Mushrooms in Schools Catering

Top 10 Catering Recipes to Wow

That time of year is coming! With the holidays drawing near, schools have an increase in catering requests for holiday parties, breakfasts/brunch, luncheons, and more!

If you are out of ideas, or need a new recipe, Mushrooms in Schools is here to provide you with side dishes, entrees, dessert, and the fan favorite “Build Your Own” recipe ideas.

“Build Your Own” (or BYO) is definitely at the top of any catering request because this style provides customers the ability to personalize their meal. Many common entree recipes can be used for a BYO, such as burgers, pasta, or pizza. Additionally, a BYO catering idea is easy on your budget because each recipe can go a long way. For example, if you are creating a BYO Pizza Station, then you could use the same pizza crust base for all pizza possibilities. What we love with BYO’s is that it serves all, vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian or even carnivores from the same line! This removes the dreaded “vegetarian option” from your menu.

Our Top 10 Catering Recipes starts with BYO because customers love to be creative and personalize their meal.

1. Burger Station

Show #MushroomLove with these tasty burger recipes. Add any of these recipes to your Burger Station for extra pizazz. Even consider using the toppings in the recipes for a unique take on a burger. Our favorite meatless burger is still our tasty portobello mushrooms!

Pro tip: Provide customers with burger combination ideas using station signage. [Need a template? Check here.]

Maitake Carolina Burger
- Beef and maitake Patties, benne seed bun, white cabbage slaw, mustard, and chili make this a top-notch burger.
Forestiere Burger
- This burger combines earthy portobello mushrooms, shallots, and garlic confit to create a satisfying, partly plant–based patty.
Huit-a-Burger
- Beef, button mushroom patty topped with huitlacoche queso fresco, avocado crema, crispy potatoes, cilantro & red onion on a bolillo bun.
Buffalo Chicken Blended Burger
- Oyster mushrooms have an uncanny resemblance to chicken in taste and texture, making them perfect for this take on buffalo chicken in a burger.

2. Taco Station

Let’s taco about a delicious catering meal – Taco Stations! The colors and variety from the recipes will bring life to your display. Taco Stations are an easy way to please individuals with allergies or cultural food avoidances without excluding them from the event.

Don’t forget – everyone loves queso!

Pro tip: Add Product Identifiers to each meat, grain, and topping offering that identifies allergens. [Don’t have any? We have you covered – click here.]

3. Breakfast!

If your client wants a morning feast for staff or students, a breakfast station is where it is. Similar to other BYO stations, variety and personalization is key for every participant.

A breakfast station menu could include eggs, sausages, sauteed mushrooms, waffles, or fruit. There are many combinations of grains, fruit, meat, and vegetable options to add a variety of flavors, colors, and tastes. A BYO omelet bar is fun and easily customizable to your in-house ingredients. Mushroom and Swiss omelet anyone?

But if you are looking to take breakfast up a notch add Breakfast Poutine to the lineup. Then try using hash browns or tater tots, instead of fries.

Pro tip: Consider on trend recipe ideas, this Power Breakfast Bowl.

4. Mushroom Stroganoff with Creme Fraiche

There’s nothing more satisfying than a homemade, seasonal favorite like Stroganoff. Try this tasty recipe to wow your customers. You can always serve Stroganoff over noodles, mashed potatoes, or with a roll. We see Stroganoff on many menus now, that 70’s classic is back with more flavor’s.

5. One-Pan Marsala-Inspired Chicken and Vegetables

Tender chicken thighs are coated in a delectable mushroom sauce that comes together in one pan, in mere minutes. This is a recipe all mushroom lovers must try!

6. Lasagna Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms

If you are offering lasagna for the catering meal, don’t forget those that may have a gluten intolerance or just simply want an on-trend option. These Lasagna Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms require less than 10 ingredients, naturally gluten free, and are ready in 20 minutes. Make your staff and customers happy!

7. Garlic Mashed Potato Bowl with Bacon and Roasted Mushrooms

Creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes meet with savory applewood smoked bacon and meaty mushrooms for an irresistible comfort classic. Serve on its own or alongside your favorite meatloaf or pork chop recipe.

Pro tip: Utilize this Mashed Potato Bowl recipe as inspiration for a BYO Mashed Potato Martini. While it sounds extra fancy, the only difference is serving the mashed potatoes in a martini glass and allowing customers to add their own toppings.

8. Quick Chicken and Mushroom Indian Curry

Need an on-trend catering recipe? Look no further.

9. Mushroom, Apple and Walnut Stuffed Acorn Squash

The savory stuffed squash is an easy accompaniment to a festive meal or appetizer menu. The meaty mushrooms add a beautiful texture to the stuffing, while the apples provide a layer of tartness and bite.

10. Roasted Mushroom & Wheat Berry Salad with Orange Curry Vinaigrette

This grain salad is bursting with the flavors of earthy mushrooms, nutty grains, and a hint of citrus. The salad adds a pop of color to any menu. Feel free to substitute any of your favorites grains for the wheat berries such as farro, pearled couscous, or brown rice.

Sweet Endings

Want to end your catering meal off right? Try this Umami Chocolate Panna Cotta, Maple Bacon Crisp. Umami rich mushrooms are steeped in rich chocolate then blended together for a smooth and creamy dessert topped with maple infused bacon crisps.

Mushrooms in Schools is here to help you with any school nutrition program. Visit our Sourcing and Procurement resources if you would like to add more mushrooms to your recipes.

Have more questions when it comes to catering recipes? We’re here to help! Email us at [email protected] and we’ll get right back to you. If you make any of these delicious mushroom recipes, please share your success with us. We always want to share #RealSchoolRecipes in our social media and on our web so please send in your recipes and photo’s too!

Happy Holidays from all of us, stay safe and healthy. Don’t forget to feed your immune system too!