Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff | 30-Minute Recipe

Whip up creamy Beef Stroganoff in 30 minutes! One-skillet, family-friendly, and packed with flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights.

Beef Stroganoff: A Timeless Comfort Food Made Simple

There’s a reason Beef Stroganoff has been a beloved classic for centuries—it’s rich, hearty, and endlessly comforting. While traditional recipes use tender steak strips, this 30-minute version swaps in ground beef for a budget-friendly, weeknight-friendly twist. Imagine savory beef, caramelized onions, and earthy mushrooms (optional, but recommended!) tossed in a velvety sour cream sauce and served with buttery egg noodles. It’s the kind of meal that feels gourmet but requires minimal effort—no French chef required!

A Taste of Nobility: The History of Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff, a culinary icon born in 19th-century Russia, owes its name to Count Pavel Stroganov—a wealthy aristocrat with ties to Tsar Alexander III. Legend credits his French-trained chef (a status symbol among Russian nobility) with inventing the dish to dazzle high-society guests. The earliest recorded recipe, published in an 1871 Russian cookbook, featured tender beef in a bold mustard-and-broth sauce sans sour cream—a creamy twist added later as the recipe spread globally. This dish embodies a cultural mashup: French technique meets Russian ingredients, creating a timeless comfort food that transcended royal kitchens. Though historical portraits of Count Pavel are rare, his legacy thrives in every forkful of this rich, savory classic. Over time, it evolved globally, embracing additions like mushrooms and sour cream for the creamy richness we love today. From royal banquets to family dinners, Beef Stroganoff’s comforting, adaptable charm has made it a timeless icon, uniting kitchens across continents.

Why This Recipe Wins Weeknights (30 Minutes, One Pan, Zero Fuss!)

🍔 Ground Beef Shortcut for Busy Cooks

• No marinating needed: Ground beef cooks fast and absorbs flavors instantly.
• Budget-friendly & forgiving: Lean or regular ground beef works (no risk of tough bites!).
• Weeknight lifesaver: Ready in 30 minutes—no slicing or searing required!

🍄 Mushrooms: The Flavor MVP

• Earthy depth: A generous 8 oz of mushrooms adds umami richness. Pro tip: Use cremini and shiitake for a gourmet twist.
• Stretch your meal: Bulk up portions without extra cost. True story: My mushroom-hating nephew now requests seconds!

⏱️ 30-Minute, One-Pan Simplicity

• Pantry staples only: Garlic, Worcestershire, broth, and sour cream do the heavy lifting.
• No fancy tools: Brown beef → sauté veggies → simmer sauce → done. Bonus: Minimal dishes to wash!

👃 Kitchen Aroma = Instant Comfort

• Smells like victory: Caramelized onions + savory beef + herbs = a hug in food form.
• Meal-prep friendly: Double the batch and reheat for stress-free lunches.

🍴 Why You’ll Keep Coming Back

• Crowd-pleasing: Picky eaters and foodies alike will clean their plates.
• Adaptable: Swap beef for ground turkey, add spinach, or go gluten-free with cornstarch.
• Tastes like effort: Feels gourmet but cooks like a weeknight lifesaver.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (85% lean for optimal flavor)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt + 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or sub ½ tsp thyme + ½ tsp oregano)
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 TBSP minced garlic
• 2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce (adds umami depth!)
• 3 TBSP butter
• 3 TBSP all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free)
• 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 1 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
• 10 Oz medium egg noodles
• Fresh parsley (garnish)

Optional Add-Ins:

• 8 Oz sliced mushrooms (cremini or baby Bella)
• 1/2 cup white wine (deglaze the pan for extra flavor!)

How to Make Beef Stroganoff with Ground Beef

Cook the Noodles
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook egg noodles per the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Brown the Beef & Onions

• Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onion, breaking up the meat with a spatula.
• Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and onion powder. Cook for 5–7 minutes until beef is browned and onions are soft. Drain excess grease.

Build the Sauce

• Reduce heat to medium. Stir in garlic and Worcestershire sauce; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
• Add butter. Once melted, sprinkle flour over the beef and stir to coat. Cook for 1–2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
• Gradually pour in beef broth, stirring constantly. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until thickened.

Finish with Sour Cream & Noodles

• Remove skillet from heat (to prevent curdling). Stir in sour cream until smooth.
• Fold in cooked noodles until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Serve & Garnish
Top with parsley and serve immediately with a crisp salad or roasted veggies!

Pro Tips for Success

• Boost the flavor: Add mushrooms with the onions, or deglaze the pan with white wine before adding broth.
• Avoid curdling: Let the sauce cool slightly before stirring in sour cream.

Tips for Variations and Substitutions

Dietary Swaps

• Gluten-Free:
  • Replace flour with cornstarch (1.5 tbsp) or gluten-free flour.
  • Use gluten-free egg noodles or zucchini noodles.
• Dairy-Free:
  • Swap sour cream with coconut yogurt or dairy-free sour cream.
  • Use olive oil instead of butter.
• Vegetarian:
  • Substitute ground beef with mushrooms, lentils, or plant-based crumbles.
  • Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
• Keto/Low-Carb:
  • Skip noodles; serve over zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or shirataki noodles.
  • Use full-fat sour cream and skip flour (thicken with cream cheese).

Protein & Flavor Twists

• Lighter Protein: Swap beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat.
• Extra Veggies: Stir in spinach, peas, or bell peppers with the onions.
• Umami Boost: Add 1 tbsp tomato paste or a splash of balsamic vinegar.
• Spice It Up: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or smoked paprika for heat.

Pantry Hacks

• No Worcestershire? Use soy sauce, tamari (gluten-free), or coconut aminos.
• Broth Substitute: Dissolve 1 beef bouillon cube in 2 cups of hot water.
• Fresh Herbs: Swap parsley with dill or thyme for a fresh twist.

Beef Stroganoff: Perfect Pairings for Every Plate

Keep It Bright & Balanced

• Simple, Bright Salad:
  Toss endive, chicory, and a mix of greens with a lemon dressing to cut through the creamy mushroom sauce or Pico de Gallo.
• Garlicky Veggie Sides:
  Sauté spinach, broccolini, or green beans for an extra flavor that won’t steal the spotlight.

Starches That Pair Don’t Compete

• Lightly Buttered Egg Noodles:
  A classic choice that lets the sauce shine.
• Homemade Pasta or Gnocchi:
  Perfect for special occasions—freshly cooked and tossed in olive oil.
• Steamy White Rice or Buckwheat Kasha:
  Absorb the sauce beautifully.
• Mashed Potatoes:
  Creamy and comforting, a true comfort food on a fork.

Additional Perfect Pairings

• Vegetables:
  Try garlic sautéed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a lemon-dressed arugula salad.
• Starches:
  Buttered egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or fluffy white rice work wonderfully.

Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze sauce (without noodles) for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm on the stove over low heat with a splash of broth to revive creaminess.

Tools to Eat

• Utensils: Fork or spoon (ideal for twirling noodles and scooping sauce).
• Serve in: Shallow bowls or pasta plates to hold the creamy sauce.

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