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Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings 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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://savorandsimmer.com/hearty-ground-beef-and-dumplings-recipe/