Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings

Why Make This Recipe

Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings is a great choice for dinner because it is filling, warm, and comforting. This dish combines tasty beef with soft dumplings that soak up the rich flavors of the sauce.

It’s a simple meal that is sure to please everyone at the table.

How To Make Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings

Ingredients:

• 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
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• ½ cup milk (whole or 2%)

Directions:

Step 1: Brown the Beef
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it turns brown and is no longer pink. Break it up as it cooks. Drain any extra fat if needed.

Step 2: Add Aromatics
Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

Step 3: Build the Sauce
Mix in the tomato paste and let it cook for another minute. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir it around to coat the beef evenly. Slowly add the beef broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Then, add thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens into a gravy-like sauce. If you want, you can add frozen vegetables at this point.

Step 4: Prepare the Dumpling Dough
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the softened butter and mix it into the flour until it looks like coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk just until the dough comes together.

Step 5: Add Dumplings to the Pan
Using a spoon, drop heaping tablespoons of dough on top of the beef mixture. You should get about 6–8 dumplings. Cover the skillet with a lid and turn the heat down to low.

Step 6: Simmer and Cook
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.

Step 7: Serve
Once the dumplings are cooked, take them off the heat and let sit uncovered for 5 minutes. Serve hot, scooping a portion of beef with one or two dumplings into each bowl.

Prep Time And Nutrition Facts

This recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook, making a total of 30 minutes. It serves 4 people, and each serving has about 350 calories, 24g of protein, and 18g of fat.

How To Serve Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings

Serve the Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings hot. It’s a complete meal by itself, but you can pair it with a simple salad or some crusty bread if you like.

How To Store Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings

If you have leftovers, let them cool completely before storing. Place the beef and dumplings in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. They will stay good for about 3–4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Just reheat in the microwave or on the stove until heated through.

Tips To Make Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings

• Use a mixture of beef and vegetables for added nutrition.
• Adjust the spices to your taste: try adding some hot sauce or more herbs.
• Make sure not to lift the lid while the dumplings are cooking. This helps them steam properly.

Health And Benefits Of This Recipe

This recipe is packed with protein thanks to the ground beef, which is important for building and repairing muscles. The vegetables add vitamins and minerals, making this meal more nutritious. Plus, the dumplings provide carbohydrates for energy. Overall, it’s a balanced meal that can keep you full and satisfied.

Variation (If Any)

You can easily make this recipe with ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter option. Adding different herbs or spices, like rosemary or parsley, can also give it a unique twist.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the beef mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, just add the dumplings and cook as directed.

What can I serve with this dish?
This dish is well-rounded by itself, but you can serve a side salad or some steamed vegetables for extra color and nutrition.

Can I use homemade dumplings instead?
Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade dumpling recipe, you can use that instead of the quick dumpling dough in this recipe.