When you want comfort food without the fuss, nothing hits the spot quite like this Creamy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe. The sauce is ridiculously smooth and packed with flavor, making weeknight dinners something to actually look forward to.

A white pan with two handles is filled with creamy beef and egg noodles. The dish has two main layers: the bottom layer is a rich, light brown creamy sauce mixed with ground beef, soft and small in texture, and the top layer is egg noodles that are pale yellow and slightly twisted, mixed evenly with the sauce and beef. Small green parsley pieces are scattered on top for a fresh look. A white spatula with a wooden handle rests inside the pan near the right side. The pan sits on a white marbled surface with a green cloth napkin partially visible on the bottom left. Nearby is a small clear salt shaker. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made a lot of stroganoff varieties, but this creamy hamburger version always wins on flavor and simplicity. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl, and you won’t believe how easy it is to pull together on busy nights.

Rich, Creamy Sauce: The homemade roux-based sauce with sour cream creates that perfect silky texture you crave in stroganoff.
Quick and Simple: You don’t need fancy cuts of beef or complex steps—ground beef and pantry staples get the job done beautifully.
Family Friendly: Even picky eaters who don’t usually like mushrooms or fancy steak tend to love this version.
Versatile & Adaptable: It’s easy to tweak with spices or swap noodles, so you can make it your own every time.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Creamy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe plays an important role in building that luscious, comforting flavor. Knowing a little about them can help you shop smarter and maybe even tweak the recipe to your taste.

Flat lay of wide egg noodles uncooked, a mound of fresh ground beef, a small cube of butter, a small pile of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of beef broth, a small white ceramic bowl of milk, a small white ceramic bowl with mixed garlic powder and onion powder beside a pinch of black pepper and salt, a small white ceramic bowl of sour cream, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Egg Noodles: I prefer wide egg noodles because their flat shape holds onto the sauce so well, but any pasta under 6 ounces will work.
Ground Beef: Choose 80/20 ground beef for good flavor and juiciness without too much fat to drain off.
Butter: This adds richness to the roux, creating the base for that silky sauce.
Flour: Flour thickens the sauce when combined with butter, giving you that classic stroganoff creaminess.
Beef Broth: Adds savory depth and umami to the sauce without overpowering.
Milk: I use whole milk for extra creaminess, but you can easily swap with 2% if needed.
Garlic and Onion Powder: These seasonings boost flavor without the hassle of chopping fresh, perfect for fast weeknight meals.
Pepper and Salt: Essential to season the sauce just right. Taste as you go!
Sour Cream: Added at the end to give the stroganoff a tangy richness and velvety finish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how this Creamy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe invites creativity—you can adapt it to whatever you’ve got on hand or tweak the flavors to suit your cravings.

Add Mushrooms: I sometimes toss in sliced cremini or button mushrooms sautéed before the roux—it adds earthiness and texture.
Spice it Up: A pinch of smoked paprika or a splash of Worcestershire sauce gives it an extra kick.
Dairy-Free Version: Swap milk and sour cream for coconut milk and coconut yogurt for a fun twist that still tastes creamy.
Pasta Alternatives: If you’re avoiding gluten, try gluten-free noodles or even spiralized zucchini for a lighter version.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe

A white bowl filled with a creamy pasta dish made of wide noodles mixed with a thick sauce and small pieces of browned meat, topped with a light sprinkling of black pepper. The bowl rests on a blue and white patterned cloth with a fork placed to the right side. In the background, there is a larger bowl of the same pasta and a clear glass of water on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cook Your Noodles to Perfection

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Toss in your egg noodles and cook according to the package directions—usually about 7-8 minutes for tender but still firm noodles. Drain them well and set aside, but don’t rinse; you want to keep the starch to help the sauce cling later. Pro tip: Stir the noodles occasionally while boiling so they don’t stick together.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

While the noodles cook, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart as it browns. Cook for about 6-8 minutes until there’s no pink left, then drain any excess fat. Don’t skip this step to keep your sauce from getting greasy. Transfer the beef to a plate and set it aside for now.

Step 3: Make That Creamy Roux-Based Sauce

In the same skillet, melt your butter over medium heat. Once bubbling, whisk in the flour continuously for about 2 minutes. This cooks out the raw flour taste and sets the foundation for the sauce. Next, slowly whisk in the beef broth, making sure to stir constantly to avoid lumps. Keep whisking until the sauce thickens—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes. Then add the milk gradually while stirring and cook until the sauce thickens again, roughly 5-7 minutes. Be patient here; this slow cooking makes all the difference in richness and texture.

Step 4: Season and Bring It All Together

Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, tasting as you go to hit that perfect balance. Lower the heat to prevent scorching, then add the cooked noodles and browned beef right back to the pan. Gently combine everything, letting it heat through evenly. Finally, spoon in the sour cream and stir just until it blends in—you want that creamy tang without curdling. If it feels too thick, a splash of milk or broth loosens it right up.

Top Tip

From making this creamy hamburger stroganoff recipe dozens of times, these tips have saved me—and will help you avoid common pitfalls.

Don’t Skip Draining: Draining the beef properly keeps the sauce from turning greasy and heavy.
Whisk for Lumps: When making the roux and adding liquids, continuous whisking prevents that unpleasant floury texture.
Temperature Matters: Add sour cream off the heat or on very low to avoid curdling—it keeps the sauce smooth and dreamy.
Double It: This recipe reheats beautifully, so I almost always double it and stash leftovers for another tasty dinner.

How to Serve Creamy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe

The image shows two side-by-side close-ups of cooking in black pans on a stove with a white marbled surface underneath. The left side has a black pan filled with cooked ground meat, in small brown crumbly pieces, stirred by an orange spoon. The right side shows a black pan with melting butter, foamy and bubbling around a solid piece of yellow butter in the center. The stove burner and metal pan handles are visible in both pictures. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives on top—it adds a pop of color and freshness that brightens the rich sauce. For extra indulgence, a little shredded cheddar on top is fantastic if your crowd loves cheese.

Side Dishes

This stroganoff pairs wonderfully with steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a crisp side salad with vinaigrette to cut through the creaminess. And honestly, garlic toast is my go-to for soaking up every last bit of sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I like serving this stroganoff in individual ramekins topped with fresh herbs and a sprinkle of paprika. It looks restaurant-worthy but is as cozy as your favorite home-cooked meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover stroganoff keeps really well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually portion it so reheating is quick and easy, helping reduce food waste.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this recipe successfully too. Freeze in meal-sized portions and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Just stir in a splash of milk or broth during reheating to refresh the sauce’s creaminess.

Reheating

For best results, reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently. Microwave works in a pinch—just heat in short bursts and stir to prevent hot spots.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular pasta instead of egg noodles in this Creamy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe?

Yes! While wide egg noodles are traditional because they hold the sauce well, you can substitute regular pasta like penne or fusilli. Just keep the quantity to around 6 ounces to ensure there’s enough sauce to coat the pasta without drying out.

How do I prevent the sauce from curdling when adding sour cream?

The key is to add sour cream off the heat or over very low heat. High heat can cause the sour cream to separate or curdle. Stir it in gently at the end, after taking the skillet off the burner, and mix until fully incorporated.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free or vegan?

Absolutely! For a dairy-free version, swap the butter for olive oil or a vegan spread, use coconut milk instead of regular milk, and replace sour cream with a dairy-free yogurt or cashew cream. Ground beef can be replaced with plant-based crumbles for a vegan twist.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Yes, this Creamy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe freezes beautifully. Just portion leftovers into freezer-safe containers, freeze for up to 3 months, and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before gently reheating on the stove with a bit of extra milk or broth to restore creaminess.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Hamburger Stroganoff Recipe has been a go-to comfort meal for me more times than I can count, especially when I’m craving something hearty but fuss-free. It’s a dish that feels like home—warm, creamy, and satisfying. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll keep coming back to this simple, flavorful classic. I can't wait for you to enjoy it as much as I do!