Ground Beef Stroganoff

Description:
This Ground Beef Stroganoff is a hearty, creamy dish that’s perfect for a quick and satisfying family meal. With savory ground beef simmered in a rich, mushroom-flavored gravy and served over egg noodles, it’s a comforting classic that’s easy to prepare. The cream of mushroom soup and sour cream add a luscious creaminess, while simple seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley enhance the flavor. The wide egg noodles make it a fulfilling meal that can be whipped up in less than 30 minutes.

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Ingredients (Servings: 4-6)

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 packet (0.87 oz) brown gravy mix
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 can (10 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 tsp dried parsley
• 1 bag (12 oz) wide egg noodles

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Instructions

1. Start Cooking Noodles:
   Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. While waiting, prepare the ground beef mixture. This way, once the beef is ready, the water will already be boiling, and you can cook the egg noodles at the same time, saving time.
2. Cook Ground Beef:
   In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef with the onion, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain any excess grease or liquid from the pan.
3. Prepare Gravy:
   In a small bowl, whisk together the brown gravy mix and cold water until smooth and well combined. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the cooked ground beef.
4. Add Creamy Ingredients:
   Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream. Mix until everything is well incorporated. Lower the heat to medium or medium-low, and let the mixture simmer gently for about 10 minutes to thicken, while the noodles cook.
5. Cook Egg Noodles:
   While the stroganoff mixture simmers, add the egg noodles to the pot of boiling water. Cook according to the package instructions, typically for about 8-10 minutes. Remember to add 1 tsp of salt to the boiling water for extra flavor. Once cooked, drain the noodles but do not rinse them.
6. Combine and Serve:
   Add the cooked noodles to the creamy ground beef mixture, along with the dried parsley. Stir everything together until the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce. Serve hot, and sprinkle with additional parsley or a bit of grated Parmesan, if desired.

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Tips for Success:

• Avoid Overcooking the Beef:
  Brown the beef just until it’s no longer pink. Overcooking it can make it dry.
• Adjust the Gravy:
  If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can reduce the amount of water slightly when mixing the gravy packet. For a thinner sauce, add a little extra water or broth.
• Flavor the Noodles:
  Always salt your pasta water. It’s an easy way to add flavor to the noodles, so they complement the rich stroganoff sauce.
• Vegetable Add-Ins:
  For a more complete meal, try adding vegetables like mushrooms or peas to the beef mixture during the cooking process.
• Make-Ahead Tip:
  The beef stroganoff mixture can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Reheat and mix with freshly cooked noodles just before serving.

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This Ground Beef Stroganoff is a quick, comforting meal that can be enjoyed any night of the week. Its simple ingredients and savory flavors make it a family favorite, and it’s easy to customize by adding extra veggies or adjusting the seasonings to suit your taste.