Easy Beef Stroganoff

So you want to get a hearty, tasty homecooked dinner on the table, and you have just 30 minutes until you need to serve it? No problem, thanks to this easy beef stroganoff recipe. It calls for just a handful of ingredients, and it leans on canned soup and prepared soup mix to deliver plenty of flavor. It will fill everyone’s belly too.

Also, as this is a basic beef stroganoff recipe, easy alterations and additions will let you make this dish one your family will enjoy even more. Start by preparing it as laid out here, but then, by all means, play around with the ingredients until you’ve created your own custom dish that will become a regular part of the dinnertime lineup.

Easy Beef Stroganoff Ingredients

• Steak: We recommend a boneless beef top round for the steak, and make sure it’s thinly sliced.
• Condensed cream of mushroom soup: One of the “secrets” here is using canned and undiluted soup, which brings so much flavor and texture to the dish.
• Onion soup mix: The other major flavor hack here is this onion soup mix packet.
• Sour cream: Be generous with the sour cream.
• Hot cooked noodles: Egg noodles are ideal here, but a cooked pasta is fine too, if that’s what you have.
• Minced fresh parsley: The parsley is optional, but recommended, both for looks and for taste.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the steak, then add the soups

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-hot heat, then cook the beef until the meat is no longer pink. Drain the excess liquid, then stir in the mushroom soup, water and onion soup mix. Reduce the heat, cover the pan and simmer for 20 minutes. (Meanwhile, cook the noodles per the package instructions.)

Step 2: Add in the sour cream, then serve

After simmering, stir in the sour cream and cook until it has heated through, but do not let it boil. Serve the meat and sauce over noodles, sprinkling the dish with parsley if desired.

Beef Stroganoff Variations

• Use hamburger instead: If you don’t have steak on hand, you can use ground beef for this recipe. Just note that it will take much less time to cook the beef, so keep a close eye as it browns, and make sure to use a low simmer with the soup mixes.
• Serve it over rice: While it’s a different meal than the classic stroganoff, this creamy dish is a delight when served over a bed of rice instead of noodles.
• Spice it up: A teaspoon (or more) of red pepper flakes added along with the sour cream will bring some delightful heat to this dish, accentuating the other flavors in the process.

How to Store Easy Beef Stroganoff

Let any leftovers cool to room temperature, then refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to three days. You can reheat it on the stove with a bit of added oil, or in the microwave with a dash of water.

Can you freeze cooked beef stroganoff?

Yes, you can store leftovers in the freezer for up to three months. Seal the leftovers in an airtight container and plan to let them thaw in the fridge.

Easy Beef Stroganoff Tips

What should I serve with beef stroganoff?

The recipe will be a hit as laid out here, unless egg noodles aren’t your thing. In that case, serve the stroganoff with cooked rice, roasted or mashed potatoes or slices of crusty bread. And it’s a good idea to balance out your meal with a side salad or a cooked green veggie.

What can you use instead of sour cream for beef stroganoff?

In a pinch, you can swap out the sour cream in this stroganoff recipe with a cup of plain Greek yogurt. It lends a similar consistency and tang to the dish.

What if the onion flavor is too strong for us?

If the onion taste (and aroma) is too powerful for the diners at your table, you can use half a packet of onion soup mix next time, or you can even swap in fresh sliced onions instead of using a packet at all.