Introduction
Oh, the smell of comfort food wafting from the kitchen! It takes me right back to cozy evenings and happy family dinners. And you know what? There are some dishes that just feel like home. This Crockpot Beef Stroganoff is one of those recipes. It’s the kind of meal that’s incredibly forgiving, ridiculously easy to throw together, and guarantees smiles all around the table. Seriously, if you’re looking for a way to make a hearty, delicious dinner without a ton of fuss, you’ve landed in the right spot!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Most of the magic happens in the crockpot, so your active prep time is minimal.
- Easy: Seriously, a few stirs and you’re done until it’s time to serve. Perfect for busy weeknights!
- Giftable: Imagine gifting a batch of this to a new parent or someone going through a tough time. It’s a hug in a bowl!
- Crowd-pleasing: From picky eaters to seasoned foodies, this classic flavor combo is a winner every time.
Ingredients
Gather ’round, friends! Here’s what you’ll need to create this dreamy dish. Don’t worry, it’s all pretty standard stuff you can find at any grocery store.
- 2.5 pounds stew meat: This is the heart of our stroganoff! Cut into bite-sized pieces, it will become wonderfully tender in the slow cooker.
- 2 (10.5 ounce) cans Campbell’s Golden Mushroom Soup: This is our secret weapon for that rich, savory flavor base. It’s the classic shortcut that makes this recipe so darn easy.
- ½ cup water: Just a little to help everything meld together beautifully.
- 1 small onion, diced: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor. No need to be fancy with the dice – just get it chopped!
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce: A little dash goes a long way for that umami kick.
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder: Because what’s a savory dish without garlic? This is so easy and distributes flavor perfectly.
- Salt and pepper to taste: The finishing touches to make everything sing.
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature and cubed: This is the game-changer! It makes the sauce unbelievably creamy and luxurious. Make sure it’s softened so it melts in easily.
- 1 pound egg noodles, cooked: The perfect vehicle for all that delicious sauce.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get this comfort food party started! It’s so simple, you’ll be amazed at how little effort is required for such a rewarding meal.
- Prep your crockpot: First things first, put your lovely stew meat right into your slow cooker. No need to brown it or anything fancy!
- Add the flavor: Now, pour in those two cans of Campbell’s Golden Mushroom Soup. Next, add the diced onion, the water, that splash of Worcestershire sauce, and the garlic powder.
- Give it a stir: Grab a spoon and gently stir everything together until it’s all nicely combined. Make sure that meat is coated in all that goodness.
- Let the magic happen: Pop the lid on your crockpot. You have two options: cook it on low for 6-8 hours (perfect for a full day at work or running errands) or on high for 3-4 hours (if you’re short on time). Either way, you want that meat to be super tender. I usually go for low and slow because I love how tender the meat gets!
- Get creamy: Once the meat is fork-tender, it’s time for the grand finale! Add those cubes of room-temperature cream cheese to the crockpot. Stir gently until the cream cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and luscious. Oh, it’s going to be so good!
- Serve it up! Cook your egg noodles according to the package directions. Once they’re ready, spoon that glorious beef stroganoff right over the top. Dinner is served!
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is pretty fantastic as is, but if you’re feeling adventurous or have a craving for something a little different, here are a few ideas:
- For the soup: If you can’t find Golden Mushroom, a regular Cream of Mushroom soup works too!
- Add veggies: Feel free to toss in some sliced mushrooms along with the meat and soup for extra mushroomy goodness. You could also add peas or carrots during the last hour of cooking.
- Spice it up: A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a little warmth if you like a hint of heat.
- Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives just before serving adds a lovely pop of color and freshness.
- Serving options: While egg noodles are classic, this stroganoff is also delicious over mashed potatoes, rice, or even crusty bread for dipping!
Tips for Success
We all want that perfect batch of stroganoff, right? Here are a few little secrets I’ve learned along the way:
- Room Temp Cream Cheese: This is key! If your cream cheese is too cold, it won’t melt smoothly. Take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan to stir it in.
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Cook your egg noodles just until al dente. They’ll continue to soften a bit when you add the hot stroganoff sauce.
- Taste and Adjust: Before serving, always give your stroganoff a taste. Does it need a little more salt or pepper? Go ahead and adjust it to your liking!
- Prep Ahead: You can dice your onion and have all your other ingredients measured out the night before to make assembly even quicker on a busy morning.
How to Store It
Leftovers? Lucky you! This Crockpot Beef Stroganoff reheats beautifully. Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for about 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, or pop it in the microwave. You might need to add a tiny splash of water or milk if the sauce seems a bit thick.
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
- Can I use a different cut of beef? While stew meat is ideal because it gets so tender, you could technically use chuck roast cut into cubes. Just make sure it’s a cut that benefits from slow cooking.
- Is it okay to skip the cream cheese? You could, but it would change the texture and richness of the sauce significantly. The cream cheese is really what makes this stroganoff so creamy and decadent.
- Can I freeze Crockpot Beef Stroganoff? Yes, you can! It’s best to freeze it without the noodles. Let the stroganoff cool completely, then store it in freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as usual.
Crockpot Beef Stroganoff
A ridiculously easy and forgiving Crockpot Beef Stroganoff recipe that's perfect for busy weeknights and guarantees smiles all around the table. This comfort food dream is a hug in a bowl!
Equipment
- Crockpot
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring spoons
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Spoon
- Pot For cooking noodles
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 2.5 pounds stew meat Cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 (10.5 ounce) cans Campbell's Golden Mushroom Soup
- 0.5 cup water
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature and cubed
- 1 pound egg noodles cooked
Instructions
- Prep your crockpot: First things first, put your lovely stew meat right into your slow cooker. No need to brown it or anything fancy!
- Add the flavor: Now, pour in those two cans of Campbell's Golden Mushroom Soup. Next, add the diced onion, the water, that splash of Worcestershire sauce, and the garlic powder.
- Give it a stir: Grab a spoon and gently stir everything together until it's all nicely combined. Make sure that meat is coated in all that goodness.
- Let the magic happen: Pop the lid on your crockpot. You have two options: cook it on low for 6-8 hours (perfect for a full day at work or running errands) or on high for 3-4 hours (if you're short on time). Either way, you want that meat to be super tender. I usually go for low and slow because I love how tender the meat gets!
- Get creamy: Once the meat is fork-tender, it’s time for the grand finale! Add those cubes of room-temperature cream cheese to the crockpot. Stir gently until the cream cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and luscious. Oh, it’s going to be so good!
- Serve it up! Cook your egg noodles according to the package directions. Once they're ready, spoon that glorious beef stroganoff right over the top. Dinner is served!
Notes
For substitutions and additions, consider using Cream of Mushroom soup if Golden Mushroom is unavailable, adding sliced mushrooms, peas, or carrots, a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, or fresh parsley or chives for garnish. This stroganoff is also delicious served over mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.