Can I use other types of mushrooms for this recipe?

Absolutely! While button or cremini mushrooms work perfectly, this recipe shines with a mix of mushroom varieties. Try adding some shiitake, oyster, or portobello mushrooms for different textures and deeper flavors. Just make sure to adjust cooking times slightly, as some wild mushrooms cook faster than others.

How can I make this recipe lighter without losing the creamy texture?

You can substitute half-and-half or light cream for the heavy cream. Another option is to use 1 cup of heavy cream combined with 1/2 cup of chicken broth for a lighter sauce that still maintains creaminess. The sauce won't be quite as thick, but you can add a bit more of the cornstarch slurry to compensate.

I don't drink alcohol - what can I use instead of white wine?

Chicken or vegetable broth makes an excellent substitute for white wine. For added acidity and complexity similar to wine, add a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice or a splash of white wine vinegar to the broth. This helps deglaze the pan and adds that slight tang that wine provides.

Why did my cream sauce separate or curdle?

Cream sauces typically separate when exposed to high heat or when acid (like from tomatoes) is added to cold cream. To prevent this, make sure to keep your heat low when adding the cream, and bring cream to room temperature before adding it to the pan. Also, make sure your cream hasn't expired, as older cream tends to curdle more easily.

Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Mushrooms Recipe

Name: Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Mushrooms Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons salted butter; 4 cloves garlic, finely diced; 21 ounces mushrooms, washed and dried with paper towel; 1 small onion, chopped; 1/2 cup white wine (optional); 5 oz sun-dried tomato strips, jarred in oil (reserve 1 tablespoon of the jarred oil for cooking); 1 1/2 cups heavy cream (see notes for substitutes); Salt, to taste; Pepper, to taste; 3 cups baby spinach leaves, washed; 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese; 1 teaspoon cornstarch (mix with 1 tablespoon water for a thicker sauce); 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs; 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

This Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Mushrooms recipe is a restaurant-quality dish that you can make in your own kitchen in just 25 minutes! Rich, velvety cream sauce envelops perfectly sautéed mushrooms, complemented by wilted spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It’s an incredibly versatile dish that works as a main course or spectacular side, perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Indulgent: Just 25 minutes from start to finish for a dish that tastes like it came from a high-end Italian restaurant.
Versatile: Works beautifully as a main dish over pasta or as a spectacular side dish alongside your favorite protein.
Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of mushrooms, garlic, and cream creates a dish that even mushroom skeptics will devour.
Low-Carb Friendly: Perfect for those following keto or low-carb diets when served over cauliflower mash or zucchini noodles.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Mushrooms: The star of the show, providing meaty texture and absorbing all those amazing flavors. Use cremini, button, or a mix of wild mushrooms for more complexity.
Butter: Creates the rich foundation for our sauce. The slight saltiness balances the cream perfectly.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic brings that aromatic punch that makes this dish irresistible.
Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to balance the richness of other ingredients.
Sun-dried tomatoes: Packed with intense, concentrated flavor that cuts through the creaminess. The oil they’re packed in adds extra flavor when reserved and used in cooking.
Heavy cream: Provides luxurious richness and forms the base of our velvety sauce.
White wine: Optional but recommended – adds acidity and complexity while helping to deglaze the pan and incorporate all those flavorful browned bits.
Spinach: Wilts perfectly into the sauce, adding color, nutrients, and a slight earthiness.
Parmesan cheese: Fresh grated is best – it melts beautifully and adds that nutty, salty finish that brings everything together.
Italian herbs: Infuses the dish with classic Tuscan flavor.
Cornstarch slurry: Optional thickening agent if you prefer a more substantial sauce consistency.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Switch Up Your Greens

Swap spinach for kale or arugula – kale adds heartiness and stands up well to the cream sauce, while arugula brings a peppery kick.

Make It Protein-Packed

Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or Italian sausage to transform this into a complete one-pan meal.

Dairy-Free Version

Substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and nutritional yeast for Parmesan to create a dairy-free alternative that still maintains richness.

Extra Veggies

Add roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, or sautéed zucchini for more color, texture, and nutrition.

How to Make Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Mushrooms

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds (be careful not to burn it).

Step 2: Cook the Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Mushrooms

Add the sun-dried tomatoes along with a tablespoon of their oil to the pan and cook for about 2 minutes to release their flavors. Add the mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes until they begin to brown and release their moisture.

Step 3: Deglaze the Pan

Pour in the white wine (if using) and let it simmer until reduced by half, about 2-3 minutes. Use your spoon to scrape up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 4: Create the Cream Sauce

Reduce heat to low-medium, add the heavy cream, and bring to a gentle simmer while stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Wilt the Spinach and Finish the Sauce

Add the spinach leaves and stir until wilted. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and allow the sauce to simmer for another minute until the cheese melts completely. If you prefer a thicker sauce, add the cornstarch slurry now and stir continuously until thickened.

Step 6: Add Final Touches

Mix in the dried Italian herbs and garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Wash Mushrooms: Instead of washing mushrooms under running water, clean them with a damp paper towel to prevent them from absorbing too much moisture.
Room Temperature Cream: Taking the cream out of the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before cooking helps prevent it from splitting when added to the hot pan.
Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-grated Parmesan contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy. Freshly grated melts much more smoothly.
Keep the Heat Low: Once you add the cream, keep the heat at a gentle simmer to prevent the sauce from reducing too quickly or breaking.
Layer Your Flavors: Each step builds flavor – don’t rush the process of sautéing onions, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes before adding mushrooms.

How to Serve

Low-Carb Options:

These creamy mushrooms are spectacular served over cauliflower mash for a luxurious low-carb meal. Zucchini noodles also make an excellent base, soaking up all that delicious sauce.

Traditional Pairings:

For a more classic approach, serve over al dente pasta like fettuccine or pappardelle. The sauce clings beautifully to wide noodles. Creamy polenta or risotto also makes an incredible base.

As a Side Dish:

Alongside a simple grilled steak or chicken breast, these mushrooms elevate a basic protein to restaurant quality. They’re also perfect alongside roasted salmon.

Bread for Sauce-Sopping:

Don’t forget some crusty bread on the side to soak up every last bit of that incredible sauce!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually improve overnight as they meld together.

Freezing

While cream-based sauces can sometimes separate when frozen and thawed, you can freeze this dish if needed. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat leftover mushrooms gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk if the sauce has thickened too much. Stir frequently to prevent scorching. Microwave reheating works in a pinch – use 50% power and stir halfway through heating.

FAQs

Can I use other types of mushrooms for this recipe?

Absolutely! While button or cremini mushrooms work perfectly, this recipe shines with a mix of mushroom varieties. Try adding some shiitake, oyster, or portobello mushrooms for different textures and deeper flavors. Just make sure to adjust cooking times slightly, as some wild mushrooms cook faster than others.
How can I make this recipe lighter without losing the creamy texture?

You can substitute half-and-half or light cream for the heavy cream. Another option is to use 1 cup of heavy cream combined with 1/2 cup of chicken broth for a lighter sauce that still maintains creaminess. The sauce won’t be quite as thick, but you can add a bit more of the cornstarch slurry to compensate.
I don’t drink alcohol – what can I use instead of white wine?

Chicken or vegetable broth makes an excellent substitute for white wine. For added acidity and complexity similar to wine, add a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice or a splash of white wine vinegar to the broth. This helps deglaze the pan and adds that slight tang that wine provides.
Why did my cream sauce separate or curdle?

Cream sauces typically separate when exposed to high heat or when acid (like from tomatoes) is added to cold cream. To prevent this, make sure to keep your heat low when adding the cream, and bring cream to room temperature before adding it to the pan. Also, make sure your cream hasn’t expired, as older cream tends to curdle more easily.

Final Thoughts

These Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Mushrooms are truly a game-changer for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. They deliver incredible flavor with minimal effort, proving that extraordinary food doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re serving them as a main dish, elegant side, or even as a topping for a perfectly cooked steak, they’re bound to become a regular in your recipe rotation. Don’t be surprised when your family and friends request this dish again and again!