Beef Stroganoff (the easy way)

This meal isn't traditional beef stroganoff, I know, but my family loves it and it's quick & easy, just like I like 'em. You need about 1 1/2 lbs of some kind of cheap steak, 2 cans cream of mushroom soup, 2 pkg brown gravy mix, dried minced onions, sour cream and egg noodles.

I cut the steak across the grain into thin slices, ending with pieces that are about 1/4" by about 2" long.  I put a small amount of oil in the bottom of a skillet, dump the meat in there and sprinkle seasoned salt and some fresh cracked pepper all over it. Stir it around and cook over medium heat until it's no longer pink (about 3 or 4 minutes).

Then add the soup, gravy mix, a tablespoon or two of dried minced onion, and 3/4 cup or so of water. Stir around real good and put a lid on it. Turn the heat down to low and simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes, stirring often.

Meanwhile, cook the egg noodles according to package directions. I use a whole 16 oz package. I like to drain the noodles, dump them back in the pan, throw in a half stick of butter and some parsley flakes and stir it up real good. Of course, I could just eat the buttered noodles and skip the rest of it, but my family would be upset, being the carnivores that they are.

Anyhoo, when the noodles are ready, I take the meat stuff off the burner and add in about 16 oz of sour cream and stir around real good. Let it set for a couple minutes and it will thicken up a bit. Then spoon this yummy goodness over the noodles and you're good to go.

 

Here's the frugal breakdown:

• 1 1/2 lb cheap steak on sale @ $4.09
• 1 pkg egg noodles @ $0.99
• 2 cans cream of mushroom soup @ $0.59 ea.
• 2 pkg brown gravy mix @ $0.39 ea.
• 2 cups sour cream @ $1.29
• minced onion, seasoned salt, butter and cracked pepper from pantry

Total for family dinner for 6 (had a friend over) and 2 individual lunches:  $8.33
 + $1.49 for bag of frozen veggies.