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 with Mushrooms
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 only need one pot to make this recipe. The noodles get cooked with everything else! 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 fool-proof 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, dried thyme, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper
- Beef Broth (or beef stock)
- Milk – We normally use 2% but whole milk or heavy cream could also be used.
- Dijon Mustard
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Wide Egg Noodles
- 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 butter to a large pot and then the prepared mushrooms. Stir them frequently until browned and then add salt and pepper to taste.
Remove the browned mushrooms to a clean plate and set aside.
Step 3
Cook ground beef. Then add a drizzle of olive oil to the pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until completely cooked through. Strain off the excess grease, if desired. Then reduce heat to medium and add the minced garlic, onion powder, dried thyme, 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. Stir occasionally, nestling the noodles into the liquids.
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 (optional), and stir well. Let hamburger helper sit for about 10 minutes to thicken.
Step 8
Serve. Serve this easy homemade hamburger helper recipe with an extra spoonful of sour cream.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-4 days. We like to add leftovers to individual meal prep containers for quick lunches on-the-go.
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.
- DESSERT – We always have room for Chocolate Caramel Bars or our delicious Moose Tracks Ice Cream Recipe.
Recipe FAQs:
Lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) works best because it adds flavor without making the sauce greasy. If using fattier beef, be sure to drain excess fat.
Yes, ground turkey is a great substitute. Use dark meat turkey for the best flavor and consider adding a little extra seasoning.
Short pasta like elbow macaroni, shells, rotini or egg noodles works best because it holds the creamy stroganoff sauce well.
Absolutely. Simply omit the mushrooms or replace them with onions or extra beef if you prefer.
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
For beef and mushrooms:
- 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
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
Remaining:
- 2 cups lower-sodium beef broth
- 2 cups 2% milk
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1-2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 12 oz. wide egg noodles
- 1 cup sour cream light
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 butter to a large pot and then the prepared mushrooms. Stir them frequently until browned and then add salt and pepper to taste.Remove the browned mushrooms to a clean plate and set aside.2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 16 oz. Bella mushrooms
- Cook ground beef. Then add a drizzle of olive oil to the pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until completely cooked through. Strain off the excess grease, if desired. Then reduce heat to medium and add the minced garlic, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper – and cook for another minute, stirring constantly.1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 pound lean ground beef, 3 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried thyme kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 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.2 cups lower-sodium beef broth, 2 cups 2% milk, 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1-2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- Add noodles. Then add the egg noodles and cook until al dente (or tender), about 7-8 minutes. Stir occasionally, nestling the noodles into the liquids.12 oz. wide egg noodles
- 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.1 cup sour cream light
- Add mushrooms. Then add the mushrooms and a pinch of red pepper flakes (optional), and stir well. Let hamburger helper sit for about 10 minutes to thicken.
- Serve. Serve this easy homemade hamburger helper recipe with an extra spoonful of sour cream.
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!