9 Cozy Ground Beef and Dumplings Recipe
Introduction
Enjoy a comforting bowl of ground beef and dumplings, perfect for chilly evenings. This hearty dish combines savory beef in a rich gravy with soft, fluffy dumplings steamed to perfection.
Ingredients
- 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
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (for dumplings)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- ½ cup milk
- Optional: chopped parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Step 2: Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat from the pan. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to enhance the flavor.
- Step 3: Sprinkle the flour evenly over the beef mixture and stir well to incorporate. Slowly pour in the beef broth while continuously stirring to prevent lumps. Add Worcestershire sauce and dried thyme or Italian seasoning. Let the mixture simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until the gravy thickens.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk to form a sticky dough.
- Step 5: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the simmering beef mixture, spacing them apart. Cover the skillet tightly and reduce the heat to low. Let the dumplings steam for 15 to 20 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Step 6: Remove the lid carefully and check that the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives if desired, and serve hot.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, try adding a splash of red wine to the beef mixture before simmering.
- Use fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary if available for a brighter taste.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk and use a dairy-free butter alternative.
- Try adding finely chopped vegetables such as carrots or celery to the beef base for added texture and nutrition.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until heated through. The dumplings may firm up when chilled but will soften again during reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I freeze this dish?
Yes, you can freeze the beef and dumplings in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating gently on the stove or in the microwave.
What can I use instead of beef broth?
If you don’t have beef broth, you can use chicken broth or vegetable broth. Just keep in mind it will slightly alter the flavor, but the dish will still be delicious.
Print9 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
