My Easy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe: A Weeknight Wonder
Hello, fellow home cooks! Sarah here, and this Hamburger Stroganoff has become a true weeknight hero in my kitchen. Creamy, comforting, and ready in about 30 minutes, it turns hectic days into a delicious, satisfying dinner—no hours of prep required.
Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Recipe
- Speedy Simplicity: This dish is genuinely ready in around 30 minutes, making it a lifesaver on busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast.
- Budget-Friendly Bliss: Using ground beef and common pantry staples makes this a wonderfully affordable way to enjoy a classic comfort food without breaking the bank.
- Creamy, Dreamy Sauce: The combination of sour cream and cream of mushroom soup creates an incredibly rich and satisfying sauce that coats every bite of pasta perfectly.
- Crowd-Pleasing Classic: It’s a familiar and beloved flavor profile that’s almost guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters in your family.
Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe: Simple & Delicious
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef along with the diced yellow onion and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onions are softened.
- Drain off any excess grease from the pan. Put the pan back on the stove over medium heat, but don’t add the ground beef back in yet. Add the butter and let it melt completely.
- Whisk in the flour and let it cook for a minute or two, stirring constantly to create a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the beef broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Turn the heat up to high and bring to a boil for 2-3 minutes, whisking often, until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Lower the heat to medium. Whisk in the sour cream and the cream of mushroom soup until smooth and combined. Temper the sour cream by whisking a spoonful of hot sauce into it before adding to the main pot over low heat to prevent curdling.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more beef broth.
- Gently add the drained ground beef back into the sauce mixture and stir until heated through.
- Serve this Hamburger Stroganoff over your favorite cooked egg noodles.
Essential Equipment for Making Hamburger Stroganoff
Gathering your tools is the first step to a smooth cooking experience! For this Hamburger Stroganoff, you won’t need anything too fancy. A large skillet is your best friend here, along with a good whisk for that smooth sauce. You’ll also want your trusty measuring cups and spoons, and a spatula for stirring and serving. That’s it – simple tools for a simple, delicious meal!
Hamburger Stroganoff Ingredients
Let’s talk about what makes this Hamburger Stroganoff so special! I love keeping my ingredient lists straightforward, and this recipe is no exception.
- Ground beef (1 pound, 80/20 blend)
- Yellow onion (½ cup, diced)
- Garlic (1 teaspoon minced)
- Salted butter (3 tablespoons)
- All-purpose flour (3 tablespoons)
- Beef broth (1½ cups, low-sodium)
- Sour cream (1 cup)
- Cream of mushroom soup (10.5-ounce can)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Cooked egg noodles
You can try lemon blueberry cupcakes for dessert.
Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Delicious Hamburger Stroganoff
Now for the fun part – bringing this Hamburger Stroganoff to life! It’s a straightforward process that yields incredibly rewarding results.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, I like to brown my ground beef along with the diced yellow onion and minced garlic. This gets everything nice and tender and builds a fantastic flavor base! Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onions are softened.
- After the beef is thoroughly cooked and crumbled, it’s important to drain off any excess grease from the pan. This helps keep the final dish from feeling too heavy.
- Put the pan back on the stove over medium heat, but don’t add the ground beef back in yet. Add the butter and let it melt completely. Then, whisk in the flour and let it cook for a minute or two, stirring constantly. This little step, called making a roux, creates a wonderfully smooth sauce base!
- Gradually whisk in the beef broth, making sure to whisk vigorously to get rid of any lumps. Turn the heat up to high and let it come to a boil for 2-3 minutes, whisking often. You’ll see it start to thicken beautifully into a lovely gravy! This process of creating a thickened sauce is a foundational cooking technique.
- Lower the heat to medium. Now for the creamy goodness! Whisk in the sour cream and the can of cream of mushroom soup until everything is wonderfully smooth and combined. It’s getting so creamy and delicious!
- Now for the fun part – tasting and seasoning! Add salt and pepper to your liking. Don’t be afraid to taste and adjust! If the sauce gets a little too thick for your liking at this stage, I always add just a tiny splash more beef broth to reach your desired consistency.
- Gently add the drained ground beef back into the sauce mixture and stir until it’s all heated through. Mmm, the aromas are just heavenly!
- Serve this delightful Hamburger Stroganoff over your favorite cooked egg noodles. It’s pure comfort in a bowl!
Elevate Your Meal: Serving & Side Dish Ideas
While classic egg noodles are absolutely wonderful for this Hamburger Stroganoff, don’t be afraid to get creative with how you serve it! I love offering variety.
- Pasta: Beyond egg noodles, consider other pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or even wide ribbons of fettuccine.
- Rice: This stroganoff is also fantastic served over a bed of fluffy white rice, hearty brown rice, or a nutty wild rice blend.
- Mashed Potatoes: For ultimate comfort, a generous scoop of creamy mashed potatoes is a classic pairing that’s hard to beat.
- Crusty Bread: Don’t forget a slice of good crusty bread for soaking up every last bit of that delicious sauce!
- Vegetable Pairings: To balance the richness, I love serving a simple green vegetable. Think roasted asparagus spears, steamed broccoli florets, or some elegant green beans almondine. A light side salad with a simple vinaigrette also works beautifully.
Variations on a Theme: Get Creative with Your Hamburger Stroganoff!
Part of the joy of cooking, for me, is making a recipe your own. This Hamburger Stroganoff is a fantastic base for all sorts of delicious experiments!
- Creamy Tomato Twist: Want a little something different? Stir in a tablespoon or two of tomato paste along with the broth, or even a small can of diced tomatoes (drained) for a different flavor profile.
- Spicy Kick: If you enjoy a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the sauce mixture. It adds a wonderful subtle warmth!
- Cheesy Delight: Who doesn’t love cheese? Stir in about half a cup of shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese right at the end until melted for an extra decadent Hamburger Stroganoff.
- Stroganoff Casserole: For a make-ahead marvel, combine the finished stroganoff mixture with cooked noodles in a baking dish, top with a little extra cheese or breadcrumbs, and bake until bubbly.
Quick & Easy Adaptations: Dietary Needs
I believe everyone should be able to enjoy comforting meals, so adapting this Hamburger Stroganoff for different dietary needs is totally doable!
- Gluten-Free: Simply serve your Hamburger Stroganoff over gluten-free noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes. Ensure your flour is gluten-free, or create a slurry with cornstarch and a little water to thicken the sauce instead of using flour.
- Dairy-Free: Swap the butter for a dairy-free alternative. Use a plain, unsweetened dairy-free sour cream substitute and a dairy-free cream of mushroom soup (or make your own with plant-based milk and mushrooms).
- Vegetarian/Vegan: This takes a bit more tweaking, but it’s possible! Use your favorite plant-based ground “meat” substitute and vegetable broth. For the creamy element, a good quality vegan sour cream and a homemade mushroom sauce using plant-based milk and nutritional yeast can work wonders.
Delicious Drinks: What to Serve With Hamburger Stroganoff
The right drink can truly complete your meal. For this comforting Hamburger Stroganoff, I often reach for something that complements its richness without overpowering it.
- A medium-bodied red wine, like a smooth Pinot Noir or a fruit-forward Merlot, pairs beautifully with the savory beef flavors.
- If you prefer beer, a crisp lager or an ale offers a refreshing contrast.
- For a non-alcoholic option, sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon provides a nice palate cleanser. A splash of cranberry juice in sparkling water is also a delightful choice!
Making It Even More Budget-Friendly
This Hamburger Stroganoff is already pretty budget-friendly, but here are a few extra tips to stretch your grocery dollars even further!
- Buy in Bulk: Keep an eye out for sales on ground beef, especially larger family packs. You can always freeze what you don’t need right away.
- Store Brands: For pantry staples like flour, butter, broth, and canned soups, store brands are often just as good and significantly cheaper.
- Dried Onions: If fresh onions are pricey, consider using dried minced onions (you’ll need about 1/4 cup) rehydrated in a little water.
- Homemade Broth: Save your vegetable scraps and beef bones to make your own flavorful broth. If not, good quality bouillon cubes are a budget-friendly alternative.
- Stretch the Meal: Serving your Hamburger Stroganoff over rice or mashed potatoes instead of exclusively noodles can help make the meat go further.
Meal Prep & Storage Secrets
Life is so much easier when you can prep ahead! Here’s how to get a jump start on this Hamburger Stroganoff.
- Meal Prep: You can brown the ground beef with the onions and garlic ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can prepare the entire sauce base (steps 3-6) and store it separately from the cooked beef.
- Storage: Leftovers will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: To freeze, I recommend cooking the stroganoff without the sour cream. Let the beef and sauce mixture cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. Add the sour cream when you reheat. This helps maintain the best texture. It should keep well in the freezer for about 2-3 months.
- Reheating: Gently reheat refrigerated leftovers on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. If reheating from frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then proceed with stovetop reheating. You can also microwave portions in a microwave-safe dish until hot.
Troubleshooting Common Hamburger Stroganoff Challenges
Don’t you worry if something doesn’t go perfectly the first time! Here are some common hiccups and how to fix them for your Hamburger Stroganoff.
- Sour Cream Curdling: This often happens if the sour cream is added to a sauce that’s too hot. My best trick is to temper it: whisk a spoonful of the hot sauce into the sour cream first, then stir that mixture into the main pot over very low heat. Add it right at the end.
- Sauce Too Thin: No problem! Let it simmer gently for a few more minutes to reduce. For a quicker fix, whisk together a tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry, then stir it into the simmering sauce until thickened. You can also melt a little more butter with a tablespoon of flour and whisk that in.
- Sauce Too Thick: Just add a little more beef broth, a splash of milk, or even a bit of water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Bland Flavor: Always taste and adjust! A little more salt and pepper can make a world of difference. For extra depth, try a dash of Worcestershire sauce or a tiny pinch of dry mustard powder.
A Little Bit of History: The Stroganoff Story
While this is our speedy Hamburger Stroganoff, its roots trace back to a more elaborate dish from 19th-century Russia: Beef Stroganoff. Legend has it that it was named after the influential Stroganov family and was originally a finely diced beef dish served in a sour cream sauce, often with mustard and onions, sometimes even brandy! It evolved over time, becoming a beloved classic in kitchens worldwide, adapting to readily available ingredients like ground beef for a quicker, more approachable version like the one we’re making today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best type of ground beef for Hamburger Stroganoff?
I find that an 80/20 blend offers the best balance of flavor and moisture. A leaner blend might result in a drier dish, while a fattier one might require more draining.
Q: Can I substitute the sour cream?
Yes, you can! Greek yogurt works as a great substitute for a similar tang and creaminess. For a dairy-free option, look for a plain, unsweetened vegan sour cream alternative.
Q: What are the best side dishes to serve with Hamburger Stroganoff?
Classic egg noodles are wonderful, but you can also serve it over rice, mashed potatoes, or even wide pasta like pappardelle. A simple green vegetable or salad also complements it nicely.
Q: How long does Hamburger Stroganoff last in the refrigerator?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
Conclusion & Your Next Delicious Adventure!
And there you have it – a wonderfully comforting and incredibly easy Hamburger Stroganoff that proves delicious home cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. I truly hope this recipe brings a little bit of cozy joy to your table, just like it does to mine. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients and a little bit of know-how can create something truly special. YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON PINTEREST.
