Cheeseburger Stuffed Mushrooms

For a good portion of my life, I didn't like mushrooms.  I don't remember what changed but some magic thing happened and I started liking mushrooms sometime in my 20's.  I love the earthy, meaty, yet delicate flavor of these fungi.  Mushrooms are a great package to present other flavors.  My family makes a stuffed mushroom that is to die for.  Really it is.  These mushrooms are the first to go when served at a party.  They contain bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, onions and the ingredient that takes them into the "to die for" category....mayonnaise.  Oh yeah!  Don't turn your nose up.  It's pure indulgence and deliciousness.  Someday these "deadly" mushrooms will make an appearance on The Ginger Snap Girl. 

In the meantime I have another stuffed mushroom to share.  The Cheeseburger Stuffed Mushroom.  To be honest, it's very similar to the stuffed mushroom my family makes, subbing out the bacon for ground beef.  Now, what would really be delicious is making this a bacon cheeseburger stuffed mushroom.  Mmmmm.

Cheeseburger Stuffed Mushrooms

1 lb large mushrooms, white or cremini

1/3 pound of ground beef

3/4 tsp Lawerys Seasoning Salt

1/3 cup of finely diced white onions, reserve a couple of tablespoons for garnish

1/4 cup of grated sharp cheddar cheese

3-4 tablespoons mayonnaise

Remove stems from mushrooms and discard.  Clean mushrooms with a damp paper towel.  Place mushrooms in the basket of steamer and steam for 8-10 minutes to release the mushroom's liquid.  Meanwhile pre-heat oven to 375 and line a baking sheet with foil and spray with non stick cooking spray and set aside. 

Brown ground beef in a non stick skillet.  Season beef with seasoning salt halfway through the cooking process.  Once beef is cooked, drain off the fat and place ground beef in a medium bowl to cool.  Once beef is room temperature, stir in onions and mayonnaise.  You only need to use enough mayonnaise for the mixture to stick together to form a filling to be stuffed inside the mushrooms. 

Remove mushrooms from steamer and place topside down on foil lined baking sheet, placing about 1 inch apart.  Generously fill each mushroom with the beef mixture.  Don't be shy and pile it high.  I use my fingers to pack the filling in the mushrooms.  Sprinkle filled mushrooms with grated cheese.  Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.  Garnish with reserved diced onions and serve.
Note:  For an even cheesier cheeseburger stuffed mushroom you can also add grated cheddar cheese in the filling mixture to your taste.  Just add enough mayonnaise so the mixture sticks together.