Creamy Ground Beef Stroganoff

Creamy Ground Beef Stroganoff is the ultimate budget-friendly comfort food that checks every box for a busy weeknight dinner. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe delivers a rich, savory flavor that far surpasses any boxed mix or canned soup version. Whether you are cooking for a hungry family or looking for a reliable pantry-staple meal, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

There are so many reasons to keep this recipe in your weekly rotation. First and foremost, it is incredibly fast; you can have a hot, homemade meal on the table in the time it takes to watch a sitcom. Unlike traditional stroganoff that might require hours of simmering, this ground beef version provides that same deep, umami flavor in a fraction of the time. You will also love that it uses simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, meaning no special trips to the grocery store are required. Most importantly, it is made without condensed canned soups, resulting in a cleaner, more sophisticated taste that feels truly homemade.

Ingredients

• 6 ounces Egg Noodles
• 1 pound Ground Beef
• 1/4 cup Butter
• 1/4 cup Flour
• 1 cup Beef Broth
• 1 1/4 cup Milk
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 cup Sour Cream

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the egg noodles according to the package directions. For the best texture, cook them for about 2 minutes less than the instructions suggest so they remain slightly firm. Drain the noodles but do not rinse them.
2. While the noodles are boiling, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it is fully browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess grease and set the beef aside on a plate.
3. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for about 2 minutes to create a smooth roux.
4. Slowly pour the beef broth into the flour mixture, whisking continuously to ensure there are no lumps. Continue to stir until the sauce begins to thicken.
5. Gradually whisk in the milk and continue simmering over medium heat. Stir frequently until the sauce thickens again into a creamy consistency.
6. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, ensuring the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
7. Reduce the heat to low. Add the cooked egg noodles and the browned ground beef back into the skillet. Toss everything together until the noodles and meat are thoroughly coated in the sauce.
8. Remove the skillet from the heat and gently fold in the sour cream. Stir until the sauce is velvety and fully incorporated.

Expert Tips / Pro Tips

To achieve the perfect Creamy Ground Beef Stroganoff, measurement is key. Be sure to use exactly 6 ounces of egg noodles; using more can cause the pasta to soak up all the liquid, leaving you with a dry dish. Another pro tip is to avoid rinsing your pasta after draining. The natural starches left on the noodles help the creamy sauce cling to them much better. Finally, if you want the richest flavor possible, use full-fat sour cream and whole milk. While light versions work, the higher fat content prevents the sauce from breaking and provides that signature silky mouthfeel.

Variations & Substitutions

This recipe is highly adaptable based on what you have in your fridge. If you want a deeper, more traditional flavor, try adding a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce to the gravy. For those who love vegetables, you can sauté fresh sliced mushrooms in the butter before adding the flour. If you want a lighter version, ground chicken or ground turkey can easily replace the beef. For a vegetarian alternative, omit the meat entirely and use a hearty mushroom blend with vegetable broth instead of beef broth. If you find yourself out of sour cream, plain Greek yogurt makes an excellent tangy substitute.

Serving Suggestions

This hearty meal is a complete feast on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette helps cut through the richness of the creamy sauce. You might also consider serving it alongside roasted green beans or steamed broccoli for a pop of color and nutrition. To soak up every last drop of the delicious gravy, a side of warm garlic toast or a crusty baguette is always a hit with the family.

Storage, Freezing & Reheating

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. When reheating, the noodles may have absorbed some of the sauce; simply add a splash of milk or beef broth before microwaving to bring the creaminess back to life. This recipe also freezes well for up to 3 months. To serve after freezing, allow the dish to thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight before reheating it slowly on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Nutrition Information

Creamy Ground Beef Stroganoff

Creamy Ground Beef Stroganoff is the ultimate budget-friendly comfort food that checks every box for a busy weeknight dinner. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe delivers a rich, savory flavor that far surpasses any boxed mix or canned soup version.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 662

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 6 ounces Egg Noodles
• 1 pound Ground Beef
• 1/4 cup Butter
• 1/4 cup Flour
• 1 cup Beef Broth
• 1 1/4 cup Milk
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 cup Sour Cream

Equipment

• Large Pot
• Large Skillet
• Whisk

Method

 

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the egg noodles according to the package directions. For the best texture, cook them for about 2 minutes less than the instructions suggest so they remain slightly firm. Drain the noodles but do not rinse them.
   6 ounces Egg Noodles
2. While the noodles are boiling, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it is fully browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess grease and set the beef aside on a plate.
   1 pound Ground Beef
3. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for about 2 minutes to create a smooth roux.
   1/4 cup Butter, 1/4 cup Flour
4. Slowly pour the beef broth into the flour mixture, whisking continuously to ensure there are no lumps. Continue to stir until the sauce begins to thicken.
   1 cup Beef Broth
5. Gradually whisk in the milk and continue simmering over medium heat. Stir frequently until the sauce thickens again into a creamy consistency.
   1 1/4 cup Milk
6. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, ensuring the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
   1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder, 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder, 1 teaspoon Black Pepper, 1 teaspoon Salt
7. Reduce the heat to low. Add the cooked egg noodles and the browned ground beef back into the skillet. Toss everything together until the noodles and meat are thoroughly coated in the sauce.
   6 ounces Egg Noodles, 1 pound Ground Beef
8. Remove the skillet from the heat and gently fold in the sour cream. Stir until the sauce is velvety and fully incorporated.
   1/4 cup Sour Cream

Notes

For the best texture, use exactly 6 ounces of egg noodles and avoid rinsing them after draining so the sauce clings better. Use full-fat sour cream and whole milk for a richer flavor and to prevent the sauce from breaking.

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