If there’s one dish that always hits the spot on a chilly evening, it’s this hearty, creamy Ground Beef Stroganoff. It’s everything you love about the classic stroganoff, but faster and simpler—made with ground beef instead of steak and ready in under 30 minutes. Rich with mushrooms, savory beef, and a silky sour cream sauce, this one-pot wonder is perfect for busy weeknights and cozy weekends alike.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & easy – Ready in under 30 minutes, no complicated steps
- One-pot meal – Minimal cleanup and full of flavor
- Budget-friendly – Uses simple pantry staples and ground beef
- Meal prep win – Makes great leftovers and easy to scale up
What You’ll Need
- Ground beef – Use 90% lean for a good balance of flavor and less grease
- Onion & garlic – Aromatic base that builds rich flavor
- Mushrooms – Cremini or white button mushrooms work best
- All-purpose flour – Helps thicken the sauce
- Beef broth – Adds depth to the creamy sauce
- Heavy cream – For richness and body
- Worcestershire sauce – A savory splash of umami
- Sour cream – Stirred in at the end for that signature stroganoff tang
- Salt & pepper – To taste
- Fresh parsley or dill – Optional garnish for a fresh finish
Choosing the Right Ground Beef
Stick with 90% lean ground beef—it gives you plenty of flavor without too much excess fat. If you’re using a fattier blend, brown the meat first, then drain off the fat before moving on.
A Bit of Stroganoff History
This creamy comfort dish has its roots in 19th-century Russia, named after Count Stroganoff, a nobleman in the court of Alexander III. Originally made with sautéed strips of beef and sour cream, it’s since taken on countless variations across the globe—this ground beef version being one of the easiest and most comforting.
How to Make Ground Beef Stroganoff
1. Brown the Beef
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat a bit of olive oil. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
2. Add Aromatics
Stir in the chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook until the onions are soft and golden.
3. Add Mushrooms
Toss in the sliced mushrooms and sauté for another 5 minutes, until tender and browned.
4. Make a Roux
Sprinkle in the flour and stir well to coat everything. Cook for about 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
5. Build the Sauce
Pour in the beef broth and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and let it thicken.
6. Finish with Sour Cream
Remove the pan from heat. Slowly stir in the sour cream until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy beef stroganoff is incredibly versatile. Serve it over:
- Egg noodles – The classic pairing
- Mashed potatoes – Rich and cozy
- Steamed rice or buckwheat – Hearty and wholesome
- Roasted potatoes – Crisp on the outside, fluffy inside
- Roasted vegetables – For a low-carb option
Top it all off with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or dill for a pop of color and freshness.
Storage & Reheating Tips
In the fridge:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
In the freezer:
Let the stroganoff cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat before serving.
Helpful tip:
If serving with noodles, store the sauce and pasta separately to keep the noodles from soaking up all that creamy goodness.
Final Thoughts
Ground Beef Stroganoff is the kind of meal that checks all the boxes—it’s rich, comforting, quick to make, and family-approved. Whether you’re craving a warm weeknight dinner or prepping ahead for the week, this one’s guaranteed to satisfy. It’s a nostalgic favorite with a practical twist, and once you try it, you’ll want it on regular rotation.
Ground Beef Stroganoff
If there’s one dish that always hits the spot on a chilly evening, it’s this hearty, creamy Ground Beef Stroganoff.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 lb mushrooms, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt, adjust to taste
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, adjust to taste
Instructions
- Preheat a large, deep pan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up into small pieces as it browns.
- Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion turns soft and golden.
- Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes, or until they soften. If they release too much liquid, allow it to cook off.
- Sprinkle in the flour and stir until it’s fully mixed in and no lumps remain.
- Pour in the beef broth, heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir well and bring everything to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it gently cook for around 5 minutes.
- Take the pan off the heat and stir in the sour cream until everything is well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm over your choice of noodles, rice, or potatoes.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 296Total Fat 21gSaturated Fat 11gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 90mgSodium 340mgCarbohydrates 7gFiber 1gSugar 3gProtein 19g
dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
