Ground Beef Stroganoff

This Ground Beef Stroganoff is the definition of comfort food — tender noodles, seasoned ground beef, and a silky sauce made without canned soup. It’s a nostalgic recipe reinvented for the modern kitchen, using simple pantry ingredients and a single skillet.

With just 30 minutes and one pan, you’ll have a rich, satisfying meal on the table that everyone will love. It’s cozy, budget-friendly, and endlessly adaptable — perfect for any busy night of the week.

Full recipe:

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces egg noodles

• 1 lb ground beef

• ¼ cup butter

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup beef broth

• 1¼ cups milk

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• ¼ cup sour cream

Directions:

1. Boil water and cook egg noodles 2 minutes less than package instructions. Set aside.

2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink (about 6–8 minutes). Drain excess grease and set the meat aside.

3. In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add flour and whisk constantly for about 2 minutes to make a roux.

4. Slowly add beef broth, whisking to avoid lumps. Continue stirring as the sauce thickens.

5. Gradually whisk in the milk and cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens again, about 5–7 minutes.

6. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

7. Lower the heat. Add cooked noodles and ground beef. Stir until combined and warmed through.

8. Remove from heat and gently stir in sour cream. Serve hot.

Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 662 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

The Humble Origins of Ground Beef Stroganoff

Ground Beef Stroganoff is a comforting classic that has earned a permanent spot on family dinner tables across the world. While the original beef stroganoff hails from 19th-century Russia — typically made with strips of beef in a creamy mushroom and mustard sauce — this simplified American version swaps the steak for ground beef, creating a more affordable, approachable dish with equally satisfying results.

Over time, this variation gained popularity through boxed meal kits like Hamburger Helper, especially in the 1970s and ‘80s. Fast-forward to today, and many home cooks are seeking healthier, more flavorful alternatives to pre-packaged versions. That’s where this recipe shines — it retains the ease and speed of the original helper-style meals but with fresher ingredients and a rich, made-from-scratch sauce that feels like a nostalgic upgrade.

Why This Ground Beef Stroganoff Is a Family Favorite

There are hundreds of stroganoff recipes out there, but this one stands out for several reasons. First and foremost, it’s a true 30-minute meal. You don’t need a slow cooker or oven — just a single skillet and a few staple ingredients. That makes it perfect for weeknights when time is short and hunger is high.

It also delivers serious flavor with minimal effort. By using a classic roux of butter and flour, then enriching it with beef broth, milk, and sour cream, you create a silky, savory sauce that tastes like it simmered for hours. The blend of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper keeps it simple yet flavorful, letting the richness of the beef and sour cream shine.

And finally, it’s completely kid-approved and customizable. Whether your family is picky about mushrooms or doesn’t like onions, this version can be adapted without losing its creamy, crave-worthy taste.

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

One of the most attractive aspects of this recipe is how simple the ingredient list is. Everything used is either already in your pantry or easy to find in any grocery store:

• Ground beef brings protein and depth to the dish while being budget-friendly.

• Egg noodles are traditional, with their soft texture holding up beautifully in the sauce.

• Butter and flour form the base of the roux, giving the sauce structure and body.

• Beef broth and milk create the creamy, savory backbone of the dish.

• Sour cream adds that signature tang and silky finish that defines stroganoff.

• Seasonings like garlic powder and onion powder offer flavor without the need for chopping or extra prep.

It’s the kind of recipe you can whip up on a whim without special planning, and that’s part of its charm — satisfying and effortless all at once.

Versatility for Different Diets and Preferences

This Ground Beef Stroganoff recipe is highly adaptable, making it a great option for various diets or ingredient substitutions. For a lower-fat version, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. If dairy is an issue, swap the milk with unsweetened almond milk and use a plant-based sour cream.

For vegetarians, this dish can be made with mushrooms, lentils, or meat alternatives like Beyond Meat or tofu crumbles. The flavor of the sauce is bold enough to support many different protein options, and the pasta and seasoning remain the same.

You can also experiment with different pastas. While egg noodles are traditional, penne, fusilli, or even gluten-free pasta work well too. Just remember to adjust cooking times accordingly and keep the noodle quantity to around 6 ounces to preserve the perfect sauce-to-pasta ratio.

How to Elevate the Flavor Even More

While this recipe is delicious as written, there are plenty of ways to enhance it further depending on your tastes:

• Add Worcestershire sauce for deeper umami notes (a nod to more traditional stroganoff flavors).

• Toss in fresh mushrooms (after browning the beef) to add texture and earthiness.

• Sautéed onions or fresh garlic can replace the powders if you prefer fresh aromatics.

• Paprika or Dijon mustard can introduce subtle warmth and complexity.

• Top with chopped parsley or green onions for a fresh pop of color and flavor before serving.

These small additions allow you to take the dish from basic comfort food to something dinner-party-worthy — without sacrificing the simplicity that makes it so appealing in the first place.

Budget-Friendly and Meal-Prep Friendly

This recipe is not only fast, it’s also extremely affordable. With ground beef, milk, noodles, and seasonings as the main components, it stretches easily to feed a family of four (or more if doubled). It’s also a perfect candidate for meal prep or batch cooking.

Once prepared, Ground Beef Stroganoff can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. When reheating, adding a splash of milk helps rehydrate the sauce and bring back its creamy texture. You can portion it out into individual containers for weekday lunches or make it ahead for a quick dinner solution.

Many readers report that the leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld — yet another reason to consider doubling the batch.

What to Serve with Ground Beef Stroganoff

This dish is hearty on its own, but pairing it with simple sides can elevate the meal even further. Here are a few great options:

• Steamed broccoli or green beans provide a nice contrast to the richness of the sauce.

• A crisp side salad with a light vinaigrette balances the creamy pasta.

• Garlic bread or crusty rolls are perfect for soaking up every bit of sauce.

• Roasted carrots or Brussels sprouts add sweetness and texture to the meal.

This versatility makes it easy to round out a complete dinner with whatever vegetables or extras you have on hand.

Tips for Stroganoff Success

To ensure your stroganoff turns out perfect every time, keep these helpful tips in mind:

• Don’t overcook the noodles. Cook them 2 minutes less than the package recommends to keep them from becoming too soft once added to the sauce.

• Whisk the roux carefully. A smooth sauce starts with even whisking and proper timing. Don’t rush it.

• Season as you go. Taste the sauce before adding the beef and noodles to ensure the flavor is balanced.

• Add sour cream off the heat. This keeps it from curdling and ensures a smooth, creamy finish.

• Stick to 6 oz of pasta. More than that and your sauce will become too thin or get absorbed completely by the noodles.

Following these steps will ensure consistent, delicious results every time you make this dish.

Conclusion

Ground Beef Stroganoff is a comforting, delicious, and fuss-free meal that deserves a spot in every home cook’s repertoire. It’s rich and creamy without being overly heavy, fast to prepare, and deeply satisfying in every bite. What makes this recipe truly special is its ability to combine the familiar taste of a nostalgic classic with a fresher, more wholesome approach — no canned soup required.

Whether you’re cooking for a busy family, prepping meals for the week, or just craving something hearty after a long day, this dish has you covered. It’s affordable, adaptable, and undeniably delicious. Once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s a staple in so many kitchens — and why you’ll want to make it again and again.