There’s just something so comforting about a creamy, savory dish that warms you from the inside out. This Ground Beef Stroganoff with Mushrooms Recipe hits all those cozy notes with tender beef, earthy mushrooms, and a luscious sauce that clings perfectly to egg noodles. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll become one of those meals you turn to again and again.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Ground Beef Stroganoff with Mushrooms Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Ground Beef Stroganoff with Mushrooms Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Ground Beef Stroganoff with Mushrooms Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
What makes this Ground Beef Stroganoff with Mushrooms Recipe stand out for me is how it balances simple ingredients to create such a rich, comforting flavor experience. It’s just the kind of homemade dish that feels fancy enough for company but is totally doable for a weeknight dinner.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday pantry staples and fresh mushrooms that add depth and texture.
- Flavor-Packed Sauce: Cream cheese and sour cream create this beautiful silkiness that’s irresistible.
- Customizable: You can easily tweak the veggies, spices, or base protein to suit your taste.
- Comfort Food Classic: Hearty, warm, and soul-satisfying—a true crowd-pleaser for all seasons.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Ground Beef Stroganoff with Mushrooms Recipe is there for a reason. The mushrooms bring that earthy umami punch, the cream cheese adds subtle tang and creaminess, and the Dijon mustard gives just the right hint of sharpness to lift the whole dish. Together, they create a harmony of flavors you’ll crave.
- Mushrooms: Baby bella or cremini are my favorites for their deep, rich flavor and excellent texture when sautéed.
- Unsalted Butter & Olive Oil: Butter adds richness while olive oil helps prevent burning, perfect for cooking mushrooms evenly.
- Lean Ground Beef: Using lean beef keeps the dish hearty but not greasy, balancing texture and flavor.
- Onion & Garlic: Classic aromatics that build the foundation of savory flavor.
- Flour: Helps thicken the sauce, creating that velvety consistency we all love in stroganoff.
- Beef Broth: Adds depth and umami, enhancing the meaty backbone of the sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce & Dijon Mustard: Both amp up savory and tangy notes for complexity.
- Beef Bouillon & Spices: Adds bursts of flavor and warmth without overpowering the sauce.
- Cream Cheese: Use very soft, full fat cream cheese for that luscious creaminess and silky sauce texture.
- Sour Cream: Adds the perfect tang and smooth finish; full fat sour cream blends best without curdling.
- Egg Noodles (or Mashed Potatoes/Rice): Classic and comforting bases that soak up all that flavorful sauce beautifully.
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about this Ground Beef Stroganoff with Mushrooms Recipe is how flexible it is. I often switch up the veggies or swap ground beef with turkey or even plant-based options. You can tailor it to your cravings or pantry inventory—making it your own is half the fun!
- Variation: When I use ground turkey, I add a bit more beef bouillon and skip the extra salt to keep that rich beefy flavor without sacrificing moisture.
- Veggie Boost: Toss in green peas, spinach, or bell peppers for color and nutrition without changing the comforting base too much.
- Gluten-Free: Swap regular flour for a gluten-free blend and serve over rice or gluten-free noodles—just as nourishing and delicious.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Ground Beef Stroganoff with Mushrooms Recipe
Step 1: Sauté Mushrooms to Golden Perfection
Start by warming butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the butter melts, toss in your sliced mushrooms, and spread them out in a single layer. Here's the trick: don’t stir them for the first 3 minutes. That gives them the chance to brown nicely instead of steaming. Then, stir and cook for another 3–5 minutes until the liquid evaporates and the mushrooms have that gorgeous golden color. Season them at the end with salt and pepper, then set aside—this step really elevates their flavor.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef and Aromatics
In the same skillet (now empty), add the ground beef and diced onions with salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring to break up the beef, until it’s fully browned and the onions are translucent. This builds the base flavor of your sauce, so don’t rush it! Drain any excess fat if needed to keep the sauce from getting greasy.
Step 3: Create the Sauce Base
Sprinkle the flour over the beef and stir well to coat everything evenly. Cook for about a minute—this cooks out the raw flour taste and starts thickening your sauce. Then add the minced garlic and stir for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring to avoid lumps, then add Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, beef bouillon, and the herbs and spices. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until the sauce thickens nicely, usually about 5 minutes.
Step 4: Finish With Cream Cheese, Sour Cream, and Mushrooms
Lower the heat, then whisk in your very soft cream cheese, stirring until it melts seamlessly into the sauce. Next, stir in the sour cream—be sure to remove it from the fridge ahead of time so it mixes smoothly without curdling. Now, fold the sautéed mushrooms back into the sauce and give it a taste. If it feels like it’s missing a little something, a pinch more salt usually does the trick.
Step 5: Serve Warm Over Your Favorite Base
Cook egg noodles or prepare mashed potatoes or rice as your base. I personally love egg noodles because their texture and size hold the sauce perfectly. Once everything’s ready, plate it up, spoon over that creamy stroganoff, and enjoy!
Top Tip
After years of perfecting this Ground Beef Stroganoff with Mushrooms Recipe, I’ve found a few tips that really make a difference between good and unforgettable.
- Don’t Rinse Mushrooms: Instead, wipe them clean with a damp paper towel to avoid soggy mushrooms that won’t brown well.
- Room Temperature Dairy: Let your sour cream and cream cheese come to room temp before stirring in to prevent curdling and ensure a silky sauce.
- Cook Mushrooms Separately: This keeps them golden and flavorful instead of stewing in the sauce and losing texture.
- Salt Last: Salt your mushrooms only after they’ve browned to help them caramelize properly instead of releasing water early.
How to Serve Ground Beef Stroganoff with Mushrooms Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping mine with a sprinkle of fresh parsley—that pop of green brightens the rich sauce and looks inviting on the plate. Sometimes, a little cracked black pepper adds just a hint of heat and aroma too.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with simple sides like steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a crisp side salad to cut through the richness. If you want a heartier meal, garlic bread or even some roasted root veggies are fantastic companions.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I sometimes serve this stroganoff over creamy cauliflower puree instead of noodles for a slightly elegant and lighter twist. You can also plate the stroganoff in shallow bowls garnished with sautéed mushrooms and a sprig of fresh thyme for a restaurant-worthy vibe right at home.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover stroganoff in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Because the sauce has dairy, I recommend reheating gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water added to loosen it up and keep the creamy texture smooth.
Freezing
Freezing stroganoff with the cream cheese and sour cream already mixed in can cause the sauce to separate and lose texture, so I freeze the sauce before adding those. Follow these steps: cook through the thickened sauce stage including mushrooms, cool completely, then freeze in portions. When thawing, warm gently and add cream cheese and sour cream last to retain that velvety consistency.
Reheating
Use low heat on the stove to reheat leftovers, stirring frequently. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of beef broth or milk to bring back that creamy flow. Avoid microwaving at high temps to prevent curdling or drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! Ground turkey works well as a leaner alternative. I recommend adding extra beef bouillon and reducing the salt to keep the flavor rich and balanced. Adding a little olive oil can help with the sauce’s texture since turkey is leaner.
Cooking mushrooms separately helps them brown evenly and develop their full flavor. If cooked directly in the sauce, they release water and lose their color, texture, and that wonderful caramelized taste.
Yes, you can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream, but I recommend using 2% Greek yogurt that's at room temperature. This helps it blend smoothly into the sauce. Using yogurt with lower fat content or cold yogurt may lead to curdling or less creamy texture.
To prevent curdling, make sure to add the sour cream and cream cheese after reducing the heat to low and not while the sauce is simmering. Also, use room temperature dairy products and stir gently to combine. Avoid reheating at high temperatures.
Final Thoughts
This Ground Beef Stroganoff with Mushrooms Recipe really holds a special place in my cooking rotation. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, perfect for sharing with loved ones yet easy enough for a busy weeknight. Give it a try—you’ll find yourself making it over and over because it just delivers that unbeatable comfort and flavor every time.
Print
Ground Beef Stroganoff with Mushrooms Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Ground Beef Stroganoff recipe features tender ground beef and flavorful mushrooms in a creamy sauce made with cream cheese and sour cream, served over egg noodles or your choice of side. It's a comforting dish that's quick to prepare and perfect for a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Mushrooms (optional)
- 8 oz. cremini/baby bella mushrooms sliced ⅛-inch thick
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Sauce
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 small onion diced
- 4-6 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup flour
- 3 cups low sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 ½ teaspoons beef bouillon or better than bouillon
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (pinch)
- 2 oz. cream cheese, very soft (full fat melts better)
- ½ cup sour cream (full fat is less likely to curdle)
- 12 oz. egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice, for serving
Instructions
- Cook Mushrooms: Melt 2 tablespoons butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat in a large cast iron or nonstick skillet. Increase heat to medium-high; add mushrooms, stir to coat then spread into an even layer. Cook mushrooms for 3 minutes undisturbed, then cook and stir an additional 5 minutes until all liquid evaporates and mushrooms are golden. Season with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper; remove from skillet and set aside.
- Cook Beef and Onions: In the now empty skillet, add the ground beef and diced onions. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Cook over medium heat until beef is fully cooked and onions are softened, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
- Add Flour and Garlic: Stir in flour and minced garlic, cooking and stirring continuously for 1 minute to cook off the raw flour taste and combine flavors.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce heat to low and gradually stir in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, beef bouillon, dried parsley, paprika, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to desired consistency.
- Add Cream Cheese: Lower the heat to very low and whisk in the very soft cream cheese until it fully melts into the sauce, creating a smooth texture.
- Finish Sauce with Sour Cream and Mushrooms: Stir in sour cream until combined. Return the cooked mushrooms to the sauce and stir gently. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Prepare Pasta or Side: Cook egg noodles according to package instructions, testing 2-3 minutes before recommended time to ensure al dente texture. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Toss with a little olive oil if not serving immediately to prevent sticking.
- Serve: Spoon the ground beef stroganoff sauce over the cooked noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- For a leaner option, substitute ground turkey with an extra 2 teaspoons beef bouillon and omit added salt to keep flavor balanced.
- You can replace sour cream with 2% Greek yogurt at room temperature for a slightly different flavor and texture.
- Use cremini or baby bella mushrooms for the best flavor; avoid washing mushrooms directly in water to prevent sogginess—clean with a damp paper towel instead.
- Cook mushrooms separately and don’t salt them until fully cooked to ensure proper browning and flavor development.
- Ensure cream cheese is very soft and sour cream is at room temperature for smooth incorporation into the sauce.
- Do not simmer the sauce after adding sour cream to prevent curdling; gentle heat is preferred.
- If sauce becomes too thick after adding cream cheese and sour cream, thin it with small amounts of milk or beef broth.
- Prevent overcooking pasta by checking early for al dente and rinsing with cold water after draining.
- To freeze, omit cream cheese and sour cream before freezing. Add them fresh when reheating.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour, broth, and pasta or substitute rice or mashed potatoes as sides.
- Add vegetables like peas, broccoli, asparagus, or bell peppers for added nutrition and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg


Leave a Reply