Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings Recipe

Introduction

Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings is a comforting dish perfect for chilly evenings. Tender dumplings steam on top of a savory, thickened ground beef filling, creating a satisfying one-pan meal that pleases the whole family.

Ingredients

• 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
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (for dumplings)
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• ½ cup milk (whole or 2%)

Instructions

1. Step 1: 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.
2. Step 2: Add the diced onion and sauté until soft, about 4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
3. Step 3: Mix in the tomato paste and cook for another minute. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir to coat the beef evenly. Slowly add the beef broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Add thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens into a gravy-like consistency. Stir in frozen vegetables at this point if using.
4. Step 4: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add softened butter and work it into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk just until the dough comes together.
5. Step 5: Using a spoon, drop heaping tablespoons of dough on top of the beef mixture. You should get 6–8 dumplings. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low.
6. Step 6: Let the dumplings steam for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. They will puff up and cook through using the steam and heat from the beef mixture.
7. Step 7: Once dumplings are cooked through, remove from heat and let sit uncovered for 5 minutes. Serve hot, scooping a portion of beef with one or two dumplings into each bowl.

Tips & Variations

• Use 85% lean ground beef for best flavor and moisture; add olive oil if using leaner meat.
• For extra vegetables, stir in frozen peas, carrots, or mixed vegetables during the simmer step.
• To make dumplings fluffier, avoid overmixing the dough and be gentle when dropping it onto the beef mixture.
• Serve with a side of steamed greens or a simple salad to balance the richness.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a covered skillet over low heat or microwave until heated through, adding a splash of broth or water if the mixture has thickened too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can prepare the beef mixture in advance and refrigerate it. Add the dumpling dough and cook just before serving for the best texture.

What if I don’t have baking powder for the dumplings?

Baking powder is important for light, fluffy dumplings. If you don’t have it, you can substitute with ¾ teaspoon baking soda plus 1½ teaspoons cream of tartar per cup of flour.

Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.9 from 89 reviews

Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings is a comforting one-pan meal featuring savory browned ground beef flavored with aromatic onions, garlic, and spices, simmered in a thick gravy, and topped with fluffy homemade dumplings steamed to perfection. This rustic dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner and can be easily customized with vegetables.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the 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

For the Dumplings:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• ½ cup milk (whole or 2%)

Instructions

1. 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 avoid greasiness.
2. 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 minute to release its fragrance.
3. Build the Sauce: Mix in the tomato paste and cook for another minute to deepen the flavor. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the beef mixture and stir well to coat the meat, which will help thicken the sauce. Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add dried thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper to season. Let the mixture simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens into a rich gravy. If using, stir in frozen peas or mixed vegetables at this stage to heat through.
4. Prepare the Dumpling Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the softened butter and use your fingers or a fork to work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually stir in the milk, just until a soft dough forms; avoid overmixing for tender dumplings.
5. Add Dumplings to the Pan: Drop heaping tablespoons of the dumpling dough onto the simmering beef mixture in the skillet. You should get about 6 to 8 dumplings spaced evenly across the surface. Cover the skillet with a lid to trap the steam.
6. Simmer and Cook: Reduce the heat to low and let the dumplings steam for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. This gentle steaming will cause the dumplings to puff up and cook through, absorbing the flavors of the beef gravy below.
7. Serve: Once the dumplings are fully cooked and firm to the touch, remove the skillet from heat and uncover. Let the dish sit for 5 minutes to settle. Serve hot by scooping portions of the ground beef mixture along with one or two dumplings into bowls for a warming meal.

Notes

• For leaner ground beef, add olive oil to prevent sticking and dryness.
• Do not lift the lid while dumplings are cooking to ensure proper steaming and puffing.
• Vegetables like peas or mixed frozen veggies can be added for extra nutrition and color.
• If desired, swap beef broth for vegetable broth to modify flavor.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated stovetop or microwave.

Keywords: ground beef dumplings, beef and dumplings, one pan meal, comfort food, easy dinner