This Ultimate Stuffed Artichoke Recipe is out of this world. Serve it for a scrumptious vegetarian first or main course. It’s great for sharing too, and is one of my favorite artichoke recipes ever! 
You know that restaurant you’d frequent with your friends when you were in high school?
Ours was Vittorio, and a group of us would go after school, during school (don’t tell my parents!), on the weekends, and we’d pick up take-out if we wanted to hang out at home.
All of us would order the greasy, herbed garlic rolls — all of us except for Aimée, that is. Why? Well, because Vittorio had one of the best artichoke recipes of all time on their menu — the garlicky-lemony, stuffed artichoke!
Stuffed artichokes are one of Aimée’s favorite things eat, and she truly adored this one. So much so, that she often reminisces about it and is always yearning for one.
After many years (no, I’m not telling how many), Vittorio is still open!
It doesn’t matter much to Aimée though, because the stuffed artichoke recipe disappeared from the menu when we were in college.
How dare they!
Aimée has been asking me to try to make her stuffed artichokes for years.
I’ve made a lot of artichoke recipes, but not one like this.
At long last, with notes from her, and the artichoke inspiration I got from my trip to Baroda Farms with Frieda’s, here it is!
The Ultimate Stuffed Artichoke
I think it’s really delicious — maybe the best stuffed artichoke ever, but Aimée will have to be the the judge as to whether or not it’s a good replica of the one she dreams about.
Let me just wet your appetite . . . .
Butter, garlic, shallots, lemon, bread and herbs!
How does that sound, all mixed together, between succulent, tender artichoke leaves?
Here’s hoping it makes its way to the top of her “artichoke recipes list!” Doesn’t everyone have a list like that?
These are Lyon artichokes in one of the fields at Baroda Farms.
I was so happy to be in these fields. Just look at how beautiful it is! Have you ever seen purple artichokes?
And whatever you do, don’t miss the Sangria field. You can check it out here.
And if you’re in the mood for a more simple artichoke preparation, here’s How to Grill Artichokes. 
I have no idea why it took me so long to make Aimée her stuffed artichokes, but I’m so happy I did, and I’m hoping this becomes one of your favorite artichoke recipes of all time too!
Enjoy every last leaf!
This Ultimate Stuffed Artichoke Recipe is packed with incredible, aromatic flavors and is out of this world. Serve it for a scrumptious vegetarian first or main course. And it's great for sharing too!
- 2 (approximately 1-pound) artichokes, washed and dried (Lyons if possible)
- juice of 3 lemons, divided (about 1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons shallots, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups fresh breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup Italian parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
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Fill a steamer pot with a few inches of water, and place a steamer basket on top. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. Turn the heat to low and let it simmer.
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Use a Chef's knife to cut off about 1-inch from the top of each artichoke, and enough off of the bottom to form a nice base. Remove any especially tough outer leaves and discard them. Then use kitchen scissors to cut off the sharp tips of the leaves.
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Using your hands, carefully pull the leaves away from the middle of the artichoke -- just enough so that you can see down to the choke. Now use a spoon to reach down and gently scrape away and discard all of the fuzz, to reveal a clean heart. (See above image.) This will take a bit of muscle, but must be done. Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice inside and over each one.
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Place the artichokes, stem-end up, in the steamer basket, cover, and steam until they are almost as tender as you like them, about 15 minutes. (They'll finish cooking in the oven.) Check for doneness by pulling off an outer leaf — it should come off fairly easily. Set them aside to cool.
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While the artichokes are steaming, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
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Melt the butter in a large sauté pan over low-medium heat. Let it simmer until it begins to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Pour in about 1/3 cup of lemon juice and the wine. Stir and let this simmer on low heat for about 4 minutes. Add the bread crumbs and parsley, stir to blend and remove from the heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper (here's how), and set aside to cool.
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Place the artichokes, sitting on their bases, in a baking dish.
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Use a spoon and/or your hands to carefully fill the center of each artichoke with the stuffing -- fill it to maximum capacity! Then fill all of the spaces between the leaves as much as possible. Sprinkle the top of each one with 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan.
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Place the stuffed artichokes in the preheated 375 degree F oven and bake until the breadcrumbs are golden and the cheese has melted, 15 to 20 minutes.
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I like serving these whole for sharing.
I’m sure that was one beautiful day trip. GREG
Food memories are the best! And with such a scrumptious artichoke recipe I’m sure you made Aimée very happy!
This looks wonderful. Eating what you sowed.
Thanks, Judy — looking forward to making this for your video! 🙂
Wow, that’s gorgeous! Who cares what it tastes like! 😉
Thank you, Adair! (It’s yummy!)
This looks amazing Valen. I can’t wait to try it. And I will be making it tonight, for sure. I was actually going to make your basil-cucumber soup, but that’ll have to wait another night.
I also think it’s funny that in my mind, Vitorrio’s was closed. You are exactly right, why bother once the artichoke was gone. I distinctly remember sitting at your parent’s table unwrapping it and promptly inhaling it.
thank you!!!!!!!!!!
Glorious!
Thanks, Sue! 🙂
Can you please work on the greasy, herbed garlic rolls too?
Nancy, you crack me up! 😀
Valentina, I’m putting these on the menu for Mother’s Day Brunch!
They’re gorgeous!
Wishing YOU a very happy Mom’s Day, too. xoxo
Isn’t brunch the best!? Enjoy every minute, mama! 🙂
Ok, I immediately went home and made this and it did not disappoint! Garlicky, lemony, buttery, artichokey deliciousness. Seriously well done Valen. It so hit the spot, and eating it even made me flash back to all those times in high school. Did I mention you’re the best? And this recipe is the best!
PHEW!! xoxo
I am just so grateful that Aimée kept at you to recreate these! Yum!
It’s good to have an Aimée in my life! 🙂
Thank you for great pictures and a wonderful recipe!
It’s on my to do list!
Have a wonderful DAY!
I hope you love it!! 🙂
This is gorgeous and making my mouth really water. If we don’t go out, I’m making these tonight!
Thank you, Rachel! Hope you enjoy! 🙂
Those garlic rolls are the reason I go to Vittorio.
Yes, soooo good. Those haven’t changed a bit since I was a kid. 🙂
Your recipes are the BEST but PLEASE include nutritional information so we can actually use the recipes!
Thank you!!
Hi Maria, thank you for visiting my site and for the compliment!
I’m sorry it’s frustrating that I don’t include the nutritional information — here’s a site I’ve used when I need to calculate that info —> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator
I hope this helps!
Warmly,
Valentina
I love Artichoke! But I haven’t eaten one in years. I am going to have to try this recipe really soon. I might make it for a surprise Mothers Day meal for my mama. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Hope you try and enjoy, Chrissie! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
It looks wonderful, but can anyone tell me how you eat it? I have heard you can’t eat the outer pieces?
Hi Charmon! You pull apart the leaves, and about half of each outer leaf is edible, tender and delicious! You put it in your mouth and sort of scrape the tender flesh off with your teeth. Then of course you can eat the heart with a fork and knife if you prefer — and any of the filling you don’t get in bites with the leaves, just scoop it up with a spoon or fork. You’ll be surprised when you’re done, as to how little is left. Hope you try it. Enjoy!
That’s the most beautiful stuffed artichoke ever! Love the story behind it, too 🙂
Hi, I’ve been making these exact Artichokes for the past 60 years. In my family, they are always on the table and all the little ones have learned to eat them properly (but messy). Thank you for keeping this glorious dish in view for others to discover.
And thank you for the lovely comment! How great that the little ones are eating them, too. Eating an artichoke is certainly a process — good for them! And what great palates they must have! 🙂 Love it!
I can’t wait to try your recipe! I was just talking with my (Italian) mother. She was preparing her artichokes but stuffs them with egg and meat as well. Her recipe is a lot of work, so I can’t wait to share this one with her. It looks gorgeous and brings back nice family memories!
Whenever I go to your site to check out a recipe from an email you’ve sent, I ALWAYS find at least one or two more I want to try. Can’t wait to try this recipe, and many others of yours. You inspire us!
Hi Becky, You totally just made my day! Thank you so much. 🙂 I hope you love this artichoke. I just made it last week for a family dinner. It never disappoints. 🙂 ~Valentina