Pioneer Woman Inspired Ground Beef Stroganoff: Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipe

Enjoy the comforting flavors of a classic stroganoff with this quick and easy ground beef stroganoff recipe, inspired by the home-style cooking of the Pioneer Woman. Perfect for busy weeknights, this creamy and flavorful dish features tender ground beef, savory mushrooms, and a rich sour cream sauce, all ready in under 30 minutes. This family-friendly meal is sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation, satisfying everyone at the table. Serve it over a bed of fluffy egg noodles for a truly delightful dinner experience. For a complete and hearty meal, consider pairing it with some warm garlic knots and crisp green bean bacon bundles – a combination that elevates this simple dish to a company-worthy feast.

A comforting plate of ground beef stroganoff served over egg noodles.

This hamburger stroganoff recipe is a family favorite because it’s both incredibly easy to make and skips the canned cream of mushroom soup, offering a fresher, more homemade taste. If you start cooking your egg noodles while preparing the stroganoff, you can have dinner on the table in less than half an hour. For those evenings when time is short but you crave a delicious, home-cooked meal, this ground beef stroganoff is the answer.

Looking for more quick and easy dinner ideas? You might also love our One Skillet Pepper Steak, Skillet Sausage and Peppers, and Easy Chicken Enchiladas – just a few more recipes perfect for making hectic weeknights delicious and stress-free.

Ingredient Spotlight and Simple Swaps

Ground Beef: Opt for ground beef with a bit of fat for the best flavor and moisture in your stroganoff. Don’t be afraid to use ground turkey, ground pork, or even ground chicken as a leaner alternative – all will work beautifully.
Butter: Whether you choose salted or unsalted butter is up to you. If using salted butter, just remember to taste and adjust the added salt in the recipe accordingly.
Mushrooms: White button mushrooms are classic, but cremini mushrooms (also known as baby bellas) bring a deeper, earthier flavor. For a more complex mushroom flavor, feel free to mix both types.
Seasonings: Dried thyme and fresh parsley are the stars here, along with simple salt and black pepper. For a subtle twist, try adding a pinch of dried dill or a dash of Dijon mustard to enhance the savory notes.
Beef Broth: Low-sodium beef broth is recommended to control the saltiness of the dish. You can always add more salt to taste, but it’s harder to take it away!
Sour Cream: Full-fat sour cream is the key to that signature rich and creamy stroganoff sauce. For the best texture and flavor, avoid using low-fat or fat-free versions.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Ground Beef Stroganoff

Get ready to whip up this ground beef stroganoff in just a few simple steps:

Brown the Beef and Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until it’s no longer pink. About halfway through, add the butter, chopped onion, and sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and the mushrooms are tender and lightly browned, usually around 5-7 minutes.
Add Flavor and Thicken: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, and fresh parsley. Cook for about a minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring well to ensure the flour is evenly distributed and cooked slightly – this helps to thicken the sauce.
Create the Stroganoff Sauce: Pour in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard (if using). Stir everything together to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld.
Finish with Sour Cream: Remove the skillet from the heat and gently stir in the sour cream until it’s fully incorporated and the sauce is creamy and smooth. Season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Be sure not to boil the stroganoff after adding the sour cream, as it can cause it to curdle.

Ground beef stroganoff cooking in a skillet with a spatula stirring the sauce.

Serving Suggestions for Ground Beef Stroganoff

Ground beef stroganoff is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are some delicious serving ideas:

Classic Noodles: Serve it over hot cooked egg noodles for the most traditional stroganoff experience. Angel hair pasta or even wide fettuccine also work wonderfully.
Creamy Potatoes: Garlic mashed potatoes provide a comforting and flavorful base for the rich stroganoff sauce. For a lighter option, try serving it over roasted potatoes.
Grains: Cooked rice, quinoa, or even creamy polenta are great alternatives to noodles or potatoes, offering a different texture and flavor profile.
Fresh Sides: Balance the richness of the stroganoff with a fresh garden salad dressed with a light vinaigrette. Crusty bread or Dutch oven bread is perfect for soaking up every last bit of sauce.
Vegetable Pairings: Roasted parmesan asparagus or sautéed green beans are excellent vegetable sides that complement the stroganoff beautifully.

Expert Tips for Perfect Ground Beef Stroganoff

Drain Excess Grease: After browning the ground beef, if there’s excess grease in the skillet, drain it off before adding the other ingredients. This will prevent your stroganoff from becoming too greasy.
Noodle Choice: While Amish egg noodles are a favorite, any type of egg noodle will work. You can also use other pasta shapes, mashed potatoes, or rice based on your preference.
Serve Immediately: For the best texture, it’s recommended to serve the stroganoff immediately after making it. If you are not serving it right away, keep the noodles and stroganoff separate until serving time to prevent the noodles from absorbing too much sauce and becoming mushy.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Stroganoff

Storage: Leftover ground beef stroganoff can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave at 50% power, stirring occasionally until heated through. If the stroganoff seems too thick after refrigeration, you can add a splash of beef broth or milk to thin it out to your desired consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ground Beef Stroganoff

Can I use other types of ground meat?
Yes, you can easily substitute ground turkey, ground pork, or ground chicken for ground beef. Use an equal amount of your preferred ground meat.

Is ground beef stroganoff freezer-friendly?
Absolutely! To freeze, let the stroganoff cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

What if my stroganoff sauce becomes too thick?
If your stroganoff sauce gets too thick, simply stir in a little extra beef broth, about ¼ cup at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.

Explore More Delicious Ground Beef Recipes

Looking for more inspiration using ground beef? Check out these other tasty recipes:

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Chili Mac

Hamburger Vegetable Soup

Creamy Beef and Shells

Beefaroni

Hamburger Steak and Gravy

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Ground Beef Stroganoff Recipe Card

This Ground Beef Stroganoff recipe is family-friendly, budget-friendly, and packed with flavor. Fresh mushrooms, onions, and garlic combine in a rich and creamy sour cream sauce to create a dinner that everyone will love. Serve over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice for a comforting and satisfying meal.

5 from 57 votes

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Course: Main Meal, Beef
Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 358kcal
Author: Beth Pierce

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small onion, chopped
16 ounces white button or cremini mushrooms, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried parsley
2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 ½ – 3 cups low sodium beef broth, or more to desired consistency
1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ cup sour cream, full fat
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Cooked egg noodles, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Start by browning the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the beef is halfway browned, add butter, onion, and mushrooms. Continue cooking until beef is fully cooked and mushrooms are browned.
Reduce heat to low. Add garlic, thyme, and parsley. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Sprinkle with flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring to combine. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard, stirring to combine.
Simmer over low heat for 7-10 minutes. Stir in sour cream and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme, if desired.
Serve hot over cooked egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice.

Recipe Notes

Drain excess grease from ground beef after browning, if necessary.
Any egg noodles will work, or serve over mashed potatoes, angel hair pasta, or rice.
For best results, combine stroganoff with noodles just before serving to prevent mushiness.

Nutrition Information

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