Which ground beef works best here?

Go for 85% lean ground beef. It has just the right fat for juicy, flavorful results.

Can I toss in veggies with the beef?

Sure, add frozen peas or a mix like carrots and celery to boost flavor and nutrients.

How will I tell when dumplings are done?

They’re ready when they puff up and a toothpick poked in comes out clean without dough stuck to it.

Any tips for making dumplings fluffier?

Adding baking powder and folding the batter gently helps make soft, airy dumplings that rise well on the beef.

Can this meal be made ahead?

You can brown the beef and mix the dumpling dough in advance but cook dumplings just before serving for best fluffiness.

What’s a good substitute for beef broth?

Vegetable broth works fine if you want a different taste, though it changes the flavor a bit.

Cozy Beef Dumplings

Section: Midday Meals

This meal starts with browned ground beef cooked alongside onions, garlic, and tomato paste for a deep, tasty base. Then, flour and beef broth thicken it into a rich gravy with thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can toss in some peas for a touch of sweetness. The dumplings are made from a soft dough with butter and milk, cooked gently on the simmering beef until fluffy and light. It's a filling, cozy meal perfect to share.

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Created By Lindsey

Most recently updated on Wed, 19 Nov 2025 21:50:18 GMT

A bowl filled with beef and soft dumplings. | cookbing.com

Ground beef with dumplings turns simple stuff into a cozy meal that comforts you on cold nights. The rich beef sauce matched with fluffy dumplings feels like a warm hug after a tiring day.

I cooked this first when I wanted a comforting meal that wouldn’t take forever. Now it’s my go-to for weekends when I want something filling but simple.

Needed Ingredients

How To Make It

A bowl of ground beef and dumplings. | cookbing.com

The dumplings are my favorite part, their soft fluffy feel with the rich beef sauce is like something grandma might’ve made on a cold day. It brings back warm memories of family meals full of cozy smells.

Keeping It Fresh

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How To Serve

Every time I make this it reminds me of comfort food moments. One weekend my kids helped drop dumplings in and loved watching them puff up, which made it an instant hit with everyone.

Frequently Asked Cooking Questions

→ Which ground beef works best here?: Go for 85% lean ground beef. It has just the right fat for juicy, flavorful results.
→ Can I toss in veggies with the beef?: Sure, add frozen peas or a mix like carrots and celery to boost flavor and nutrients.
→ How will I tell when dumplings are done?: They’re ready when they puff up and a toothpick poked in comes out clean without dough stuck to it.
→ Any tips for making dumplings fluffier?: Adding baking powder and folding the batter gently helps make soft, airy dumplings that rise well on the beef.
→ Can this meal be made ahead?: You can brown the beef and mix the dumpling dough in advance but cook dumplings just before serving for best fluffiness.
→ What’s a good substitute for beef broth?: Vegetable broth works fine if you want a different taste, though it changes the flavor a bit.

Beef Dumplings

A warm dish of spiced ground beef covered in smooth gravy and soft, pillowy dumplings.

Preparation Time

20 minutes

Time to Cook

35 minutes

Overall Time

55 minutes

Created By: Lindsey

Type of Recipe: Lunch

Cooking Difficulty: Great for Beginners

Cuisine Style: American

Servings Yielded: 6 Number of Servings

Diet Preferences: ~

Ingredients List

→ Meats and Fats

01 Softened unsalted butter 60 g

02 450 g ground beef with 85% lean

03 Optional 15 ml olive oil

→ Veggies and Flavors

04 Diced small onion, one

05 Two garlic cloves, minced

06 240 ml frozen peas or mixed veggies if you like

→ Dry Stuff

07 Salt 3 g

08 15 ml baking powder

09 15 ml all-purpose flour

10 130 g flour for dumplings

11 15 ml tomato paste

→ Liquids and Spices

12 5 ml dried thyme

13 5 ml paprika

14 480 ml beef broth low sodium

15 Whole or 2% milk, 160 ml

16 Salt and pepper to your taste

Detailed Cooking Steps

Step 01

If you're using peas or mixed veggies, toss them into the beef mix now. Drop spoonfuls of dumpling batter on top. Cover and let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the dumplings puff up and are done.

Step 02

Grab a medium bowl and whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together. Mix in softened butter until it looks like coarse crumbs. Pour in milk and stir just till combined.

Step 03

Stir tomato paste into the skillet and cook for a minute. Sprinkle flour on top and mix it all up. Slowly add beef broth, stirring so no lumps form. Add thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 8 to 10 minutes till it thickens.

Step 04

Throw diced onion into the skillet and cook until it's tender, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for one more minute.

Step 05

Heat a big skillet on medium. Toss in the ground beef and use a wooden spoon to break it up while it browns. Drain any extra fat.

Helpful Hints

Using leaner beef lowers the fat in this dish. You can also add flavors by mixing in carrots or celery. To check your dumplings, poke one with a toothpick; it should come out clean when done.

Necessary Kitchen Tools

Wooden spoon
Medium bowl for mixing
Large skillet

Allergy Information

Always check ingredient labels for allergens and ask a doctor if unsure.

Includes gluten and dairy

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

These nutritional values serve as a guide and don’t replace advice from healthcare experts.

Calorie Count: 450
Fat Content: 20 grams
Carbohydrate Content: 40 grams
Protein Amount: 30 grams