Roasted Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears with Walnuts (Print Version)
Discover how to make elegant Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears. A delightful appetizer combining sweet pears, tangy blue cheese, and crunchy walnuts.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: European
Dietary: Vegetarian
# Ingredients:
→ Base Ingredients
01 -
2 firm pears (like Bosc or Anjou), halved and cored
02 -
4 oz blue cheese, crumbled (Gorgonzola or Roquefort)
03 -
1/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
→ Flavor Boosters
04 -
2 tbsp honey or maple syrup, plus extra for drizzling
05 -
1 tbsp olive oil
→ Seasonings
06 -
Pinch of salt
07 -
Pinch of black pepper
→ Finishing Touches
08 -
4-6 fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish
09 -
Optional: Balsamic glaze, for drizzling
# Instructions:
01 -
Okay, first things first, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Then, grab your pears. I usually cut them in half lengthwise and use a small spoon or a melon baller to scoop out the core and a bit of the flesh, creating a little hollow for our cheesy goodness. Don't scoop too much, or your pears will be too thin and might fall apart! I once got a bit aggressive and nearly went through the bottom. Rookie mistake, learn from me! What you want are sturdy, pear-shaped cups.
02 -
Next, arrange those pear halves, cut-side up, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. A little drizzle of olive oil over each, maybe a tiny pinch of salt and pepper. This step is about getting them slightly tender before they meet their cheesy fate. Pop them into the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes. You're looking for them to just start softening, not turn into mush. I always set a timer, because honestly, I get distracted easily and those pears can go from perfect to overcooked in a flash!
03 -
While the pears are having their solo roast, it’s time for the star of the show: the filling! In a small bowl, crumble your blue cheese. Add the toasted walnuts, chopped roughly, and a good drizzle of honey or maple syrup. Give it a gentle mix. You want it combined, but still a bit crumbly, not a paste. This mixture smells so good, I often have to restrain myself from just eating it with a spoon. The tang of the cheese, the sweetness, the crunch—it's a symphony!
04 -
Carefully pull those semi-roasted pears from the oven. Now for the fun part! Spoon the blue cheese and walnut mixture generously into the hollow of each pear half. Don't be shy; load 'em up! Once they're stuffed, give them another light drizzle of honey over the top. This extra bit of sweetness will caramelize beautifully and make them look extra inviting. This is where I sometimes make a mess, getting cheese everywhere, but hey, that's just part of the charm, right?
05 -
Slide those gorgeous stuffed pears back into the oven for another 10-15 minutes, or until the blue cheese is melty and bubbly and the pears are tender. You'll see the edges of the cheese get slightly browned, and the honey will be bubbling. The whole kitchen will smell incredible – a warm, sweet, savory aroma that just makes you want to cozy up. Keep an eye on them; ovens can be quirky, and you don’t want that cheese to burn.
06 -
Once they're golden and gooey, carefully remove the Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears from the oven. I like to let them cool for just a few minutes so they're easier to handle and the cheese isn't lava-hot. Garnish with a few fresh thyme sprigs – it adds such a lovely pop of color and freshness. Sometimes, I add a tiny swirl of balsamic glaze, too. Serve them warm. Watching friends' faces light up when they take that first bite? That's the best part, honestly!
# Notes:
01 -
Don't over-roast the pears in the first step; they should still have some firmness.
02 -
Use good quality blue cheese; it truly makes all the difference in flavor.
03 -
Toast your walnuts! It adds incredible depth and crunch to the Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears.
04 -
A tiny pinch of red pepper flakes in the filling adds a subtle, surprising kick.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
Baking sheet
02 -
parchment paper
03 -
small mixing bowl
04 -
spoon or melon baller
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 320 kcal
Total Fat: 22 g
Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
Protein: 9 g