When your life has more day than you have energy you need a recipe that the whole family will love!
How about something like this creamy meatball stroganoff?
This is quick and easy enough that you can have some time to take a deep breath, sip some wine, and maybe watch an episode of you favorite show.
Table of Contents
Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.
🗝️ Key takeaways
- Comfort food: I love that I can have a delicious, comfort food meal on the table in less than 30 minutes. This dish is rich, creamy, and comforting, with tender meatballs that make it a family favorite.
- Quick: Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a hearty meal that doesn't require hours in the kitchen.
- Convenience foods: Remember, there's no shame in using convenience foods to create a delicious, home-cooked meal quickly and efficiently.
Quick meatball stroganoff in a creamy rich sauce is one of my favorite recipes because it's easy, inexpensive, and filling. No one leaves the table hungry!
You really only need to add a salad to have a delicious, complete meal.
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Variations
- Add vegetables: Mix in some frozen peas, broccoli, or green beans for added nutrition.
- Spicy kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
- Different meats: Use turkey or chicken meatballs for a lighter version.
- Leftovers: Use cooked leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken in place of the meatballs. Substitute the beef stock with chicken stock.
- More leftovers: Use cooked, sliced flank steak in place of the meatballs.
- Flavor change: Cream of celery is a nice change from the cream of mushroom.
- Rice is nice: Serve over rice instead of egg noodles.
- More veg: Add about half a cup of frozen sliced bell peppers and onions.
- Cheese it up: Top with some grated Swiss cheese.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.
See the instructions in the recipe card to make this a crock pot meal.
Saute sliced mushrooms and green onions until they begin to soften.
Add the frozen meatballs, beef stock, and Worcestershire sauce. Cover and simmer.
Add the soup and noodles and simmer.
Stir in the sour cream.
🤫 Cook's secrets -
Use full-fat sour cream for the creamiest texture.
🍴 Equipment
- large skillet
- wooden spoon
- measuring cups and spoons
🎥 Video
🥫 How to store leftover meatball stroganoff
Meatball stroganoff can be tightly covered with plastic wrap, or placed in an airtight container, and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
I don't recommend freezing - the texture suffers. If you're looking for a great freezer recipe try these taco stuffed shells.
Marye's Tip o' the day
You may need to add more liquid while the meatballs simmer. Beef broth, water, or a little milk works fine. Don't let them go dry and stick to the bottom.
💭 Things to know
- Use low-sodium beef stock and soup to control the saltiness of the dish.
- For a richer sauce, add a splash of heavy cream along with the sour cream.
- No need to thaw frozen meatballs - just dump them right in.
- Any type of meatballs will work - frozen or homemade. Try turkey meatballs and low-fat soup for a diet-friendly option.
- You can use cooked ground beef or sliced round roast for a more classic stroganoff if you prefer. If you don't have meatballs ground beef stroganoff is quick and easy!
- Use a can of French onion soup instead of the beef broth for more oniony flavor.
- Add garlic powder to taste.
- I like plenty of black pepper in this - add it to taste.
- For an even easier, one-pot meal add the egg noodles to the beef stock when you place meatballs in the pan. You'll want to add an extra cup of beef stock and keep an eye on it so the pan doesn't go dry. I just like the noodles better when they are cooked separately.
- For an extra touch, garnish with fresh parsley or dill just before serving. It adds a burst of color and a fresh flavor.
👩🍳 FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
You can blend the same amount of cottage cheese in a blender and stir that in or you can use plain Greek yogurt. Cream cheese or mayonnaise can also be used. In a pinch you can just leave it out but the finished dish won't be as good.
Traditionally it's served with egg noodles but you could serve it over rice, mashed potatoes, or even toast! For healthy eating use the low fat version in the tips section and serve over cauliflower rice.
Don't let the sauce boil after the sour cream is added. Just a quick stir to blend it in and warm it through then remove from heat and serve.
Yes, see the instructions in the recipe card below.
I like to serve stroganoff with these delicious maple roasted carrots.
🍽️ Serve with...
Angel biscuits are light and fluffy and take almost no time at all to make. Plus, they freeze well so you can keep them on hand.
Blueberry peach cobbler is a sweet way to end a delicious dinner.
🍽️ Repurpose leftovers
- Cut up the meatballs and add to a stock pot with the noodles and sauce, Add enough milk or beef broth to make a creamy, hearty soup.
- Stir mixed vegetables into the leftover stroganoff, top with grated Swiss or Gruyere cheese, and bake until heated through.
📚 Related recipes
📞 The last word
There are times when I like to spend time lovingly preparing a meal for my family; making a sauce from scratch, browning the meat, chopping the vegetables...
But my life is increasingly busy and, like you, I find that, while I can still lovingly prepare a meal for my family, I often need to cut corners to save time.
But I still want that comfort food flavor!
I used to feel guilty and like I was short-changing my kids. I had visions of my inner 1950s "Mrs Cleaver" clutching her pearls and tsking me while shaking her head in disapproval.
I'm getting over it -- and if you have that same inner dialogue I hope you'll give yourself some grace and get over it, too.
Try this easy meatball stroganoff recipe. You get all the flavor and the tender meatballs in a creamy sauce but without all the extra time.
...and it's so good your inner Mrs. Cleaver will hush right up!
My inner Mrs. Cleaver also likes this easy southern chicken spaghetti. Give it a try this week!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Meatball Stroganoff
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup mushrooms, sliced
- 3 green onions, sliced - reserve the sliced tops for garnish.
- 1 pound meatballs
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef stock
- 21 ounces cream of mushroom soup
- 16 ounces egg noodles
- 1 cup sour cream
Instructions
For top of the stove method
- Melt the butter in the high sided pan.
- Add sliced mushrooms and green onion bottoms and saute until they begin to soften.
- Add the meatballs, beef stock, and worcestershire sauce.
- Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
- While the meatballs simmer cook the egg noodles in salted water until done. Drain.
- Add the cream of mushroom soup and a bit more beef stock if the pan seems too dry.
- Stir to blend and add the noodles.
- Simmer for 5 minutes or so.
- Stir in the sour cream and heat through.
- Garnish with sliced green onion tops and serve.
For slow cooker method
- Add everything except noodles and sour cream to a slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 4 hours.
- Stir in the sour cream.
- Cook 30 more minutes.
- Cook the noodles, stir into the slow cooker and serve.
For one pot method
- Follow the instructions above but increase the beef stock to two cups and add the noodles in with the meatballs.
- Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until noodles are done.
- Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and the sour cream
- Garnish and serve.
Notes
- You may need to add more liquid while the meatballs simmer. Beef broth, water, or a little milk works fine. Don't let them go dry and stick to the bottom
- No need to thaw frozen meatballs - just dump them right in frozen.
- You can use cooked ground beef or sliced round roast if you prefer.
- Use a can of French onion soup instead of the beef broth for more oniony flavor.
- Make this a one pot meal: add the egg noodles to the beef stock when you place meatballs in the pan. You'll want to add an extra cup of beef stock and keep an eye on it so the pan doesn't go dry. I just like the noodles better when they are cooked separately.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
First published June 10, 2021. Last updated June 12, 2024 for editorial updates and minor corrections.
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Meatball Stroganoff
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Fran says
So, so, so delicious, and extremely easy, we absolutely loved it!
PJ says
Amazing!!! I used leftover steak and you are right - the black pepper makes it so great. You are always perfect with your suggestions and I love your sense of flavor. Thanks so much Marye for ANOTHER great dish!
Liliana says
It came out awesome!!! Defined recommend.. super easy tasty and quick! Will add to monthly rotation. Thanks