Jump to Recipe View Video Print Recipe

Creamy stroganoff vibes, made weeknight-easy with budget minced (ground) beef.

I love spending time on my days off getting ahead – a little bit of prep goes a long way. But what about the weeks where that just can’t happen … Life gets busy, work piles up, the social calendar starts to explode, the kids need things … that’s exactly where recipes like this sit. 

beef mince stroganoff with pasta and dill cucumber salad
Creamy, glossy Minced (Ground) Beef Stroganoff spooned over orecchiette pasta with a crunchy cucumber dill salad on the side. The pasta catches the sauce, the cucumbers cut through the richness – this combo just works.

This Minced (Ground) Beef Stroganoff recipe is PERFECT for nights when you are short on time but still want to eat something delicious … because we deserve to. And with clever, minimal-prep recipes like this, it’s made easy. It has all the stroganoff vibes – savoury, creamy, glossy sauce – but made weeknight-friendly with budget beef mince. If you don’t like mushrooms, you can leave them out – it will still be equally incredible. That’s the beauty of this recipe. 

You can serve this with just about anything – mashed potatoes, rice, crusty bread, steamed veggies or a simple salad. But my favourite combo is without a doubt orecchiette pasta (those little cups catch the sauce as it pools – elite) and a crunchy Cucumber Dill Salad to cut through the creaminess. This is cosy comfort food, made realistic. It’s now on repeat at our place.

ingredients for beef mince stroganoff recipe
Everything you need for this creamy Minced (Ground) Beef Stroganoff: olive oil, onion, garlic, minced (ground) beef, Swiss mushrooms, plain (all-purpose) flour, tomato paste, sweet paprika, Worcestershire sauce, beef stock, unsalted butter (optional), full-fat sour cream, sea salt flakes, cracked black pepper and fresh flat-leaf parsley to serve. Simple supermarket staples, big flavour payoff.

What can I serve with Minced (Ground) Beef Stroganoff?

This is one of those dinners that works with almost anything. Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, crusty bread, steamed greens or a simple side salad. 

If you’re looking for something a little lighter or higher in protein, the stroganoff is also delicious spooned over:

  • Quinoa
  • Brown rice
  • Pearl barley
  • Freekeh
  • Cauliflower rice
  • Creamy polenta

The rich, glossy sauce coats grains beautifully, so anything that can soak it up works. My favourite way is with orecchiette pasta – those little cups catch the creamy sauce perfectly – plus a crunchy Cucumber Dill Salad to add freshness and balance. The acid from the cucumbers cuts through the richness and makes the whole meal feel lighter. If you’re feeding a crowd, a loaf of warm bread or garlic bread on the table never hurts either.

flour mixed into beef and mushroom mixture for stroganoff
Sprinkle the flour directly over the cooked beef and mushrooms and stir well to coat. This step is key – it thickens the sauce and gives you that classic stroganoff texture without lumps.
simmering beef stroganoff with deep rich colour
Once the stock goes in, stir continuously and let it gently simmer. In 5–7 minutes the sauce will thicken and turn rich and glossy. Don’t rush this part – it’s where the magic happens.
glossy beef mince stroganoff with sour cream
Turn the heat off before stirring through the sour cream. This keeps the sauce smooth and prevents splitting. You’re looking for creamy and glossy, not curdled.
plated up beef mince stroganoff recipe with serving spoon
Serve generously and finish with parsley and cracked black pepper. Spoon it straight over pasta, mash or rice and let the sauce do the heavy lifting.

I don’t like mushrooms – what can I use instead?

No stress at all. You can simply leave the mushrooms out and the recipe will still be delicious. If you’d like to replace them, try:

  • Finely diced zucchini (courgette)
  • Grated carrot (great for sneaking in “hidden” veggies)
  • Fresh baby spinach stirred through at the end

Or keep it simple and go mushroom-free. The creamy paprika sauce and minced (ground) beef carry plenty of flavour on their own.

beef mince stroganoff recipe plated
Weeknight comfort food, but elevated. Rich paprika sauce, tender minced (ground) beef and plenty of cracked black pepper. Ready in 30 minutes and genuinely satisfying.

Can I make Minced (Ground) Beef Stroganoff gluten-free?

Yes. Use your favourite gluten-free pasta and swap the plain (all-purpose) flour for gluten-free plain flour or cornflour (cornstarch). If using cornflour, mix it with a little cold water first to form a slurry before adding it to the pan.

Always check your Worcestershire sauce and beef stock to ensure they’re gluten-free, as brands vary.

beef mince stroganoff recipe with creamy sauce
That creamy, glossy sauce is the goal. Thick enough to cling to the pasta, smooth enough to feel indulgent – without spending hours at the stove.

If you enjoyed Minced (Ground) Beef Stroganoff, I think you’ll love:

Slow-cooked Beef Stroganoff Recipe
Slow-cooked Beef Stroganoff Pot Pies Recipe
Beef Stroganoff Cottage Pie with Crispy Parmesan Topping Recipe
Chicken Stroganoff Recipe
Beef Mince and Pea Stew Recipe

beef mince stroganoff with pasta and dill cucumber salad

Minced (Ground) Beef Stroganoff

Author: Nicole
4.7 from 19 votes
“Absolutely delicious, quick and easy. This will be a family favourite.”
Share Print
Add to Shopping List
This Minced (Ground) Beef Stroganoff recipe is creamy, glossy comfort food made completely weeknight-realistic. Budget minced beef, minimal prep and a rich paprika sauce that clings to pasta beautifully. On the table in 30 minutes and flexible enough to serve with whatever you have.
Prep 5 minutes
Cook 25 minutes
Total 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 400 g (14 oz) dried orecchiette pasta (or any pasta of your choice, see note 1)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 1 tbsp freshly minced garlic
  • 500 g (1 lb) minced (ground) beef, lean or regular
  • 200 g (7 oz) Swiss mushrooms, sliced (see note 2)
  • 2 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 500 ml (2 cups) beef stock
  • ½ tsp sea salt flakes, plus extra to taste
  • ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper, plus extra to serve
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (optional)
  • 60 g (¼ cup) full-fat sour cream
To serve:

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta – Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.
  • Cook the base – Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large deep frying pan over medium–high heat. Add the onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Brown the beef – Add the beef mince and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
  • Add the mushrooms – Add the mushrooms and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened and their moisture has mostly cooked off.
  • Build the sauce – Sprinkle the flour over and cook for 1 minute, stirring well. Add the tomato paste, paprika and Worcestershire sauce and cook for another 30 seconds.
  • Simmer – Pour in the beef stock, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add the salt and black pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until thickened and glossy.
  • Finish the sauce – Turn the heat off. Stir through the butter (if using) and sour cream until smooth. Add more salt to taste. (See note 3 for sauce thickness.)
  • Serve – Serve the pasta topped with the stroganoff. Sprinkle with parsley and extra cracked black pepper. Serve with cucumber dill salad or your favourite mix and match sides.

Nutrition information

Nutrition Facts
Minced (Ground) Beef Stroganoff
Amount per Serving
Calories
952
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
47
g
72
%
Saturated Fat
 
18
g
113
%
Trans Fat
 
2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
21
g
Cholesterol
 
118
mg
39
%
Sodium
 
809
mg
35
%
Potassium
 
1260
mg
36
%
Carbohydrates
 
91
g
30
%
Fiber
 
6
g
25
%
Sugar
 
8
g
9
%
Protein
 
41
g
82
%
Vitamin A
 
1896
IU
38
%
Vitamin C
 
11
mg
13
%
Calcium
 
105
mg
11
%
Iron
 
6
mg
33
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes

Watch how to make it

Recipe notes

Note 1 – Pasta choice Orecchiette is my favourite for this recipe because the little cups catch the creamy sauce beautifully. That said, any short pasta works – penne, rigatoni, shells or fusilli are all great options.
Note 2 – Mushrooms If you don’t like mushrooms, simply leave them out. You can replace them with finely diced zucchini (courgette) or grated carrot, or skip them altogether – the sauce still has plenty of flavour.
Note 3 – Thickening the sauce The sauce will continue to thicken slightly as it sits. If it becomes too thick, simply stir through a splash of hot pasta water or stock to loosen.

Make Ahead

To make ahead, leave out the sour cream. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, thaw overnight in the fridge, reheat on the stove or in the microwave. then stir through the sour cream just before serving.

Leftovers

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Once sour cream has been added, it’s not suitable to freeze (the sauce can split when thawed).

Recipe source:

Thank you Jessica Brooke for your help developing this recipe.

Equipment

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!
Course dinner
Cuisine Comfort Food / Modern Australian