Step 1: Prep the Portobello Mushrooms

1. Clean the Mushrooms: Gently wipe the mushroom caps with a damp paper towel to remove any dirt. Avoid rinsing them under water as mushrooms tend to absorb liquid, which can make them soggy when baked.
2. Remove the Stems and Gills: Using a spoon, carefully scrape out the gills from the underside of each mushroom cap. While the gills are edible, removing them creates more space for your pizza toppings and helps prevent excess moisture from making the pizza soggy.
3. Brush with Olive Oil: Lightly brush both sides of the mushroom caps with olive oil to help them roast evenly and prevent sticking. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 2: Preheat the Oven and Bake the Mushrooms

1. Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil.
2. Bake the Mushrooms: Place the mushroom caps, gill-side up, on the baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes. This pre-bake step helps release some of the excess moisture from the mushrooms, ensuring your pizzas don’t turn out watery.
3. Remove from Oven: After the initial bake, carefully blot any excess moisture from the mushrooms with a paper towel.

Step 3: Assemble Your Pizzas

1. Add Pizza Sauce: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce into each mushroom cap, spreading it evenly.
2. Layer on the Cheese: Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce—about ¼ cup per mushroom. Feel free to add more cheese if you’re a cheese lover!
3. Add Toppings: Top with your favorite pizza toppings. For this recipe, we’re using halved cherry tomatoes and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, but you can get creative! Add pepperoni, olives, onions, bell peppers, or even some fresh spinach for a veggie-loaded option.

Step 4: Bake Until Melty and Delicious

1. Return to Oven: Place the topped mushrooms back in the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
2. Optional Broil: If you want an extra crispy, browned top, turn on the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye on the pizzas so they don’t burn!

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

1. Add Fresh Garnishes: Remove the pizzas from the oven and let them cool for a minute. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little kick.
2. Serve Hot: Serve immediately while the cheese is still melty and the mushrooms are warm. Enjoy these as a main dish, snack, or appetizer!