Quick and Easy Hamburger Stroganoff: A Weeknight Dinner Savior

Are you searching for a comforting, flavorful, and incredibly easy dinner recipe that can be on the table in under 30 minutes? Look no further than this Hamburger Stroganoff! This recipe takes the classic creamy stroganoff flavors and combines them with readily available ingredients, making it the perfect solution for busy weeknights. It’s a family-friendly dish that’s sure to become a regular in your meal rotation.

## Why You’ll Love This Hamburger Stroganoff

* **Quick and Easy:** From start to finish, this dish comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for those evenings when you’re short on time and energy.
* **Budget-Friendly:** Hamburger is a relatively inexpensive protein, making this a cost-effective meal option.
* **Pantry Staples:** Most of the ingredients are likely already in your pantry and refrigerator, so you can whip this up without a special trip to the grocery store.
* **Kid-Friendly:** The creamy sauce and familiar flavors appeal to even the pickiest eaters.
* **Versatile:** Easily adaptable to suit your tastes and dietary needs. You can substitute ingredients, add vegetables, or adjust the seasonings to your liking.
* **Comfort Food:** This dish is warm, comforting, and satisfying – perfect for a chilly evening.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start cooking, gather these ingredients:

* 1 pound ground beef
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 8 ounces sliced mushrooms (optional, but recommended)
* 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1 cup beef broth
* 1/2 cup milk or half-and-half
* 1/4 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 8 ounces egg noodles or your favorite pasta
* Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create a delicious Hamburger Stroganoff:

**Step 1: Cook the Pasta**

* Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles or pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. To prevent the pasta from sticking together, you can toss it with a little olive oil.

**Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef**

* In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the butter or olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.

**Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables**

* Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the browned ground beef. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. If using mushrooms, add them to the skillet as well and cook until they are tender and have released their moisture, about 5-7 minutes.

**Step 4: Make the Stroganoff Sauce**

* Sprinkle the flour over the ground beef and vegetable mixture. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux. This will help thicken the sauce.
* Gradually whisk in the beef broth, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
* Reduce the heat to low and stir in the milk or half-and-half, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly.

**Step 5: Combine and Serve**

* Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the stroganoff sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. Heat through for a minute or two.
* Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley, if desired.

## Tips and Variations

* **Add Vegetables:** Feel free to add other vegetables to this dish. Some great options include bell peppers, peas, carrots, or spinach. Add them to the skillet along with the onions and mushrooms.
* **Use Different Meat:** While this recipe calls for ground beef, you can easily substitute ground turkey, ground chicken, or even Italian sausage. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use gluten-free pasta and gluten-free flour to make this dish gluten-free.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to give the stroganoff some heat.
* **Cream Cheese:** For an extra creamy sauce, stir in a couple of tablespoons of cream cheese along with the sour cream.
* **Wine:** Add 1/4 cup of dry red wine after cooking the ground beef for a richer flavor. Allow the wine to reduce slightly before adding the beef broth.
* **Herbs:** Experiment with different herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or oregano to add depth of flavor.
* **Slow Cooker Version:** Brown the ground beef and onions, then transfer to a slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients (except sour cream and pasta). Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Stir in sour cream and cooked pasta just before serving.
* **Leftovers:** Hamburger Stroganoff tastes even better the next day! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

## Serving Suggestions

Hamburger Stroganoff is a complete meal on its own, but here are a few ideas for sides to round out your dinner:

* **Green Salad:** A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the rich stroganoff.
* **Steamed Vegetables:** Steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus are healthy and easy side dishes.
* **Garlic Bread:** Crispy garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.
* **Dinner Rolls:** Warm dinner rolls are another great option for mopping up the sauce.

## Make-Ahead Instructions

If you want to get a head start on dinner, you can prepare the stroganoff sauce in advance. Cook the ground beef, onions, garlic, and mushrooms as directed. Make the sauce, but don’t add the sour cream or pasta. Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce, stir in the sour cream and cooked pasta, and heat through.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

(Note: Nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients used.)

* Calories: 450-550
* Protein: 30-35g
* Fat: 20-25g
* Carbohydrates: 40-50g

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

**Q: Can I freeze Hamburger Stroganoff?**

A: While you can freeze Hamburger Stroganoff, the texture of the sauce may change slightly after thawing due to the sour cream. It’s best to freeze the sauce without the pasta and sour cream. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat and stir in the sour cream and cooked pasta just before serving.

**Q: Can I use a different type of pasta?**

A: Yes, you can use any type of pasta you like! Egg noodles are traditional, but penne, rotini, farfalle, or even spaghetti would work well.

**Q: How can I make this recipe healthier?**

A: Use lean ground beef or ground turkey, substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream, and use whole-wheat pasta. You can also add more vegetables to increase the nutritional value.

**Q: What if I don’t have beef broth?**

A: You can use chicken broth or vegetable broth as a substitute for beef broth. The flavor will be slightly different, but it will still be delicious.

**Q: Can I make this recipe vegetarian?**

A: Yes, you can make a vegetarian version of this recipe by using plant-based ground beef substitute and vegetable broth. You can also add more mushrooms and other vegetables to make it more substantial.

## Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe Card

**Yields:** 6 servings
**Prep time:** 10 minutes
**Cook time:** 20 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1 pound ground beef
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 8 ounces sliced mushrooms (optional)
* 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1 cup beef broth
* 1/2 cup milk or half-and-half
* 1/4 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 8 ounces egg noodles or your favorite pasta
* Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

**Instructions:**

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease.
3. Add onion and garlic to the skillet. Cook until softened.
4. If using, add mushrooms and cook until tender.
5. Sprinkle flour over the beef and vegetables. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
6. Gradually whisk in beef broth. Bring to a simmer.
7. Reduce heat to low and stir in milk, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, until sauce thickens.
9. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat.
10. Heat through and serve, garnished with parsley.

Enjoy this quick and easy Hamburger Stroganoff! It’s a delicious and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. Don’t forget to experiment with the variations and make it your own!