9 Cozy Ground Beef and Dumplings Recipes for a Fancy Yet Easy Dinner Recipe
Introduction
This ground beef and dumplings recipe combines hearty, savory flavors with light, fluffy dumplings for a comforting meal. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner that feels both homey and a bit special without requiring hours in the kitchen.
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
- 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 and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for one minute to deepen the flavor.
- Step 3: Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture and stir well to combine. Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Add Worcestershire sauce and dried thyme or Italian seasoning. Let the mixture simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until it becomes crumbly. Stir in the milk to form a sticky dough.
- Step 5: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the simmering beef mixture. 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 and check that the dumplings are cooked through. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives if desired, and serve hot for a satisfying meal.
Tips & Variations
- For added richness, stir in a splash of cream to the gravy before adding the dumplings.
- Try substituting ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Add vegetables like peas or diced carrots to the beef mixture for extra color and nutrition.
- If you prefer herbier dumplings, mix finely chopped fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary into the dough.
Storage
Store any leftover beef and dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat with a splash of broth or water to prevent drying out. This dish does not freeze well as the dumplings may become dense.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the dumplings dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute the milk with a plant-based milk and use a dairy-free butter alternative to make the dumplings dairy-free.
What if my dumplings aren’t cooking through?
Make sure the skillet is covered tightly and the heat is low so the dumplings steam properly. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking, as this lets out the steam needed to cook the dumplings evenly.
Print9 Cozy Ground Beef and Dumplings Recipes for a Fancy Yet Easy Dinner Recipe
This comforting Ground Beef and Dumplings recipe combines a rich, savory beef stew with fluffy, tender dumplings steamed to perfection. It’s an easy yet elegant dish perfect for a cozy dinner, featuring ground beef simmered in a flavorful gravy with aromatic herbs and topped with buttery dumplings that steam right on top. Garnished with fresh parsley or chives, this classic dish is both hearty and satisfying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
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
Garnish
- Optional: 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, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Brown Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, 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 flour evenly over the beef mixture, stirring well to coat. Slowly pour in the beef broth while continuously stirring to avoid lumps. Add Worcestershire sauce and dried thyme or Italian seasoning. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the gravy thickens.
- Prepare Dumpling Dough: In a mixing 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 resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk to form a sticky dough.
- Cook Dumplings: Using a spoon, drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the simmering beef mixture, spacing them evenly. Cover the skillet tightly with a lid and reduce heat to low. Let the dumplings steam over the beef stew for 15 to 20 minutes without lifting the lid, ensuring they cook through and become fluffy.
- Finish & Serve: Remove the lid carefully to avoid steam burns and check that the dumplings are fully cooked. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives if desired. Serve the hearty ground beef and dumplings hot for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Do not lift the lid while dumplings are cooking to prevent them from collapsing.
- Feel free to substitute dried thyme with Italian seasoning or rosemary for different flavor nuances.
- For a richer gravy, you can add a splash of red wine while simmering the beef.
- If the gravy becomes too thick, thin it out with a little extra beef broth or water.
- Leftover dumplings can be stored separately and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: ground beef dumplings, beef and dumplings recipe, easy dinner, comfort food, stovetop dumplings, savory beef stew, quick family meal
