Creamy Ground Beef Stroganoff: A Weeknight Favourite Made Easy

Are you on the hunt for a dinner that ticks all the boxes? We’re talking about a meal that is genuinely comforting, bursting with flavour, and can be on your table in less than half an hour with minimal washing up. It often seems like an impossible goal, but we’re here to share the perfect solution: our wonderfully rich and hearty Creamy Ground Beef Stroganoff.

This recipe elevates affordable beef mince into a meal that feels truly special. We bring together savoury beef and earthy mushrooms, swirled into a decadent, tangy sour cream sauce and served over a bed of tender egg noodles. It’s the kind of nostalgic dish that provides warmth and satisfaction, making it a guaranteed hit with the entire family. Leave behind complex methods and costly ingredients; this is pure comfort food, beautifully simplified for modern life.

Why You’ll Adore This Recipe

• Ready in 30 Minutes: From start to finish, this entire meal is ready in around 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when time is precious.
• Budget-Conscious Choice: By using economical ground beef instead of more expensive cuts of steak, we achieve that classic stroganoff taste without straining your wallet.
• The Ultimate Comfort Food: The blend of a savoury beef and mushroom sauce with that signature creamy tang is what we consider a hug in a bowl.
• Family-Friendly Flavours: With a mild yet deeply savoury taste, this recipe is loved by adults and children alike. It’s also a brilliant way to get fussy eaters to enjoy mushrooms.
• Wonderfully Versatile: Feel free to customise this dish. It’s just as delicious served over fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or even courgette noodles for a low-carb alternative.

Ingredients

• 450g lean ground beef (mince)
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 250g chestnut mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 750ml beef broth or stock
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 200g full-fat sour cream, at room temperature
• 350g egg noodles
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

A Brief History of Beef Stroganoff

Before we get started in the kitchen, let’s take a moment to appreciate the fascinating history behind this beloved dish. Beef Stroganoff originates from 19th-century Russia, named in honour of the influential Stroganov family. The original creation, which featured sautéed beef cubes in a sour cream (known as “smetana”) sauce, quickly gained popularity. As the recipe travelled across the globe, it evolved, with chefs adding ingredients like mushrooms and onions. Our version with ground beef is a contemporary, accessible spin on this culinary classic, delivering the same cherished flavours in an even more straightforward format. To learn more, you can delve into its origins on food history sites like The Food Timeline.

How to Make Our Easy Beef Stroganoff

We’ve structured this recipe into five simple steps to guide you. Follow them closely, and you’ll have a magnificent meal ready before you know it. This truly is an easy beef stroganoff that any home cook can perfect.

1. Step 1: Cook the Egg Noodles

   To begin, bring a large saucepan of salted water to a vigorous boil. Add your egg noodles and cook them according to the package directions until they are perfectly al dente. Once they’re ready, drain the noodles thoroughly and set them aside. A little drizzle of olive oil can help prevent them from clumping together as you make the sauce.

2. Step 2: Brown the Beef and Onions

   While your pasta cooks, warm the olive oil in a large, deep-sided frying pan or a Dutch oven over a medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it has softened and become translucent. Next, stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until it’s aromatic. Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until it is evenly browned. Be sure to drain away any excess fat.

3. Step 3: Develop the Mushroom Ground Beef Sauce

   Now, add the sliced mushrooms to the beef and onions. Continue to cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring from time to time, until the mushrooms have released their juices and started to turn a lovely golden brown. This step is key to building a rich, savoury flavour in your Mushroom ground beef sauce. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir it in for about a minute to cook off the raw taste, which will also help to thicken the sauce.

4. Step 4: Create the Simple and Creamy Sauce

   Gently pour in the beef broth, whisking as you go to ensure a smooth, lump-free sauce. Bring the mixture to a low simmer. Use your spoon to scrape up any flavourful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Now, stir in the Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes, or until it has thickened to a consistency you like. For a perfectly Simple and creamy finish, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for a moment before you stir in the room-temperature sour cream. This simple trick prevents it from splitting.

5. Step 5: Combine and Serve Your Weeknight Beef Pasta

   Season the sauce to your liking with a generous amount of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add the cooked egg noodles and the chopped fresh parsley directly to the pan. Gently fold everything together until the noodles are luxuriously coated in the creamy sauce. Your delicious Weeknight beef pasta is now ready to be served hot, with an extra sprinkle of parsley for garnish if you wish.

Tips for the Perfect Creamy Ground Beef Stroganoff

We want your stroganoff to be a triumph every time you make it. Here are a few of our most valuable tips:

• • Use Room Temperature Sour Cream: Introducing cold sour cream to a hot sauce is a common cause of curdling. Simply let it sit out on the worktop while you prepare the rest of the meal.
  • Avoid Boiling the Cream: After the sour cream has been added, maintain a very low heat. Boiling will alter its texture and can cause it to separate. The aim is to just warm it through.
  • Opt for Full-Fat Sour Cream: For the most luxurious, creamy result and to minimise the risk of curdling, full-fat sour cream is always our top recommendation.
  • Brown the Mushrooms Well: Be patient with the mushrooms! Letting them release their moisture and develop a rich brown colour will add an incredible depth of flavour to the dish.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

While we think this recipe is perfect as is, it also serves as an excellent starting point for your own culinary creativity. If you love simple yet satisfying meals, why not try our Low Carb Chicken Casserole for another fantastic weeknight dinner idea.

What to Serve with Stroganoff

This dish is certainly a meal in itself, but a few simple sides can complete the experience. We suggest:

• A fresh green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette dressing.
• Steamed green beans or a side of roasted broccoli.
• Slices of warm, crusty bread, perfect for soaking up any remaining sauce.

Recipe Variations

• A Touch of Wine: For a deeper flavour, deglaze the pan with a splash of dry white wine or brandy after the mushrooms have browned.
• Experiment with Herbs: Fresh dill or chives are also wonderful additions, either instead of or alongside the parsley.
• Make a Lighter Version: You can easily substitute the beef with ground turkey or chicken mince for a leaner take on the classic.

FAQ

The Ultimate Comfort Food Awaits

So there you have it—a speedy, delicious, and entirely foolproof recipe for Creamy Ground Beef Stroganoff that is sure to earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation. It perfectly balances classic comfort with the convenience of a modern recipe, proving you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to create a meal to remember.

If you’re a fan of quick pasta dishes that the whole family will love, be sure to have a look at our tasty Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe too! We truly hope you enjoy this stroganoff as much as we do. We’d love to hear how you get on, so please feel free to leave a comment below. Happy cooking!

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 450g lean ground beef (mince)
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 250g chestnut mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 750ml beef broth or stock
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 200g full-fat sour cream, at room temperature
• 350g egg noodles
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the egg noodles in a large pot of salted, boiling water according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
2. While the noodles cook, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté until softened (3-4 minutes). Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
3. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until evenly browned, then drain off any excess fat.
4. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5-7 minutes, until they have released their liquid and started to brown. Sprinkle the flour over the beef and mushrooms and stir for one minute.
5. Gradually pour in the beef broth, stirring continuously to create a smooth sauce. Stir in the Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
6. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for a moment. Stir in the room-temperature sour cream until well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
7. Add the cooked egg noodles and chopped parsley to the sauce, tossing gently to coat everything. Serve hot.

Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 810,
Carbs: 76 g,
Protein: 36 g,
Fat: 40 g