Ingredients
For the Ground Beef Mixture:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
For the Dumplings:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons shortening (or butter, cold and cubed)
- 3/4 cup milk
Let’s Talk About Ingredients – Your Secret Weapons!
Okay, let’s break down why each of these ingredients is so important. Don’t skimp – quality in equals quality out, you know?
- Ground Beef: Opt for an 80/20 blend – it has enough fat to keep things flavorful and moist. Leaner ground beef will work, but you might need to add a little extra oil to the pan.
- Aromatics (Onion, Garlic, Carrots, Celery): This is your flavor foundation! Don’t rush the sautéing process; let them soften and release their deliciousness.
- Herbs (Thyme, Rosemary): These bring an earthy, warm flavor. Dried herbs are perfectly fine, but if you have fresh, use about a tablespoon of each, chopped.
- Flour: This thickens the gravy. Don’t skip the step of cooking the flour with the ground beef mixture – it eliminates that raw flour taste.
- Beef Broth: Low-sodium is best so you can control the salt level.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a savory depth that you won’t want to miss.
- Peas (Optional): For a pop of color and sweetness.
- Dumpling Flour: All-purpose is fine.
- Baking Powder: This is what makes the dumplings light and fluffy.
- Shortening (or Butter): Cold fat is key for tender dumplings!
- Milk: Whole milk works best, but 2% is okay too.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making the Ground Beef Base:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle the flour over the ground beef mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Gradually pour in the beef broth, stirring to prevent lumps. Add the Worcestershire sauce.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Stir in the frozen peas (if using).
Making the Dumplings:
- While the ground beef mixture is simmering, prepare the dumplings.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the shortening (or butter) using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the milk, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix!
Cooking the Dumplings:
- Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter (about 2 tablespoons each) onto the simmering ground beef mixture. Leave a little space between each dumpling.
- Cover the pot tightly and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and no longer doughy in the center. Resist the urge to lift the lid – you’ll let out the steam and the dumplings won’t cook properly.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Troubleshooting: Dumpling Disasters (And How to Avoid Them!)
Dumplings can be a little finicky, but don’t worry, I’ve got your back! Here’s what to watch out for:- Soggy Dumplings: This usually happens when the pot isn’t covered tightly enough, or you peek too much while they’re cooking. Make sure your lid fits snugly, and try not to lift it at all until the timer goes off.
- Hard Dumplings: Overmixing the batter can lead to tough dumplings. Mix just until the ingredients are combined. Also, make sure the ground beef mixture is simmering gently – a rapid boil can toughen them up.
- Unevenly Cooked Dumplings: Ensure your dumplings are roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate. Rotate the pot halfway through cooking if your stovetop has hot spots.
Variations to Make This Recipe Your Own
This Ground Beef And Dumplings recipe is a fantastic base, but feel free to get creative!- Add More Vegetables: Mushrooms, potatoes, or green beans would all be delicious additions. Add them to the ground beef mixture along with the carrots and celery.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce will add a little kick.
- Use Different Herbs: Italian seasoning, or a combination of oregano and basil, would also work well.
- Cheese, Please: Stir in a cup of shredded cheddar cheese into the ground beef mixture at the end for a cheesy twist.
- Biscuit Dumplings: For a super easy shortcut, use refrigerated biscuit dough to make the dumplings. Just cut each biscuit into quarters and drop them onto the simmering ground beef mixture. Follow the cooking instructions as directed.
What to Serve With Ground Beef And Dumplings
This is truly an Easy 1 Pot Meals Dinners kind of dish, so you don’t need a ton of sides. But, if you’re serving a crowd, here are some ideas:- A Simple Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette is the perfect contrast to the richness of the Ground Beef And Dumplings.
- Crusty Bread: For sopping up all that delicious gravy!
- Steamed Green Beans: A healthy and easy side dish.
This Recipe is Perfect for…
- Busy Weeknights: This is a relatively quick and easy meal to throw together after a long day.
- Cold Weather Comfort: Nothing beats a warm bowl of Ground Beef And Dumplings on a chilly evening. It’s the ultimate Easy Dinner With Stew Meat alternative!
- Feeding a Crowd: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a large family. Perfect Family Of 6 Dinner Ideas option!
- Weekend Dinner Ideas Ground Beef: It’s satisfying and hearty, perfect for a relaxed weekend meal.
More Delicious Comfort Food Recipes
If you love this Ground Beef And Dumplings recipe, you might also enjoy these other comforting dishes:- Cheesy Ground Beef Potato Casserole: A cheesy and satisfying casserole perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- Beef Stew: A classic comfort food dish that’s perfect for a cold day.
- Beef Potato Soup: A hearty and flavorful soup that’s perfect for a chilly evening.
- Cheeseburger Soup Recipe: All the flavors of a cheeseburger in a warm and comforting soup.
- Beef And Noodles: Tender beef and noodles simmered in a rich gravy.
- Crock Pot Beef Stew: A classic beef stew made easy in the slow cooker.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. The dumplings may become a little softer upon reheating, but they’ll still be delicious. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.Get Ready to Impress!
There you have it! My tried-and-true Ground Beef And Dumplings recipe. I know it might seem a little intimidating at first, but trust me, it’s totally doable. And the reward – a warm, comforting bowl of deliciousness – is so worth it! So, grab your ingredients, put on some music, and get ready to create some kitchen magic. You got this!What type of ground beef is recommended for this recipe?
An 80/20 blend of ground beef is recommended because it has enough fat to keep the dish flavorful and moist. Leaner ground beef can be used, but you might need to add a little extra oil to the pan.
What can I do to prevent soggy dumplings?
Soggy dumplings usually happen when the pot isn’t covered tightly enough, or you peek too much while they’re cooking. Make sure your lid fits snugly, and try not to lift it at all until the timer goes off.
How can I make the dumpling recipe my own?
The recipe suggests a few variations including adding more vegetables like mushrooms or green beans, adding spice with red pepper flakes, or using different herbs like Italian seasoning. You can even stir in shredded cheddar cheese for a cheesy twist.
How long can I store the leftovers, and how should I reheat them?
Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 2 months and thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Perfect Ground Beef and Dumplings
This Ground Beef and Dumplings recipe delivers tender, savory ground beef in a rich gravy, topped with fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth dumplings. A comforting and satisfying meal that’s simpler to make than you might think, it’s sure to become a family favorite.
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Medium bowl
- Whisk
- Pastry blender or fingers
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Knife
- spoon or ladle
- Stovetop
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20 blend recommended
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or more to taste
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups beef broth low-sodium recommended
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup frozen peas optional
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons shortening or cold butter, cubed
- ¾ cup milk
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle the flour over the ground beef mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Gradually pour in the beef broth, stirring to prevent lumps. Add the Worcestershire sauce.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Stir in the frozen peas (if using).
- While the ground beef mixture is simmering, prepare the dumplings.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the shortening (or butter) using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the milk, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix!
- Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter (about 2 tablespoons each) onto the simmering ground beef mixture. Leave a little space between each dumpling.
- Cover the pot tightly and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and no longer doughy in the center. Resist the urge to lift the lid.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. For variations, consider adding mushrooms, potatoes, or green beans to the ground beef mixture. A pinch of red pepper flakes or hot sauce can add a kick. Cheddar cheese can be stirred into the ground beef mixture for a cheesy twist. Soggy dumplings can be avoided by ensuring the pot is tightly covered and not peeking during cooking. Hard dumplings can result from overmixing the batter or a rapid boil.
