Marsala Mushroom Sauce Recipe
A rich and savory Marsala sauce featuring sautéed mushrooms and onions in a creamy, wine-infused base. This versatile sauce is perfect for elevating chicken, veal, or pasta dishes with its delicate balance of flavors and smooth texture.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: About 1 1/2 cups (serves 4) 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Base Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Mushrooms and Seasoning
- 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Thickening and Flavor Components
- 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Marsala wine
- 1 cup low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Sauté aromatics: In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Sauté mushrooms: Add the sliced mushrooms and fresh thyme to the pan. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Sauté for about 7 minutes until the mushrooms are browned and tender.
- Simmer sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the mushroom mixture and stir continuously for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste. Pour in the Marsala wine and stir well to deglaze the pan. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes or until the wine is reduced by half. Then add the broth and Dijon mustard, bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 3 minutes.
- Thicken sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use low-sodium broth to better control the salt level.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer it a few minutes longer after adding the cream.
- Fresh thyme can be substituted with 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme if fresh is unavailable.
- Marsala wine can be replaced with dry sherry as a substitute.
- This sauce pairs wonderfully with chicken Marsala, veal, or pasta dishes.
Keywords: Marsala sauce, mushroom sauce, Italian sauce, creamy mushroom sauce, chicken Marsala sauce