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One-Pot Hearty Ground Beef and Fluffy Drop Dumplings

Close-up of a bowl filled with rich ground beef and dumplings, featuring golden-brown tops.
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This recipe delivers the ultimate comfort food dinner: savory ground beef and vegetables simmered in a rich broth, topped with light, fluffy drop dumplings, all made in one pot for easy cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1.5 pounds ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • For the Dumplings:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
  • 3/4 cup milk or buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off excess fat.
  2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/4 cup flour and 1/2 cup milk until smooth. Pour this mixture into the beef and vegetable mixture.
  5. Pour in the 4 cups of beef broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the broth thickens slightly to form a rich gravy base. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
  6. Prepare the fluffy drop dumplings: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 cups flour, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  7. Stir in the 3/4 cup milk until just combined. Do not overmix the dumpling dough.
  8. Drop the dumpling batter by rounded tablespoons directly onto the simmering beef mixture, leaving a little space between each one.
  9. Cover the pot tightly, reduce the heat to low, and let the dumplings steam for 15 to 18 minutes without lifting the lid. The dumplings are done when they are puffed and cooked through.
  10. Serve immediately for a cozy family dinner.

Notes

  • For extra flavor in your rich gravy recipes, add 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce when you add the broth.
  • If you prefer a thicker stew consistency, increase the flour in the gravy base to 1/3 cup.
  • You can substitute frozen mixed vegetables for the fresh carrots and celery if you need a quick homemade dinner solution.

Nutrition

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