Meatball Stroganoff Recipe

Creamy Comfort: A Homestyle Meatball Stroganoff Recipe

Comfort food reaches new heights with this hearty meatball stroganoff that promises pure culinary delight.

Tender, juicy meatballs swim in a rich, creamy sauce that beckons you to the dinner table.

Classic Russian-inspired flavors blend seamlessly in this comforting dish that transforms an ordinary evening into a memorable meal.

Perfectly seasoned beef meatballs create a robust foundation for the velvety sauce.

Each forkful delivers a harmonious balance of savory meat and smooth, tangy cream.

Serve this stroganoff over wide egg noodles for a complete and satisfying dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Meatball Stroganoff – Rich, Creamy, and Satisfying

  • Whip Up Quickly: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this meatball stroganoff a breeze to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights when you want a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Comfort Food Champion: Rich, creamy sauce and tender meatballs create a classic comfort dish that warms your heart and fills your belly with pure deliciousness, appealing to both kids and adults.
  • Customize with Ease: Swap noodles for rice, add extra veggies, or adjust seasonings to match your family's taste preferences, making this recipe incredibly versatile and adaptable to different palates.
  • One-Skillet Wonder: Minimal dishes and a single cooking pan mean less cleanup and more time enjoying your delectable meal, reducing kitchen stress and making cooking feel like a joy.

Ingredients for Meatball Stroganoff in One Bowl

Meat Base:
  • Ground Beef: A lean protein that forms the core of the meatballs and provides rich flavor.
  • Bread Crumbs: Helps bind the meatballs and adds a light, tender texture.
  • Egg: Acts as a binding agent to keep the meatballs compact and moist.
Seasoning Blend:
  • Onion, Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that add depth and savory notes to the meatballs.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.
Sauce and Cooking Components:
  • Butter: Provides a rich base for browning meatballs and creating a smooth cooking surface.
  • Mushrooms: Adds earthy flavor and additional texture to the stroganoff sauce.
  • Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a smooth consistency.
  • Beef Broth: Creates the liquid base for the sauce and adds rich meat flavor.
  • Sour Cream: Gives the sauce a creamy, tangy finish and smooth texture.
Serving Base:
  • Egg Noodles: A classic pasta that serves as the perfect base for stroganoff, absorbing the creamy sauce.

How to Prepare Meatball Stroganoff Stepwise

Step 1: Crafting Savory Meatball Mixture

Mix together ground beef, bread crumbs, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl.

Gently combine ingredients and roll into uniform meatballs, ensuring they are compact and well-formed.

Step 2: Browning Meatballs to Golden Perfection

Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Carefully place meatballs into the sizzling pan, rotating them to achieve an even, golden-brown exterior.

Once browned, transfer meatballs to a separate plate.

Step 3: Sautéing Mushrooms and Building Sauce Base

In the same skillet with remaining butter and meatball drippings, add sliced mushrooms.

Cook until mushrooms release their moisture and become tender.

Sprinkle flour over the mushrooms, stirring to create a smooth roux.

Step 4: Creating Luscious Sauce

Slowly pour beef broth into the skillet, whisking continuously to prevent lumps.

Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken, creating a rich, velvety consistency that coats the back of a spoon.

Step 5: Reuniting Meatballs with Sauce

Gently return browned meatballs to the skillet.

Simmer in the sauce, ensuring meatballs are fully cooked and heated through, absorbing the delicious flavors.

Step 6: Adding Creamy Finishing Touch

Remove skillet from heat and stir in sour cream until the sauce becomes smooth, silky, and luxuriously creamy.

The sauce should have a beautiful, uniform color and texture.

Step 7: Serving Stroganoff Delight

Plate cooked egg noodles and generously ladle the creamy meatball stroganoff over the top.

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for an elegant touch and serve immediately while hot.

Tips for Juicy Meatballs in Creamy Stroganoff Sauce

  • Mix meatball ingredients gently to avoid tough, dense meatballs, using a light touch when combining and shaping.
  • Use medium-high heat when searing meatballs to achieve a golden-brown exterior without burning, ensuring even color and flavor development.
  • Sprinkle flour gradually and whisk constantly to prevent lumps in the sauce, creating a smooth, silky texture.
  • Remove skillet from heat before adding sour cream to prevent curdling, stirring gently until sauce becomes creamy and uniform.
  • Prepare meatballs and sauce ahead of time, storing separately in airtight containers for up to 3 months, allowing convenient meal preparation.

New Twists for Meatball Stroganoff Recipes

  • Vegetarian Mushroom Stroganoff: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or chopped portobello mushrooms, using vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
  • Gluten-Free Version: Swap bread crumbs with almond flour, use gluten-free flour for thickening, and serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
  • Turkey Meatball Alternative: Substitute ground beef with lean ground turkey for a lighter protein option, keeping the same seasonings and cooking method.
  • Low-Carb Keto Option: Replace egg noodles with spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice, use full-fat sour cream, and add extra mushrooms for volume.

Serving Meatball Stroganoff for Cozy Dinners

  • Pasta Perfection: Lay meatballs and sauce over a bed of hot, buttered egg noodles for a classic comfort meal.
  • Garnish Galore: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives on top to add a bright, herbal pop of color and freshness.
  • Side Dish Companions: Pair with roasted green beans, steamed broccoli, or a crisp green salad to balance the rich, creamy stroganoff.
  • Bread Basket Bonus: Serve warm crusty bread or garlic toast on the side to soak up every delicious drop of the creamy sauce.

Storage for Leftover Meatball Stroganoff Meals

  • Store meatball stroganoff in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Pack leftovers in freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with date and contents.
  • Place meatballs and sauce in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming.
  • Warm meatballs and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of beef broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally until heated through, maintaining sauce's creamy consistency.

FAQs

  • How do I prevent meatballs from falling apart while cooking?

Use a light touch when mixing ingredients and avoid overmixing. Refrigerate meatballs for 15-30 minutes before cooking to help them hold their shape, and use a gentle turning method with tongs or a spatula when browning.

  • Can I use a different type of meat for the meatballs?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or pork. Just ensure the meat has enough fat content to keep the meatballs moist and flavorful.

  • Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?

Replace bread crumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour. Use a gluten-free flour for thickening the sauce, such as cornstarch or rice flour.

  • What can I do if my sauce is too thin?
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Meatball Stroganoff Recipe

Meatball Stroganoff Recipe


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4.8 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Hearty Meatball Stroganoff brings Russian-inspired comfort straight to your dinner table with savory beef meatballs nestled in creamy, rich sauce. Sour cream and tender noodles complete this satisfying meal that connects home cooks with classic European culinary traditions you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

Sauce Ingredients:

  • 2 cups beef broth
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Serving Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces egg noodles or rice
  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Mix ground beef with bread crumbs, minced onion, crushed garlic, beaten egg, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl, blending ingredients thoroughly.
  2. Shape the meat mixture into uniform round meatballs, approximately 1-inch in diameter.
  3. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and bubbling.
  4. Carefully place meatballs into the hot skillet, browning evenly on all sides for about 6-8 minutes.
  5. Transfer browned meatballs to a separate plate, keeping them warm.
  6. In the same skillet, sauté sliced mushrooms until they release their moisture and become golden brown, approximately 4-5 minutes.
  7. Sprinkle flour over the mushrooms, stirring continuously to create a roux and prevent lumps.
  8. Slowly pour beef broth into the skillet, whisking constantly to develop a smooth, thickening sauce.
  9. Gently return meatballs to the skillet, allowing them to simmer in the sauce for 10-12 minutes until fully cooked.
  10. Reduce heat to low and stir in sour cream until the sauce becomes creamy and well-integrated.
  11. Serve the meatball stroganoff hot over prepared egg noodles, garnishing as desired.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef for a healthier version that reduces overall fat content without compromising flavor.
  • Mix breadcrumbs thoroughly to ensure meatballs hold together perfectly during cooking and prevent crumbling.
  • Replace traditional beef with ground turkey for a lighter protein option that works wonderfully in this recipe.
  • Enhance mushroom depth by using a blend of fresh mushrooms like cremini and shiitake for more complex umami flavor.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Russian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 470 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 580 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 29 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg
Michael Reyes

Michael Reyes

Founder & Lead Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Southwestern and Latin American cuisine
  • Developing easy single-serving recipes
  • Food styling and food photography

Education

Santa Fe Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Practical, hands-on learning in essential kitchen skills, including food safety, hygiene, knife techniques, and kitchen organization.

Michael’s love for cooking runs deep, rooted in the bold, colorful flavors of his New Mexico upbringing.
After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Santa Fe Community College, he spent years sharpening his skills in kitchens that celebrated traditional Southwestern and Latin American dishes.
He believes cooking should feel approachable and fun, never complicated. When he’s not stirring up new recipe ideas, Michael’s out hiking scenic trails, chatting with farmers at local markets, or chasing the perfect sunset shot for inspiration.

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