A Creamy, One-Pot, 30-Minute Dinner the Whole Family Will Devour.
Why This is The Best Easy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe
This Best Easy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe is the definition of comfort food meets convenience. It’s a true one-pot wonder that minimizes cleanup, utilizes budget-friendly ground beef, and delivers a velvety, rich, classic Stroganoff flavor in under 30 minutes. Forget the fussy steps; this recipe is perfect for your busiest weeknights.
The Weeknight Hero: My Story with Hamburger Stroganoff
There are certain recipes that become woven into the fabric of your family’s history, and for us, this Ground Beef Stroganoff is one of them. I can vividly remember coming home from late soccer practices, absolutely starving, and the smell of this dish wafting from the kitchen was always the most comforting thing in the world. It was my mother’s fail-safe, quick weeknight dinner, and consequently, it became mine too.
However, I needed to make a few tweaks to her classic version. Her recipe involved boiling the noodles separately—a cardinal sin when you’re aiming for one-pot simplicity! Furthermore, I wanted a deeper, richer flavor that sometimes felt lost with just basic ingredients. I experimented with different broths, spices, and a couple of secrets (like the absolute necessity of resting the pot before adding the sour cream—more on that later), and ultimately landed on what I confidently call The Best Easy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe.
This version is impossibly creamy, deeply savory, and One-Pot Hamburger Stroganoff perfection. It’s budget-friendly, effortless to make, and without a doubt, the dish that earns the highest compliments from my pickiest eaters. Believe me when I say, once you try this method, you won’t go back.
Expert Tips for the Creamiest Ground Beef Stroganoff
As a seasoned home cook, I’ve learned a few non-negotiable steps to take this from “good” to “the best.” Follow these tips to ensure your Creamy Beef Noodle Recipe is perfect every time:
- Don’t Skip the Drain: After browning the ground beef, make sure you drain off the excess fat. If you skip this step, the final dish will be greasy and the sauce won’t emulsify properly.
- The Sour Cream Trick: This is the most important step for a non-curdled, silky sauce. You must remove the pot from the heat and let it rest for 2-3 minutes before stirring in the sour cream. Adding sour cream to boiling liquid can cause it to curdle, resulting in a grainy texture.
- Full Fat is Flavor: Furthermore, use full-fat sour cream. Low-fat substitutes often contain extra stabilizers and starches that can affect the flavor and texture of the final sauce.
- Deglaze the Pot: When you add the broth, scrape up any browned bits (fond) stuck to the bottom of the pot. These bits are pure flavor and will add amazing depth to your Ground Beef Stroganoff.
Ready in 30 Minutes: The Best Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe
Here is the full, printable recipe card for this incredible Quick Weeknight Dinner. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this comes together!
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 6 oz wide egg noodles
- 1/2 cup sour cream (full fat is best)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain any excess grease.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and mushrooms (if using) to the pot. Cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the beef broth, cream of mushroom soup, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Stir well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add Noodles: Once boiling, add the wide egg noodles. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let simmer for 8–10 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Stir in Sour Cream: Remove the pot from the heat. Allow it to cool for 2 minutes. This is critical! Stir in the sour cream until the mixture is uniformly creamy and pale brown. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Variations and Substitutions
One of the great things about this Best Easy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe is how flexible it is. Consequently, you can easily adapt it based on what you have in your pantry or fridge:
- Meat Swap: Instead of ground beef, you can use ground turkey or a combination of beef and mild Italian sausage for added flavor depth.
- Noodle Alternative: If you’re avoiding gluten, use gluten-free pasta (adjusting cooking time as needed) or serve the stroganoff over mashed potatoes or rice.
- Spice It Up: For a little kick, furthermore, try adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce right before adding the broth.
- Vegetable Boost: In addition to the onions and mushrooms, consider tossing in a handful of frozen peas or a chopped bell pepper during the sauté stage for extra nutrients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hamburger Stroganoff
We’ve answered the most common questions we get about making this Quick Weeknight Dinner:
Can I freeze leftover Hamburger Stroganoff?
While you technically can, freezing is not recommended for this dish because the sour cream-based sauce tends to separate or become grainy upon thawing and reheating. If you must freeze it, cool the stroganoff completely, store it in an airtight container for up to 3 months, and stir vigorously when reheating to try and recombine the sauce. For best results, it’s better to store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
What can I substitute for the cream of mushroom soup?
If you don’t like or have cream of mushroom soup, you can make a homemade cream base. Simply melt 2 tablespoons of butter, whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour to make a roux, and then gradually whisk in 1 cup of beef broth and 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Season lightly and use this in place of the canned soup for a rich, fresh flavor.
How can I make this Hamburger Stroganoff even creamier?
For the ultimate creamy texture, use full-fat sour cream and be sure to remove the pot from the heat for a couple of minutes before stirring it in; this prevents the sour cream from curdling. Furthermore, you can stir in 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese along with the sour cream for an extra layer of richness and flavor.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While wide egg noodles are traditional for stroganoff, other excellent options include penne, rotini, or even bow ties. Just ensure you adjust the cooking time and liquid amount if necessary to fully cook the pasta according to the package directions, as these shapes may absorb liquid differently than egg noodles.