Creamy Meatball Stroganoff Recipe: A Cozy Comfort Classic

Crafting a hearty meatball stroganoff can turn an ordinary weeknight into a culinary adventure.

Comfort meets elegance in this classic dish reimagined with juicy, perfectly seasoned meatballs.

Tender beef spheres swimming in a creamy, tangy sauce create a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Rich sour cream and subtle paprika bring depth to each delectable bite.

Mushrooms add an earthy undertone that complements the robust meat perfectly.

Egg noodles provide the ideal canvas for this luxurious meal.

Cooking Meatball Stroganoff

Step 1: Create Savory Meatball Base

Grab bread and splash milk over it, letting it transform into a soft mixture.

Combine soaked bread with ground beef, cracking an egg into the bowl.

Sprinkle parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Gently mix ingredients until well blended.

Shape mixture into round, uniform meatballs using your hands.

Step 2: Brown Meatball Delights

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium flame.

Carefully place meatballs into hot pan.

Roll and turn meatballs to achieve a golden-brown exterior on all sides.

Once perfectly seared, transfer meatballs to a clean plate.

Step 3: Craft Creamy Mushroom Sauce

In the same skillet with delicious browned bits, melt butter.

Add mushrooms and sauté until they become tender and release their rich flavor.

Toss in minced garlic and cook briefly.

Dust flour over the mixture and stir for one minute to create a roux.

• Condensed soup
• Water

Continuously whisk until sauce thickens.

• Dijon mustard
• Sour cream

Return meatballs to skillet and let simmer for 10 minutes, ensuring they cook completely and absorb the luxurious sauce.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Plate meatball stroganoff over rice or egg noodles.

Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Smart Ideas for Meatball Stroganoff

• Use day-old bread for better moisture absorption and more compact meatball texture.
• Gently mix ingredients to avoid overworking the ground beef, which can make meatballs tough and dense.
• Ensure skillet is hot but not smoking, allowing meatballs to develop a golden-brown crust without burning.
• Add sour cream off the heat to avoid curdling and maintain smooth, creamy consistency.
• Swap ground beef with turkey or plant-based alternatives for lighter protein options.

Meatball Stroganoff Keeps Well With These Steps

• Store leftover meatball stroganoff in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled stroganoff to freezer-safe containers, seal tightly, and freeze up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and maintain sauce consistency.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.

Satisfying Sides for Meatball Stroganoff

• Enhance Flavor Harmony: Pair this rich, creamy meatball stroganoff with a crisp, light white wine like Riesling to cut through the dish's heaviness.
• Complement Texture Contrast: Serve alongside buttery egg noodles or fluffy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a satisfying base.
• Balance Richness: Add a bright, tangy green salad with a zesty vinaigrette to refresh the palate and counteract the stroganoff's creamy intensity.
• Elevate Side Dish: Roast some crisp asparagus or green beans with garlic and lemon to introduce a fresh, green element that complements the hearty meatballs.

Meatball Stroganoff Styles

• Gluten-Free Meatball Stroganoff: Replace flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend. Use gluten-free bread crumbs or almond flour for meatballs. Select gluten-free condensed soup or make a homemade cream sauce.
• Vegetarian Meatball Option: Swap ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives like beyond meat or impossible grounds. Use vegetable broth instead of water. Create lentil or mushroom-based meatballs as protein substitutes.
• Low-Carb Meatball Stroganoff: Skip bread crumbs and use ground pork rinds or almond flour for binding. Reduce flour in sauce or eliminate completely. Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream instead of sour cream. Replace butter with olive oil or dairy-free margarine. Select dairy-free condensed soup or create a cashew-based cream sauce for similar consistency.

FAQs

• Why use bread soaked in milk for meatballs?

The milk-soaked bread helps bind the meatballs and keeps them tender and moist, preventing them from becoming dry or dense.

• Can I use a different type of ground meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or pork depending on your preference or dietary needs.

• What if I don't have Dijon mustard?

Regular yellow mustard works as a substitute, though it will slightly alter the flavor profile of the sauce. Whole grain mustard can also be a good alternative.

• Is it necessary to brown the meatballs before adding them to the sauce?

Browning the meatballs creates a flavorful crust and helps seal in the juices, enhancing the overall taste and texture of the dish.

Meatball Stroganoff That’s Creamy And Hearty

• Quick and Hearty Comfort Meal: Whips up a satisfying dinner that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Combines classic flavors kids love with a creamy sauce that adults will appreciate, ensuring everyone at the table enjoys their meal.
• Versatile Weeknight Solution: Comes together in under 30 minutes, providing a delicious protein-packed dish that works for casual dinners or unexpected guests.

How Meatball Stroganoff Comes Together

• Ground Beef: Lean meat provides the main protein and flavor for the meatballs, best when freshly ground.
• White Bread, Milk: Helps create a soft, moist texture in the meatballs, bread acts as a binding agent.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds richness to the meatball mixture.

• Dried Parsley, Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: Adds depth of flavor and enhances the overall taste of the meatballs, choose fresh and high-quality spices.

• Mushrooms (White or Cremini): Provides earthy flavor and texture to the sauce, fresh and firm mushrooms work best.
• Olive Oil, Butter: Creates a rich base for the sauce, provides depth and helps with cooking.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic flavor to the sauce, fresh garlic cloves are recommended.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a smooth consistency.
• French Onion Soup or Beef Broth: Provides a savory liquid base with concentrated flavor.
• Water: Helps adjust the sauce consistency.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy complexity to the sauce.
• Sour Cream: Creates a creamy, rich finish to the stroganoff, adds a subtle tang.

Meatball Stroganoff Recipe

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4.9 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Homemade Meatball Stroganoff delivers classic comfort with a hearty Polish-inspired twist, blending rich beef meatballs in a creamy sour cream sauce. Savory and satisfying, this dish brings European comfort directly to your dinner table for a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Meatballs:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 egg
• 2 slices white bread, crust removed
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) milk
• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) mushrooms, sliced (white or cremini)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter

Sauce Liquid and Thickeners:

• 10.5 ounces (298 grams) condensed French onion soup or condensed beef broth
• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) water
• 2 1/2 tablespoons (19 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tablespoon (7.5 grams) Dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream

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Instructions

1. Transform bread into a milky pulp by soaking in milk, then blend thoroughly with ground beef, integrating egg, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into a uniform mixture.
2. Craft compact, uniform meatballs by gently rolling the seasoned meat mixture, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
3. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, creating a golden-brown exterior on meatballs by rotating them carefully until all surfaces are caramelized.
4. Extract meatballs from the skillet, reserving them while preparing the rich sauce base.
5. Melt butter in the identical skillet, introducing mushrooms and allowing them to soften and release their earthy essence.
6. Incorporate minced garlic, stirring briefly to awaken its aromatic qualities without burning.
7. Dust the skillet with flour, creating a roux that will thicken the upcoming sauce, cooking momentarily to eliminate raw flour taste.
8. Gradually introduce condensed soup and water, whisking consistently to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
9. Enhance sauce complexity by stirring in Dijon mustard and velvety sour cream, creating a luxurious texture.
10. Reintroduce browned meatballs into the sauce, allowing them to simmer and absorb flavors while completing their cooking process.
11. Maintain gentle heat for approximately 10 minutes, ensuring meatballs are thoroughly cooked and sauce reaches perfect consistency.

Notes

• Soak bread thoroughly in milk to ensure maximum moisture and tenderness in meatballs.
• Use lean ground beef for healthier version, but choose 80/20 blend for optimal flavor and juiciness.
• Create gluten-free option by replacing wheat flour with cornstarch or almond flour for sauce thickening.
• Swap condensed soup with homemade cream sauce for lower sodium and more controlled ingredients.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Russian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg