Name: Healthy Ground Beef Stroganoff
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion, finely diced; 1 lb ground beef (93–95% lean); 7 oz mushrooms, sliced or diced; 2 teaspoons minced garlic (or 2 cloves); 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 2 teaspoons soy sauce; 1 cup chicken stock; 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional but recommended); 3 cups baby spinach; 1 tablespoon flour (regular or gluten-free); 1 cup light sour cream; To serve: pasta, rice, or quinoa

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Healthy Ground Beef Stroganoff is the perfect balance of hearty and wholesome. It has rich flavors from Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and mushrooms, but it’s lightened up with lean beef and fresh spinach. The creamy sauce is satisfying without being heavy, making it an ideal choice for those looking to enjoy comfort food with a healthier touch. Plus, it’s versatile—you can serve it over pasta, rice, or even quinoa for a protein-packed meal.

Healthy Ground Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1.5 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced
1 lb ground beef (93-95% lean)
7 oz mushrooms, sliced or diced
2 teaspoons minced garlic (or 2 cloves)
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 cup chicken stock
1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional but recommended)
3 cups baby spinach
1 tablespoon flour (regular or gluten-free)
1 cup light sour cream
To serve: pasta, rice, or quinoa

Directions

Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions for about 2 minutes until softened.
Add the ground beef, cooking for 3–4 minutes until browned, breaking it up with a spatula.
Stir in mushrooms, garlic, salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and chicken stock. Add tomato paste if using.
Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add spinach and cook until wilted. Sprinkle in flour, stirring well to avoid clumps, until the sauce thickens.
Stir in sour cream, adjust seasoning, and serve over your choice of pasta, rice, or quinoa.

Servings and timing

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Variations

Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
Swap spinach with kale or Swiss chard for a different texture.
For a dairy-free version, substitute coconut cream or cashew cream for sour cream.
Add extra vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or peas for more nutrients.
Serve over mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash instead of pasta or rice.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For freezing, make the dish without sour cream and add it after reheating to avoid curdling. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring often to maintain a creamy consistency.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply use gluten-free flour and a gluten-free soy sauce substitute like tamari.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the sauce up to step 5 and refrigerate it. When ready to serve, reheat, add spinach, flour, and sour cream, and simmer until creamy.

How do I prevent the sour cream from curdling?

Remove the skillet from heat and let it cool slightly before stirring in the sour cream.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?

Yes, plain Greek yogurt can work, but make sure to add it off the heat to avoid curdling.

What can I serve this with besides pasta?

It pairs well with rice, quinoa, mashed potatoes, or even roasted vegetables.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes, swap the beef for lentils, chickpeas, or plant-based ground meat.

Is this dish freezer-friendly?

Yes, but freeze it without the sour cream. Add fresh sour cream after reheating.

Can I add more vegetables?

Absolutely—mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, bell peppers, or carrots all work well.

What type of mushrooms are best?

Cremini or button mushrooms are classic, but you can also use portobello or shiitake for deeper flavor.

Can I make this recipe low-carb?

Yes, serve it over zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or cauliflower rice instead of pasta or rice.

Conclusion

Healthy Ground Beef Stroganoff is a deliciously creamy, comforting meal that comes together quickly with simple ingredients. With its lighter twist on a classic, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and versatile enough to customize. Serve it your way, enjoy the rich flavors, and keep it in your rotation for an easy, wholesome dinner option.

Lily