Ground Beef Stroganoff (Best Ever, Easy, Creamy)

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Close-up of ground beef stroganoff over egg noodles with creamy sauce and parsley

This Ground Beef Stroganoff is creamy, cozy, and ready fast—perfect for busy weeknights. You get savory ground beef, tender mushrooms, and a silky sour-cream sauce that coats every noodle. It tastes like classic stroganoff, but with easy ground beef so it’s beginner-friendly.

Introduction

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When you want comfort food that doesn’t take all night, Ground Beef Stroganoff is the answer. It’s a total family favorite and a reader-favorite dinner because it’s simple, filling, and tastes better than takeout.

The standout trick is simmering the broth with a little mustard and Worcestershire sauce before adding sour cream. That builds deep flavor and keeps the sauce from tasting bland. Once you make this Ground Beef Stroganoff, it’ll be in your regular rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef Stroganoff

  • Easy weeknight dinner: Fast, simple steps and one-pan sauce.
  • Ultimate comfort food: Creamy sauce and noodles are so cozy.
  • Better than restaurant: Fresh, rich flavor made at home.
  • Family-friendly: Mild, savory flavor everyone loves.
  • Great for leftovers: Reheats beautifully with a splash of broth.

Ingredients for Ground Beef Stroganoff

Overhead ingredients for ground beef stroganoff including beef, mushrooms, broth, sour cream, mustard, and noodles
Simple ingredients for creamy ground beef stroganoff

Main

  • Ground beef (1 lb): Quick-cooking and hearty.
  • Swap: Ground turkey for a lighter option.
  • Mushrooms, sliced (8 oz): Adds savory depth and classic stroganoff flavor.
  • Swap: Omit if you don’t like mushrooms.
  • Onion, diced (1 small): Builds flavor.
  • Garlic, minced (3 cloves): Adds cozy depth.

Sauce

  • Butter (2 tbsp): Adds richness.
  • All-purpose flour (2 tbsp): Thickens the sauce.
  • Swap: Gluten-free all-purpose flour.
  • Low-sodium beef broth (2 cups): The base of the sauce.
  • Swap: Low-sodium chicken broth.
  • Dijon mustard (1 tbsp): Adds tang and boosts flavor.
  • Worcestershire sauce (1 tsp): Adds depth.
  • Swap: Soy sauce (1 tsp).
  • Sour cream (1/2 cup): Makes it creamy and classic.
  • Tip: Add on low heat so it stays smooth.
  • Salt (3/4 tsp) + black pepper (1/2 tsp): Adjust to taste.

For Serving

  • Egg noodles (12 oz): Classic stroganoff noodle.
  • Swap: Wide pasta like fettuccine.
  • Chopped parsley (2 tbsp): Fresh finish.

How to Make Ground Beef Stroganoff

Four-panel collage showing browning beef with mushrooms, adding flour, simmering sauce, and finishing with sour cream over noodles
Brown beef, build sauce, simmer until thick, stir in sour cream, and serve
  • 1. Boil noodles in salted water until just tender, then drain.
  • 2. Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  • 3. Sauté onion and mushrooms in the same skillet with butter for 4–5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • 4. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir constantly for 1 minute.
  • 5. Whisk in broth, Dijon, and Worcestershire. Simmer 3–5 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  • 6. Lower heat to low and stir in sour cream until silky. If it looks too thick, add a splash of broth.
  • 7. Toss noodles in the sauce or spoon the stroganoff over noodles. Finish with parsley and extra pepper.

Tips for Perfect Ground Beef Stroganoff

  • Drain excess fat: Keeps the sauce creamy, not greasy.
  • Cook flour for a minute: Prevents raw flour taste.
  • Keep heat low for sour cream: Helps it stay smooth.
  • Add broth as needed: Sauce thickens as it sits.
  • Season at the end: Taste and adjust salt.

Variations & Substitutions

  • Add extra veggies: Stir in peas at the end for color.
  • Creamier sauce: Add 2 oz cream cheese with the sour cream.
  • Spicy twist: Add a pinch of cayenne.
  • Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta and flour.
  • Leftover idea: Serve over mashed potatoes for extra cozy comfort.

Storing & Reheating

Store Ground Beef Stroganoff in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on low with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce.
Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

  • Serve with a green salad or roasted vegetables.
  • Add crusty bread to scoop extra sauce.
  • Perfect for cozy weekends and quick weeknights.
  • Great for meal prep lunches.

Reader Review: “This ground beef stroganoff is so creamy and easy. My family loved it and it reheated perfectly!”

If you make this Ground Beef Stroganoff, leave a rating and comment! Are you adding mushrooms, or keeping it simple and classic?

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