9 Cozy Ground Beef and Dumplings Recipes for a Fancy Yet Easy Dinner Recipe
This comforting recipe combines savory ground beef simmered in a rich, flavorful gravy with soft, fluffy dumplings steamed on top, creating an easy yet elegant dinner perfect for chilly evenings or cozy family meals.
- 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
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
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. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute to release its aroma.
- Brown Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until it is thoroughly browned. Drain any excess fat to avoid greasiness. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavor.
- Make Gravy: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the beef mixture and stir well to combine. Gradually pour in the beef broth while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Add Worcestershire sauce and dried thyme or Italian seasoning. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes until it thickens into a rich gravy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare Dumpling Dough: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Pour in the milk and stir until a sticky dough forms.
- Cook Dumplings: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough evenly over the simmering beef mixture. Cover the skillet tightly with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let the dumplings steam for 15 to 20 minutes without lifting the lid to ensure they cook through properly. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives before serving if desired.
Notes
- Do not lift the lid while dumplings are steaming to prevent them from becoming tough.
- Use cold butter in the dumpling dough for tender, flaky dumplings.
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Adjust the seasoning to your preference, adding more herbs or Worcestershire sauce for extra depth.
- Serve this dish with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: ground beef dumplings, beef and dumplings recipe, easy dinner, cozy dinner, stovetop dumplings, comfort food
