Cheesy Pull-Apart Mushroom Sliders

I made some dinner rolls, and what better way to use those than to make some delicious, cheesy mushroom sliders? These are great to serve for game days, parties, or holidays. 

These pull-apart mushroom sliders are packed with deliciously browned mushrooms layered with garlicky spinach, and a variation of my mozzarella cream sauce. The buns are brushed with garlic butter, and then it all bakes in the oven so that the mozzarella cream heats up, thickens, and becomes cheesy and sticky. You can then pull the stuffed sliders apart for a delicious, cheesy experience.

These sliders are delicious and versatile! You can change up the flavors with different herbs that you like. For added protein, you can include sliced tofu with the mushrooms, or mix in some white beans, or add a layer of thinly-sliced vegan meat substitute.

Mushroom sliders are absolutely amazing with so many flavors and textures going on, and they require just a little bit of work. Just cook the mushrooms, then use the same pan to cook the spinach with garlic and pepper flakes(trust me this makes amazing spinach that you can use anywhere!). Blend up the mozzarella cream sauce, layer it all together, and bake. There’s no need to cook the mozzarella cream sauce ahead, because it will heat up and cook while the rolls are baking.

Enjoy pulling apart these cheesy, gooey, mushroom sliders for a delicious treat everyone will love!

Why You’ll Love Cheesy Mushroom Sliders

• perfect, decadent treat for game day, parties, or holidays
• super creamy, cheesy filling packed with mushrooms and garlicky spinach
• soft, fluffy rolls are so satisfying to pull apart and snack on!
• easy to make gluten-free, soy-free, and/or nut-free

Ingredients and Substitutions

• dinner rolls – You can make my fluffy dinner rolls or use store-bought ones. Gluten-free rolls are fine to use.
• oil or vegan butter – To sauté. You’ll also need vegan butter to make the garlic butter and butter or oil for brushing the rolls.
• veggies – You’ll need mushrooms, onion, and garlic for the mushroom mixture as well as garlic and spinach for the spinach mixture.
• salt, herbs and spices – To season the mushrooms, we are using black pepper and thyme, and you will need crushed red pepper flakes for the spinach. To season the cashew mozzarella cream, use nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and onion powder. For the garlic butter, use herbs of choice, like oregano or basil. You can use fresh or dried herbs in the garlic butter.
• balsamic vinegar – Adds a little sweetness and tang to the mushrooms.
• cashews – This is the base for the mozzarella cream. For nut-free, use silken tofu and hemp seeds instead.
• tapioca starch – Helps the mozzarella thicken and get that cheesy “pull”.
• lemon juice – Adds acidity to the cheese sauce.
• white miso – Adds cheesiness and umami to the sauce. Use chickpea miso for soy-free.

How to Make Spinach Mushroom Sliders

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil or butter. Mix in the onion, then add in the mushrooms and a good pinch of the salt, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the onions start to turn a little translucent.

Then, mix in the salt, pepper, thyme, and garlic. Continue to cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. You shouldn’t need to add any moisture, because the mushrooms will release a lot of moisture as they cook, but if the pan does dry out, add a splash of water.

Mix in the balsamic vinegar, reduce the heat to medium, cover the pan with the lid, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. You can add splashes of water if the pan is drying out too much. Remove these to a bowl and set aside.

In the same skillet, the heat oil. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for 15 to 20 seconds. Add the spinach and salt, mix and cover the pan, and cook for 3 to 4 more minutes, until the spinach no longer smells raw.

Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Blend the drained cashews, water, tapioca starch, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, miso, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth. I blend for a minute, then Let this mixture sit for 4 to 5 minutes, then blend again for 30 seconds. Check to see if the mixture has gotten completely smooth. If not, blend again for 30 seconds. 

Melt the vegan butter in a bowl in the microwave or on a skillet, and mix in garlic and herbs. Set this aside, as well.

Preheat oven to 400°F (205° C), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Slice the dinner rolls in half, and place the bottom halves on the baking sheet. Brush the bottom rolls with olive oil or butter (optional), then layer the mushrooms evenly on top. I like to keep the mushrooms a little thicker on the edges to help keep the cheese mixture in so that doesn’t completely flow off of the rolls. 

Combine the mozzarella cream with the spinach and spread that all over the mushrooms.

Place the top halves of the rolls, brush them generously with the garlic butter, and cover  the mushroom sliders with parchment or foil. If you’re using parchment, tuck it under so that it doesn’t lift up in the oven.

Bake covered for 15 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until the tops are nicely golden and the cheese is bubbling and getting thick. Remove from the oven, let the mushroom sliders sit for a minute or so, then garnish with fresh herbs, and serve warm.

What to Serve with Mushroom Sliders

These are great as part of a party spread! Serve them with more finger foods, like jalapeño popper pinwheels, French onion dip, tofu wings, and Nashville hot cauliflower bites.