Alright, this ground beef stroganoff? It’s creamy, comforting, and comes together in just one pan. You get all the classic stroganoff flavor—rich, savory, a little tangy—without the fancy steps or expensive cuts of meat.
I first made it on a night when I needed something quick, filling, and family-friendly. Browned up some ground beef with onions and mushrooms, stirred in beef broth, sour cream, and egg noodles—and just like that, dinner was done. It smelled amazing and tasted even better.
It’s thick, hearty, and perfect for weeknights when you want real food fast. If you’re into cozy meals that feel homemade (but don’t take all night), this one’s a keeper. Let’s get it in the pan—you’ll be ladling up seconds before you know it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Warm and Creamy: The smooth sauce is made with sour cream and beef broth. It covers the noodles and beef, making every bite soft and full of flavor.
- Simple Ingredients: You don’t need any fancy items. Most of the ingredients are things you might already have, like ground beef, noodles, milk, and butter.
- One-Pan Meal: Everything cooks in the same pan, so you won’t have a lot of dishes to wash.
- Kid-Approved: The mild, creamy taste is gentle, so even picky eaters enjoy it.
- Great Leftovers: This dish tastes just as good the next day. You can reheat it for lunch or dinner.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
Prep Time & Cook Time:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (Chop any optional veggies, measure your ingredients, and get your pan ready.)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes (This is how long it takes to brown the beef, cook the noodles, and make the sauce.)
- Total Time: About 30 minutes
Servings:
- This recipe makes 4 filling bowls, just right for a small family.
- If you want more, you can easily double the recipe.
Difficulty:
- This is an easy recipe.
- If you can cook ground beef and boil noodles, you can make stroganoff.
Required Kitchen Tools
- Large Skillet or Pan: A pan that’s big enough for the beef, noodles, and sauce.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: To measure liquids, noodles, and seasonings.
- Spoon or Spatula: For stirring the beef and sauce.
- Colander (optional): If you want to cook noodles separately, you’ll need this to drain them.
- Small Bowl: For mixing the sour cream before you add it to the hot pan (this helps keep the sauce smooth).
Ingredients for Ground Beef Stroganoff
Below is a full list of what you’ll need. These items create the classic taste and texture of stroganoff.
- Ground Beef (1 pound): Use lean beef if possible so the dish isn’t greasy, but any ground beef will work.
- Egg Noodles (8 ounces): Wide egg noodles are traditional and soak up the sauce, but regular pasta like rotini or fusilli can be used.
- Butter (2 tablespoons): For cooking and flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour (2 tablespoons): Helps make the sauce thick and creamy.
- Beef Broth (2 cups): Adds a deep, meaty flavor to the sauce.
- Milk (½ cup): Makes the sauce richer and creamier.
- Garlic Powder (½ teaspoon): Gives a light garlic flavor without chopping fresh garlic.
- Onion Powder (½ teaspoon): Adds sweetness and depth without needing to cook real onions.
- Black Pepper (¼ teaspoon) and Salt (½ teaspoon): To season the meat and sauce.
- Sour Cream (¾ cup): This is what makes the stroganoff sauce smooth, tangy, and creamy.
Optional:
- Mushrooms (1 cup, sliced): For extra flavor and texture, you can add mushrooms and cook them with the beef.
- Fresh Parsley (chopped): Sprinkle on top for a little green color and freshness.
Variations for Ground Beef Stroganoff
Here are some ways you can change this recipe to suit your tastes or dietary needs:
- Add Mushrooms: Sauté mushrooms with the beef for a more classic stroganoff taste.
- Swap the Meat: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter version.
- Try Different Pasta: If you don’t have egg noodles, use penne, bowtie, or rotini.
- Extra Veggies: Stir in frozen peas or fresh spinach just before serving for more nutrition and color.
- Herb Finish: Stir in fresh chopped dill or parsley for brightness.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use a plant-based milk and dairy-free sour cream.
How to Make Ground Beef Stroganoff: Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Brown the Beef
Place a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon or spatula. Stir often so the beef browns evenly. Cook until the meat is no longer pink. If there is a lot of grease, carefully drain off most of the fat, but leave a small amount for flavor.
If you’re adding mushrooms, put them in the pan with the beef and cook until they soften.
2. Add Butter and Spices
Push the beef to one side of the pan. Add the butter to the empty side and let it melt. Sprinkle the flour over the butter and meat. Stir the flour into the butter, then mix it all into the beef. This helps the flour cook and removes any raw taste.
Next, sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until the beef is well coated with the seasonings.
3. Build the Sauce
Slowly pour in the beef broth and milk, a little at a time, stirring constantly. This keeps the sauce smooth and helps dissolve any flour lumps. Turn the heat to medium-low. Keep stirring until the liquid mixes with the beef and starts to thicken—about 2 to 4 minutes.
4. Add the Noodles
Once the sauce thickens, add the uncooked egg noodles right into the pan. Stir to coat the noodles in the sauce. Cover the pan with a lid. Let the noodles cook in the sauce, stirring every few minutes to make sure they don’t stick.
Let the noodles cook for about 8–10 minutes, or until they are soft but not mushy. If the pan looks dry, add a splash more broth or milk.
If you want to cook noodles separately, just boil them in a pot until soft, drain, and stir them into the sauce at this step.
5. Make It Creamy
When the noodles are cooked, remove the pan from the heat. Place the sour cream in a small bowl. Add a spoonful of the hot sauce to the sour cream and stir well. This warms the sour cream gently so it won’t curdle when you add it to the pan.
Add the sour cream mixture to the pan. Stir until everything is creamy and smooth. The sauce should be thick and coat the beef and noodles.
6. Taste and Adjust
Taste a spoonful. If you want more salt or pepper, add a little more now. Stir in chopped parsley or dill if you like.
How to Serve Ground Beef Stroganoff
Ground Beef Stroganoff is best served warm and creamy, straight from the pan. Here are a few simple serving ideas:
- In Bowls: Scoop into bowls for a cozy, one-dish meal.
- With Veggies: Add a side of steamed green beans, peas, or broccoli for a little color and crunch.
- Topped with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or dill on top to make it look and taste fresh.
- With Bread: Serve with crusty bread or dinner rolls to soak up the extra sauce.
Storing Ground Beef Stroganoff
- Refrigerator: Let leftovers cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm leftovers on the stove over low heat, stirring often. Add a splash of milk or broth if the sauce is too thick.
- Freezer: Stroganoff can be frozen, but the noodles may get a little soft. For best results, freeze just the sauce and beef, then add cooked noodles when reheating.
Tips and Tricks for Success
- Sear for Flavor: Let the ground beef brown well before adding liquid. This builds a deeper, richer flavor in the sauce.
- Gentle Heat for Sour Cream: Always stir in the sour cream off the heat or with the burner off. This keeps the sauce smooth and prevents curdling.
- Sauce Thickness: If your sauce gets too thick, add a little more broth or milk. If it’s too thin, simmer for a few more minutes uncovered.
- Add Veggies: Mushrooms, peas, or spinach add color and nutrition.
Nutrition
| Nutrient | Per Serving (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420 |
| Protein | 23g |
| Carbohydrates | 37g |
| Fat | 21g |
| Saturated Fat | 9g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 5g |
| Sodium | 610mg |
Ground Beef Stroganoff (Classic Weeknight Comfort)
Course: Dinners4
servings10
minutes20
minutes420
kcalIngredients
1 pound ground beef
8 ounces wide egg noodles
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups beef broth
½ cup milk
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
¾ cup sour cream
Optional: 1 cup sliced mushrooms, chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Directions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. (If using mushrooms, add and sauté until soft.)
- Push beef to the side. Add butter, let melt, then sprinkle flour over the mixture. Stir well so flour coats the meat.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
- Slowly pour in beef broth and milk, stirring constantly to keep the sauce smooth.
- Add the egg noodles. Stir to coat noodles, cover, and simmer on medium-low heat for 8–10 minutes until noodles are tender, stirring occasionally. Add more broth if needed.
- Remove pan from heat. In a bowl, mix a spoonful of hot sauce into the sour cream, then add sour cream mixture to the pan. Stir until creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley if desired.
Ground Beef Stroganoff FAQs
Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Yes, prepare the stroganoff, let it cool, and store in the fridge. Reheat gently, adding a splash of broth or milk if needed.
Q: Can I use different pasta?
A: Yes, any short pasta works, though cooking times may change.
Q: Can I freeze leftovers?
A: You can freeze, but noodles may soften. For best texture, freeze the beef and sauce only, then add fresh-cooked noodles when reheating.
Q: How can I make it lighter?
A: Use ground turkey and reduced-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Conclusion
Ground Beef Stroganoff is a cozy, satisfying meal that’s easy to make with simple ingredients. With its creamy sauce and tender noodles, it’s sure to become a family favorite for both busy weeknights and slow weekends. Enjoy experimenting with the variations to make this classic dish your own.
