Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce Recipe (2024)

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Last Updated on November 27, 2023

Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce is an Italian-American classic sauce. This sauce is made with marsala wine, mushrooms, and some seasonings.

It’s perfect for pairing with your favorite pasta dishes, or for adding a unique flavor to steaks, chicken, and other meats.

It’s also great as a dip for breads, crackers, and vegetables. In this blog post, we’ll talk about the delicious taste of Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce and provide a recipe so you can start making it at home!

Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

What Is Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce?

Carrabba’s Italian Grill is a US based restaurant shop. Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce is a classic Italian-American sauce that is made with marsala wine, mushrooms, and herbs; which is one their most famous dip.

It’s perfect for pairing with your favorite pasta dishes, or for adding a unique flavor to steaks, chicken, and other meats. It’s also great as a dip for breads, crackers, and vegetables.

This sauce is rich and creamy, and it has a slightly sweet flavor that is balanced with the savory notes of the marsala wine and mushrooms.

Why You’ll Love This Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce?

Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce is a classic Italian-American sauce that is easy to make at home. It’s the perfect way to add some flavor to your favorite dishes. It’s creamy, slightly sweet, and full of flavor.

The savory notes of the marsala wine and mushrooms give it a unique flavor that pairs perfectly with pasta dishes, steaks, chicken, and other meats. Plus, it’s a great dip for breads, crackers, and vegetables.

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How Does It Taste Like?

Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce has a unique flavor that is slightly sweet, creamy, and full of flavor. The savory notes of the marsala wine and mushrooms give it a unique flavor that pairs perfectly with pasta dishes, steaks, chicken, and other meats. Plus, it’s a great dip for breads, crackers, and vegetables.

Ingredients

To prepare the Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce, you’ll need these following ingredients:

all purpose flour (½ tbsp): Flour is used as a thickening agent for the Marsala sauce. It helps create a smooth and velvety consistency, enhancing the texture of the sauce.

chicken broth (3/8 cup): Chicken broth serves as the liquid base for the Marsala sauce. It adds depth, umami, and savory notes, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

button mushrooms (thinly sliced-5 oz): Mushrooms add a rich, savory flavor and a meaty texture to the Marsala sauce. They are a classic component in Marsala sauce, providing depth and complexity.

unsalted butter (melted-1.5 tbsp): Butter adds richness and a luxurious mouthfeel to the Marsala sauce. It helps create a smooth and glossy texture, contributing to the overall indulgence of the dish.

yellow onions (finely chopped-1.5 tbsp): Finely chopped yellow onions add a sweet and mild onion flavor to the sauce. They contribute to the aromatic base of the sauce, enhancing its overall taste.

sliced prosciutto (cut into thin strips-1 oz): Prosciutto, a cured Italian ham, adds a salty and savory element to the sauce. It contributes to the richness of the Marsala sauce and complements the other flavors in the dish.

Marsala (cooking wine-3/8 cup): Marsala cooking wine is a key ingredient that imparts a sweet and fortified wine flavor to the sauce. It is a signature component of Marsala sauce, providing depth and complexity.

Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce Recipe (2)

Directions

Making this Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce is incredibly easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide for making this delicious dish:

Step 1: Prepare the Button Mushrooms

Begin the culinary journey by meticulously cleaning and thinly slicing the button mushrooms. This step ensures that the mushrooms, a key component of the Marsala sauce, are primed for a delightful infusion of flavors.

Step 2: Prepare the Onions

Transition to the aromatic base of the sauce by finely chopping the yellow onions. These onions will play a crucial role in lending a sweet and savory depth to the Marsala concoction.

Step 3: Thinly Slice Prosciutto

Introduce a layer of indulgence by cutting the prosciutto into thin strips. This artisanal touch adds a salty and savory dimension to the sauce, creating a symphony of flavors.

Step 4: Melt the Butter

Set the stage for the sautéing adventure by melting unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. The butter provides a luxurious foundation for the Marsala sauce.

Step 5: Caramelized the Onions and Mushrooms

Immerse the finely chopped onions and sliced mushrooms into the melted butter, allowing them to sauté until the onions achieve a translucent state and the mushrooms tenderize. This aromatic dance creates the flavorful base of the Marsala sauce.

Step 6: Add the All-Purpose Flour

Elevate the texture and consistency by sprinkling flour over the mushroom and onion medley. Stir continuously to form a smooth paste, ensuring a velvety and well-incorporated base for the sauce.

Step 7: Sauté the Prosciutto

Introduce the prosciutto into the pan, allowing it to cook for a minute or two. This brief cooking period infuses the essence of prosciutto into the mixture, contributing to the overall richness and complexity of the Marsala sauce.

Step 8: Add Marsala Wine

Enter the realm of richness by pouring Marsala cooking wine into the pan. Stir diligently to combine the wine with the mushroom mixture, initiating the transformation into a luscious Marsala sauce.

Step 9: Pour the Chicken Broth

Further enrich the sauce by pouring chicken broth into the pan, continuing the stirring process. Ensure that all ingredients meld seamlessly, creating a cohesive and flavorful symphony.

Step 10: Let it Simmer

Allow the Marsala sauce to simmer over medium heat, patiently awaiting the magic to unfold. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until it achieves the desired thickness, a key determinant of its luxurious consistency.

Step 11: Adjust Seasoning

Embark on a sensory exploration by tasting the sauce. Adjust the seasoning to perfection, adding salt and pepper according to individual preferences. This step ensures a personalized touch to the Marsala sauce.

Step 12: Serve & Enjoy

With the Marsala sauce now reaching its desired thickness, gracefully remove it from the heat. This delectable creation is now ready to be served, elevating your favorite protein, whether it be chicken or veal, into a culinary masterpiece. Each spoonful promises a symphony of flavors that is sure to delight the palate.

Tips

• For a creamier sauce, add a tablespoon of cream or half-and-half.
• To give the sauce a smoky flavor, add a few drops of liquid smoke.
• To make the sauce spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• To make the sauce lighter, use white wine instead of marsala wine.
• To give the sauce a zesty flavor, add a bit of lemon zest.

Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce Recipe (3)

Nutrition Information

One serving of Carrabba’s Marsala sauce contains

  • 140 calories
  • 8 grams of fat
  • 8 grams of carbohydrates; and
  • 3 grams of protein.

How to Store Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce?

Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply place in a saucepan over medium-low heat and stir until heated through.

What Other Substitute Can I Use in Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce?

If you don’t have marsala wine on hand, you can substitute with dry white wine, sherry, or port wine. You could also use chicken or beef broth instead of the marsala wine. For a richer flavor, you could add a tablespoon of cream or half-and-half. If you don’t have fresh parsley, you could use dried parsley flakes instead.

Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce Recipe (4)

Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce Recipe

Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce is an Italian-American classic sauce. This sauce is made with marsala wine, mushrooms, and some seasonings.

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Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce Recipe

Servings: 5 Servings

Calories: 140kcal

Author: Bex Smith

Equipment

  • Stove

  • Measuring cups and spoons

  • saucepan

  • Cutting Board

  • Grater

  • knife

  • Mixing Bowls

  • Rubber Spatula or Wooden Spoon

  • small bowl

Ingredients

  • 1/2 tbsp flour all-purpose
  • 5 oz button mushrooms thinly sliced
  • 1.5 tbsp yellow onions finely chopped
  • 1.5 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 3/8 cup chicken broth
  • 3/8 cup marsala cooking wine
  • 1 oz sliced prosciutto cut into thin strips

Instructions

  • Prepare Mushrooms: Clean and thinly slice the button mushrooms.

  • Chop Onions: Finely chop the yellow onions.

  • Slice Prosciutto: Cut the prosciutto into thin strips.

  • Heat the Butter: In a saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.

  • Saute: Add the finely chopped onions and sliced mushrooms to the melted butter. Sauté until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms are tender.

  • Add Flour: Sprinkle the flour over the mushroom and onion mixture, stirring continuously to form a smooth paste.

  • Cook Prosciutto: Add the sliced prosciutto to the pan, allowing it to cook for a minute or two, infusing its flavor into the mixture.

  • Pour Marsala Wine: Pour the Marsala cooking wine into the pan, stirring to combine with the mushroom mixture.

  • Add the Broth: Pour the chicken broth into the pan, continuing to stir until all ingredients are well incorporated.

  • Simmer: Allow the Marsala sauce to simmer over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes or until it thickens to your desired consistency.

  • Add Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning, adding salt and pepper according to your preference.

  • Serve: Once the Marsala sauce reaches the desired thickness, remove it from the heat. It’s now ready to be served over your favorite protein, such as chicken or veal.

Notes

• For a creamier sauce, add a tablespoon of cream or half-and-half.

• To give the sauce a smoky flavor, add a few drops of liquid smoke.

• To make the sauce spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

• To make the sauce lighter, use white wine instead of marsala wine.

• To give the sauce a zesty flavor, add a bit of lemon zest.

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcal

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I make Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply place in a saucepan over medium-low heat and stir until heated through.

Q2. Can I freeze Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce?

Yes, you can freeze Carrabba’s Marsala sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Q3. Is Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce vegetarian?

No, Carrabba’s Marsala sauce is not vegetarian, as it contains prosciutto.

Q4. Can I use a different type of wine for the sauce?

Yes, you can substitute the marsala wine with dry white wine, sherry, or port wine.

Q5. Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh herbs?

Yes, you can use dried herbs instead of fresh herbs. However, the flavor will be a bit different.

Q6. Can I use this sauce on other dishes besides pasta?

Yes, you can use this sauce on other dishes such as steaks, chicken, and other meats. It’s also great as a dip for breads, crackers, and vegetables.

Q7. How many calories are in one serving of Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce?

One serving of Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce contains 140 calories.

Conclusion

Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce is an Italian-American classic sauce that is full of flavor and easy to make at home. It’s creamy, slightly sweet, and full of flavor.

The savory notes of the marsala wine and mushrooms give it a unique flavor that pairs perfectly with pasta dishes, steaks, chicken, and other meats.

Plus, it’s a great dip for breads, crackers, and vegetables. With this recipe, you can make this delicious sauce in your own kitchen!

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Carrabba’s Marsala Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What brand of Marsala wine does Carrabba's use? ›

Wood-grilled and topped with mushrooms and our Lombardo Marsala wine sauce.

What is marsala sauce made of? ›

Add olive oil to heavy hot saucepan. Add onions, garlic, mushrooms, saute until mushrooms are tender. Add flour and cook about 1 minute then deglaze pan with Marsala wine. Add beef stock and cook until thick and flavors are blended.

How do I make my chicken marsala sauce thicker? ›

When the Marsala sauce has begun to boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer it. The liquid should reduce by half and thicken. If the Chicken Marsala sauce is not thick enough, you can combine 1 teaspoon of cornstarch (or arrowroot starch for gluten-free version) with 1 teaspoon of the sauce in a small bowl.

What is better for chicken marsala dry or sweet? ›

However, when we tried both styles in recipes for chicken Marsala, mushroom stuffing, and zabaglione, tasters preferred the dry style in all instances. Though both were acceptable, tasters found that dry Marsala offered more depth of flavor, while sweet Marsala added sweetness and some flavor but wasn't as complex.

Which Marsala wine is best for Chicken Marsala? ›

Best Brand Of Marsala Wine For Chicken Marsala
  • Florio Sweet Marsala. 4.6 out of 5 stars. 19 reviews. ...
  • Carlo Martinez Marsala Sweet DOC. 4.3 out of 5 stars. 15 reviews. ...
  • Florio Dry Marsala. 4.8 out of 5 stars. 39 reviews. ...
  • Colombo Marsala Sweet. 4.1 out of 5 stars. 22 reviews. ...
  • Cribari Marsala. 4.2 out of 5 stars. 45 reviews.

What kind of Marsala wine is good for Chicken Marsala? ›

Use dry marsala rather than sweet marsala which is more commonly used in desserts. Sub with port wine, sherry, or madeira. For non alcoholic version, better to make Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce! 4.

What is a substitute for Marsala sauce? ›

To substitute any marsala wine alternative in marsala sauce, it's a simple one-to-one ratio; if the recipe calls for one cup of marsala wine, you would alternatively use one cup of sherry, port, or pinot noir. That said, there are a few tricks and guidelines to consider for each alternative.

What is similar to Marsala sauce? ›

What do you use as a substitute for marsala in a recipe? Marsala does have a distinct flavor, but you could use Sherry or Brandy instead. If you want a different flavor profile, you could use red or white wine depending on what the food is. Hearty beef would be red, chicken and pork would be white.

How much alcohol is in Marsala sauce? ›

Marsala is produced using the Grillo, Inzolia, Catarratto and Damaschino white grape varietals, among others. Marsala contains about 15–20% alcohol by volume.

How long does it take Marsala sauce to thicken? ›

Deglaze the pan by pouring in the marsala, and cook for about 2 minutes. Increase heat to medium, stir in beef broth and port, and cook until sauce starts to reduce and thicken to your preference, 10 to 12 minutes.

What's the difference between Marsala and Madeira? ›

Madeira (named after the Portuguese island where it is made) uses Sercial, Verdelho, Boal and Malvasia grapes. Marsala, the famed Italian fortified wine some consider one the world's best, is made in Sicily from Grillo, Inzolia (white), Catarratto and Nerello Mascalese (red) grapes.

Can you use regular marsala wine for Chicken Marsala? ›

If added after fermentation, the wine will be dry. Should you use sweet or dry Marsala in your Chicken Marsala recipe? It doesn't make a huge difference, and either option will produce delicious results, but I would go for dry because the sweet Marsala has a bit too much sugar for such a savory dish.

What's the difference between chicken piccata and Chicken Marsala? ›

While both chicken piccata and chicken Marsala are cooked in the same way, there are a few key differences between the two dishes. Chicken piccata isn't creamy. It's cooked with white wine, chicken broth, capers, and lemon juice. It's tangy and bright instead of rich and creamy.

Do you use red or white wine for Chicken Marsala? ›

Light-Bodied Red Wines

Its light and elegant nature makes it a perfect match for the rich and savory flavors of the Chicken Marsala.

Does Carrabba's have Chicken Marsala? ›

Wood-grilled and topped with mushrooms and our Lombardo Marsala wine sauce. Served with choice of penne pomodoro, garlic mashed potatoes, or sauteed broccoli. Includes your choice side salad and bread.

Does Carrabba's have steak Marsala? ›

Carrabba's Italian Grill - NEW! Steak Marsala Sandwich Combo - Order Online.

Are all Marsala wines the same? ›

The Styles of Marsala, Explained

There are three styles of Marsala: oro, ambra and rubino. There are also five aging designations: fine (aged at least one year), superiore (two), superiore riserva (four), vergine (five) and vergine stravecchio (ten or more years).

Do you use red or white Marsala wine for Chicken Marsala? ›

The sweet and savory marsala sauce is a great match with the complex notes of red wines, while the chicken itself pairs well with white wines.

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