Description
This Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings recipe brings together savory, tender ground beef simmered in a flavorful gravy, topped with soft, fluffy dumplings steamed to perfection. It’s a comforting and satisfying dinner perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you crave a classic homestyle meal.
Ingredients
Ground Beef Filling
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean works best)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if beef is leaner)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups beef broth
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: ½ cup frozen peas or mixed vegetables
Dumplings
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
- ½ cup milk (whole or 2%)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Add Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Build the Sauce: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute to deepen the flavor. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir well to coat the beef evenly, which will help thicken the sauce. Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Season with dried thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens into a gravy-like consistency. If desired, fold in frozen peas or mixed vegetables at this point.
- Prepare the Dumpling Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the softened butter and use your fingers or a fork to work it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Pour in the milk and stir just until the dough comes together, being careful not to overmix.
- Add Dumplings to the Pan: Drop heaping tablespoons of the dumpling dough evenly on top of the beef mixture in the skillet. You should get about 6 to 8 dumplings. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low to allow gentle cooking.
- Simmer and Cook: Let the dumplings steam for 15 minutes undisturbed with the lid on. The heat and steam from the beef mixture will cook the dumplings through and cause them to puff up.
- Serve: Once the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy, remove the skillet from heat and let it sit uncovered for 5 minutes. Serve hot, spooning generous portions of the beef filling alongside one or two dumplings per bowl for a delightful, comforting meal.
Notes
- Use 85% lean ground beef for best flavor and texture; add olive oil if using leaner beef to prevent dryness.
- Do not lift the lid while the dumplings are cooking to ensure they steam properly and become fluffy.
- Frozen peas or mixed vegetables add a pop of color and nutrition but are optional.
- For a richer gravy, you can substitute part of the beef broth with a splash of red wine.
- If you prefer a lower-fat version, substitute milk with a low-fat or plant-based milk alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
