Homemade Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff
Homemade Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff is a DIY version of the popular boxed meal kit, made with ground beef, pasta, browned mushrooms, and a creamy stroganoff-style sauce. This weeknight meal is simple comfort food that the whole family will love!
Hamburger Helper
Honestly, we didn’t grow up eating Hamburger Helper and it’s never been a go-to after we married – even though I wasn’t a great cook. But there is one clear memory I have of this boxed meal (when I was a babysitting teenager) and it’s not pretty. I won’t bore you with the details but it was a complete disaster.
So let’s call this a redemption meal. 😀
Why This Recipe Works:
- SIMPLE – You’ll need a skillet to brown the mushrooms and a pan to cook the remaining ingredients. Fairly easy cleanup for busy weeknights.
- COMFORT FOOD – Our homemade beef stroganoff hamburger helper is classic comfort food you need right now. If you’re a fan of the hamburger helper box mix, you’ll love this version.
- JUST LIKE THE OLD DAYS – Our homemade version of the original hamburger helper is one the entire family will love (including your picky eaters). Ditch the boxed version and try this easy recipe instead!
- GREAT MEAL PREP – This is a great recipe to meal prep for lunches. Since it serves 4-5 people, you may want to double the recipe for leftovers.
Ingredients Used:
You’ll need the following simple ingredients for this ground beef stroganoff. All of these are easily found in your local grocery store.
- Unsalted Butter
- Fresh Mushrooms – We use Bella mushrooms.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- Lean Ground Beef – You’ll need one pound of ground beef for this quick dinner.
- Fresh Garlic Cloves – or use garlic powder instead
- Seasonings – onion powder, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper
- Beef Broth (or beef stock)
- Whole Milk
- Dijon Mustard
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Frozen Egg Noodles – These tender egg noodles are a family favorite. But you could use regular wide egg noodles as well.
- Sour Cream
How to make Homemade Hamburger Helper:
Step 1
Prep mushrooms. Use a damp paper towel, and clean the mushrooms. Do not soak or run underwater! Slice off the end of the mushrooms, and quarter them, depending on their size.
Step 2
Brown mushrooms. Add the mushrooms to a large skillet in a single layer. Stir them infrequently, and watch the transition. It will take approximately 15-20 minutes to brown them properly.
After the mushrooms are browned to perfection, add kosher salt (as desired). Set aside.
Step 3
Cook ground beef. Meanwhile, using a large saucepan, add a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until completely cooked through. Strain off the excess grease. Then add the minced garlic, onion powder, salt and pepper – and cook for another minute, stirring constantly.
Step 4
Add liquids. Add the beef broth, milk, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire Sauce. Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to a rolling simmer.
Step 5
Add noodles. Then add the egg noodles and cook until al dente (or tender), about 7-8 minutes.
Step 6
Add sour cream. Reduce heat to low and add the sour cream. Stir well until beef and noodles are well coated in the creamy sauce.
Step 7
Add mushrooms. Then add the mushrooms and a pinch of red pepper flakes, and stir well. Let hamburger helper sit for about 10 minutes to thicken.
Step 8
Serve. Serve this easy homemade hamburger helper recipe with a side dish or two.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-4 days.
What to serve with Beef Stroganoff:
- BREAD – Add a few slices of Garlic Sourdough Bread, Chewy French Bread, or Braided Brioche Bread.
- SALAD – Try our Classic Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing, Arugula Caprese Salad, or Spinach and Goat Cheese Salad.
Recipe FAQs:
Yes, you can use ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground sausage.
You can use any type of milk, including lower-fat options. Whole milk will give the dish a creamier texture.
Yes, you can substitute additional beef broth for the milk if necessary, but the hamburger stroganoff may be less creamy.
Yes, you can freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.
Other Easy Ground Beef Recipes:
Choose one of these delicious midweek dinners next.
Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)
xoxo ~Sue
Homemade Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 16 oz. Bella mushrooms – chopped
- 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic – minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
- 2 cups lower-sodium beef broth
- 1 ¾ cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1-2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 16 oz. frozen egg noodles
- 1 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Prep mushrooms. Use a damp paper towel, and clean the mushrooms. Do not soak or run underwater! Slice off the end of the mushrooms, and quarter them, depending on their size.
- Brown mushrooms. Add the mushrooms to a large skillet in a single layer. Stir them infrequently, and watch the transition. It will take approximately 15-20 minutes to brown them properly.After the mushrooms are browned to perfection, add kosher salt (as desired). Set aside.
- Cook ground beef. Meanwhile, using a large saucepan, add a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until completely cooked through. Strain off the excess grease. Then add the minced garlic, onion powder, salt and pepper – and cook for another minute, stirring constantly.
- Add liquids. Add the beef broth, milk, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire Sauce. Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to a rolling simmer.
- Add noodles. Then add the egg noodles and cook until al dente (or tender), about 7-8 minutes.
- Add sour cream. Reduce heat to low and add the sour cream. Stir well until beef and noodles are well coated in the creamy sauce.
- Add mushrooms. Then add the mushrooms and a pinch of red pepper flakes, and stir well. Let hamburger helper sit for about 10 minutes to thicken.
- Serve. Serve this easy homemade hamburger helper recipe with a side dish or two.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.
- This is a great recipe to meal prep for lunches. Since it serves 4-5 people, you may want to double the recipe for leftovers.
Love the recipe! It does not get any better than this when you can eat a simple comfort food dish!
Agreed!