Italian Sausage and Mushroom Stew is a hearty, tomato-based stew made with Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions, peppers, garlic, and Italian seasonings. This comforting one-pot recipe includes both Instant Pot and stovetop directions, making it easy to prepare no matter which cooking method you prefer.
I love making this stew because it’s rich, hearty, and packed with bold Italian flavors in every bite. The combination of savory sausage, tender mushrooms, and a flavorful tomato sauce creates the perfect comfort food meal, especially when served over pasta, rice, or with warm crusty bread. 🍄🍅🌭
Why I Love This Recipe
Ingredient Notes
- Italian Sausage: Hot Italian sausage gives this stew its bold, savory flavor. If you prefer a milder dish, sweet Italian sausage works just as well.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is used to brown the sausage and sauté the vegetables, creating a flavorful base for the stew.
- Onion, Garlic, and Bell Pepper: These fresh vegetables add depth, sweetness, and classic Italian flavor as they cook.
- Red Cooking Wine: Red wine adds richness and helps deepen the flavor of the tomato sauce. If you prefer not to use wine, substitute an equal amount of beef broth or chicken broth.
- Diced and Crushed Tomatoes: Using both diced and crushed tomatoes creates the perfect balance of texture and a rich tomato base.
- Whole Mushrooms: Mushrooms become tender as they cook and soak up all of the delicious flavors from the sausage, tomatoes, and herbs. If the mushrooms are large, cut them in half before adding them to the stew.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary gives the stew its classic Italian flavor.
- Bay Leaves: Bay leaves add subtle depth while the stew cooks. Be sure to remove them before serving.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How To Make Italian Sausage Mushroom Stew
Instant Pot:
- Turn the Instant Pot to the Sauté setting and add the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and garlic.
- Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant.
- Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if needed.
- Pour in the red wine and water, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits.
- Stir in the chopped bell pepper, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, mushrooms, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.
- Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing.
- Cook on High Pressure (Manual) for 4 minutes.
- Carefully perform a quick release once the cooking time is complete. Remove and discard the bay leaves.
- Taste and season with salt and black pepper if needed.
Stove Top:
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if needed.
- Pour in the red wine and water, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits.
- Stir in the chopped bell pepper, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, mushrooms, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.
- Bring the stew to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover and simmer for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are tender and the flavors have melded together.
- Remove and discard the bay leaves.
- Taste and season with salt and black pepper if needed.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
Tips I Found Helpful
- Brown the sausage well before adding the remaining ingredients. Those browned bits add a lot of flavor to the finished stew.
- If you’re using larger mushrooms, cut them in half so they cook evenly and are easier to eat.
- Deglaze the pot with the red wine, scraping the bottom before pressure cooking to help prevent the Burn warning on the Instant Pot.
- If you prefer a thicker stew, let it simmer for a few minutes on the Sauté setting after pressure cooking or on the stovetop with the lid off.
- This stew tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to blend, making it perfect for meal prep.
- Sweet Italian sausage can be substituted for hot Italian sausage if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Don’t forget to remove the bay leaves before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this stew on the stovetop?
Yes! This recipe includes both Instant Pot and stovetop instructions, so you can use whichever cooking method works best for you.
Can I use sweet Italian sausage instead of hot?
Absolutely. Sweet Italian sausage is a great substitute if you prefer a milder stew, and you can even use a combination of both.
Can I use sliced mushrooms instead of whole mushrooms?
Yes. Whole mushrooms become wonderfully tender, but sliced mushrooms work just as well and may cook a little faster.
Can I leave out the red wine?
Yes. If you don’t want to cook with wine, simply replace it with an equal amount of beef broth or chicken broth.
Can I freeze Italian Sausage and Mushroom Stew?
Yes! Let the stew cool completely, then freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What should I serve with this stew?
This stew is delicious served over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or with warm crusty Italian bread to soak up the flavorful tomato sauce.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Definitely! Like many stews, the flavors become even richer after a day in the refrigerator, making it a great make-ahead meal.
How to Store
Allow the stew to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container.
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave until heated through. If the stew has thickened, stir in a splash of water or broth until it reaches your desired consistency. 🍄🍅🌭
Our Favorite
To Serve With Mushroom Stew
Instant Pot Italian Mushroom Stew
This Italian Sausage and Mushroom Stew is a hearty one-pot meal made with Italian sausage, mushrooms, peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and Italian herbs simmered in a rich tomato sauce. With both Instant Pot and stovetop instructions, it's an easy comfort food recipe that's perfect for family dinners and cozy nights at home.
Ingredients
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 3 cloves chopped garlic
- 1 chopped onioin
- 1 pound bulk hot sausage
- 1 Chopped Pepper
- 1 cup red cooking wine
- 1 cup water
- 24 oz can diced tomatoes
- 24 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 32oz whole mushrooms
- 2 tbs Italian seasonings
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
Turn the Instant Pot to the Sauté setting and add the olive oil.
Add the chopped onion and garlic. Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant.
Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if needed.
Pour in the red wine and water, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits.
Stir in the chopped bell pepper, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, mushrooms, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.
Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure (Manual) for 4 minutes.
Carefully perform a quick release once the cooking time is complete.
Remove and discard the bay leaves. Taste and season with salt and black pepper if needed.
Serve hot over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or with crusty Italian bread.
Stovetop Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if needed.
Pour in the red wine and water, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits.
Stir in the chopped bell pepper, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, mushrooms, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.
Bring the stew to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are tender and the flavors have melded together.
Remove and discard the bay leaves. Taste and season with salt and black pepper if needed.
Notes
Brown the sausage well before adding the remaining ingredients to build the best flavor. If you're using the Instant Pot, be sure to scrape up any browned bits after adding the wine to help prevent a Burn notice. Whole mushrooms work beautifully in this stew, but if they're large, cut them in half for easier serving. If you prefer a thicker stew, let it simmer uncovered for a few minutes after cooking. This recipe tastes even better the next day, making it an excellent make-ahead meal. Serve it over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or with warm crusty Italian bread for a hearty, satisfying dinner. 🍄🍅🌭
I made this for the first time today, accidentally used jarred mushrooms, and my husband loved it! I used a local chicken sausage and can’t believe how delicious and easy this was. Thank you!