meatball stroganoff over egg noodles sprinkled with parsley
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Easy One-Pot Meatball Stroganoff

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Meatballs have a magical way of delighting kids—have you ever noticed that? Maybe it’s their bite-sized nature or the fact that they are fun to eat, but for whatever reason, kids seem to adore them.

I have yet to meet a child who doesn’t light up at the sight of a plate of meatballs. Maybe it’s because they are compact, easy to handle, and pair perfectly with sauces. Whatever the reason, meatballs are always a hit in my household, and when paired with a creamy stroganoff sauce, it’s a guaranteed family favorite.

Now, let’s talk ground beef. For many families, mine included, ground beef is pretty much the go-to meat. It’s affordable, versatile, and available at almost every grocery store.

With rising food costs, it’s often the only beef cut I can justify buying, and even then, I’m constantly looking for ways to stretch it a little further. Enter meatball stroganoff—a dish that’s been a part of my family’s tradition for as long as I can remember.

Meatball Stroganoff: A Family Dinner Staple

Meatball stroganoff isn’t just another meal in our house; it’s a recipe with history. I remember my mom making it when I was a kid, and she got the recipe from her mom, who likely got it from hers.

raw hamburger being made into meatballs for a meatball stroganoff dish

It’s the kind of dish that’s been passed down through generations, with each cook adding their own touch to make it just right for their family. I’ve always loved the nostalgia of it—there’s something comforting about knowing I’m making a meal that my grandmother, and maybe even her mother before her, made for their families.

What’s great about this stroganoff recipe is that it’s incredibly simple. Most of our family’s stroganoff recipes rely on canned creamed soups, and for good reason. They’re quick, convenient, and guarantee that smooth, creamy sauce we all crave.

My mom used creamed mushroom or celery soup, which always worked like a charm. For anyone on a tight schedule, those soups are lifesavers—you get all the flavor with hardly any extra effort. And, of course, the creamy texture is a must for a good stroganoff.

My Own Added Twist

While I stick closely to the family tradition when making this dish, I have added my own little twist. My mom’s recipe didn’t originally call for garlic, and I know some people aren’t huge fans of it.

But in my kitchen, garlic is king. I simply cannot make a dish with ground beef without adding a hefty amount of garlic—it just brings the flavors together in a way that I love.

That said, I understand not everyone shares my enthusiasm for garlic, so if it’s not your thing, feel free to leave it out. The dish will still be delicious, I promise.

My mom never used garlic, and her stroganoff was always great. I, on the other hand, love the extra depth it adds, especially with beef. It brings that rich, savory taste that complements the creamy sauce so well. But that’s the beauty of cooking—you can adapt recipes to suit your own tastes and preferences.

meatballs frying in a pan, for a meatball stroganoff dish

One Pot Wonder

Another reason I love this recipe? It’s all done in one pot. There’s no need to dirty a bunch of dishes or spend hours in the kitchen.

With everything happening in a single pot, from browning the meatballs to simmering the sauce, it’s a practical solution for busy weeknights when I just want something comforting but quick. The fewer dishes I have to wash at the end of the meal, the better!

The stroganoff sauce is what ties it all together, making it rich and indulgent but also familiar and homey. With that creamy consistency, thanks to the canned soups, the dish feels like something special even though it’s made with everyday ingredients.

And don’t worry, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can swap out the canned soup for homemade cream sauce, but for me, the ease of canned soup is part of what makes this dish a winner.

Stretching the Budget

On a practical note, this recipe is a great way to stretch ground beef without sacrificing flavor. Making meatballs instead of something like a meat sauce helps portion the meat out a little more evenly and feels like a more substantial meal.

You can also easily adjust this recipe to feed a crowd—just double up on the ingredients, and you’ve got yourself a party-sized dish that everyone will love.

Easy One-Pot Meatball Stroganoff

Recipe by Jessie
0.0 from 0 votes
Course: MainDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

25

minutes

Meatball stroganoff is a comforting, family-friendly dish that combines tender meatballs with a creamy sauce served over noodles or mashed potatoes. Made in a single pot for easy cleanup, this recipe uses affordable ground beef and pantry staples like canned cream soup for a rich, velvety sauce.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 1/2 tsp pepper

  • 1/4 c butter

  • 1/2 c chopped onion

  • 1 c sliced mushrooms (optional)

  • 2 cloves minced garlic

  • 1/4 c milk

  • 2 Tbsp flour

  • 1 can cream-style soup

  • 1 chicken or beef bouillon cub (or 1 Tbsp bouillon powder)

  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

  • 1/3 c sour cream

Directions

  • Combine beef with salt and pepper, and form into small balls.
  • Melt butter in frying pan and brown meatballs on all sides.
  • Remove meatballs from the pan, add the onions, mushrooms, and garlic to the pan and sauté until onions are soft but not brown.
  • Add milk, flour, soup, bouillon cube/powder, and Worcestershire sauce to the pan and whisk together well. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it comes to a simmer.
  • Add meatballs, then cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes.
  • Add sour cream and mix gently.
  • Heat thoroughly and taste for seasoning; add salt and pepper to taste if needed.
  • Serve at once over broad egg noodles, spaghetti, or mashed potatoes.

Whether it’s a busy weeknight or you’re serving a crowd, this one-pot meatball stroganoff hits all the right notes. It’s comforting, easy to make, and, most importantly, it’s a meal that everyone in the family will enjoy—especially the kids, who never seem to get tired of meatballs.

So here’s to family traditions, one-pot wonders, and making delicious meals on a budget. Give this meatball stroganoff a try, and who knows? It just might become a new favorite in your family too.

Enjoy!

Looking for more ground beef recipes? Then make sure to check these out!

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meatball stroganoff served over broad noodles
meatball stroganoff served over zucchini spirals with broccoli
meatball stroganoff served over creamy mashed potatoes on a white platter

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