Mushroom Goat Cheese Tarts Recipe

Flaky Mushroom Goat Cheese Tarts Recipe: A Savory Delight

Delicate pastry shells cradle a dreamy mushroom goat cheese tarts combination that whispers of rustic elegance.

Earthy mushrooms dance with tangy goat cheese in these irresistible mini tarts.

Golden-brown edges promise a crisp texture that melts in your mouth.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of rich, creamy cheese and woodland-inspired mushroom flavors.

The tarts showcase a simple yet sophisticated approach to appetizers that will impress even the most discerning palate.

Casual enough for a weeknight dinner yet elegant for entertaining, these tarts bring gourmet flair to your table.

Prepare to fall in love with this effortlessly chic culinary creation.

Mushroom Goat Cheese Tarts: What Makes Them Unique

  • Whip Up Quickly: These tarts come together in a flash, perfect for busy home cooks wanting a gourmet-style appetizer without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Impress Guests Easily: Elegant and sophisticated, these mushroom goat cheese tarts look like they're from a fancy restaurant but are simple enough for anyone to make.
  • Customize with Ease: Swap herbs, try different mushroom varieties, or adjust cheese types to match your taste preferences and what's in your refrigerator.
  • Versatile Party Pleaser: Great for cocktail parties, brunch gatherings, or as an elegant starter that will wow friends and family with minimal effort.

Everything for Savory Mushroom Goat Cheese Tarts

Pastry Base:
  • Puff Pastry Squares: Delicate and flaky base for the tarts that provides a crisp foundation.
Vegetable Mixture:
  • Shallots, Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that create a flavorful base for the tart filling.
  • Mushrooms: Earthy and rich vegetable that adds depth and texture to the tart.
  • Fresh Herbs: Adds brightness and complementary flavor to the mushroom mixture.
Cheese and Binding Ingredients:
  • Goat Cheese: Creamy and tangy cheese that provides richness to the tart filling.
  • Additional Cheese: Helps to bind and create a smooth, melted texture in the filling.
  • Parsley: Fresh herb that adds color and a light, fresh note to the tart.
Finishing Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and adding moisture.
  • White Wine: Adds depth and helps deglaze the pan while cooking vegetables.
  • Egg: Creates a golden, glossy finish when brushed on the pastry.

Instructions for Baking Goat Cheese Tarts

Step 1: Prepare Pastry Base

Grab your puff pastry squares and place them on baking sheets.

Gently poke small holes across the surface using a fork to prevent excessive puffing during baking.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Toss in finely chopped shallots and minced garlic, allowing them to become fragrant and translucent.

Add sliced mushrooms and fresh herbs:
  • Cremini mushrooms
  • Thyme leaves
  • Rosemary sprigs

Cook the mixture for 2-3 minutes until mushrooms release their moisture.

Pour in white wine and continue cooking for 4-5 minutes until liquid reduces and vegetables become tender.

Step 3: Create Creamy Cheese Mixture

Combine the sautéed vegetable mixture with:
  • Soft goat cheese
  • Cream cheese
  • Chopped fresh parsley

Stir until cheeses melt and ingredients blend smoothly into a rich, cohesive filling.

Step 4: Assemble Tart Shells

Spread the cheese and mushroom mixture evenly across pastry squares.

Fold or crimp edges for a rustic look.

Brush pastry edges with beaten egg for a golden, glossy finish.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place tarts in preheated oven and bake until pastry turns a beautiful golden brown and edges become crisp, approximately 25-30 minutes.

Let cool slightly before serving for maximum flavor and texture.

Top Tricks for Mushroom Tart Fans

  • Use a fork to create small holes in the pastry squares, preventing them from puffing up too much during baking.
  • Choose a dry white wine like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to enhance the mushroom's earthy flavor without overpowering the dish.
  • Mix goat cheese while still warm to ensure smooth, creamy texture and even distribution throughout the tart filling.
  • Chop parsley just before adding to preserve maximum flavor and bright green color in the final dish.
  • Apply egg wash gently with a pastry brush for a glossy, golden-brown crust that looks professionally finished.

Tart Variations for Every Occasion

  • Vegan Veggie Tart: Replace goat cheese with cashew cream, use plant-based puff pastry, swap mushrooms for roasted seasonal vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free puff pastry or almond flour-based crust, maintain original mushroom and herb flavor profile.
  • Mediterranean Fusion: Substitute wine with lemon juice, add kalamata olives, swap parsley for fresh mint, use feta instead of goat cheese.
  • Protein-Packed Version: Incorporate crumbled bacon or diced chicken, add sautéed spinach, keep the original mushroom base for extra nutrition.

Serving Ideas for Goat Cheese Tarts

  • Rustic Dinner Companion: Pair these tarts with a crisp green salad dressed in light vinaigrette for refreshing contrast.
  • Elegant Appetizer Approach: Serve small cut portions as sophisticated party bites during cocktail gatherings or wine nights.
  • Wine Pairing Perfection: Select a medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio that complements the earthy mushroom and tangy goat cheese flavors.
  • Garnish Garden: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or thyme on top just before serving to add bright color and extra herbal notes.

The Best Way to Store Mushroom Tarts

  • Store cooled tarts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap each tart individually in plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent moisture buildup.
  • Tarts can be frozen before or after baking. Place cooled, uncooked tarts on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags. Frozen unbaked tarts will keep for 1 month; baked tarts last up to 2 weeks.
  • Warm refrigerated tarts in a preheated oven at 350F for 10-12 minutes to restore crispy pastry texture. Avoid microwave reheating, which can make the crust soggy.

FAQs

  • What type of mushrooms work best for this recipe?

Cremini, shiitake, or a mix of wild mushrooms provide the most robust flavor and interesting texture for these tarts.

  • Do I need to pre-cook the pastry before adding filling?

Yes, partially pre-baking the pastry by poking holes and baking briefly helps prevent a soggy bottom and ensures a crisp crust.

  • Can I make these tarts ahead of time?

You can prepare the mushroom filling and pastry base in advance, then assemble and bake just before serving to maintain the crisp pastry texture.

  • Is there a vegetarian wine alternative for deglazing?

If you prefer not to use wine, vegetable broth or mushroom stock works well to deglaze the pan and add depth to the mushroom mixture.

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Mushroom Goat Cheese Tarts Recipe

Mushroom Goat Cheese Tarts Recipe


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4.6 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Savory Mushroom Goat Cheese Tarts blend earthy woodland flavors with creamy French-inspired elegance. Delicate pastry shells cradle herbed goat cheese and caramelized mushrooms, promising a sophisticated small plate you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 10 puff pastry squares (4-inch)
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) mushrooms, sliced
  • 4 ounces (113 grams) goat cheese
  • 1/4 cup (59 milliliters) parmesan cheese

Aromatics and Herbs:

  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup (7.5 grams) parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon sage
  • 1/4 teaspoon thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon rosemary

Liquids and Extras:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
  • 1/4 cup (59 milliliters) white wine
  • 1 egg for wash

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and position racks in the middle. Lay out puff pastry squares on baking sheets, carefully puncturing small holes across the surface with a fork to prevent excessive rising.
  2. In a skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat. Sauté finely chopped shallots and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, approximately 2 minutes.
  3. Add sliced mushrooms and fresh thyme to the skillet, stirring frequently. Cook until mushrooms release their moisture and begin to caramelize, about 4-5 minutes.
  4. Pour white wine into the skillet, allowing the liquid to reduce and concentrate the flavors. Continue cooking until the mixture appears slightly thickened and most liquid has evaporated.
  5. Remove skillet from heat and incorporate crumbled goat cheese, cream cheese, and chopped parsley. Gently fold ingredients until cheeses melt and create a smooth, cohesive filling.
  6. Distribute the mushroom-cheese mixture evenly across pastry squares, leaving a small border around the edges. Fold or crimp pastry edges for a rustic presentation.
  7. Brush exposed pastry edges with beaten egg wash to ensure a golden, glossy finish during baking.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through, until pastry turns a rich, amber-brown color and appears crisp and flaky.

Notes

  • Customize Pastry Use store-bought puff pastry or homemade dough for personalized texture and flavor variations.
  • Balance Flavors Select mushroom varieties like shiitake or cremini to add depth and earthy complexity to the tart.
  • Cheese Flexibility Substitute goat cheese with feta or blue cheese for different taste profiles and dietary preferences.
  • Wine Alternatives Replace wine with vegetable broth or mushroom stock if avoiding alcohol, maintaining rich umami essence.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Nathaniel Brooks

Nathaniel Brooks

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Culinary storytelling

Education

Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, IN
Culinary Arts / Hospitality Administration & Events
Focused on hands-on training in classical and modern culinary techniques. ​


Nathaniel’s story starts in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where farm stands, backyard gardens, and old family recipes shaped his love for real food. After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, he spent years working in farm-to-table kitchens, learning how to turn local, seasonal ingredients into something memorable.
Today, Nathaniel pours that same spirit into every single recipe on Aspiring Culinarian – recipes that feel real, comforting, and connected to the land. When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him foraging wild herbs, chasing sunsets with his camera, or writing about the flavors that shaped his roots.

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