Ground Beef Stroganoff

Started making this stroganoff when my kids got tired of regular spaghetti and meatballs. First try was total mess - sauce looked more like soup and noodles turned to mush, but that beefy cream sauce smell had everyone hanging around kitchen asking when dinner would be ready. Now it's our family's favorite comfort food, even my picky teenager asks for seconds. Something about those egg noodles swimming in rich sauce just makes everything better after long day.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Makes your whole house smell amazing
• Uses simple ingredients probably already have
• Perfect for busy weeknights but tastes like took hours
• Kids actually eat it without complaints miracle right?
• Leftovers taste even better next day
• Great for feeding crowd without breaking bank
• Makes everyone feel cozy and happy even on rough days

What You'll Need

• The Basics:
  • Ground beef - get the good stuff with little fat
  • Egg noodles - those curly ones hold sauce best
  • Real butter - no margarine here please
  • Regular flour for thickening
  • Beef broth - boxed kind works great
  • Whole milk makes it extra creamy
  • Sour cream - full fat or why bother
  • Salt and pepper you know the drill
• Kitchen Stuff:
  • Big pot for noodles
  • Large pan with sides for sauce
  • Wooden spoon for stirring
  • Measuring cups but eyeballing works too

Let's Get Cooking

Getting Everything Ready

Get water boiling for noodles first - always takes forever when you're hungry! While waiting, brown that beef in big pan. Break it up good with spoon nobody wants big chunks. Once meat's all brown drain off extra fat unless want greasy sauce learned that one hard way.

Making Sauce Magic

Here's where it gets fun! Melt butter in with meat, sprinkle flour over top. Stir like crazy for minute or two smells bit like pie crust. Pour in broth slowly while stirring or get lumpy mess took me three tries figure that out. Add milk same way keep stirring looking like soup right now but gets better promise!

Noodle Time

Drop those noodles in boiling water. Set timer or forget about them end up with mush (speaking from experience here). They cook quick about 8 minutes usually taste one make sure.

Bringing It All Together

Once sauce starts bubbling turn heat way down add sour cream. Don't let it boil after this or gets weird looking. Drain noodles but save little pasta water might need later. Dump noodles right into sauce give everything good stir.

Final Touches

Taste it now! Need more salt? Pepper? Add little pasta water if too thick. Let it sit few minutes gets even better. Kids usually circling kitchen like sharks by now.

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Tips From My Kitchen

Learned bunch handy tricks making this over years. Don't rush browning meat or sauce gets greasy. Room temp sour cream mixes better than cold stuff. Keep some pasta water makes reheating leftovers way easier. And maybe don't wear white shirt while stirring sauce splashes more than you'd think!

Mix It Up

This recipe's pretty flexible once you get basics down. Sometimes use ground turkey when trying be healthy though kids say not same. Mushrooms great addition if family likes them. Can use Greek yogurt instead sour cream in pinch though don't tell my grandmother said that. Even tried different noodles when ran out egg ones - works fine just not quite same comfort food feel.

Serving Time

Love serving this in big bowls with lots sauce. Sprinkle little parsley on top if feeling fancy (or need some green on plate). Garlic bread on side never bad idea soaks up extra sauce perfectly. Leftovers heat up great next day just add splash milk while warming up. Perfect for thermoses in lunch boxes too - my kids fight over who gets leftovers.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why use lean ground beef?

Lean beef means less fat to drain, keeping the sauce creamy without being greasy. Higher fat beef works but needs draining.

→ Can I use different pasta?

Any pasta works but stick to 6 ounces max to maintain proper sauce ratio. Wide egg noodles are traditional but not required.

→ Why make a roux first?

The butter-flour roux thickens the sauce and prevents lumps. Cooking it briefly removes raw flour taste and ensures smooth sauce.

→ Can I add mushrooms?

Yes, add up to 1/2 cup fresh mushrooms. White button or cremini work best. Skip canned mushrooms as texture isn't ideal.

→ Can I use Greek yogurt instead?

Yes, Greek yogurt can replace sour cream for a lighter version. Use full-fat yogurt for best texture and less risk of curdling.

Conclusion

A delicious and easy ground beef stroganoff that transforms simple ingredients into a satisfying family meal in just 30 minutes.