Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff The Best 30 Minute Recipe

Q: What's the difference between Beef Stroganoff and Ground Beef Stroganoff?

The primary difference is the cut of meat used. Traditional Beef Stroganoff is made with strips of steak, like sirloin, while Ground Beef Stroganoff uses hamburger meat, which makes the dish quicker to cook and more budget-friendly.

Q: Can I make ground beef stroganoff without mushrooms?

Absolutely. While mushrooms are traditional, you can simply omit them from the recipe. The dish will still be delicious. You can add extra chopped onions or stir in some frozen peas for added texture if you like.

Q: Can I make this recipe with cream of mushroom soup?

Yes, for a shortcut version, you can use canned cream of mushroom soup. After browning the beef and onions, skip the flour and broth. Instead, stir in one can of condensed cream of mushroom soup and about a half cup of milk or beef broth to create the sauce. Let it simmer, then finish with sour cream off the heat.

Craving a cozy dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes? The end of a long day calls for a meal that’s both comforting and quick, a delicious little spin on a classic that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. You need a recipe that you can count on, one that delivers rich, savory flavor without a long list of complicated ingredients or steps. It’s the search for that perfect, family-friendly comfort meal that can turn a stressful weeknight into a moment of pure, delicious relief.

This has become our go-to recipe for those exact nights when we need a comforting meal without the wait. I’ve tested this dozens of times to get it just right, ensuring it’s foolproof and packed with flavor. It’s a modern, budget-friendly take on a classic dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ground Beef Stroganoff is a quick, easy, and budget-friendly version of the classic Russian dish. It features savory ground beef and mushrooms enveloped in a rich, creamy sour cream sauce, traditionally served over a bed of warm egg noodles. This is the ultimate family-friendly comfort meal, and the best part is, it’s ready from start to finish in under 30 minutes.

☰ Table of Contents ▼ show

What Makes This Ground Beef Stroganoff a Weeknight Winner?

This ground beef stroganoff is a weeknight winner because it’s a one-pan meal ready in under 30 minutes that’s both budget-friendly and incredibly flavorful. It packs all the comforting, savory taste of traditional stroganoff into a simple, quick-to-make format.

30-Minute Meal: From the moment you start chopping to the second it hits the table, dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes. It’s the perfect solution for busy schedules.
One-Pan Wonder: The entire sauce comes together in a single skillet or Dutch oven, which means minimal cleanup and less hassle for you.
Budget-Friendly: Using affordable ground beef not only saves money compared to expensive steak cuts like sirloin or tenderloin, but it also cuts down the cooking time significantly, making it a true win-win.
Incredibly Flavorful: A combination of browned mushrooms, savory aromatics, and tangy sour cream creates a deep, rich sauce that tastes like it has been simmering for hours, not minutes.

Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff: The Best 30 Minute Recipe

Here is the core recipe for the best, most reliable ground beef stroganoff you’ll ever make. This is the transactional heart of the post, designed to be clear, easy to follow, and deliver perfect results every time. The confident, direct instructions are a result of thorough testing to ensure your success in the kitchen.

1. Gather Your Ingredients

For this easy recipe, you will need lean ground beef, cremini mushrooms, onion, garlic, butter, flour, beef broth, sour cream, and a few key seasonings. Having all your ingredients measured and ready to go (a technique called mise en place) makes the 30-minute cooking process smooth and stress-free.

Ingredients:
* 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10 recommended)
* 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
* 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tbsp unsalted butter
* 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
* 2 cups beef broth
* 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
* 1 tsp Dijon mustard
* Salt and black pepper, to taste
* ¾ cup full-fat sour cream, at room temperature
* 12 oz wide egg noodles, cooked according to package directions
* Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Pro-Tip: Using room temperature sour cream is crucial! It prevents the sauce from curdling when added to the warm mixture at the end. Simply take it out of the fridge when you start gathering your other ingredients.

Pin this ingredient list for your next grocery run!

2. Brown the Beef and Aromatics

To build the flavor base, you first need to brown the ground beef, then cook it with chopped onions, garlic, and sliced mushrooms until everything is softened and aromatic. This initial step is where the deep, savory flavors of the dish begin to develop.

Instructions:
1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
2. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
3. Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened and become translucent.
4. Stir in the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, until the mushrooms have released their liquid and that liquid has cooked off, allowing the mushrooms to start to brown.

Pro-Tip: Don’t rush the browning process for the mushrooms. Letting them get some nice color is key to developing a deep, savory, umami flavor in the final sauce. Those browned bits are pure gold!

Love one-skillet meals? Follow us on Pinterest for more!

3. Create the Creamy Sauce

You create the creamy stroganoff sauce by making a simple roux with flour and butter, then whisking in beef broth and seasonings before tempering in room-temperature sour cream off the heat. This method ensures a thick, luscious, and perfectly smooth sauce every single time.

Instructions:
5. Melt the butter into the beef and mushroom mixture in the skillet. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over everything and stir constantly for 1 minute. This step cooks out the raw flour taste and creates a roux that will thicken the sauce.
6. Gradually pour in the beef broth while stirring continuously. Be sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan—this adds immense flavor.
7. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard. Bring the entire mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken into a beautiful, savory gravy.
8. Crucial Step: Remove the skillet from the heat. Let it cool for just 1-2 minutes. Now, stir in the room temperature sour cream until it is fully combined and the sauce becomes rich and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to your personal taste.

Lesson Learned: The most common mistake is adding cold sour cream to a hot pan, which causes it to curdle and separate. Taking the skillet off the heat and using room temperature sour cream is the non-negotiable secret to a perfectly smooth sauce every time.

Save this creamy dinner recipe to your weeknight meals board!

5 Smart Ways to Serve & Customize Your Stroganoff

You can serve ground beef stroganoff over classic egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes, and easily customize it for low-carb, gluten-free, or dairy-free diets. Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, you can easily adapt it to fit your family’s tastes and dietary needs. Here are five smart ways to serve and customize your creation.

1. The Classic Pairing: Buttery Egg Noodles

The most classic and beloved way to serve stroganoff is over a bed of buttery, wide egg noodles. The tender, spiraled noodles are the perfect vehicle for catching every last drop of the rich, creamy sauce.

Materials Needed:
* 12 oz wide or extra-wide egg noodles
* 1 tbsp butter
* Salt for boiling water
* Freshly chopped parsley for garnish

Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles according to the package directions until they are al dente.
2. Drain the noodles well and return them to the warm pot. Toss with butter and a sprinkle of fresh parsley until the butter has melted and the noodles are lightly coated.
3. To serve, create a bed of hot noodles in a bowl or on a plate and spoon a generous portion of the ground beef stroganoff directly over the top.

Pro-Tip: Don’t overcook the noodles! An ‘al dente’ texture holds up best under the rich, creamy sauce without becoming mushy or falling apart.

Share this classic comfort food idea!

2. Low-Carb & Gluten-Free Options

To make this recipe low-carb and gluten-free, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and serve it over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. These simple swaps make it easy to enjoy this comforting dish while adhering to specific dietary needs.

Materials Needed:
* Gluten-free 1:1 baking flour (to replace all-purpose flour)
* Coconut aminos (to replace Worcestershire sauce, if needed)
* Your choice of serving base: zucchini noodles (“zoodles”), cauliflower rice, or creamy mashed cauliflower.

Step-by-Step Directions:
1. To make the sauce gluten-free, simply swap the 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour for an equal amount of your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
2. Most Worcestershire sauces are gluten-free, but always check the label. If yours isn’t, coconut aminos make a great substitute.
3. Serve the finished stroganoff over lightly sautéed zucchini noodles, steamed cauliflower rice, or a scoop of fluffy mashed cauliflower for a satisfying and delicious low-carb meal.

We’ve tested this with Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour, and it works perfectly to thicken the sauce without any grittiness or change in flavor.

Save this to your ‘Healthy Dinners’ board!

3. Dairy-Free or Lighter Stroganoff

For a dairy-free stroganoff, you can substitute the sour cream with a dairy-free alternative or use full-fat plain Greek yogurt for a lighter version that still packs a tangy punch.

Materials Needed:
* ¾ cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt OR a dairy-free sour cream substitute
* Olive oil or a dairy-free butter substitute (like one made from avocado or coconut oil)

Step-by-Step Directions:
1. For a lighter but still tangy version, substitute the sour cream with an equal amount of full-fat plain Greek yogurt. It adds a wonderful tang and a boost of protein.
2. For a fully dairy-free version, use a high-quality dairy-free sour cream (brands like Kite Hill or Forager Project work well) and use olive oil or a plant-based butter substitute in place of the dairy butter.
3. Remember to always add the Greek yogurt or dairy-free sour cream off the heat to prevent separation and maintain a creamy consistency.

Pro-Tip: Greek yogurt adds a wonderful tang and protein boost, but it can be slightly less rich than sour cream. Using full-fat yogurt is key to maintaining a creamy texture.

Pin these smart swaps for later!

4. Over Fluffy Rice or Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Beyond noodles, stroganoff is also delicious served over fluffy white rice or a generous scoop of creamy mashed potatoes. These alternatives are perfect for soaking up the savory sauce and turning the dish into the ultimate comfort food.

Materials Needed:
* Hot, cooked white, jasmine, or brown rice
* OR a batch of your favorite creamy mashed potatoes

Step-by-Step Directions:
1. For a simple and satisfying alternative, spoon the hot stroganoff over a bed of fluffy rice. The individual grains are perfect for soaking up every bit of the delicious sauce.
2. For what might be the ultimate comfort food experience, serve the stroganoff over a generous scoop of creamy, buttery mashed potatoes. It’s a hearty and incredibly satisfying combination.

My family is split on this! Half love the classic noodles, but the other half swears by serving it over mashed potatoes. Try both and see which you prefer!

What’s your favorite way to serve stroganoff? Let us know!

5. Storage and Freezing for Later

You can store leftover stroganoff in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze the sauce (without noodles) for up to 3 months. This recipe is perfect for meal prep and enjoying later.

Materials Needed:
* Airtight containers for refrigeration
* Freezer-safe bags or containers for freezing

Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Refrigerate: Allow the stroganoff to cool slightly, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store it separately from the noodles to prevent them from getting soggy. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or beef broth to loosen the sauce if needed.
2. Freeze: For the best results, freeze the sauce without the sour cream if possible. If you’ve already added it, don’t worry, it can still be frozen. Let the sauce cool completely. Transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container, press out as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 3 months. Do not freeze the cooked noodles.
3. To Reheat from Frozen: Thaw the sauce overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat it gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat until warmed through. If you froze it without sour cream, add it in now (off the heat). Serve with freshly cooked noodles or your base of choice.

I often make a double batch of the sauce and freeze half for a super-fast dinner on a future busy night. It’s a lifesaver!

Pin these meal prep tips!

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Perfect Ground Beef Stroganoff

For a quick review, here are the most important tips to remember for making flawless, creamy ground beef stroganoff every time.

Use Lean Ground Beef (90/10): This provides great beefy flavor with much less excess grease to drain, making the process cleaner and quicker.
Brown the Mushrooms Well: Don’t rush this step! Allowing the mushrooms to release their liquid and get some golden-brown color is essential for developing a deep, savory umami depth in the sauce.
Use Room Temperature Sour Cream: This is the non-negotiable secret to a creamy, non-curdled sauce. Cold sour cream will break when it hits the warm sauce.
Remove From Heat Before Adding Cream: As an extra insurance policy, always take the skillet off the burner before stirring in the sour cream to guarantee a smooth, velvety consistency.
Store Sauce and Noodles Separately: For the best-tasting leftovers, keep the stroganoff sauce and the cooked noodles in separate airtight containers in the fridge.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff is more than just a recipe; it’s a reliable solution for those hectic weeknights when you crave a meal that feels like a hug in a bowl. It’s proof that you don’t need a lot of time or money to put a rich, satisfying, and homemade dinner on the table that your whole family will love.

I hope this becomes a new favorite in your dinner rotation! What will you be serving it with? Let me know in the comments below

Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff The Best 30 Minute Recipe

What Makes This Ground Beef Stroganoff a Weeknight Winner?