One Pot Meatball Stroganoff 

This one pot meatball stroganoff is such a hit at our house. It's an easy family-friendly dinner recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes and is so satisfying on cold nights.

What is One Pot Meatball Stroganoff 

One Pot Meatball Stroganoff is a delightful, family-friendly dish perfect for those cozy evenings when you crave something warm and satisfying.

This dish stands out for its simplicity and quick preparation time, taking less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

It's a one-pot wonder, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy the evening with your family.

The traditional recipe typically involves tender chunks of beef but to save time and energy, I'm using frozen meatballs.

It also includes big chunks of mushrooms but since I want my kids and shroom-hating husband to eat it, I find if I chop up the veggies super fine, they don't notice it at all!

Plus, my kids will eat anything that involves mini meatballs so that's a win-win in our house!

And since you know me and my cheese-lovin' self, this recipe gets a generous scoop of cream cheese to make it even more rich and delicious!

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Olive Oil - Any sort of neutral oil will work just fine.
• Onion - I use sweet onion but if you wanted to use shallots or red onions, it will also work.
• Salted Butter - If you're using unsalted butter, just be sure to add an extra pinch of salt.
• Garlic Cloves - Trust me when I say that fresh garlic is best but if you have to use the pre-minced variety, that is fine too.
• Baby Bella Mushrooms - You can swap out baby bellas for whatever mushroom you prefer.
• Dried Thyme - If you're using fresh thyme, just use half of the amount.
• Frozen Meatballs  - I'm using Earth's Best Frozen Mini Meatballs that I always buy at Super Target because they're organic and my kids love the size. You can definitely use another size/brand of frozen meatball if you choose to.
• Beef Stock - Beef stock is traditionally used in this recipe so I recommend using it... but if you absolutely had to use chicken stock, that would work, too.
• Worcestershire - This adds the perfect umami punch but if you don't like Worcestershire or need a substitution, you can add ½ teaspoon dijon mustard.
• Egg Noodles - I don't recommend switching up egg noodles for another sort of noodle since this is a water to pasta ratio issue.
• Sour Cream - You can swap sour cream for full fat greek yogurt or even labneh.
• Cream Cheese - This is optional but I swear it makes all the difference! It adds so much rich, velvetty goodness and makes the sauce super creamy.

How to make it 

Making my one pot meatball beef stroganoff is super easy and comes together so quick!

To begin, grab a heavy bottomed pot like the braiser i have linked to in the recipe card.

Add olive oil to a heavy bottomed pan over medium heat.

Then add onion and a pinch of salt. Cook down, stirring often, for about 3 minutes or until tender.

Now add butter, garlic, minced mushrooms, dried thyme, and another pinch of salt and cook down for another 3 more minutes or until garlic is fragrant and mushrooms are starting to caramelize.

Add the mini meatballs and a splash of the beefstock and use the back of a spatula to deglaze the pan.

Add the frozen meatballs (no need to defrost!), the noodles, the Worcestershire and the rest of the beef stock making sure to scrape up any bits on the bottom of the pan.

Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to medium and simmer with the lid slightly ajar for about 10 minutes, stirring the noodles often, and cooking until the noodles are al dente.

Sometimes the noodles stick to the bottom of the pan so it's best practice to make sure this isn't happening by stirring often.

Once the noodles are done and the liquid is mostly absorbed, gently fold in the cream cheese and sour cream.

What goes with One Pot Meatball Stroganoff 

My one pot meatball stroganoff is such a solid dinner recipe. To make it a full meal, I just like to serve something green like a big kale butternut squash salad or a simple side salad.

If you like this one pot recipe, you could also try:

• One Pot Brown Butter Orzo with Butternut Squash
• Viral Tiktok One Pot Lemon Pasta
• One Pot Cheesy Orzo With Broccoli 
• Viral One-Pot French Onion Pasta Recipe
• One Pot Miso Pork Ramen

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between stroganoff and Swedish meatballs?

Good Question! Stroganoff, is a creamy sauce studded with tender beef, while Swedish Meatballs, a Scandinavian favorite, are known for their unique blend of spices and a luscious gravy often accented with lingonberry jam. Both are comfort food superstars, but each brings its own unique flavor party to the table!

What causes tough meatballs?

Tough meatballs often crash the party when the mix is overworked, there's not enough fat, or the whole thing lacks enough moisture, turning those ideally tender bites into chewy challenges. Remember, it's all about balancing the ingredients and handling them with a gentle touch for that perfect, melt-in-your-mouth meatball magic!

Why is my stroganoff gummy?

If your stroganoff is hitting the gummy zone, it's likely because the flour used to thicken the sauce got a bit overzealous, turning your dreamy, creamy dish into a sticky situation. Luckily, this recipe has no flour so it won't be an issue if you use my recipe.

Save this recipe for later

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