Beef Stroganoff Meatballs

By gmbeckett

This stroganoff recipe delivers on the traditional flavors but is made with meatballs instead of thinly sliced sirloin. Serve over your favorite pasta with a salad for a full dinner.

Ingredients

• Coarse salt and pepper
• 3/4 pound spaghetti
• 1/2 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 large shallots, diced small
• 1 pound ground beef chuck (80% lean)
• 1 pound mushrooms, such as button or cremini, trimmed and sliced 1/2 inch thick
• 1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill, divided

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 2 1/2 cups pasta water; drain.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs, milk, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

In a large heavy pot, melt butter over medium. Add shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; transfer 1/4 cup shallots to breadcrumb mixture, along with beef and stir until just combined (do not overmix).

Form into 1-inch balls and place, 1 inch apart, on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until browned and cooked through, about 7 minutes, turning halfway through.

Add mushrooms to pot with remaining shallots and cook, stirring, over medium until mushrooms are softened, 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add reserved pasta water, scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon, and bring to a rapid simmer. Cook until liquid is reduced by half, about 6 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in sour cream and 2 tablespoons dill. Add meatballs and toss to coat.

Divide pasta among four bowls and top with meatballs, sauce, and remaining 2 tablespoons dill.