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Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings Recipe

Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings Recipe
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★★★★★

5.3 from 3 reviews

Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings is a comforting, soul-warming dish featuring a rich, savory ground beef filling simmered in a flavorful gravy, topped with fluffy, tender dumplings steamed to perfection. This classic recipe combines satisfying textures and aromatic spices, making it a perfect meal for cozy family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Ground Beef Filling:

  • 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
  • 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.
  2. Add Aromatics: Add the diced onion and sauté until soft, about 4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more to release their flavors.
  3. Build the Sauce: Mix in the tomato paste and cook for another minute to deepen flavor. 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 if using.
  4. Prepare the Dumpling Dough: 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 milk just until the dough comes together, being careful not to overmix.
  5. Add Dumplings to the Pan: 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 heat to low to ensure gentle steaming.
  6. Simmer and Cook: Allow the dumplings to steam for 15 minutes without lifting the lid, so they puff up and cook through using the steam and heat from the beef mixture.
  7. Serve: Once dumplings are cooked through, remove from heat and let sit uncovered for 5 minutes to set. Serve hot, scooping a portion of beef with one or two dumplings into each bowl for a comforting meal.

Notes

  • For a leaner dish, choose 90% lean ground beef and add the olive oil as noted.
  • Frozen mixed vegetables can add extra nutrition and color; peas, carrots, and corn work well.
  • Do not lift the lid while dumplings are steaming to ensure they cook evenly.
  • You can substitute whole milk with 2% milk to reduce fat slightly.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat gently in a covered pan over low heat to preserve dumpling texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef dumplings recipe, hearty dinner, comfort food, easy skillet meal, beef and dumplings

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