Italian Stuffed Artichokes
Italian Stuffed Artichokes- just 8 ingredients to make this simple yet classic appetizer. Vegan and gluten-free option.
I’m ridiculously excited about today’s recipe.
Partly because I didn’t have to lift a finger to prepare it but mostly because it comes from my favorite person ever.
I have a tendency to complain vent to Brandon about how time consuming the blog is because as much as I love it, keeping up with it on top of a full-time job leaves me with almost no time to just kick back and relax. Honestly, if I were him, I would tell me to put a lid on it. No one is forcing me to do it. It’s completely self-inflicted.
Thankfully he’s much sweeter than I am and offers me endless amounts of encouragement and support. On top of that, he was even sympathetic enough to volunteer to do a guest post for me to help relieve some of my stress. Seriously, how did I get so lucky?
I left him to do the whole thing himself but he ended-up needing a little help with the photography. Apparently it’s not as easy as it looks.
He also had originally planned on writing the post for me but because he unexpectedly had to go in to work today, you’ll have to put up with me again.
So let me tell what I know about these artichokes. First off, artichokes are scary looking, right? Even though Brandon and I are both from Italian descent, my family never bothered with the whole artichoke. Actually it wasn’t until meeting Brandon that I learned people eat the entire thing.
They’re a tradition in his family and he’s made them almost every year that we’ve been together, which is eight and half…but who’s counting?
Even though they look scary, they’re actually fairly easy to prepare. After removing the stem and cutting off the tips of any thorny leaves with scissors, you steam them for about thirty minutes.
Once they’re done steaming, you remove them from the pot, press down on the center with your thumb so that it spreads open like a flower, and fill it with stuffing {lemon, olive oil, breadcrumbs and seasonings} before baking for 10 minutes.
Then voila! A perfectly tender artichoke awaits you.
By the way, if you’ve never eaten an artichoke, it takes an immense amount of patience. For me, at least.
I like to inhale my food but you are forced to take your time and savor each and every leaf before getting to the best part…the heart!
We didn’t take pictures of the heart but trust me when I say that it will blow you away. Eating a fresh, juicy artichoke heart is so much better than the ones that have been sitting in a jar for who knows how long.
Italian Stuffed Artichokes
Yield: 4
Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 40
Total Time: 55

Ingredients:
- 4 whole artichokes
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups seasoned Italian breadcrumbs (gluten-free, if necessary)
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt & pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 lemons
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan or asiago cheese
Directions:
Cut stems off the bottom of each artichoke so that they are able to stand straight up on their own. Using kitchen scissors, cut off any thorny tips of the leaves. Place all four of them in a large pot filled with just enough water to cover a half-inch of the bottoms of each artichoke. Bring to a boil then cover with a lid and steam for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine the breadcrumbs, minced garlic, salt & pepper and herbs in a medium-sized bowl. Preheat the oven to 300°F.
When artichokes are done steaming, remove from the heat and allow to cool. Remove from the pot and place on a lined baking sheet then press down on the center of each so that they spread open like a flower. Drizzle each one with the olive oil (about 1/2 tablespoon for each) then squeeze the juice from half a lemon in each. Fill each one with 1/2 cup of breadcrumb mixture and top with shredded cheese. Bake in the oven for ten minutes, until cheese is light golden brown, then serve.
Did you try this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out by leaving a comment below or sharing a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #makingthymeforhealth. I love hearing your feedback!
omg omg omg omg <–this is me freaking out over this recipe. I am OBSESSED with artichokes. Seriously I could down a pound of them in an impressive amount of time. I have mastered the artichoke bite and pull. Tell Brandon he makes a great hand model :)
Fabulous photos! So sweet that Brandon is so supportive of the blog :)
I love artichokes! And actually have been looking for a recipe like this, perfect timing. Also how sweet he is?!?
Wow what a guy!! Tell him he can help with my blog anyyyyytime haha. And no, I’ve never eaten a whole artichoke….I don’t even think I knew you could do that haha learn something new every day I suppose!
Artichokes are one of those foods I look at in the grocery store like: weee I should buy these and make them, they look so fun! and then immediately realize I have absolutely no idea what to do with them. Now I do, thanks to Brandon!
Girl, you are so lucky! My husband’s idea of “cooking” is putting pizza rolls in the toaster oven. I haven’t had a whole artichoke in ages. Those look amazing!!
I’ve never had a full artichoke before. This recipe certainly makes me want to test it out! It looks delicious. Thanks to you and your man for teaming up for this delightful post. Happy Monday!
Firstly, Brandon is such a sweetheart for preparing this recipe for you (you definitely have a keeper!). Secondly, these stuffed artichokes look absolutely amazing! I’ve always been intimidated by them, but I really need to just get over it and get some because some I’m having a major craving!
Ive never even heard of this, but it sounds really good. I have to admit, I’m pretty intimidated by whole artichokes, but this doesn’t look to terribly hard!
I never realized that making artichokes was so simple! They are definitely one of those intimidating foods, in my opinion. These look so easy and delicious, I may have to convince my family to buy me some artichokes soon.
What a guy! This recipe sounds fantastic :)
Oh my gosh, I love that he made this for you and volunteered to do a guest post! So sweet : ) My husband will offer to do dishes, that type of thing but he won’t actually cook anymore. Funny since he used to be way better than me!
And this recipe of course sounds delicious!
Umm… I LOVE artichokes but have never topped it with more than butter or olive oil! I love the idea of topping it with parmesan and bread crumbs. Tell your little Branmuffin thanks for the recipe! :)
I am the same way with my Brandon… always complaining about how time consuming the blog is, but I love it way too much to stop writing! And I am glad you do too because this recipe looks amazing per usual!
Artichokes are so photogenic! Who knew? Cute nickname for Brandon, by the way. I’d love to see Joe on my blog but I think everyone already knows how to make toast ;)
Aww Brandon is the best. I don’t know what Grant would make if I asked him to guest post. Pizza maybe? Or an egg sandwich? Haha. This looks amazing though! I have only had artichokes a handful of times.. but this is making me want to revisit them!!
Awww yay, a recipe from your fiancé! How neat. I highly doubt I’ll ever be posting a recipe from my hubby because he has limited skills in the kitchen haha and I love stuffing artichokes Italian-style!
Gah I love artichokes but whole ones make me so nervous to make and eat!
I realized after posting this that I probably should have a tutorial on how to eat them too. I usually have him do all the hard parts for me.
This is awesome! So cool Brandon did this for you! :)
I’ve never tried to make or cook whole artichokes like this before but I’ve always meant to.
Mmm!! My husband loves artichokes, so I will have to pass this along!! Great photos as usual!
LOVE artichokes. I grew up with them having my dad make them all the time. I was shocked when David came over for dinner one night at my parents house and didn’t know how to eat one. We all thought he was joking until he stuck the whole leaf in his mouth and started chewing. It’s one of our most favorite memories of him — haha. I’ve never had one done like this, so next time I make them I’ll have to try it. Good job to your branmuffin!
That is hilarious! I probably would have done the same thing if Brandon didn’t show me how ahead of time.
I hear ya girl. I also have a full-time job on top of the blog, and it’s hard work!! Sometimes I wonder if I’m mad. Ha! But it’s all worth it. And I’m glad you keep going, because I love your recipes! These artichokes remind me of my favorite appetizer at our go-to Italian restaurant, yum!!!! Give your man a pat on the back from me. ;)
What a great idea!! These look so cute and fun!! Thanks for sharing!! YUM
Aww Brandon is the sweetest! And he’s a great cook too!
I’ve never cooked the whole artichoke (yeah, I fear them!), but yours came out so good-looking that I’m now eager to give them a try ;-)
You did get lucky, girl! What a sweetie. I feel the same way about the blog sometimes… I start to think its not for me because I’m too busy with my real (i.e. paying) job but every time I have 5 minutes to spare here I am… lol that must tell us something right ;)
This recipe brings back a wonderful childhood memory. My best friends Grandma taught us how to make these. The artichokes were delicious and I certainly will be making these soon. Thanks for the inspiration!
Isn’t it so neat how food can transport us back in time? I love that. I hope you enjoy them, Eileen! :)