Dinner/ Recipes

beef stroganoff with gnocchi

I have cravings.

I am not pregnant, nor any more hormonal than I am on a daily basis (chocolate cake? what chocolate cake?), but I still have cravings.

Most of the time these cravings are for normal things like 56% dark chocolate with a hint of sea salt, banana cupcakes at 7 a.m., fried egg sandwiches or an entire log of goat cheese, but sometimes I get that random hankerin’ for some beefy goodness.

And then there’s no going back.

Last night was one of those nights. I was craving beef. But then I was also craving mushrooms. And I kinda sorta was craving sour cream? But in a behind the scenes kinda way (I’m not a huge sour cream fan normally).

Enter beef stroganoff. I’ve never made it before, only had it maybe once in my life, but for some reason it sounded extra fabulous yesterday.

Quite simply, beef stroganoff is sorta a retro-ish dish of beef (duh) in a delicious mushroom shallot sour cream sauce. From what I just learned on Wikipedia, it dates back to the 19th century Russia when it was named after Count Paul Stroganoff. It became popular in the States in the 1950s and traditionally, it’s served with buttered egg noodles.

But I went with gnocchi. Because gnocchi completes me.

You could make your own of course. But I have to say, Trader Joe’s makes especially delicious gnocchi.

And the sauce! Oh, the sauce.

Words cannot describe this sauce. Only moans and purrs can. While eating this last night, I commented nonchalantly to Adam that “I wanted to take a bath in gnocchi and pour this sauce all over myself”.

If that doesn’t make me a freak, I don’t know what does.

Adam just smiled and ate more beef.

Beef Stroganoff with Gnocchi

serves 4

adapted from Gourmet

Print this recipe!

1 lb beef tenderloin, cut into bite sized pieces

3 T butter

1 T flour

1 cup beef broth

1 T olive oil

2 shallots, minced

12 oz sliced mushrooms

3 T sour cream

gnocchi for serving

In a cast iron or heavy skillet, melt 2 T of butter over medium high heat. Add the flour and whisk quickly, forming a light colored roux. Cook for two-three minutes, stirring continuously until the color of the roux is caramel-like.Β  Then, slowly stream in the beef broth. Simmer for another minute and then take off the stove and set aside.

In another skillet, brown the beef on both sides (about five minutes). Once beef has browned, remove with a slotted spoon and place on a plate to keep warm.

In the same pan, heat the olive oil and the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add the minced shallot and mushrooms to the pan and cook on medium for about six minutes, or until the mushrooms have softened and turned juicy.

Pour the sauce over the mushrooms and add the sour cream. Add the beef and stir until everything has heated through.

Serve with buttered egg noodles or my favorite way, with potato gnocchi.

Beef. It’s whats for dinner.

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  • megan @ blackberries for jam
    February 8, 2011 at 5:06 am

    Call me crazy, but these photos make beef look beautiful.

  • Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl
    February 8, 2011 at 5:07 am

    I love the twist using the gnocci instead of egg noodles! I’m usually not a huge beef eater, but this is definitely a dish I’ll have to put on my “To Make” list! Yum!

  • Christie {Abundant Self Care}
    February 8, 2011 at 5:11 am

    Oh man, I haven’t had this is years and it looks absolutely delish. Last night, I was having a mushroom craving as well but what I created was kind of a fail. I should have made strogenoff -obviously.

  • Jessica @ How Sweet
    February 8, 2011 at 5:12 am

    Perfect man meal! Or me meal.

  • Jess (Sweet Potato)
    February 8, 2011 at 5:19 am

    I like your subsitution of Gnocchi for the noodles. I’ve only ever had it with noodles, but Gnocchi makes everything better. This is making me realize that I dont eat Gnocchi nearly enough!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
    February 8, 2011 at 5:20 am

    My mum used to make beef stroganoff when I was little and I was never a huge fan, but that’s probably because there was no gnocchi in it! Did you ever have to make gnocchi from scratch in culinary school? I’d love to see a how-to for that!

    • jenna
      February 8, 2011 at 8:11 am

      I’ve made it a few times before…but it’s pretty messy and time consuming! Definitely a project in and of itself. I love the Trader Joe’s kind!

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite
    February 8, 2011 at 5:23 am

    Yum! What a great twist on a classic meal πŸ™‚

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
    February 8, 2011 at 5:25 am

    I’ve never had beef stroganoff before, but it does look really good. Oh, and to think that I’d make my own gnocchi? Laughable.

  • Amanda (Eating Up)
    February 8, 2011 at 5:35 am

    Look at that beef! I rarely have beef stroganoff too, but you are making me crave it now!

  • Leslie
    February 8, 2011 at 5:37 am

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I have been craving a new gnocchi recipe!! This looks delicious and I can’t wait to make it!

  • Stacy @ Every Little Thing
    February 8, 2011 at 5:37 am

    I hear you on craving an entire log of goat cheese!

  • megan @ whatmegansmaking
    February 8, 2011 at 5:46 am

    I love beef stroganoff! I’ve never made it though. If this is from gourmet, it must be good!

  • Maria
    February 8, 2011 at 5:48 am

    The gnocchi definitely makes this dish more interesting!

  • Holly @ Couch Potato Athlete
    February 8, 2011 at 6:06 am

    I love beef stroganoff — and I’m not usually the biggest mushroom fan, but somehow mixed with sauce (and beef!) it tastes amazing.

  • Megan
    February 8, 2011 at 6:07 am

    OHHHH lordy, Jenna, that looks amazing!!

    Since you shared amazingness for dinner, I have a super yummy savory breakfast recipe that I’ll share to round out the day. I highly encourage you to check it out on my blog! Bacon…cheese…eggs…YUM!

  • Euniece
    February 8, 2011 at 6:16 am

    oh this looks just so warm and comforting! being away at college makes me miss nice home cooked meals like this especially on cold days like today!!!!

  • Samantha Walton
    February 8, 2011 at 6:20 am

    mmmm…i always crave beef!! this recipe sounds super.

  • Stacey (The Home-Cooked Vegan)
    February 8, 2011 at 6:23 am

    Haha πŸ™‚ I LOVE TJ’s gnocchi! Especially the whole wheat kind, it’s delicious. Funny how cravings are, one minute you want chocolate cake, the next you want pickles and Ranch sauce…wait, maybe that’s just my boyfriend?? πŸ˜‰

  • Daisy
    February 8, 2011 at 6:30 am

    heck yes! TJ’s gnocchi and all, this looks perfect!

  • Lee
    February 8, 2011 at 6:34 am

    Holy yum! That looks absolutely amazing!

  • Apicius' Apprentice
    February 8, 2011 at 6:50 am

    Now I’m hungry for lunch. And it’s only 10 til 10!! I really like the idea of gnocchi with beef stroganoff. So creative!

  • Eliz@The Sweet Life
    February 8, 2011 at 6:54 am

    Mmmmm….beef!

  • Stephanie @ Living and Loving
    February 8, 2011 at 6:57 am

    BAHAHAH you crack me up! I would totally say something like you did about taking a bath and stuff… and my bf (also named Adam πŸ™‚ ) would do the exact same thing! Except he might snicker and call me crazy and then keep eating.

    I’m going to have to try this one for sure!

  • Ann @ at home with ann
    February 8, 2011 at 6:59 am

    I am totally with you on the random cravings for fried egg sandwiches and dark chocolate with sea salt! This Beef Stroganoff is similar to my recipe for Swedish Meatballs, which satisfies my meaty, creamy cravings.
    Since I moved nine months ago I haven’t made it to Trader Joe’s, I am excessively excited to go on Wednesday and will probably spend way too much money on things like gnocchi, goat cheese, and mediterranean hummus.

  • Jen @ keepitsimplefoods
    February 8, 2011 at 7:00 am

    I get crazy cravings sometimes too- never for meat though. haha.

  • Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic
    February 8, 2011 at 7:06 am

    I have craving for beef all the time! Still haven;t made been stroganoff though (nor tried TJ’s gnocchi) but your pictures are making me want to soon!

  • Amalfi Girl (EatRunHaveFun!)
    February 8, 2011 at 7:10 am

    If I wasn’t already married, I think this dish would force me to propose to you.

    Yeah. It looks that good.

  • storiesovertea
    February 8, 2011 at 7:11 am

    I’m not sure good kinds of beef to buy. I know ground beef is good.
    But at my store I can get : stewing beef (it has no “lean” or nutritional info. on it; none of them do!), tenderloin round; steak; thin marinating steak, etc…what exactly should I look for on a label that is good in iron and not too catostrophic for the stomach?

    I’d like to make a beef stew; soup; meatloaf; or just have it on its own, etc.

    I dont have grass-fed stuff or bison (so don’t say those!). Thanks.

    • jenna
      February 8, 2011 at 8:09 am

      I buy tenderloin and then dice it up. You could always ask your butcher at the grocery store what he thinks is best, too.

  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    February 8, 2011 at 7:26 am

    i used to hate beef stroganoff, but have grown to love it. i love that served it over gnocchi…takes beef and potatoes to a whole new AWESOME level!

    • jenna
      February 8, 2011 at 8:07 am

      Amen. And gnocchi is the best way to eat potatoes!

  • Justeen @ Blissful Baking
    February 8, 2011 at 7:34 am

    Ohhh this sauce looks amazing! I would totally take a bath in it too! πŸ™‚

  • Jil @ Big City, Lil Kitchen
    February 8, 2011 at 7:40 am

    Ahh – beef stroganoff reminds me of my childhood!

  • Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary)
    February 8, 2011 at 8:01 am

    Haven’t had this in years… B says he ‘doesn’t like’ stroganoff, but I have acutally never made him a real stroganoff (not made with ground beef, but beef chunks and NO cream of mushroom soup). May have to whip this recipe out and run over to the store for some beef if the weather stays this chilly!

  • Beth @ DiningAndDishing
    February 8, 2011 at 8:45 am

    Funny, we had stroganoff for the first time in a long time just the other day! The sour cream curdled though :(. Still tasted fine but did not make for a very blogworthy pic!

    Next time, I’ll DEF be serving the dish with gnocchi.

  • Emily @ Savory and Savage
    February 8, 2011 at 8:56 am

    I just finished watching Julie and Julia for the billionth time – I was craving beef bourguignon – but now that is all out the window – I see beef stroganoff in my future now πŸ™‚

    The mushrooms simmering in that creamy sauce? Drool……

  • Baking 'n' Books
    February 8, 2011 at 9:10 am

    I love the stories and writing behind the food. That’s why I come here.

    …and the beef doesn’t hurt πŸ˜‰

  • Natalia - a side of simple
    February 8, 2011 at 9:42 am

    I’m convinced this is the sexy girl’s take on meat and potatoes. Gotta love it πŸ™‚

  • Brenna [fabuleuxdestin]
    February 8, 2011 at 9:47 am

    My roomie made this and it was so good – I’d love to try using your recipe!

  • Heather I.
    February 8, 2011 at 9:49 am

    Totally agree. Trader Joe’s makes the best gnocchi. I’ve had stroganoff once and it was Hamburger Helper, so that probably shouldn’t really count…yay for random cravings! They’re the source of the best inspiration πŸ™‚

  • Paige @ Moxie and Marmalade
    February 8, 2011 at 10:12 am

    Too funny — just this morning I was looking up a recipe for beef stroganoff. The boyfriend had a craving. I’ll be using yours, for sure!

  • LauraB @FoodSnobSTL
    February 8, 2011 at 10:28 am

    My mom used to make beef stroganoff and I hated it. This makes me feel like I could love it though!

  • jenna@frombostonwithlove
    February 8, 2011 at 10:32 am

    This is amazing. I used to request beef stroganoff for my birthday dinner every year until I went to college. 18 yrs of beefy goodness. True story.

    I can’t wait to make this. And not just for my birthday!

  • Jennifer
    February 8, 2011 at 10:51 am

    I just fell in love with you! My mom used to make this dish when every my dad was TDY (he was in the Air Force) because he didn’t like it, but the ladies of the house LOVE it. Just seeing this picture has my stomach rumbling because not only does beef stroganoff make me feel all warm and miss home, but gnocchi is my favorite. dish. ever! Thank you for blogging this recipe!!

  • Jaime Ramsay
    February 8, 2011 at 11:56 am

    I want to take a bath in gnocchi and put this sauce all over myself?! You are hilarious.

  • Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble
    February 8, 2011 at 12:36 pm

    Ohhh I love stroganoff! That looks amazing and delicious!

  • Katie @ peacebeme
    February 8, 2011 at 1:04 pm

    Wow! Looks like an amazing recipe. I am really enjoying all of your recipes and the direction your blog has taken in the last 4 months. I love beef stronganoff AND gnocchi!

  • Katie @ The Content Life
    February 8, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    I love gnocchi – when it’s added to any meal, it make it that much better. I am a vegetarian and this even looks good to me! πŸ™‚

  • Sarah
    February 8, 2011 at 5:41 pm

    Looks fabulous but would recommend adding a splash of worcestershire sauce and brandy – makes it super om nom nom πŸ™‚

  • Lindsay
    February 9, 2011 at 5:39 am

    Jenna,

    This recipe looks fabulous! I am definitely going to make it on Valentine’s Day. However, I’m mildly lactose intolerant… do you think the sour cream would be an issue? I will probably just go with it, but do you have a suggestion for a suitable replacement?

    Thanks!

    • jenna
      February 9, 2011 at 8:44 am

      I’m not sure how sensitive you are! If you are allergic, I would say skip it…but then again, I’m not sure–I don’t want you to get sick! You really need the sour cream to make the dish..you could try plain yogurt if you’re not as sensitive to that though?!

  • Elisabeth
    February 9, 2011 at 8:39 am

    mmmmmmm!!! YES PLEASE! I’m so making this for the hubs this weekend.

  • Kate
    February 9, 2011 at 9:15 am

    OMG! Made this for dinner last night, and it was divine!

  • Jayme
    February 9, 2011 at 3:17 pm

    This was amazing and so simple to make! I love your blog and recipes!

  • Michelle
    February 9, 2011 at 4:30 pm

    Yumm! This looks hearty. Add a side salad and you have a nice balanced meal.

  • Stephanie Rose
    February 9, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    I was totally planning to make this tonight. i bought everything, came home gathered all the ingredients and BAM it hit me. I had no beef! oi, so luckily my roomies decided they wanted falafel instead so i was saved, but anywho how do you think chicken would work in this? i mean i realize its beef stroganoff and all, but would it be wrong to make chicken stroganoff? i dont want to be crossing some kind of crazy foodie line ya know?

  • Sam
    May 30, 2011 at 6:21 pm

    I just wanted to share how much I love this recipe. Except I make one big change. I use chicken! It turns out wonderfully and I call it chicken and mushrooms. I’ve made it so many times. Thank you so much for the recipe!

  • beverly
    July 20, 2011 at 2:22 pm

    Question, I bought this gnocchi for the first time and although I told my mother NOT to freeze them, she did and when I cooked them, they tasted very bad, like chemicals. Please tell me this is not the way it tastes if they were never frozen. Would love to thry this recipe!! Thanks!!

  • Claire
    February 26, 2013 at 8:33 pm

    OMG. Just made your mushroom risotto without the mushrooms, sacrilege I know, but I then made this and put it over the risotto instead of gnocchi and holy cow. Rich rich rich, and absolutely incredible.

  • Becky Smith
    November 17, 2014 at 5:50 pm

    Thank you for bringing this into my life!