Mushroom brandy cream sauce with spaghetti is a luxuriously rich pasta dish that combines some of the best flavors! Earthy mushrooms are browned and tossed with spaghetti in a tomato-based, creamy brandy sauce. Finished with plenty of grated Parmigiano Reggiano and fresh Italian parsley, this dish can be made in about 30 minutes.
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Editor’s Note: Originally Published on June 13, 2018. Updated with full process shots and expanded info.
I’ve always loved the combination of brandy (or cognac), mushrooms, and cream.
It’s as if these 3 ingredients belong together, complementing any other ingredients that happen to join in, like pasta or Parmigiano Reggiano.
And so this dish was born.
While the flavor is my favorite part of this dish, I also love the fact that it can be made in about 30 minutes.
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I make this dish when I’m short on time – especially on weeknights. It pairs perfectly with sauteed greens, such as spinach with garlic and oil, or broccoli rabe.
Recipe Ingredients
All ingredients for this recipe are shown in the pic below and special notes are made in this bulleted list to assist you.
- Mushrooms. I used a variety of baby Bella and some specialty mushrooms for this particular recipe because that was what was available at my local grocery store. If all you can find are white button mushrooms, that is perfectly fine and your pasta will still be delicious. You can also use dehydrated mushrooms – just be sure to reconstitute them with water prior to using them.
- Brandy. I am using an inexpensive brandy. No need for Hennessy or more expensive brands.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make it
Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.
- Bring a large pot of salted water (2 tablespoons kosher salt per gallon of water) to boil. Slice 1 1/2 pounds of mushrooms into 1/4″ thick pieces and dice 1 medium onion. Note: I’m using assorted mushrooms in pic 1 below, but baby Bella (cremini) or even white button mushrooms can be used with success. Use what’s available and fresh.
- Heat a large stainless steel pan to medium heat. Once the pan is hot (about 2-3 minutes) add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and saute the mushrooms until brown on both sides – total cooking time per batch will be about 6-8 minutes.
- Once the mushrooms release their water season with a touch of salt and pepper. Work in batches. If you crowd the pan the mushrooms will steam instead of brown. Place all the cooked mushrooms on a plate off the side and tent with foil to keep warm.
- Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the onions to the pan along with a bit of olive oil if the pan is dry. Saute the onions until translucent (about 4-5 minutes) then add 3 ounces of tomato paste to the pan and cook stirring frequently for 5 more minutes. At this point begin boiling the spaghetti to 1 minute less than al dente. Make sure to reserve 2 cups of pasta water before draining.
- Next, add 1 cup of Brandy – keep your head back! – and turn the heat to high.
- With a wooden spoon scrape up the brown bits in the pan and cook for about 2 minutes or until the strong alcohol smell burns off and the liquid reduces by about half.
- Turn the heat down to medium and add 1 cup of pasta water and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Add 1 1/4 cups of heavy cream and bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring frequently.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the mushrooms to the sauce.
- Add the pasta to the sauce and stir it all together. Cook the pasta right until al dente then remove the pan from the heat. Add a 1/2 cup of finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and stir to incorporate.
- Add a 1/4 cup of minced fresh Italian parsley and stir once more. If the pasta is at all dry use that extra cup of reserved pasta water, 1-2 ounces at a time, to get the consistency just right. Enjoy!
Top tips
- Searing the mushrooms. I recommend slicing the mushrooms about 1/4 inch thick and making sure you get a good sear on them by sauteeing in batches. If you overcrowd the pan the mushrooms will steam and won’t develop that gorgeous brown color.
- Save your pasta water! I say this time and time again, and it really should be the cardinal rule of pasta making. Always save pasta water, especially when making cream sauces. Cream sauces tend to dry out quickly, especially once you’ve added cheese and if not serving immediately. When this happens, all you need is a bit of pasta water to bring the spaghetti back to it’s silky and creamy texture.
- Use heavy cream. Creamy mushroom brandy sauce with spaghetti is creamy for a reason. Heavy cream is a key ingredient here – I suggest not skipping or swapping it for milk, half and half, or any other substitute which might break your sauce. Using anything but heavy cream diminishes the integrity of the dish. However, if you’re on a health kick you can use just pasta water and more cheese to get a creamy sauce. I have shown this technique numerous times on my YouTube channel. But, this is a Brandy cream sauce, hence the use of heavy cream.
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Mushroom Brandy Cream Sauce Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti linguine, fettuccine, etc.
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds baby Bella (cremini) mushrooms 1/4-inch thick slices
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 ounces tomato paste
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup Brandy
- 1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano grated
- 2 cups reserved pasta water will most likely not need it all
- 1/4 cup Italian parsley minced
- salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water (2 tablespoons kosher salt per gallon) to a boil.
- Heat a large pan to medium heat. Add the olive oil and mushrooms. Sear mushrooms until they release their water and brown (about 3-5 minutes per side). Once browned season with a bit of salt and pepper and remove mushrooms to a plate and tent with foil.
- Turn the heat to medium-low and add in the onion. Saute for 5-7 minutes or until translucent and soft. If the pan is dry add 1-2 tablespoons more olive oil. After the onions are soft add the tomato paste to the pan and cook for 5 minutes stirring frequently.
- At this point begin boiling the spaghetti to 1 minute less than al dente.
- Add the Brandy to the pan and turn the heat to high. With a wooden spoon scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Once the alcohol smell has gone away and the liquid has reduced by about half (about 2 minutes) turn the heat down to medium and add 1 cup of pasta water.
- Cook for 2 more minutes then add the cream. Bring to a simmer to allow the sauce to thicken. Taste test and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the mushrooms to the sauce along with the pasta. Cook until the pasta is just al dente then turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stovetop.
- Add the cheese along with the parsley and mix together well. If the sauce is too dry add more of the reserved pasta water, a bit at a time, to get the consistency just right. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use any fresh mushrooms you like. Baby Bella (cremini) mushrooms offer the best value to flavor ratio. They often are only a little bit more expensive than white button mushrooms.
- Always save your pasta water! Use the reserved pasta water (a couple of ounces at a time) to thin if the pasta is too dry.
- Almost any substantial pasta works well for this recipe. Linguine, fettuccine, rigatoni, penne are all great.
- Leftovers can be saved in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the microwave.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This recipe was originally published on June 13, 2018. It was completely updated on February 8, 2022.
Follow the recipe to the letter after watching the video and enjoy a top restaurant meal at home.
Thank you for sharing, I can recommend this dish for ease of preparation, flavour and cost.
Marius
Hey Marius. It’s great to hear that you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment.
What kind of alcohol can I substitute for the brandy? Wine, vodka??
Hi Deborah, you can use white wine or stock (chicken, vegetable, or mushroom) in place of the brandy.
This looks delicious and I am eager to make it. I have an open bottle of B & B and am wondering if that would be an appropriate substitution for plain brandy? Thanks!
Hi Jimmy, thank you! I have not tried this with B&B so I can’t say for certain how it will turn out.
Well James it has happened, you have turned me into a chef extraordinaire. I made this recipe and OMG it was delicious. I had heard about these kinds of sauces but never thought I could make them until i found your “SIP & FEAST” YouTube site. The only change I make is the pasta, I use Penne.
I made the Lemon Pasta for my wife because she is a lover of everything lemon and I absolutely loved the recipe myself. You have turned me into a Chef doing things I never thought I could do. Thank You!
Hi Ron, thank you so much for your kind words. I’m so happy you enjoyed this one and the lemon pasta and that you’re finding the videos helpful. Sounds like you’re doing a great job!
Taste great!
Thank you, Sophia!
Instant favorite! We added sliced chicken and it was deemed the best pasta I had cooked! Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you, Jill! So happy you enjoyed this one. Sliced chicken is a great addition!
Just made this. It’s EXCELLENT!!! All the flavors blend and are so well balanced. The prep is what takes the longest and that’s not a hardship.
This is a new house favorite! Thank you!
Thank you, Danny! So happy you enjoyed it!
I have cooked this dish a couple of times. It is delicious. Easy to make. Just follow the recipe and you will be a star.
Thank you, Roger! So happy you like it!
Our new favorite pasta! Our whole family liked the video – and loved dinner!
(It reminds me of Julia Child’s Poulet au Porto, chicken with wine cream and mushrooms). We’ll be trying more of your pasta recipes, your videos make it so clear and easy. Grazie!
Hey, Michelene. Glad everyone liked it and I hope the next pasta is a hit as well!
Nice Recipe. I added some crushed red pepper to spike it up.
That is never a bad idea. Glad you enjoyed it, Michael!
I gotta tell ya, I veganized this because it looked absolutely delicious! I also, did without the brandy and parsley as I’m not too big a fan of either, but I’m sure they transform this recipe! I used coconut cream and nooch in place of the cream and cheese, oh my goodness! This is a beautiful way to incorporate mushrooms!! Thank you.
Hi Maria. Glad you enjoyed it and that the changes worked out for you.
My husband and I, parents of 4 little ones, had a date-night-in last night and really enjoyed this recipe. It was the perfect, relatively simple to make, yet super flavourful, and we felt fancy. Thank you! We paired it with your sautéed spinach with garlic recipe per your suggestion – also delicious!
Hi Dayna. Really glad you both enjoyed the recipe along with the garlic spinach. Thanks for the comment!
I have never ever been a fan of cream based sauces, that is, until now. This is a “top shelf” recipe. I lmade this dish with fresh baby Bella mushrooms since that is what was in my fridge.. The combination of the tomato paste, brandy and cream is perfection!! While I think this dish easily stands alone, I did serve this with chicken breast slices. Delicious!!
Thank you Jim for sharing!
Hey Marian. Really glad you enjoyed it. I agree that chicken would be great!
I made this two ways. First I made it exactly as you posted it and it was amazing! My daughter is a vegetarian (not vegan) and I made half without meat for her and for me. I made it with meat for her husband the carnivore. I had some tenderloin tips left from a filet roast I made at Xmas so I sautéed them in another pan, and then proceeded to make the rest of the recipe the same. BOTH recipes are stellar and I loved them! I will mostly make it the original way without meat but you can safely add tender beef and it is delicious as well!
Hi Joyce. Really glad you enjoyed it. I think it also sounds great with the beef tips!
Just made this. Wow amazing. Jimbo your recipes and videos are the best around.
Hi Nate. Really glad you enjoyed it.
What meat would you recommend with this?
Hi Pat. I think some pan-seared chicken sliced up would be great for serving in the pasta. With the pasta as a first course, I think a steak would be great.
So amazing! I used cognac cause this is what I had but other than that this is perfection. I also made this with tenderloin tips that I had in my freezer, sautéing the meat first and then took it out and did the rest. Added the meat back in last and put over linguini and wowzer, so dang good. You are one of the best You Tubers out there. I enjoy your recipes a lot.
Hi Joyce, Sounds great with some sirloin tips! Thanks for liking my videos and recipes. I truly appreciate the support!
I’m gone make it tonight ! I have al the ingredients 🤗
So easy and delicious!
Thanks very much!
Can you use sherry if you don’t have brandy?
Yes, you can use sherry or use stock instead of brandy.
Oh my! This is the best mushroom sauce ever!! Pinned it right away!!!
Thanks for the share. Hope you enjoy it!