
I whipped up this savory cheesecake one evening when I wanted to wow my friends with something unexpected. The combo of crunchy pistachios with mushrooms and the smooth cheese creates a flavor harmony that always impresses. Each bite reveals new layers - sometimes creamy, sometimes crispy. It's honestly become the showstopper at all my dinner parties.
What Makes This Dish Extra Special
This savory cheesecake came from my crazy idea to flip the traditional sweet version on its head. The crunchy pistachio and cheese base works perfectly with the silky mushroom filling. I bring it out for every gathering and my guests can't decide if they should enjoy it as an appetizer or main dish because it's so rich. It fits any part of the meal depending on what you fancy.
In My Kitchen
- Pistachios: Half cup of lovely pistachios that I crush into small pieces
- Feta: Quarter cup of my favorite smooth feta
- Parmesan: Quarter cup freshly grated
- Breadcrumbs: Half cup of fine breadcrumbs
- Butter: 2 tablespoons melted to bind my crust
- Mushrooms: 2 cups finely chopped
- Sour cream: Half cup nice and thick
- Cream cheese: 450g left out for an hour beforehand
- Eggs: 2 good farm-fresh eggs
- Garlic: 2 cloves finely diced
- Fresh thyme: A few sprigs for flavor
The Step-by-Step Method
- My crunchy base
- I start by warming my oven to 175°C. In a bowl I mix my crushed pistachios, crumbled feta, parmesan, breadcrumbs and my melted butter. I press this mixture firmly into my pan and pop it in the oven for 10 minutes.
- The tasty filling
- I cook my mushrooms with garlic in a pan until they release their moisture. Meanwhile I beat my cream cheese, add my sour cream, eggs and parmesan. Once the mushrooms cool down, I fold them into my mixture.
- The final assembly
- I pour my mixture over my golden crust. Into the oven it goes for 35-40 minutes until my cheesecake sets properly.
- The finishing touches
- I sprinkle fresh thyme and a few pistachio pieces before serving.
My Success Tips
I always take my ingredients out an hour before starting so they're at room temperature. I'm careful not to overmix my batter with the eggs or my cheesecake might crack. When I want to change things up, I add some Espelette pepper or herbs from Provence. The most important thing is letting it rest a bit before eating - the flavors will be so much better.

Serving Suggestions
I love pairing my cheesecake with a small arugula salad with lemon dressing. Grilled asparagus or pan-fried zucchini go wonderfully with it too. To make everything perfect, I always open a nice cold Chardonnay - its buttery notes match amazingly with the cheesecake flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can this be prepped ahead?
- Yes, make it the day before. Keep it in the fridge and let it sit 30 minutes at room temperature before serving!
- → Which mushrooms should I use?
- Button mushrooms work great, but wild mushrooms or a mix would add even more taste.
- → Can it be frozen?
- Freezing is not a good idea. The creamy texture and mushrooms won't hold up well after thawing.
- → How do I know it's cooked?
- When the edges are firm but the middle jiggles a bit when you gently shake the pan, you're good to go.
- → Can feta be swapped for another cheese?
- Sure, try salty ricotta or goat cheese. Just go for something flavorful that gives the base a nice kick!