Description
This Cozy Ground Beef and Dumplings recipe is a comforting and easy dinner perfect for any night. Featuring tender ground beef simmered in a savory tomato and beef broth gravy, topped with fluffy homemade dumplings, this dish brings together rich flavors and satisfying textures in one pot meal that’s both fancy and uncomplicated.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 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
Dumplings
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- ½ cup milk
Optional Garnish
- Chopped parsley or chives
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook until soft and translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Brown Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned evenly. Drain any excess fat from the pan to avoid greasiness. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for one minute to deepen the flavor.
- Make Gravy: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the beef mixture and stir well to coat. Slowly pour in the beef broth while continuously stirring to prevent lumps. Add Worcestershire sauce and dried thyme or Italian seasoning. Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until it thickens to a gravy consistency.
- Prepare Dumpling Dough: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold cubed butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Gradually stir in the milk until a sticky, soft dough forms.
- Cook Dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the simmering beef mixture. Cover the skillet tightly with a lid and reduce heat to low. Let the dumplings steam for 15 to 20 minutes without lifting the lid, ensuring they puff up fully and cook through.
- Finish & Serve: Remove the lid and check that dumplings are cooked inside. Garnish the dish with chopped parsley or chives and serve hot for a cozy, hearty meal.
Notes
- Do not lift the lid while dumplings are cooking to ensure proper steaming.
- For a richer flavor, you can substitute half the beef broth with red wine.
- Use cold butter directly from the fridge to achieve flaky dumplings.
- Feel free to add vegetables like peas or carrots to the beef mixture for extra nutrition.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
