Cozy Comfort: The Homemade Meatball Stroganoff Recipe

Curious home cooks discover meatball stroganoff as a delightful twist on classic comfort cuisine.

Traditional Russian flavors dance with hearty ground beef spheres in this creamy, satisfying dish.

Tender meatballs nestle perfectly in a rich, velvety sauce that whispers of nostalgia and warmth.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of savory seasonings and silky cream.

Weeknight dinners will never feel mundane when this recipe appears on your table.

Simple ingredients combine to create something magical and utterly irresistible.

Grab your skillet and get ready to impress everyone around you with this extraordinary meal.

What Makes Meatball Stroganoff So Comforting

• Whip Up Quick Comfort: These meatballs are super easy to prepare, requiring simple ingredients most home cooks already have in their kitchen. Minimal prep time means you can have a delicious meal ready in under 30 minutes.
• Master Versatile Cooking Technique: The recipe teaches essential skills like mixing meat, forming uniform meatballs, and browning proteins perfectly. These foundational cooking methods will boost your culinary confidence for future dishes.
• Create Family-Pleasing Meal: Ground beef meatballs offer universal appeal, making this stroganoff an ideal dinner option that satisfies both kids and adults. The combination of familiar flavors ensures everyone at the table will enjoy this hearty meal.
• Customize with Ease: Cooks can effortlessly adapt the recipe by adjusting seasonings or using different meat blends. Swap ingredients to match dietary preferences or pantry availability without compromising the dish's delicious core.

What You’ll Need For Meatball Stroganoff

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that forms the foundation of the meatballs, best with 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for juicy texture.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meat and creates a tender meatball structure, use plain or seasoned varieties.
• Egg: Natural binding agent that keeps meatballs cohesive and prevents crumbling.

• Milk: Adds moisture and softens the meat mixture, whole milk works best.
• Garlic: Provides robust, aromatic flavor to the meatballs.
• Onion: Brings subtle sweetness and depth to the meat mixture.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami and complexity to the overall taste.
• Salt: Essential for bringing out the meat's natural flavors.
• Black Pepper: Adds a mild heat and warmth to the seasoning.
• Paprika: Contributes a subtle smoky note and beautiful color.

• Olive Oil: Creates a non-stick surface and helps brown the meatballs evenly, extra virgin provides the best flavor.

Step-By-Step Guide To Make Meatball Stroganoff

Step 1: Craft Flavorful Meatball Mixture

• Ground beef
• Breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Milk
• Minced garlic
• Finely chopped onion
• Worcestershire sauce
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika

Gently mix the ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix. The key is to keep the mixture light and tender.

Step 2: Shape Perfect Meatballs

Using your hands, roll the meat mixture into delightful bite-sized spheres, each about the size of a golf ball. Create uniform meatballs to ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Sear Golden-Brown Meatballs

Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully place meatballs into the pan, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Allow each meatball to develop a beautiful golden-brown crust by rotating them gently. Cook for approximately 5-6 minutes, ensuring they’re evenly browned on all sides. Transfer the cooked meatballs to a clean plate, ready for the next stage of culinary magic.

Handy Tips To Nail Meatball Stroganoff

• Prevent Overworking Meat: Gently mix ingredients to keep meatballs tender and juicy, avoiding tough, dense texture.
• Achieve Perfect Browning: Use medium heat and avoid overcrowding the skillet to ensure even, golden-brown meatball surfaces.
• Customize Flavor Boost: Experiment with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to add depth and aromatic notes to the meatball mixture.
• Control Moisture Balance: Add a splash of milk or water if the mixture feels too dry, helping bind ingredients without making meatballs tough.
• Choose Quality Meat: Select ground beef with 80/20 fat content for maximum flavor and moisture in your meatballs.

Keeping Meatball Stroganoff Fresh And Tasty

• Refrigerate leftover meatball stroganoff in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
• Cool the dish completely before storing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal flavor.
• Seal tightly with a lid or plastic wrap to keep moisture locked in and prevent other refrigerator odors from seeping into the meal.
• When reheating, add a splash of beef broth or sour cream to restore the sauce's creamy consistency and prevent the meatballs from drying out.
• Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for maximum convenience, where they'll keep well for 2-3 months.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently rewarming on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly.

Top Sides That Work With Meatball Stroganoff

• Pair with Velvety Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied red like Pinot Noir or Merlot to complement the rich, savory flavors of the meatballs. These wines offer smooth tannins that enhance the beef's depth without overpowering the delicate seasonings.
• Serve Alongside Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Whip up buttery, silky mashed potatoes that perfectly absorb the stroganoff sauce. The creamy texture creates a dreamy contrast with the hearty meatballs, making each bite more satisfying.
• Add Fresh Crisp Green Salad: Toss a light salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the dish. The bright, zesty salad provides a refreshing counterpoint to the heavy meatball stroganoff.
• Recommend Crisp Pilsner Beer: Select a cold, crisp Pilsner that cleanses the palate between bites. Its light, hoppy character helps balance the meat's robust flavor and provides a refreshing contrast to the creamy sauce.

Try These Fun Twists On Meatball Stroganoff

• Veggie Meatball Marvel: Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils, adding finely chopped mushrooms for extra umami and texture.
• Turkey Lean Fusion: Replace beef with ground turkey, incorporating fresh herbs like thyme and parsley for a lighter, healthier protein option.
• Mediterranean Meatball Spin: Mix ground lamb with mint, oregano, and crumbled feta cheese, creating a Greek-inspired version with rich, tangy flavors.
• Spicy Southwestern Remix: Add diced jalapeños, cumin, and chili powder to the meat mixture, serving with a zesty cilantro-lime sour cream for a kick of heat.

Meatball Stroganoff FAQs You Should Know

• Why should I use both ground beef and breadcrumbs in the meatballs?

Breadcrumbs help bind the meat together and keep the meatballs moist, preventing them from becoming dense or tough. They also add a light texture and help absorb the extra moisture from the egg and milk.

• Can I substitute any ingredients if I don't have exactly what the recipe calls for?

You can replace breadcrumbs with crushed crackers or panko, and milk can be swapped with water or non-dairy alternatives. If you’re out of Worcestershire sauce, try soy sauce or balsamic vinegar for a similar depth of flavor.

• How do I know when the meatballs are fully cooked?

The meatballs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F. They should be browned on the outside and no longer pink in the center. Using a meat thermometer is the most accurate way to check doneness.

• What's the purpose of adding paprika to the meatball mixture?

Paprika adds a subtle sweet and slightly smoky flavor to the meatballs. It also provides a nice color and mild warmth to the meat mixture, enhancing the overall taste profile of the dish.

Meatball Stroganoff Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty meatball stroganoff brings Russian comfort cuisine to American dinner tables with creamy, tender morsels that dance between classic tradition and modern comfort. Rich beef and tangy sour cream create a memorable meal you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein Ingredients:

• 1 pound (1 lb / 454 grams) ground beef (or half beef, half pork)
• 1 egg

Meat Flavoring and Binding Ingredients:

• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ small onion, finely diced
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Cooking and Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 8 ounces (8 oz / 226 grams) mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Serving Options:

• ½ pound (½ lb / 226 grams) egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice

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Instructions

1. Blend ground beef with breadcrumbs, egg, milk, minced garlic, diced onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and paprika in a mixing bowl until ingredients are evenly distributed.
2. Gently form the meat mixture into uniform spherical shapes, approximately one inch in diameter, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
3. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over moderate heat, creating a golden searing environment for the meatballs.
4. Carefully place meatballs into the skillet, allowing each side to develop a rich, caramelized exterior through periodic rotation, cooking for approximately 5-6 minutes.
5. Once meatballs achieve a perfect golden-brown crust and reach internal doneness, transfer them to a separate plate, preserving their temperature and texture for subsequent cooking stages.

Notes

• Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create lighter, healthier meatballs with a tender texture.
• Soak breadcrumbs in milk briefly before mixing to ensure extra moisture and prevent dry, tough meatballs.
• Use a small ice cream scoop or cookie scoop for uniform meatball sizes, guaranteeing even cooking and professional-looking presentation.
• Allow meatballs to rest for a few minutes after browning to help them retain juices and maintain a succulent interior when further cooking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Russian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 610
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg