Dive into the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly easy ground beef stroganoff recipe! Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish comes together in under 30 minutes, delivering a rich, creamy, and savory experience your family will adore. Forget complicated steps; we’re making classic flavors simple and accessible for everyone to enjoy.
This classic dish boasts a rich culinary history, with its origins tracing back to 19th-century Russia.
Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef Stroganoff
This recipe isn’t just delicious; it’s designed for simplicity and maximum flavor with minimal effort. Here’s why it will become a new favorite:
- Fast & Easy: Get dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes, perfect for hectic evenings.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of these common pantry staples already.
- One-Pot Wonder: Less cleanup means more time to savor your meal.
- Rich & Comforting: Enjoy a deeply satisfying dish with creamy, savory flavors.
- Budget-Friendly: Made with economical ground beef, it’s kind to your wallet.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your delicious ground beef stroganoff:
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 1 lb mushrooms, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt, adjust to taste
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, adjust to taste
Notes & Substitutions
- Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef (85-90%) for less fat. If you use a higher fat content, drain any excess grease after browning to prevent a greasy sauce.
- Mushrooms: Cremini (baby bellas) or white button mushrooms work best. Give them a quick wipe with a damp cloth instead of washing to prevent them from absorbing too much water.
- Onions & Garlic: Sautéing them properly until translucent and fragrant builds a crucial flavor base for your stroganoff.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is your thickener. For a gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend or a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) added at the end.
- Beef Broth: Opt for low-sodium beef broth to control the overall saltiness of your dish. It adds a deep, savory foundation.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: This provides the luxurious richness. For a lighter touch, you can use half-and-half, but the sauce won’t be as thick or indulgent.
- Sour Cream: Adds the signature tangy flavor. Always temper it (see Pro Tips) before adding to prevent curdling. Greek yogurt can be a tangier, higher-protein substitute, but ensure it’s full-fat and tempered.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A secret weapon for umami depth. Don’t skip it!
- Seasonings: Taste and adjust salt and pepper throughout the cooking process. Fresh herbs like parsley or dill make a lovely garnish.
Equipment
You only need a few basic kitchen tools for this easy ground beef stroganoff:
- Large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven (10-12 inch)
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create a wonderfully creamy and savory ground beef stroganoff:
- Preheat a heavy, deep pan over medium-high heat with olive oil. Add the ground beef and use a spatula to break it down into tiny pieces. Stir in the diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent and golden brown, and the beef is fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
- Add the sliced mushrooms to the pan. Sauté for another 5 minutes, or until the mushrooms soften and release their liquid. Allow any released juice to evaporate, which concentrates their flavor.
- Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the beef and mushroom mixture. Stir continuously for one minute, ensuring the flour is fully incorporated and coats everything. This step cooks out the raw flour taste.
- Pour in the beef broth and heavy whipping cream, along with the Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Gently stir in the sour cream until it is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Do not bring the sauce back to a boil after adding the sour cream, as it can curdle.
- Taste the ground beef stroganoff and adjust the seasonings as needed. Serve immediately over your favorite sides.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Browning Beef: Don’t rush this step. Achieving a deep, golden-brown crust on your ground beef adds incredible depth of flavor to the entire dish. To ensure food safety, the USDA recommends cooking ground beef to a safe minimum internal temperature for ground meat.
- Mushrooms: Avoid overcrowding the pan when sautéing mushrooms. Cook them in batches if necessary to allow them to brown nicely instead of steaming. This enhances their flavor.
- Tempering Sour Cream: To prevent your sour cream from curdling, take a small amount of the hot sauce and stir it into the sour cream in a separate bowl before adding the tempered sour cream back into the main pot.
- Thickening Sauce: If your sauce is too thin, create a quick cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons cold water) and slowly whisk it into the simmering sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Seasoning: Always taste and adjust salt and pepper throughout the cooking process. Different broths and personal preferences mean you might need more or less.
- Avoiding Lumps: When adding flour, sprinkle it evenly over the mixture and stir quickly and thoroughly to prevent lumps from forming. Cook it for a full minute to ensure it’s fully integrated.
Serving Suggestions, Storage & Variations
Serving Suggestions
- Classic: Serve your ground beef stroganoff over perfectly cooked egg noodles for a traditional experience.
- Alternatives: It pairs wonderfully with creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy white rice, quinoa, or even roasted vegetables like green beans or asparagus.
- Garnish: A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley, dill, or chives adds a burst of color and freshness.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftover ground beef stroganoff in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: While the sauce might separate slightly due to the dairy, you can freeze it. Transfer the cooled stroganoff (without any noodles or sides) to a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently, or in the microwave. You may need to add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen the sauce.
- Important Tip: Always store any cooked noodles or sides separately from the stroganoff sauce to prevent them from becoming mushy.
Variations
- Cream of Mushroom Boost: For an even richer mushroom flavor, stir in a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup (undiluted) with the beef broth.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other seasonings for a subtle heat.
- Cheesy Delight: Stir in a handful of grated Parmesan cheese or a dollop of cream cheese with the sour cream for an extra creamy, cheesy twist.
- Vegetable Additions: Sneak in extra veggies like frozen peas, fresh spinach (stirred in at the very end until wilted), or diced bell peppers during the mushroom sautéing stage.
Nutrition Information
Please note that these nutrition facts are approximate and can vary based on specific brands and ingredient preparations. This information is provided as a general guideline.
- Calories
- 257 kcal
- Carbohydrate Content
- 6 g
- Protein Content
- 16 g
- Fat Content
- 19 g
- Saturated Fat Content
- 10 g
- Cholesterol Content
- 81 mg
- Sodium Content
- 281 mg
- Fiber Content
- 1 g
- Sugar Content
- 2 g
- Serving Size
- 1 serving
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can I make Ground Beef Stroganoff ahead of time?
- You can cook the beef and mushroom mixture, then store it. When ready to serve, reheat the mixture and then stir in the dairy (cream and sour cream) to prevent separation.
- How do I make the stroganoff sauce thicker?
- If your sauce is too thin, you can make a cornstarch slurry. Mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of cold water, then slowly whisk it into the simmering sauce until it thickens.
- Why did my sour cream curdle?
- Sour cream can curdle if added directly to a boiling hot sauce. Always remove the pan from the heat before stirring it in, or temper the sour cream first with a bit of the hot sauce.
- What is the best way to reheat leftovers?
- Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently, until warmed through. You might need to add a splash of broth or water to achieve the original sauce consistency.
Conclusion
This hearty and quick ground beef stroganoff is the perfect answer to busy weeknights when you crave a truly satisfying meal. With its simple ingredients, fast prep time, and rich, creamy flavor, it’s a dish that delivers on comfort without the fuss. We hope you love making and sharing this easy recipe with your family! Give it a try tonight and let us know what you think in the comments below!
Hearty & Quick Ground Beef Stroganoff Recipe
This hearty and quick ground beef stroganoff recipe features tender ground beef, savory mushrooms, and a rich, creamy sauce. It's an easy-to-follow dish perfect for a comforting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Cooking Steps
- Preheat a deep pan with olive oil over medium-high heat, then brown the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces. Add diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until the onions are translucent.
- Stir in the sliced mushrooms and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened, allowing any released liquid to evaporate.
- Add the all-purpose flour, stirring well until it is fully incorporated into the mixture with no lumps.
- Pour in the beef broth, heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the sour cream until well combined, then taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot over noodles, rice, or potatoes.
Notes
This versatile stroganoff can be served over a variety of sides such as noodles, rice, or potatoes, making it a flexible meal option.