Wild Mushroom Tomato Sauce Recipe (2024)

I’ve got some exciting news to share with all of you today!!

This post may contain affiliate links.

In just underone week, I’ll be heading to the Tuscany region of Italy to embark on a weeklong DaVinci Storyteller Experience sponsored by DaVinci Wine! AHHHHH, so exciting!!! Set in the picturesque town of Vinci, Italy (the birthplace of Leonardo Da Vinci), this immersive experience is focused on the Cantine Leonardo da Vinci, an innovative growers’ cooperative committed to producing authentic Tuscan wine, including the flagship DaVinci Chianti.

Throughout the week, I’ll be diving into all things Cantine Leonardo Da Vinci, including vineyard tours, culinary experiences, delicious food and wine galore, plus meet and greets with local chefs, wine growers and other personalities in and around Vinci. Joining me on this trip are some food blogger favorites including Alana from Fix Feast Flair, Molly from my name is yeh and Rebecca from Foodie with Family. This is going to be such a fun week!

In anticipation of this trip, I’ve developed a new tomato sauce recipe infused with the flavors of Tuscany. Particularly mushroom and Chianti! Continue reading for the recipe plus more on DaVinci Wine.

Wild Mushroom Tomato Sauce Recipe (2)

Wild Mushroom Tomato Sauce Recipe (3)

Wild Mushroom Tomato Sauce Recipe (4)

I’ve mentioned before on KK that I’m part Italian. 50% Italian actually. My mother’s side of the family comes from Naples and Sicily, so my Italian recipe repertoire is definitely more influenced by those regions. Over the past few years, I’ve also infused American and California flavors into my Italian cooking (Wild Ramp Pizza for example).

Tuscan flavors, however, are something that I’m not overly familiar with. After doing a little research, I found that Tuscan cuisine includes:

  • Regional and seasonal vegetables
  • Fresh fruit
  • Olive oil
  • Mushrooms (porcini and truffles)
  • Beans
  • Bread
  • Cheese
  • Beef (Florentine steak)
  • Game (boar, rabbit, deer)
  • Wine (Chianti, Brunello and more)

I know that’s not much right now (and quite vague), but I will definitely have a better grasp of Tuscan cuisine after going through this Storyteller experience. For now, I’ve decided to focus on mushrooms and Chianti.

This Wild Mushroom Tomato Sauce is a variation of my mother’s Homemade Tomato Sauce. The base herbs and aromatics are similar, but I’ve added dried porcini mushrooms, fresh cremini mushrooms, thyme, bay and reduced DaVinci Chianti to the mix.

Rich with notes of ripe plums, cherries, pepper and red fruit, the Chianti is cooked briefly with dried porcini mushrooms. The mushrooms then steep in the wine for 30 minutes, get strained out and chopped. The mushroom-infused wine is then reduced significantly to concentrate flavors. Reduced wine and mushrooms are added back into the sauce later on, adding a big boost of flavor. The finished sauce has the most incredible depth of flavor with mouth-watering savory notes (umami!) from the wine and mushrooms.

Wild Mushroom Tomato Sauce Recipe (6)

Wild Mushroom Tomato Sauce Recipe (7)

Wild Mushroom Tomato Sauce Recipe (8)

While in Tuscany, I’ll be posting frequently on Instagram, and I’ll also be setting up a live feed article that will follow one of the hashtags from the trip. So far I’ve tried 3 of the 4 DaVinci wine varietals (Chianti, Chianti Riservaand Pinot Grigio), and they’re all really, really tasty. DaVinci also has a Brunello di Montalcino that I’ll get to try while in Italy. Can’t wait!!

If you’d like to connect with DaVinci Wine, please follow them here:

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Wild Mushroom Tomato Sauce Recipe (9)

Wild Mushroom Tomato Sauce

by Brandon Matzek

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Servings 8 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup Chianti (I used Da Vinci Wine Chianti here)
  • 1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms, lightly rinsed if dusty
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 smallish onion, finely chopped (heaping 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1/2 large carrot, finely chopped (heaping 1/2 cup)
  • 1 celery stick, finely chopped (heaping 1/4 cup)
  • Kosher salt
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • Crushed red pepper flakes, optional
  • 1 pound cremini mushrooms, wiped clean, stems removed and finely chopped
  • 2 28- ounce cans crushed tomato
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil

Instructions

  • Bring Chianti and dried porcinis to a simmer in a medium pot set over medium-high heat. Cook for 5 minutes, then take the pot off the heat and cover. Let steep for 30 minutes, then scoop out the porcinis with a slotted spoon and reserve. Return the pot with the wine over medium-high heat and cook until reduced to 3 – 4 tablespoons of liquid. Chop the porcinis and set aside along with the reduced wine.

  • Warm olive oil and butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Once you see the oil shimmering, add the chopped onion, carrot and celery, and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the minced garlic, a pinch of red pepper flake, and the cremini mushrooms, then continue to sauté until vegetables are soft but not brown, stirring occasionally.

  • Add crushed tomato, tomato paste, water, bay, thyme, sugar, reserved chopped porcini, reduced wine, a few pinches of kosher salt and several turns of freshly ground black pepper, stirring to combine. Bring sauce to a boil, reduce heat to low then simmer, partially covered, for 1 hour.

  • To finish the sauce, stir in chopped parsley and basil. Season to taste with additional kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

  • Serve this sauce with your favorite pasta. I like to add two or three sizable spoonfuls of sauce to freshly drained spaghetti, tossing to coat. This will ensure that the spaghetti absorbs the flavor of the sauce. Place a mound of spaghetti on a plate then top with extra sauce (I like it saucy :)), chopped parsley and/or basil, grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper.

Tried this recipe?Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can check it out!

As a 2015 DaVinci Storyteller, this post was written in partnership with DaVinci Wine. DaVinci Wine has provided me with this experience. All thoughts, opinions and recipes are my own.

As the other Storytellers post their recipes, I will share photos and links below:

Alana’s Kale Ricotta Cavatelli

Molly’s Zhoug Risotto with Fresh Tomatoes, Onions and Za’atar

Wild Mushroom Tomato Sauce Recipe (11)

Rebecca’s Slow-Cooker Italian Pork

Wild Mushroom Tomato Sauce Recipe (12)

11

Brandon

I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, co*cktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!

Wild Mushroom Tomato Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the trick to making a rich tomato sauce? ›

Starting with good quality tomatoes and crushing them by hand offers great flavor and texture later on. The combination of butter and oil releases fat-soluble aromatics and gives the sauce a creamy texture. Slowly cooking the sauce in the oven creates rich caramelization without burning.

What is wild mushroom sauce made of? ›

Heat the oil in a frying pan and gently fry the onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and continue to cook for 4-5 minutes. Pour in the white wine and simmer until reduced slightly, then pour in the cream. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper and simmer gently for about five minutes.

How to make tomato sauce more flavorful? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Canned Spaghetti Sauce
  1. 1 - Extra virgin olive oil. Adding a good amount of a flavorful olive oil will go a long way in infusing flavor into your sauce. ...
  2. 2 - Fresh garlic. ...
  3. 3 - Meat. ...
  4. 4 - Hot pepper flakes. ...
  5. 5 - Red wine. ...
  6. 6 - Fresh or dried herbs. ...
  7. 7 - Cheese. ...
  8. 8 - Cream and/or butter.
Feb 26, 2018

How to thicken up mushroom sauce? ›

Make a roux with a bit of flour to help thicken the sauce. Add milk, stir to work out any lumps of flour, and cook until thickened. Stir in some parmesan, pour your mushroom sauce over pasta/chicken/etc., and enjoy!

What adds depth to tomato sauce? ›

Toss in Olives or Capers

Briny ingredients like olives or capers are another way to brighten up your pasta sauce while also introducing texture and depth of flavor. Roughly chop a handful and stir them into your sauce while it's heating up on the stove.

Why add baking soda to tomato sauce? ›

Even a small amount of baking soda significantly raises the pH of the sauce. While this reduces acidic taste, it also tamps down on the brightness that gives the tomato complexity.

What is the difference between a mushroom and a wild mushroom? ›

Wild mushrooms from nature and mushrooms grown for commercial purposes on mushroom farms are genetically identical but not equal in type and amount of metabolites, that is, containing medicinal substances.

Why is it called Hunter sauce? ›

The name is derived from the French word for "hunter", alluding to the traditional pairings with venison, rabbit, wild fowl, and other game meats. Traditionally, while returning from the hunt, the hunters would pick the mushrooms that they would subsequently use for their preparation.

What is the effect of wild mushroom? ›

Eating poisonous wild mushrooms can cause: nausea. vomiting. abdominal (stomach) pain or cramps.

What does adding butter to tomato sauce do? ›

Add butter

Yes, that's right. Toss in a few tablespoons of butter, and let it melt into the sauce. If you've never tried it before, it might seem strange, but a little butter makes tomato sauce rich and smooth, and also balances out too much acidity, which is common in jarred sauces.

Why does my homemade tomato sauce taste bland? ›

Flat or bland sauce likely needs a hit of something acidic to lift and enhance its flavors, such as a small splash of high-quality, flavorful vinegar, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or a few drops of not-too-fiery hot sauce.

Why doesn't my tomato sauce taste good? ›

Your spaghetti sauce may taste bland due to insufficient seasoning. Try adding more salt, herbs (like basil, oregano, or thyme), and other flavor enhancers like garlic, onion, or red pepper flakes. Also, a dash of sugar can balance flavors and bring out the natural sweetness of tomatoes.

How do you maximize mushroom flavor? ›

The study demonstrated that cooking methods have an effect on the flavor profile of white mushrooms. Sear mushrooms for a more intense roasted, charred and smoky flavor and overall aroma. Roast mushrooms to get more sweet, salty and umami tastes with caramelized, nutty and buttery flavors.

Why is my mushroom sauce bitter? ›

In rare occasion, some people still can taste a little bitterness, this is due to the compound Polyphenol, which has been known to be a beneficial nutrition.

Why is my mushroom sauce so watery? ›

Knead equal parts of room temperature butter and flour together. Add slowly to your boiling sauce, while whisking, until the desired thickness is reached.

What adds richness to spaghetti sauce? ›

And if you're feeling really spunky, add some meaty richness to that sauce: crisp some bacon or brown sliced sausages or ground meat. For some veggie richness, sauté mushrooms or caramelize fennel in plenty of olive oil. If you're drinking wine, you can pour in a bit to deglaze the pan as you cook them.

How to make sauce taste richer? ›

- Start by sautéing garlic, onions, or shallots in olive oil before adding the tomato sauce. This adds depth and aroma. - Add dried or fresh herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, or rosemary for a burst of flavor. Experiment with a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.

How do you make tomato sauce more dense? ›

5 Ways to Thicken Tomato Sauce
  1. Cook It Down.
  2. Add Tomato Paste.
  3. Add Cream.
  4. Add Cheese.
  5. Use a Roux or a Slurry.
Jul 19, 2023

Why should you add sugar to tomato sauce? ›

The reason for sprinkling a pinch of sugar into a simmering saucepan of tomatoes is simple: sugar cuts the acidity of the tomatoes and creates an overall more balanced sauce. The exact acid levels in tomatoes can vary quite a bit depending on whether they're fresh or canned, the tomato variety, and the time of year.

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