What is mascarpone sauce made of?

Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese but has creamier texture like a thick double cream. It's known as the main ingredient in tiramisu. Made from just whole cream and tartaric acid you could make it yourself.

What can I use mascarpone for?

Mascarpone can be used in savoury and sweet dishes . It is good for stirring through savoury sauces to thicken and add a distinct rich flavour. Serve it with fresh fruit, use it in cheesecakes, as a cake filling, or as a topping for desserts.

What are the ingredients in mascarpone cheese?

It is a fresh cheese that is most commonly made with pasteurized cow's milk . Unlike some cheeses, which have animal-derived rennet added, mascarpone is vegetarian. It's made by heating heavy cream and adding an acid like tartaric acid (aka cream of tartar), citric acid, or lemon juice to solidify and thicken the cream.

What does mascarpone taste like?

The taste of mascarpone is similar to that of cream cheese, ricotta cheese, creme fraiche, or clotted cream, but with a little more sweetness and acidity. This makes it a versatile cheese for both sweet and savory dishes.

Is mascarpone good or bad for you?

No, mascarpone cheese is not healthier than cream cheese as it contains 25% more fat than cream cheese. Yet mascarpone cheese is only preferred for its extra smooth texture. You can use cream cheese and mascarpone cheese for salty and sweet dishes.

Why does mascarpone taste so good?

Here, centuries of artisan cheesemakers have created their recipes for some of Italy's best-known cheeses, like Mascarpone. The process for making this cheese usually involves heating heavy cream and adding citric acid to the mixture, which combines to create that signature texture and taste .

How long does mascarpone last once opened?

Check the "use by" date on the package for storage time, but it's generally a week. Mascarpone tends to go bad quickly, so use an open container within a few days ; return any unused portion to the fridge with the lid tightly sealed. If it develops mold or if its aroma or color is off, discard the entire package.

Can you use mascarpone instead of cooking cream?

Substituting Mascarpone for Heavy Cream Often referred to as mascarpone cheese, this thick dairy product has a fat content of about 44%. It's made in a similar way to sour cream and crème fraîche, but is much sweeter and thicker by comparison. It makes a great substitute and you can use it in soups, stews, and sauces .

Is mascarpone same as whipping cream?

Is mascarpone the same as whipping cream? No . Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese made with heavy cream, and whipping cream is made with heavy cream that didn't go through the process of cheese making.

What food group is mascarpone in?

Mascarpone (/ˌmæskɑːrˈpoʊn(eɪ), -ni/, US also /ˌmɑːsk-/; Italian: [maskarˈpoːne]) is a soft Italian acid-set cream cheese . It is recognized in Italy as a prodotto agroalimentare tradizionale ("traditional agri-food product"; PAT).

Is mascarpone a cream or cheese?

Mascarpone is categorized as a cream cheese , but it is different than what we know as “cream cheese” in America. Mascarpone is made similarly to American cream cheese, but it uses a base of whole cream rather than milk. Like cream cheese, it is a fresh cheese that is not aged before it is eaten.

Is mascarpone healthier than cream cheese?

Mascarpone In addition to being higher in fat and calories than cream cheese, it has a richer, more velvety texture that works well in many recipes — particularly fillings, spreads, frostings, and desserts ( 5 ).

Why is it called mascarpone?

mascarpone, an Italian cream cheese. Mascarpone is one of Italy's most distinguished cheeses. Some believe its name originates from the Spanish words for “better than good,” though it more likely derives from the Lombard word for ricotta, mascherpo ; the cheese's name is locally spelled mascherpone.

Mascarpone Pasta | 15 minute dinner recipe

Published: May 19, 2021 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links. 18 Comments

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This Mascarpone Pasta is SUCH an easy recipe to throw together when you need a really good dinner, fast! It is ready in 15 minutes! While the pasta cooks, the sauce comes together in about 5 minutes. Mix the pasta in the mascarpone sauce and dinner is ready..

Mascarpone Pasta | 15 minute dinner recipe - Mom's Dinner (1)

For another creamy style pasta check out this Chicken Alfredo Recipe and this Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo, both delish!

This Tomato Cream Sauce is also a favorite around here!

Table of Contents hide

1 Why This Recipe is Amazing

2 Ingredients

3 Freezing White Wine

4 Mascarpone Cheese

5 Servings – 1, 2, or 4?

6 Recipe Tips

7 Related Recipes

8 Did you make this recipe?!

9 Mascarpone Pasta

Why This Recipe is Amazing

It is creamy and comforting.
It is versatile… use chicken broth instead of wine, add chicken, add shrimp, or swirl in a little pesto.
This is a FAST dinner! It basically takes the amount of time it takes to boil pasta.
The sauce is creamy, yet is still bright and delicious from the wine and lemon zest.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you need to make this easy Mascarpone Pasta.

Mascarpone Pasta | 15 minute dinner recipe - Mom's Dinner (2)

White Wine – I recommend using a chardonnay or pinot grigio in this recipe. However if you do not like to use wine in cooking you can sub chicken broth.

Pro Tip: Did you know you can freeze wine for cooking….

Freezing White Wine

If you want to use the wine in this dish but white wine is not something that you normally have in the house purchase a small, two-three serving carton of chardonnay or pinot grigio.

Use a little of it, making sure there is room for the wine to expand as it freezes. Place the carton in a freezer safe bag and pop in the freezer. It will be good for 6 months, at least!

(Don’t freeze a BOTTLE of wine)

When you are ready to use it just pull it out and scoop out what you need. It freezes like a slushy.

Pro Tip: If you freeze your wine, make sure you only use in cooking, it won’t be good drinking after it is frozen.

Mascarpone Cheese

Mascarpone is an Italian cheese that comes in a tub and looks very similar to American cream cheese.

It is pronounced “maa-skaar-pow-nay”

If you take a spoonful and eat it, you will find that it tastes more like butter than cheese. Which is why when you mix it with white wine and parmesan it makes a killer cream sauce!

Mascarpone Pasta | 15 minute dinner recipe - Mom's Dinner (3)

Servings – 1, 2, or 4?

Pasta servings can be SUPER deceiving. If I went by the box serving suggestion this would be enough pasta for 6 people!! NO WAY!!

At my house this is probably enough for 3 people.

If you have 4 really hungry people you might want to double the recipe.

Recipe Tips

When you are getting everything ready, place a measuring cup in the bottom of the pasta strainer, this way you won’t forget to reserve some of the starchy water.
Use mascarpone cheese, not cream cheese! They are not the same thing.
Purchase a small, two to three serving box of white wine. Freeze the rest and use it in cooking (like in this Shrimp Risotto Recipe!)
Use fresh grated parmesan, it melts creamier than the pre-shredded.
Use the starchy pasta water to thin your mascarpone sauce.

How to Make Instant Pot Risotto
Shrimp Scampi Linguine
Super Simple Creamy Mushroom Pasta
Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Alfredo

Did you make this recipe?!

If you make this recipe I would love to hear your review. Pop down to the comment section and connect with me.

Then sign up for our Weekly Newsletter so you never miss a new recipe!

Rate This Recipe

Mascarpone Pasta

A delicious pasta coated in a flavorful and creamy Mascarpone Sauce. This is an easy recipe that comes together in about 15 minutes!

NOTE ON SERVING SIZES: Pasta can be deceiving, what might feed 4 at one persons house may only feed 2 at your house!? This recipe feeds 4, but I recommend serving a salad and bread on the side.

If you have a really hungry bunch I recommend doubling the recipe.

4.97 from 33 votes

Print Pin Rate Save

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 507kcal

Author: Susie Weinrich

Ingredients

12 oz penne pasta cooked per package instructions
4 oz mascarpone cheese
¼ cup white wine chardonnay or pinot grigio
2 garlic cloves minced
zest of 1 lemon
½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup reserved starchy pasta cooking water

Instructions

Boil salted water and cook your pasta per package instructions.
Pro Tip: place a measuring cup in your strainer/colander so you don't forget to reserve some of the pasta water.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat add the white wine, garlic, and lemon zest. Let it simmer for about 2-3 minutes.
Pro Tip: if you prefer to not use wine you can sub chicken broth.
Add in the mascarpone cheese and stir while it melts into the wine.
Remove the pan from the heat and sprinkle in the parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir so the cheese melts into the sauce.
Toss with freshly cooked pasta. Taste for seasoning- salt and pepper.
Add a little reserved starchy pasta cooking water to thin the sauce as desired. It helps the sauce coat the pasta!

Notes:

RECIPE PRO TIPS:

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Super Simple White Wine Shrimp Pasta
Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup
Cheese Tortellini Pasta Salad
15 minute Pesto Cream Sauce

About Susie Weinrich

Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

Reader Interactions

Comments

We would love to have you comment & rate the recipe!

Pauline Ann Westbury
October 26, 2023 at 1:42 pm

Hi. I didn’t have shallots in so used a red onion. Also didn’t have any mushrooms so put a few lardons in and half a red pepper. Used veg and chicken stock. It was delicious and very filling. I will definitely make this again. This is the first time I have used mascarpone cheese.
Pauline W.
Reply
Jamie
July 27, 2023 at 7:21 pm

Loved it! Had a bunch of mascarpone I needed to use up. Added a sprinkle of truffle salt at the end and it was perfect. It would be delightful with some mushrooms or shrimp!
Reply
Linda McKenzie
April 13, 2023 at 7:18 pm
Must have done something wrong because wine and mascarpone cheese didn’t blend
Reply
Gaye Fitchett
January 15, 2023 at 7:59 pm

I tried this recipe about 3 weeks ago, and loved it. So I’m making it again for dinner tonight. I did add sundried tomatoes last time and tonight I’m going to add some cooked courgettes at the end. Great recipe and so easy.
Reply
- Antoinette Angotti
  April 03, 2024 at 6:25 pm
  I loved it. I had leftover mascarpone from a tiramisu recipe and didn’t want to waste it. So I found this recipe. It was so easy and light. I thought it was one of the best recipes I have made it a long time
  Reply
  - Susie Weinrich
    April 03, 2024 at 8:16 pm
    Oh that is so wonderful! I hope you will stick around and make some more recipes.
Shirley
December 27, 2022 at 5:10 pm
This one fell flat for me and hubby. Seemed dry and a bit bland except for the garlic and lemon. It’s ok and here I usually find outstanding.
Reply
Laurie
October 11, 2022 at 6:57 am

Excellent dish! Sauce comes together so creamy and delish. I added red pepper flakes, fresh spinach and roasted cherry tomatoes. My husband said “put this on the favorites list”.
Reply
Jenny
May 05, 2022 at 2:06 am

Definitely 5 stars!
Reply
Ally
January 30, 2022 at 8:19 pm

Loved it! Couldn’t decide between white wine and chicken broth (had both open) so did about half and half – delicious. Fresh parm is key, and I also threw in a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Came together more quickly than almost any other pasta sauce I’ve made, too, so super easy for weeknights.
Reply
Judy
January 30, 2022 at 9:35 am

Please delete my previous comment as I forgot to rate the recipe and did not check your “recipe pro tips” about using freshly grated parmesan. My husband and I enjoyed this recipe. We had some mascarpone cheese leftover from a different recipe, and added cooked chicken to add protein. Also added a pinch of hot pepper flakes. Delicious. I used pre-grated parmesan cheese (the stuff in the green can) because that is what I had on hand. It turned a nice creamy mixture into a clumpy sauce when I added it. My guess is that the additives caused this. Next time I will know to grate my own parmesan cheese.
Reply
Lisa M
October 25, 2021 at 6:42 pm

Good, quick recipe. Not outstanding but good.
Reply
- Jenny
  May 05, 2022 at 2:05 am
  Sooooo good! Quickest sauce I think I’ve ever made and so much flavour. Used beef stock instead as I had no chicken stock and was having it with beef anyway. Absolutely blown away!
  Reply
Jennifer M Laird
October 14, 2021 at 5:28 pm

You taught an old dog a new trick! No butter or oil – so good! The lemon and wine can shine :))
Reply
Laird
September 20, 2021 at 6:49 pm

Hi, I made this and it’s delish! I liked it because I didn’t miss the butter or cream. So just to clarify though, I just noticed you had butter in your ingredient photo but not the recipe.
Reply
- Susie Weinrich
  September 21, 2021 at 8:39 am
  I am so glad you loved it!!!
  LOL, yes, I need to take the butter out of the pic. I think I must have tested a version with butter but decided it didn’t need it upon a final test.
  Thank you for bringing that to my attention. Have a great day! -S
  Reply
  - Laird
    October 14, 2021 at 5:31 pm
    I must really love this bc I just realized I commented again haha!
  - Susie Weinrich
    October 14, 2021 at 7:25 pm
    Love it!!!!!!

Mascarpone Pasta | 15 minute dinner recipe - Mom's Dinner (2024)

Why This Recipe is Amazing

Ingredients

Freezing White Wine

Mascarpone Cheese

Servings – 1, 2, or 4?

Recipe Tips

Did you make this recipe?!

Mascarpone Pasta

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes:

More Mom's Dinner Recipes to Love

About Susie Weinrich

Reader Interactions

Comments

We would love to have you comment & rate the recipe!

FAQs

What is mascarpone sauce made of? ›

Is mascarpone a cream or cheese? ›