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano, parsley, black pepper, and cayenne. Stir until smooth and well blended.

Creamy mushroom dip base in a glass bowl being seasoned with freshly ground black pepper, with a pepper grinder in the background

Step 3: Combine and fill your baking dish.

Sautéed mushrooms folded into the cream cheese mixture in a glass bowl to make the creamy mushroom dip filling

Fold the sautéed mushroom mixture into the cream cheese base. Spoon everything into a 2-quart baking dish that's been lightly coated with cooking spray. Spread it into an even layer.

Creamy mushroom dip mixture spread evenly into a white oval baking dish, ready to be topped with parmesan

Step 4: Top and bake.

Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons each of Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano over the top. Bake at 375°F for 30 to 40 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.

A hand scooping a piece of toasted crostini into golden baked creamy mushroom dip straight from the white oval baking dish

Tips for the Best Mushroom Dip

Don't overcrowd your mushrooms: Sauté them until golden and dry, not watery, so the dip stays creamy instead of soggy.

Use freshly grated cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that affect the melt and flavor.

Room temperature cream cheese mixes much easier. If you forget, microwave it for 20 seconds to soften.

What to Serve with Mushroom Dip

Toasted crostini or baguette slices are my go-to (if you love my baked balsamic bruschetta, you'll love crostini with this dip). But it works with just about anything: crackers, tortilla chips, fresh veggies like bell pepper strips or endive, or pretzel bites for game day.

If you love mushrooms as much as I do, also try my one-pot mushroom ricotta pasta. It's creamy, earthy, and comes together in one pot.

Make-Ahead and Storage

To make ahead: Assemble the dip in the baking dish (don't bake), cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before baking.

Leftovers: Refrigerate covered for 3-4 days. Reheat at 350°F for 15–20 minutes until bubbly, or microwave in 30-second intervals. I don't recommend freezing.

Variations to Try

Add spinach. Fold in a handful of thawed, squeezed-dry frozen spinach for a mushroom-spinach dip. You might also love my vegan spinach artichoke dip.

Swap the cheeses. Try Gruyère or fontina for a different flavor profile.

Top with breadcrumbs. Mix panko with melted butter and sprinkle on top before baking for a crispy crust.

Creamy Mushroom Dip

This Creamy Mushroom Dip combines two kinds of mushrooms and a blend of Italian grated cheeses to create a warm appetizer your guests will love.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 35

Total Time: 45

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked mushroom dip, cheese, christmas, creamy mushroom dip, dip, game day, gluten free, holiday recipes, hot mushroom dip, mushroom appetizer, mushroom cream cheese dip, mushroom dip recipe, mushrooms

Servings:

Author: Sireesha A.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil
16 oz. baby bella mushrooms (chopped)
5 oz. shiitake mushrooms (chopped)
¼ cup finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic (peeled and finely chopped)
16 oz. cream cheese
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese* plus 2 tablespoons
¼ cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese* plus 2 tablespoons
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Olive oil cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375° F.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, onion and garlic and saute for 5-7 minutes until tender.
In a large mixing bowl, combine mushroom mixture with cream cheese, mayonnaise, ¼ cup Pecorino Romano cheese, ¼ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, parsley, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Stir until all ingredients are well blended.
Spray 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray and then add in dip. Ensure it has been evenly distributed in the casserole. Top with remaining grated cheese.
Bake for 30-40 minutes until top is lightly browned.

Notes

To make a lightened up version of this recipe, replace regular cream cheese with reduced-fat cream cheese and regular mayonnaise with light mayonnaise.

*Note that traditional Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano Reggiano are not technically vegetarian as they contain animal rennet. However, BelGioioso and 365 by Whole Foods are two brands that offer a vegetarian-friendly Parmesan. Feel free to replace both the Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano Reggiano with a vegetarian-friendly Parmesan if desired.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

©Watch Learn Eat. All content and images are copyright protected. Recipes and images are not to be used or republished without prior permission. If you adapt this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, and link back to this post for the original recipe.

Comments

5 from 14 votes (4 ratings without comment)

Creamy Mushroom Dip

Table of contents

Key Ingredients for Creamy Mushroom Dip