Beef stroganoff is a delicious, easy-to-prepare meal that screams comfort food. While it’s generally an affordable recipe, you can make it even more affordable when you make it with ground beef instead of steak. (Don’t worry, it’s still really tasty!)

Ground beef is something I always have on hand in my freezer. A pound of ground beef can be made into all sorts of delicious meals like these burger bowls, sloppy joes, meatballs, Mexican ground beef skillet – and so much more.

Ground beef can also be used in some recipes as a substitute for steak. Case in point? In this poor man’s beef stroganoff.

This is a cheap recipe spin on traditional beef stroganoff.

What Is Beef Stroganoff?

Beef stroganoff is a recipe with Russian roots that is very popular in the United States. It consists of sauteed steak in a sour cream-based sauce that also contains mushrooms and onions.

The sauce is tangy and savory. Beef stroganoff is usually served over noodles.

While the traditional recipe typically consists of tenderloin, strip steak or ribeye, it can also be made with much-cheaper ground beef. 

That’s why you’re here on Cheap Recipe Blog: To get cheaper versions of your favorite recipes to help you save money and still eat great food!

What You’ll Need

The ingredient list for this poor man’s beef stroganoff (that is, beef stroganoff made with hamburger instead of steak), is pretty short and affordable:

• Onion
• Mushrooms: Sliced white button mushrooms or sliced baby bella mushrooms will work.
• Ground beef: This recipe is quite affordable because we’re using ground beef instead of steak. I used 85% lean but feel free to use 90% lean or 80% lean. If you use 90% lean you may want to add a little extra oil to brown the meat.
• Worcestershire sauce: This is the “hidden ingredient” that gives this stroganoff a little something special in terms of flavor (umami, if you’re wondering!)
• Spices: Garlic powder, salt and pepper
• Sour cream: This gives the beef stroganoff that wonderful tang that makes the dish – and also adds creaminess. 
• Fresh parsley: While this is technically optional, I think it adds a nice freshness to an otherwise heavy dish.

The Process

Scroll down for the complete recipe. But here’s the basic process you’ll follow to make this ground beef stroganoff:

• Start by cooking onions and mushrooms
• Add ground beef and continue cooking to brown, breaking up meat

• Add seasonings, water, and sour cream
• Continue cooking; add fresh parsley right at the end
• Serve over egg noodles

If you have leftover ground beef stroganoff, store in the fridge in an airtight container for several days. The sauce can also be frozen for a couple of months. 

How To Serve Ground Beef Stroganoff

Just like traditional stroganoff, this hamburger beef stroganoff tastes great served over egg noodles or your choice of pasta.

You could also serve it alongside of (or on top of) mashed potatoes.

Good side dish options for beef stroganoff are:

• Steamed or roasted broccoli
• Steamed peas
• Steamed mixed vegetables
• Buttery baked carrots
• Roasted potatoes
• Mashed carrot potatoes
• Garlic bread

Enjoy this cheap recipe spin on traditional beef stroganoff!