Description
When comfort food is calling, few dishes deliver the warmth and satisfaction of Ground Beef and Dumplings.
Ingredients
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
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.
Add the diced onion and sauté until soft, about 4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Notes
- Don’t peek while dumplings steam: The trapped steam is key to fluffy results.
- Keep the beef sauce slightly saucy: It thickens as it simmers with the dumplings.
- Add herbs: A sprinkle of parsley or chives adds freshness just before serving.
- Use cold milk and butter: This helps create a light, tender dumpling dough.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 395 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 21g
Keywords: Ground Beef and Dumplings