Dinner

Cozy Ground Beef and Dumplings Recipe for an Elegant Yet Easy Dinner Recipe

ByLila Prescott January 18, 2026January 18, 2026

Introduction

This cozy ground beef and dumplings recipe brings comfort and elegance to your dinner table with minimal effort. Rich, savory beef simmered in a flavorful gravy is topped with tender, fluffy dumplings for a meal that’s both hearty and satisfying.

A round black cast iron pan filled with a thick brown sauce mixed with ground meat, topped with eight evenly spaced golden brown baked dough balls sprinkled with finely chopped green herbs. The pan sits on a wooden surface with some blurred green leaves and small dishes in the background. The dough balls have a slightly crispy texture on top and look soft inside. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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
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

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 2: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned evenly, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess fat from the pan. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 additional minute.

Step 3: Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of flour over the beef mixture and stir well to combine. Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Add Worcestershire sauce and dried thyme or Italian seasoning. Let the mixture simmer gently for 5–7 minutes until it thickens into a gravy.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour, baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Cut the cold, cubed butter into the flour mixture until crumbly. Stir in the milk until a sticky dough forms.
Step 5: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the simmering beef mixture. Cover the skillet tightly with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let the dumplings steam for 15–20 minutes without lifting the lid to ensure they cook through evenly.

Step 6: Remove the lid and check that the dumplings are cooked and fluffy. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting meal.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add finely chopped carrots or celery when sautéing the onion.
Substitute half of the beef broth with red wine for a richer gravy.

Use fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary instead of dried for a brighter taste.
For a lighter version, try ground turkey instead of beef.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a covered skillet over low heat to keep the dumplings tender, adding a splash of broth if needed. This dish freezes well—freeze in portions and thaw overnight before reheating.

How to Serve

A black cast iron pan filled with a rich, dark brown sauce topped with nine round, golden-brown dumplings sprinkled with chopped green herbs. The dumplings are evenly spaced in three rows of three, and the sauce looks thick and slightly shiny, with visible bits of meat and spices. The pan sits on a wooden surface, and in the blurred background, there are small bowls of salt and some green leafy herbs. The lighting is natural and warm, highlighting the texture of the dumplings and sauce, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dumplings ahead of time?

It’s best to make and cook the dumplings fresh for the fluffiest texture, as they don’t reheat as well on their own. However, you can prepare the dough ahead and refrigerate it for a few hours before cooking.