Best EASY Ground Beef Stroganoff Recipe - House of Nash Eats (2024)

This easy Ground Beef Stroganoff recipe is a great, weeknight dinner option that the whole family will love. It's classic comfort food cooking that is ready in less than 30 minutes, made from scratch, and always hearty, satisfying, and delicious!

If you've got ground beef in the freezer and are looking for more ideas, be sure to try our Tex-Mex Doritos Taco Salad or maybe make a batch of Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs next!

Best EASY Ground Beef Stroganoff Recipe - House of Nash Eats (1)

While ground beef stroganoff might not win any prizes for beauty, everybody always asks for second-helpings when I make this easy recipe for dinner. It's a family favorite and one of our go-to meals, especially when the weather is cool because it's so warm and comforting!

This savory, creamy dish of mushrooms, onions, and browned, ground beef served over hot buttered egg noodles hails from Russia and is simple, hearty, comforting fare that is quick and easy to pull together for a weeknight meal that the whole family will enjoy.

I make this ground beef stroganoff recipe without cream of mushroom soup mostly because it's hardly any extra work to make it from scratch when all it takes is chopping a handful of mushrooms and whisking together beef broth, milk and flour. You're going to love it!

Why This Recipe is the Best

  • The homemade sauce is made from scratch with fresh ingredients rather than such shortcuts as a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup. But it hardly takes any extra time at all!
  • It might seem like a lot of mushrooms in the recipe, but since they cook down so much, it really seems necessary to me if you want mushrooms in each bite of stroganoff, like I do. The mushrooms are my favorite part!
  • The sauce isn't intended to be very thick. It's more of a silky sauce that should coat each bite and combines well with the buttered egg noodles that we traditionally serve ground beef stroganoff with.
  • Ground beef stroganoff leftovers always reheat beautifully the next day!
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  • Best EASY Ground Beef Stroganoff Recipe - House of Nash Eats (3)

Ingredient Notes

  • Ground beef: I prefer using 85/15 ground beef for the best flavor without being overly greasy.
  • Mushrooms: Really any mushrooms will work for beef stroganoff but we usually just use white button or baby bella mushrooms because they are always available at the grocery store.
  • Cream cheese: The cream cheese melts into the browned meat and mushrooms making these stroganoff sauce extra creamy and delicious.
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How to Make This Recipe

Start by browning ground beef, onions, and garlic in a large skillet. I like to season the ground beef stroganoff up front with salt and pepper up front because it helps develop the layers of flavor. You can always adjust by adding more at the end.

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Once the meat is mostly browned but still a little pink, go ahead and add the mushrooms. They will release a lot of moisture as they cook, but you want to let them get a little brown as well. Add the cream cheese to the browned meat and let it melt, stirring it to coat the meat & mushrooms.

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  • Best EASY Ground Beef Stroganoff Recipe - House of Nash Eats (7)

Meanwhile, whisk the beef broth and milk with a little flour whisked in to create a slurry. This isn't intended to make an overly thick sauce - just enough for it to thicken slightly. Keep in mind that the ground beef stroganoff will continue to thicken as it cools.

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Once the ground beef stroganoff has simmered enough for the sauce to thicken slightly, remove it from the heat and stir in the sour cream. The residual heat is plenty to heat up the sour cream without the dish going cold, but you also don't run the risk of curdling the sour cream this way.

For a little color, garnish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a little green to break up the brown color of the stroganoff.

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  • Best EASY Ground Beef Stroganoff Recipe - House of Nash Eats (12)

Recipe FAQ's

Can I make this with other cuts of beef?

You could definitely make this by thinly slicing a flank, skirt steak, or anything you would typically use for a stir-fry and it will still be a quick and easy beef stroganoff. Or if you prefer using a regular chuck roast, you can make this by cutting the meat into 1-inch chunks, then searing in a hot pan first, then covering and simmering in the beef broth for an hour or so until tender before adding the other ingredients. It takes longer, but it's also super delicious. Just whisk the flour with 1 additional cup of beef broth before stirring it in to thicken the sauce.

What should I serve beef stroganoff with?

We always serve it with egg noodles (either the dried ones or if I am feeling motivated I will make homemade egg noodles), but I have heard of other people enjoying their beef stroganoff over mashed potatoes or rice.

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Recipe Tips

  • Storage: Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 3-4 days. This dish doesn't freeze well because of the sour cream in it, which can curdle when reheated.
  • Sour cream: Sour cream can curdle if boiled, especially if you are using a reduced fat version, so be sure not to add it until right at the end of cooking after removing the pan from the heat. There will be plenty of residual heat in the sauce to thicken everything up and incorporate the sour cream.
  • Variation: Many people like the addition of Worcestershire sauce to beef stroganoff. I have done it both ways, but prefer it without. If you want to add some, though, I recommend using 1 tablespoon, added with the broth.
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More Easy Dinner Recipes

  • Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
  • Classic Chinese Beef with Broccoli
  • Easy Weeknight Taco Meat
  • Baked Greek Feta Meatballs

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.

Best EASY Ground Beef Stroganoff Recipe - House of Nash Eats (16)

PrintPinRate

Ground Beef Stroganoff Recipe

4.98 from 73 votes

Amy Nash

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

This easy Ground Beef Stroganoff recipe is a great, weeknight dinner option that the whole family will love. It's classic comfort food cooking that is ready in less than 30 minutes, made from scratch, and always hearty, satisfying, and delicious!

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs. lean ground beef (I use 85/15)
  • 1 small onion chopped (or half a large onion)
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 16 ounces sliced white button or baby bella mushrooms
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • ½ cup milk
  • 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • Salt & Pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Add the ground beef, onion, and minced garlic to a large skillet set over medium-high heat on the stove and season with the salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is almost browned but still slightly pink and the onions have begun to soften, about 5 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the pan.

  • Add the sliced mushrooms to the ground beef and onions and continue cooking for another 5 minutes or so, until the mushrooms are softened and brown and the meat is fully cooked.

  • Add the cream cheese to the cooked meat and mushrooms and let it sit for 1-2 minutes to melt somewhat before stirring it into the meat mixture. While the cream cheese melts, combine the beef broth and milk in a separate bowl and whisk in the flour until no lumps remain.

  • After stirring in the melted cream cheese, pour the beef broth/milk/flour slurry into the pan with the meat and mushrooms and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and bubbling.

  • Remove from the heat and stir in the sour cream. Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.

  • Serve over hot buttered egg noodles, sprinkled with freshly chopped parsley, if desired.

Video

Notes

  • Storage: Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 3-4 days. This dish doesn't freeze well because of the sour cream in it, which can curdle when reheated.
  • Sour cream: Sour cream can curdle if boiled, especially if you are using a reduced fat version, so be sure not to add it until right at the end of cooking after removing the pan from the heat. There will be plenty of residual heat in the sauce to thicken everything up and incorporate the sour cream.
  • Variation: If you want to use Worchestershire sauce, I recommend adding 1 tablespoon along with the broth and milk.

Recipe adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

Nutrition

Calories: 355kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 30g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 805mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g

Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @HouseOfNashEats or tag #houseofnasheats!

This post was originally published in September, 2017. The photos and content were updated in December, 2021.

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About the author

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Hi, I'm Amy

I enjoy exploring the world through food, culture, and travel and sharing the adventure with mostly from-scratch, family friendly recipes that I think of as modern comfort cooking.

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Best EASY Ground Beef Stroganoff Recipe - House of Nash Eats (2024)

FAQs

How to add more flavor to beef stroganoff? ›

Quartered mushrooms and a combination of pearl onions and shallots give the finished dish a more interesting texture and flavor. Adding gelatin to the chicken stock gives it more body, letting the sauce come together more tightly to coat the meat and noodles.

What is the best substitute for sour cream in Stroganoff? ›

Greek yogurt is a healthy alternative to the traditionally used sour cream in beef stroganoff recipes, so you can be confident that your family is getting a satisfying, healthy meal. Fresh dill and paprika will provide a sweet, slightly smoky garnish to top off the dish.

Can you make beef stroganoff without cream of mushroom soup? ›

Ingredients
  1. 1 1/2 lbs ground beef, (85/15)
  2. 1 tbsp olive oil.
  3. 1 medium yellow onion, diced.
  4. 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced.
  5. 2 tbsp all-purpose flour.
  6. 1 ¼ cup beef broth.
  7. 1 cup heavy cream.
  8. ⅓ cup sour cream.
Sep 9, 2023

How do you add sour cream to Stroganoff without curdling? ›

How do you keep sour cream from curdling in beef stroganoff? Remove some of the liquid from your stroganoff and allow it to cool. In a small bowl, take several tablespoons of the sour cream (or however much you require) and then add a teaspoon of the cooled liquid from the stew.

What is the sauce in beef stroganoff made of? ›

What is stroganoff sauce made of? Stroganoff sauce is a sour cream gravy made with beef broth that's thickened with flour. It's flavoured with mustard and has mushrooms in it. I love the pale brown creamy colour against the deep golden brown seared beef!

What enhances the flavor of beef? ›

Beef tastes great when seasoned with oregano, rosemary, sage, garlic or a combination of these seasonings. Poultry gets an added burst of flavor with spices like paprika, lemongrass and saffron. Fish can be made more flavorful with dry mustard powder, thyme and turmeric.

Can you cook with sour cream instead of cream? ›

Sour Cream, Crème Fraîche, or Mascarpone

These three ingredients can be used in place of heavy cream with a one-to-one substitution with just a few caveats. Sour cream will add tanginess to your dish, and if you use it for soups or other hot dishes, it's best to add it in at the end to avoid curdling.

What is a substitute for Worcestershire sauce in beef stroganoff? ›

“Try a combination of 1 part ketchup to ½ part soy sauce and ½ part malt vinegar to start," Malivert says, "and play with the proportions to balance the flavor.” Use this as a 1-to-1 substitute for Worcestershire sauce.

What's the best substitute for sour cream? ›

  • Yogurt. Yogurt is your best substitute for sour cream. ...
  • Mayonnaise. Mayo is a great sour cream substitute. ...
  • Buttermilk. Buttermilk can work great as a substitute, but it's a little trickier since it's so much thinner than sour cream. ...
  • Crème Fraîche. ...
  • Cream Cheese. ...
  • DIY Sour Cream. ...
  • Kefir. ...
  • Mexican Crema.
Feb 21, 2023

What is a substitute for beef broth in stroganoff? ›

Like beef broth, chicken broth is a kitchen staple and makes a good substitute if you are all out of the meaty broth. This savory, salty liquid has a milder flavor than beef broth but is a good one-to-one replacement. Chicken broth also has a similar nutrition profile to beef broth, low in calories and high in sodium.

How do you thicken beef stroganoff sauce? ›

Cornstarch: Cornstarch is an ingredient that comes in handy if you want your sauce a little thicker. Sour cream: Full-fat sour cream is what we used, but feel free to substitute a lower-fat sour cream if you choose.

What can I use in stroganoff instead of tomato paste? ›

Tomato purée (boiled and strained tomatoes) works well as a tomato paste alternative. Since purée is much thinner than paste, you'll get the best results if you cook it over medium heat for about 10 minutes before adding it to your recipe — this will give you a slightly thicker consistency and more intense flavor.

How to stop cream curdling in stroganoff? ›

How to Keep Stroganoff Sauce from Curdling
  1. Start with room temperature sour cream.
  2. Temper the sour cream by adding a few teaspoons of the hot liquid from the pan—one tablespoon at a time—before adding the sour cream to the pan.

Does stroganoff contain paprika? ›

Add the onion and cook gently for 10 minutes, or until softened and starting to caramelise. Stir in the garlic and cook gently for 2 minutes. Crumble in the stock cube and stir in the paprika and tomato purée.

Why does my stroganoff taste sour? ›

Add too much sour cream and its sourness will overwhelm the sauce and make it too acidic to enjoy; too little and your dish might just seem dry or lacking in richness.

What can I add to beef to make it taste better? ›

Once the beef has rendered its fat, it's time to generously add your mix of seasonings — granulated garlic, granulated onion, ground cumin, and cayenne powder. These seasonings absorb the rendered fat, bloom, and beautifully transform the beef.

How do you make beef stock more flavorful? ›

Woody herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, tarragon, and marjoram release tons of flavor as they slowly simmer in stock. Give them a rinse and toss in a big handful of sprigs per quart of store-bought stock.

What to add to hamburger helper stroganoff to make it taste better? ›

Worcestershire sauce: The Worcestershire sauce helps add a depth of flavor to the sauce. You could also substitute coconut aminos or soy sauce. Onions: You can use yellow onions, sweet onions, or even white onions. Garlic: Fresh is best.

How do you deepen beef flavor? ›

Try any or all of the following:
  1. Mushrooms (Crimini, sh*take, Lions Mane, etc.), browned beforehand.
  2. Dried mushrooms.
  3. Caramelized onions.
  4. Roasted garlic.
  5. Deglaze your pan (since you don't use wine, deglaze with broth)
Oct 23, 2023

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