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Home » Recipes » Sauces & Dressings

Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Modified: Mar 7, 2024 · Published: Jun 3, 2021 by Heather · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 881 words. · About 5 minutes to read this article.

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Creamy mushroom sauce is a rich and savory sauce that's perfect for topping steak, chicken, or mashed potatoes. It's made with plenty of mushrooms, plus garlic and a hint of parmesan cheese.

Creamy mushroom sauce in a saute pan with a spoon.

You'll want to keep this creamy mushroom sauce recipe in your back pocket. It's the perfect way to add tons of flavor to your next meal!

This rich, flavorful sauce is filled with sliced mushrooms, garlic, herbs, and a hint of parmesan cheese. It's made with simple ingredients and comes together on the stove top in less than 20 minutes.

Drizzle over beef tenderloin, toss with pasta, or swap out the gravy on your mashed potatoes - the options are endless! You'll want to pour this mushroom sauce over everything.

Ingredients and substitutions

Ingredients on a countertop.
  • Butter - I recommend using unsalted butter so that you can better control the amount of salt in the recipe.
  • Seasoning - Salt, pepper, and thyme enhance the flavor of the sauce and add a mild, savory flavor.
  • Garlic - Adds flavor to the sauce. I don't recommend omitting it. Garlic could be substituted with minced onion if desired.
  • Mushrooms - White or brown button mushrooms can be used in this recipe.
  • Heavy cream - A must to make this sauce. Using a thinner dairy product, like milk, will result in a very thin sauce.
  • Parmesan cheese - Adds savory, salty flavor to the sauce without making it overly cheesy. Parmesan must be freshly grated from a block, not pre-shredded or from a green canister. Pre-shredded cheeses are coated in anti-clumping powders that can make your sauce grainy when melted.
  • Beef broth - I recommend beef broth for best flavor, especially when serving it alongside a beef main course, like beef tenderloin or filet mignon. Chicken broth pairs well with poultry main dishes.

Tips and tricks

Making creamy mushroom sauce in a saute pan.

Thickening your sauce - Your mushroom sauce doesn't contain any thickening agents, like flour or cornstarch, and will look quite thin while cooking. Once you've added your heavy cream, you'll reduce the sauce for several minutes. The addition of parmesan cheese not only adds a savory, salty flavor, but also helps to thicken the sauce slightly. A few minutes off the heat and your sauce will thicken even more.

Sauce look thin? - Keep reducing your sauce until it is thickened to your liking. Make sure you're using heavy cream and not a lower fat dairy product like milk.

A little goes a long way - This sauce is very rich and flavorful. Serve your next steak with a spoonful or two of sauce on top.

Frequently asked questions

Close up of creamy mushroom sauce in a saute pan with a spoon.
How do you thicken creamy mushroom sauce?

This recipe doesn't include any thickening agents like flour or cornstarch. Instead, we'll be reducing, or cooking down, the sauce in a sauté pan. The addition of heavy cream and parmesan cheese both help create a thick, creamy sauce. I don't recommend omitting or substituting either of these ingredients.

Can mushroom sauce be frozen?

Cream based sauces don't freeze and thaw well, so I don't recommend freezing this recipe.

Is creamy mushroom sauce gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is gluten-free as written.

What does creamy mushroom sauce taste like?

Creamy mushroom sauce has an earthy, savory flavor. The main notes are mushrooms, garlic, and thyme. The texture is silky, smooth, and rich.

What can I use creamy mushroom sauce for?

Here are the most popular ways to use mushroom sauce:
- Spoon over your favorite protein, like filet mignon or beef tenderloin.
- Toss in your favorite pasta. This amount of sauce will coat 8 ounces of pasta.
- Pour over mashed potatoes as a gravy.
- Pour over roasted or steamed veggies.

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📖 Recipe

Creamy mushroom sauce in a saute pan with a spoon.
Print Recipe
4.80 from 5 reviews

Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Creamy mushroom sauce is a rich and savory sauce that's perfect for topping steak, chicken, or mashed potatoes. It's made with plenty of mushrooms, plus garlic and a hint of parmesan cheese.
Prep Time5 minutes minutes
Cook Time8 minutes minutes
Resting Time5 minutes minutes
Total Time18 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 161kcal
Author: Heather

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 8 ounces button mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 ounces beef broth
  • 8 ounces heavy cream
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
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Instructions

  • In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add sliced mushrooms and cook until lightly browned, about 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds.
  • Add beef broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze, about 30 seconds. Add heavy cream, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  • Bring sauce to a simmer and reduce heat to medium-low, stirring occasionally, until sauce reduces slightly and begins to thicken, about 3-4 minutes. Add parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
  • Remove pan from heat and allow to set for 5 minutes to thicken slightly. This sauce is very rich and on the thin side. A little goes a long way!
  • Drizzle a few spoonfuls of sauce over prepared steaks, pour over mashed potatoes, or toss with pasta (add additional salt and pepper to taste), and serve immediately.

Equipment Recommendations

  • Stainless Steel Skillet
  • OXO Metal Balloon Whisk
  • OXO Good Grips Flat Whisk
  • Pyrex Liquid Measuring Cups

Notes

  • This sauce will serve 8-10 when spooned over protein, like steak, chicken, or pork chops. A little goes a long way! 
  • When tossed with pasta, this recipe serves about 3-4.
  • This sauce pairs well with any lightly seasoned main course, like prepared chicken or steak. If tossing in unseasoned pasta or veggies, add additional salt and pepper to taste. 

Nutrition Estimate

Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 242mg | Potassium: 131mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 575IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American

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Heather of The Toasty Kitchen

Hi, I'm Heather!

I love cooking with simple, everyday ingredients and want to help you make homemade meals with ease.

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