This Creamy Mushroom Toast is the perfect dish for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. It features sautéed mushrooms with onions and garlic, served over toasted sourdough and topped with creamy ricotta cheese and a fresh arugula salad. Simple, quick, and full of flavor, this vegetarian recipe is a must-try for mushroom lovers. It’s both satisfying and light, with a balance of creamy, savory, and fresh elements.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 slices whole grain sourdough bread, toasted

• 1 portobello mushroom, sliced

• 4 Swiss brown mushrooms, sliced

• 2 tbsp ricotta cheese

• ½ small onion, sliced

• 1-2 cloves garlic, diced

• 3 tsp olive oil

• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar

• Handful of arugula (rocket) leaves

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• Chopped parsley, for garnish

• Chili flakes (optional)

Directions

1. Sauté the Onion and Garlic: In a large skillet, sauté the onion in 2 tsp of olive oil with a sprinkle of sea salt for a few minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional 2 minutes.

2. Cook the Mushrooms: Add the mushrooms with a light drizzle of olive oil. Stir over high heat until the mushrooms have browned. Season with salt and pepper, then add chopped parsley and remove from heat.

3. Prepare the Salad: In a bowl, combine arugula leaves with balsamic vinegar, a drizzle of olive oil, and salt. Toss to mix.

4. Assemble the Toast: Spread the ricotta cheese on the toasted sourdough bread. Add the arugula salad, layer on the sautéed mushrooms, and top with chili flakes (optional).

5. Serve: Garnish with extra parsley and enjoy your creamy mushroom toast!

Nutrients (Per Serving)

• Calories: 446 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 57g

• Protein: 17g

• Fat: 18g

  • Saturated Fat: 5g

• Cholesterol: 15mg

• Sodium: 483mg

• Potassium: 961mg

• Fiber: 5g

• Sugar: 8g

The Mushrooms: Earthy, Savory, and Flavorful

Mushrooms are the star of this dish, bringing deep, earthy flavors that are both comforting and robust. For this recipe, we use a combination of portobello and Swiss brown mushrooms, which have a meaty texture and rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy ricotta and the peppery arugula. Portobello mushrooms are especially ideal for this dish, as their large size and meaty texture hold up well when sautéed, creating a satisfying bite in each forkful.

The mushrooms are sautéed in olive oil, which helps to bring out their natural umami flavors while ensuring they get a beautiful golden-brown color. By cooking them over high heat, you allow the mushrooms to caramelize and brown nicely, which intensifies their flavor. Seasoning them with salt and pepper adds to their savory depth, while fresh chopped parsley adds an aromatic finish once they’re cooked.

The Ricotta Cheese: Creamy and Smooth

Ricotta cheese provides a wonderful creamy base for the toast. It’s light yet rich, with a smooth texture that complements the mushrooms and sourdough bread perfectly. Spreading the ricotta on the toasted bread helps create a creamy layer that binds all the components together. Its subtle sweetness also balances out the earthiness of the mushrooms and the peppery arugula, making each bite feel indulgent without being too heavy.

Ricotta is an excellent choice for this dish because it’s mild enough not to overwhelm the other ingredients while still adding a rich creaminess. It’s also easy to work with and melts beautifully, especially when layered on warm toast.

The Arugula Salad: Fresh and Peppery

To add a refreshing contrast to the rich mushrooms and creamy ricotta, the arugula salad brings a burst of freshness and a peppery bite. Arugula (also known as rocket) has a slightly bitter flavor that provides a sharp, herbaceous note, perfectly balancing out the richness of the mushrooms and cheese. Tossed with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil, the arugula gets a slight tang and smoothness that complements the overall dish.

A pinch of salt brings out the natural flavors of the arugula, while the vinegar adds a subtle acidity that cuts through the creamy ricotta and sautéed mushrooms, preventing the dish from feeling too heavy. The lightness of the salad adds an extra layer of freshness, making the toast feel well-rounded and satisfying.

Assembling the Toast: A Beautiful Layering of Flavors

Once all the components are prepared, it’s time to assemble the toast. Start with a couple of slices of whole grain sourdough bread, toasted to a perfect golden crisp. The hearty, nutty flavor of the whole grain sourdough provides a solid base for all the toppings and adds a slight chewiness that contrasts nicely with the creamy ricotta and the sautéed mushrooms.

Spread a generous amount of ricotta cheese onto the toasted bread, making sure to cover the entire surface. Then, add the sautéed mushrooms on top, allowing their savory, umami-packed flavors to shine through. Finally, top the dish with the arugula salad, which will add color, texture, and a fresh burst of flavor to the whole plate. If desired, a sprinkle of chili flakes can be added for a touch of heat, giving the dish an extra kick.

Finish the toast with a garnish of fresh parsley for an extra burst of color and flavor. The parsley adds a light, herby freshness that enhances the overall dish and makes it even more appetizing.

Serving the Toast: A Perfect Meal

This Creamy Mushroom Toast is the perfect meal for a cozy breakfast, a light brunch, or a quick, satisfying lunch. It’s easy to make yet feels indulgent, offering a satisfying balance of creamy, savory, and fresh elements in each bite. The richness of the ricotta cheese, the earthiness of the mushrooms, and the peppery freshness of the arugula combine to create a complex and flavorful dish that’s perfect for mushroom lovers.

You can serve the toast as-is, or pair it with a side of roasted vegetables, a light soup, or a fresh fruit salad for a more complete meal. A cup of freshly brewed coffee, a refreshing herbal tea, or a crisp white wine would complement this dish wonderfully, making it ideal for a light, satisfying meal any time of day.

Conclusion

Creamy Mushroom Toast is a delightful, easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for those who appreciate the earthy richness of mushrooms and the smooth, mild creaminess of ricotta cheese. With the added freshness of arugula and the depth of flavor from the balsamic vinegar, this dish brings together a variety of textures and flavors that work beautifully together. Whether you’re making it for a leisurely weekend brunch or a quick lunch, it’s a dish that’s simple to prepare yet packed with flavor and elegance. It’s a perfect choice for anyone looking for a delicious vegetarian recipe that’s as satisfying as it is light and fresh.