9 Cozy Ground Beef and Dumplings Recipe
This hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings recipe combines savory browned beef simmered in a rich, flavorful gravy with tender, fluffy dumplings steamed to perfection. A comforting, classic dish perfect for cozy evenings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Beef Base:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Dumplings:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- ½ cup milk
- Optional: chopped parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute to release its fragrance.
- Brown Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavor.
- Make Gravy: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the beef mixture and stir well to coat the meat. Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add Worcestershire sauce and dried thyme or Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a simmer, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until it thickens into a rich gravy.
- Prepare Dumpling Dough: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture becomes crumbly. Stir in the milk until a sticky dough forms.
- Cook Dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the simmering beef mixture in the skillet. Cover the skillet tightly with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Allow the dumplings to steam for 15 to 20 minutes without lifting the lid, ensuring they cook through and become tender.
- Finish & Serve: Remove the lid carefully and check that the dumplings are cooked thoroughly. Garnish with optional chopped parsley or chives. Serve hot for a warm, comforting meal.
Notes
- Do not lift the lid while the dumplings steam to ensure even cooking and fluffy texture.
- For a richer flavor, use homemade beef broth if possible.
- You can substitute dried thyme with Italian seasoning or fresh herbs if available.
- Leftover dumplings are best eaten fresh but can be reheated gently on the stovetop with some broth.
- To make this gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for both the dumplings and gravy.
Keywords: ground beef and dumplings, beef stew, comfort food, dumplings recipe, easy dinner
