Ground Beef Stroganoff is a hearty, comforting dish that has rich flavors and is simple to prepare. This recipe uses lean ground beef, mushrooms, and a creamy sauce that pulls everything together. It’s a weeknight staple that feels like a weekend treat, ready in about 40 minutes from start to finish. Serve it over homestyle egg noodles and serve with some crusty bread to sop up the extra sauce.
Ground Beef Stroganoff
I used to LOVE Hamburger Helper. Then I grew up and had a little gander at the ingredients list and decided to come up with something a little more homemade and a little less boxed and processed.
My stroganoff recipe uses affordable pantry ingredients, but doesn’t skimp on flavor. Don’t skip browning the mushrooms. It builds a lot of flavor and depth to the sauce.
Ground beef makes this version quicker than traditional beef stroganoff, which uses thinly sliced steak. This is a reliable dinner option that keeps well, reheats nicely, and works with whatever mushrooms or noodles you have on hand. If you’re cooking for a crowd or meal prepping for the week, this recipe checks all the boxes for ease and satisfaction.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Quick to make – Ready in about 40 minutes, start to finish.
- Budget-friendly – Uses everyday ingredients without sacrificing taste.
- Rich and creamy – Balanced with beef broth, sherry, and sour cream.
- Flexible – Works with different noodles, mushrooms, or protein.
- Family-friendly – Mild, savory flavors that everyone will enjoy.
Ground Beef Stroganoff Shopping List
Wondering if you have to hit the grocery store or if you have all the ingredients you need for this? Check out this list! For the full ingredients list, including the amounts you’ll need, make sure to scroll to the bottom and view the recipe card.
Ingredients
- Lean Ground Beef – Provides a fast-cooking, flavorful protein base.
- Diced Onion – Adds sweetness and depth as it cooks down with the beef.
- Sliced Mushrooms – Boosts umami and texture; brown for extra flavor.
- Salt – Basic seasoning to enhance all the other flavors.
- Seasoning Salt – Adds layered savory flavor with herbs and spices.
- Onion Powder – Reinforces onion flavor without extra moisture.
- Ground Pepper – Brings a mild, warming bite to balance richness.
- Garlic Powder – Adds gentle garlic notes without overpowering.
- Dried Parsley – Provides a subtle herbaceous background.
- Fresh Thyme – Gives a bright, earthy note to lift the dish.
- Dry Sherry – Deepens the sauce with a mild sweetness and acidity.
- Beef Broth – Forms the bulk of the sauce with rich, meaty flavor.
- Cornstarch – Thickens the sauce without clouding the flavor.
- Whole Milk – Blends with the cornstarch to create a smooth slurry.
- Sour Cream – Adds creaminess and tang at the end.
- Homestyle Egg Noodles – Traditional base that holds the sauce well.
How To Make Ground Beef Stroganoff
Looking to see what you’re getting into here? Below is a general overview of the recipe steps. When you’re cooking, make sure to use the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full instructions.
- Boil water for the noodles, salting it well.
- Brown the beef and onion with all dry seasonings and thyme in a large skillet.
- Remove beef and cook mushrooms in the remaining grease or added butter.
- Return beef to pan, add sherry and broth, and bring to a simmer.
- Whisk cornstarch with milk, stir in, and simmer to thicken. Add noodles, cook briefly, stir in sour cream, and serve.
FAQ
How should I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently over medium heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if the sauce thickens too much.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the sauce ahead and refrigerate it. Cook the noodles just before serving, then combine and reheat gently.
What can I substitute for sherry?
Use a splash of white wine or extra beef broth if you prefer to skip the alcohol. The flavor will be slightly less complex but still very good.
Can I use a different protein?
Yes, ground turkey or chicken works well for a lighter version. Just be sure to season generously to build flavor.
Serve This With…
- Roasted green beans or steamed broccoli
- Crusty French bread or garlic toast
- A crisp cucumber-dill salad or tangy slaw
PIN FOR LATER!
Ground Beef Stroganoff
This delicious ground beef stroganoff is a made-from-scratch homemade Hamburger Helper dupe! Fast, easy, and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced onion
- 4 cups sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1/3 cup dry sherry
- 4 cups beef broth
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 pound homestyle egg noodles
Instructions
- Put the water for the noodles on to boil and toss in some salt.
- Place the ground beef and onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and sprinkle on the salt, seasoning salt, onion powder, black pepper, garlic powder, dried parsley, and fresh thyme.
- Brown the ground beef and onions, stirring frequently, until there is no more pink.
- Remove the beef from the pan, but keep some of the grease in the pan. You want a few tablespoons in there. If there isn't excess grease, toss in a couple of tablespoons of butter.
- Put in the sliced mushrooms, and stir occasionally until they are softened and lightly browned. Add back in the ground beef mixture, and pour in the sherry or beef broth, and bring up to a simmer.
- Whisk together the water and cornstarch, and stir into the sauce. Simmer over medium-low heat until slightly thickened.
- When the water begins to boil, put the noodles in and cook until they are almost done. When they are about 3-4 minutes from done, drain well and add into the beef mixture.
- Remove the stroganoff from the heat, stir to combine, and serve with sour cream.
- Serve immediately with crusty bread and your favorite vegetable.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 483Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 134mgSodium: 1091mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gProtein: 41g