Toss raw beef sirloin strips in the slow cooker and 3 simple pantry staples for a meal so delicious your husband will be begging for more.

This 4-ingredient slow cooker beef stroganoff is my stripped-down, weeknight-friendly take on the classic Russian-inspired dish that became a Midwestern potluck staple. Instead of fussing with browning meat or building a sauce on the stove, you’ll toss raw beef sirloin strips straight into the slow cooker, pour over three familiar pantry staples, and let time do the work. The result is a rich, creamy, savory sauce clinging to tender beef—comfort food that tastes like you spent all afternoon on it, but really didn’t.

Serve this beef stroganoff spooned generously over wide egg noodles for a traditional presentation, or try it over mashed potatoes or buttered rice if that’s what you have on hand. A simple green side—steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a crisp tossed salad—balances the richness nicely. I also like to add a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or chives at the table for a bit of color and freshness, and a crusty baguette is perfect for mopping up any extra sauce left in the bowl.

Servings: 4

1 1/2 to 2 pounds beef sirloin, cut into thin strips

Place the raw beef sirloin strips in an even layer on the bottom of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. This ensures the meat is fully surrounded by heat and sauce as it cooks.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup and the dry onion soup mix until the mixture is smooth and the seasoning is evenly distributed.

Pour the thick, creamy soup mixture evenly over the raw beef sirloin strips in the slow cooker, making sure all of the meat is coated. Do not stir; leaving the beef on the bottom helps it cook evenly and stay tender.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the beef is very tender and easily breaks apart with a fork. Avoid lifting the lid frequently, as this releases heat and can lengthen cooking time.

Once the beef is tender, turn the slow cooker to LOW (or to the WARM setting if your cooker runs hot). Gently stir the contents so the beef is fully mixed with the sauce.

In a small bowl, whisk the room-temperature sour cream until smooth, then stir it into the hot beef mixture until fully incorporated and creamy. Do not boil after adding sour cream; prolonged high heat can cause it to separate.

Taste the stroganoff and adjust the seasoning if needed with a pinch of salt or freshly ground black pepper. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes on LOW or WARM to thicken slightly, then serve hot over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice.

You can adapt this simple base in a few easy ways without sacrificing the 4-ingredient spirit. For a mushroom-forward version, add an 8-ounce package of sliced fresh mushrooms to the slow cooker on top of the beef before pouring on the soup mixture; the mushrooms will release moisture and meld into the sauce. If you like a bit more tang, stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard along with the sour cream. For a slightly lighter dish, use reduced-fat sour cream and one can of cream of mushroom soup plus one can of cream of chicken soup for a milder flavor. If sodium is a concern, choose low-sodium condensed soup and a reduced-sodium onion soup mix, then season to taste at the end. Food safety tips: Always start with fresh, properly refrigerated beef, and keep it chilled until you’re ready to load the slow cooker. Cut the sirloin into evenly sized strips so it cooks uniformly and reaches a safe internal temperature (at least 145°F, though this dish is typically cooked well beyond that until fork-tender). Use a slow cooker that is at least half full but not packed to the brim; overcrowding can slow heating and keep the food in the temperature “danger zone” for too long. Cook on LOW or HIGH only as directed—do not use the WARM setting for initial cooking, as it is not hot enough to safely bring raw meat up to temperature. Add the sour cream only after the beef is fully cooked and the mixture is hot; keep the stroganoff refrigerated within 2 hours of serving and use leftovers within 3 to 4 days, reheating gently until steaming hot but not boiling.