Best Easy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe
A creamy, one-pot dinner that everyone in the family will love in 30 minutes.
This is the best simple hamburger stroganoff recipe for a reason.
This Best Easy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe is the perfect example of comfort food that is also easy to make. This is a real one-pot marvel that cuts down on cleanup, uses inexpensive ground beef, and gives you a deep, velvety, classic Stroganoff flavor in less than 30 minutes. This recipe is great for your busy weeknights because it doesn’t include any fussy steps.
My Story with Hamburger Stroganoff: The Weeknight Hero
Some dishes become a part of your family’s history, and for us, this Ground Beef Stroganoff is one of them. I can still remember how pleasant it was to come home after late soccer practices, ravenous, and smell this dish cooking in the kitchen. It was my mother’s go-to simple dinner for weeknights, so it became mine too.
But I had to change her classic rendition a little bit. She boiled the noodles separately, which is a big no-no if you want to keep things simple in one pot! Also, I wanted a flavor that was deeper and richer, which I sometimes thought was missing with simply basic components. I tried out different broths, spices, and a few secrets (such how important it is to let the pot rest before adding the sour cream—more on that later), and in the end, I came up with what I am sure is The Best Easy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe.
This recipe is incredibly smooth, very delicious, and the best One-Pot Hamburger Stroganoff ever. It’s cheap, easy to cook, and without a question, the dish that gets the most praise from my pickiest diners. You won’t go back after you try this strategy, I promise.
How to Make the Creamiest Ground Beef Stroganoff
As someone who has cooked at home for a long time, I’ve discovered a few things that are essential to making this “the best.” To make sure your Creamy Beef Noodle Recipe is always great, follow these steps:
- Don’t forget to drain: After browning the ground beef, get rid of the extra fat. If you don’t do this step, the sauce won’t mix well and the meal will be oily.
- This is the most critical step for a smooth sauce that doesn’t curdle: the sour cream trick. You need to take the saucepan off the heat and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes before adding the sour cream. Adding sour cream to hot liquids can make them curdle, which makes them seem gritty.
- Full Fat is Flavor: Also, use sour cream that is full fat. Low-fat alternatives frequently include extra stabilizers and starches in them that might change the taste and texture of the sauce.
- When you add the broth, scrape out any browned bits (fond) that are stuck to the bottom of the saucepan. These pieces are full of flavor and will make your Ground Beef Stroganoff taste even better.
The Best Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe: Ready in 30 Minutes
This is the full, printable recipe card for this amazing Quick Weeknight Dinner. You’ll be shocked at how quickly this comes together!
Things You Need
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1.5 pounds of lean ground beef
- 1 big yellow onion, cut up
- 2 cloves of garlic, chopped up
- 1 cup of sliced mushrooms (optional)
- Three cups of beef broth
- 1 can (10.5 oz) of cream of mushroom soup
- 1 tsp of Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 6 oz of broad egg noodles
- 1/2 cup of sour cream (full fat is ideal)
- Chopped fresh parsley for decoration
How to do it
- Brown the beef: Put the olive oil in a big saucepan or Dutch oven and heat it over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook it, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is completely brown. Get rid of any extra grease.
- Sauté the aromatics: Put the chopped onion and mushrooms (if using) in the pot. About five minutes, or until the onion is see-through, cook. Add the minced garlic and simmer for another minute, or until the garlic smells good.
- Let the sauce simmer: Add the Worcestershire sauce, cream of mushroom soup, and beef broth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well, making sure to scrape away any browned parts from the bottom. Make the mixture boil.
- Add the noodles: When the water is boiling, add the wide egg noodles. Cover and lower the heat to medium-low. Let the noodles simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are soft and most of the liquid has been absorbed. To keep it from sticking, stir it every so often.
- Take the pot off the heat and stir in the sour cream. Let it cool down for two minutes. This is very important! Add the sour cream and mix until the mixture is a pale brown and creamy all over. If you need to, taste and change the seasonings.
- Serve right away with fresh chopped parsley on top.
Changes and Replacements
One of the best things about our Best Easy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe is how adaptable it is. So, you can easily change it based on what you have in your fridge or pantry:
- Meat Swap: You can use ground turkey or a mix of beef and mild Italian sausage instead of ground beef to add more flavor.
- If you can’t eat gluten, you can substitute gluten-free spaghetti (cooking time may need to be changed) or serve the stroganoff over rice or mashed potatoes.
- Spice It Up: To give it a little kick, you may also add a pinch of smoky paprika or a splash of spicy sauce right before you add the broth.
- Vegetable Boost: Along with the onions and mushrooms, you may add some frozen peas or a diced bell pepper while the food is cooking to gain more nutrients.
Common Questions About Hamburger Stroganoff
Here are the answers to the most common questions we get about creating this Quick Weeknight Dinner:
Is it okay to freeze Hamburger Stroganoff that I didn’t eat?
You can freeze this dish, but it’s not a good idea because the sour cream-based sauce tends to separate or get grainy when you thaw and reheat it. If you have to freeze it, let it cool all the way down, put it in a container that won’t let air in, then when you reheat it, mix it well to try to get the sauce back together. It’s best to keep leftovers in the fridge for up to three days.
What can I use instead of the cream of mushroom soup?
You can prepare your own cream base if you don’t like or don’t have cream of mushroom soup. To prepare a roux, melt 2 teaspoons of butter and then whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour. Then, slowly whisk in 1 cup of beef broth and 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Add a little seasoning and use this instead of canned soup for a fresh, rich taste.
How can I add more creaminess to this Hamburger Stroganoff?
Use full-fat sour cream for the creamiest texture. Before stirring it in, take the saucepan off the heat for a few minutes. This will keep the sour cream from curdling. You can also add 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the sour cream for added flavor and richness.
Is it okay if I use a different kind of pasta?
Of course! Wide egg noodles are the classic choice for stroganoff, but penne, rotini, or even bow ties are other great choices. If you need to, just change the cooking time and amount of liquid to make sure the pasta is properly cooked according to the package guidelines. These shapes may soak up liquid differently than egg noodles.
Are you ready to make the best hamburger stroganoff?
You now have everything you need to make the creamiest and most filling Best Easy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe for your family tonight. You don’t have to spend hours or use intricate procedures to make this dish taste great. It only goes to show how good comfort food is!
Please snap a picture of your finished dish and post it on Instagram or Pinterest if you try this recipe. Tag us so we can witness your amazing meal. Also, we’d love to know how it turned out! Do you like to add extra mushrooms? Leave a comment below with your preferred variation. A little wine? Please tell us!