Amazing ground beef and dumplings in 1 pot

Hi there, I’m Alex, and I am so genuinely glad you’ve stopped by Pure Cooking Joy today! If you’re looking for the ultimate cozy meal that feels like a warm blanket on a chilly evening, you’ve absolutely found it. This Hearty One-Pot Ground Beef and Dumplings recipe is the definition of soul-satisfying comfort food made simple. After years in the corporate rush, I learned that the best meals are usually the ones that come together quickly in a single vessel. This dish checks every box: it’s rich, it’s packed with savory beef, and those fluffy biscuit dumplings on top? Unbelievable! This is exactly the kind of recipe I live for, proving that incredible food doesn’t need complicated steps to bring happiness to your table.

Why This Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings Recipe Works for You

I know what it’s like when you just need dinner on the table without a massive cleanup later. That’s why this recipe is such a winner. It wraps up all the goodness of a **Savory Beef Stew** with delightful homemade toppings into one simple go. Seriously, it’s pure magic.

SAVE

• It’s a true one pot meal! Browning the beef and cooking the veggies happen in the same pot where the dumplings steam. Less scrubbing, more eating!
• It delivers maximum comfort fast—we’re talking a satisfying, filling meal ready in under an hour for those hectic weeknight ground beef nights.
• The dumplings become incredibly light and fluffy because they steam right over that rich, flavorful gravy. You get the best texture contrast!

Gathering Ingredients for Your Ground Beef and Dumplings

Getting geared up for this fantastic meal is half the fun! Because this is a one-pot wonder, we want to make sure everything is prepped and ready to go before the heat gets too high. Trust me, when you’re moving quickly through the steps, having your mirepoix—that onion, carrot, and celery mix—already chopped makes you look like a total pro. These ingredients are the backbone of our flavor!

SAVE

When you’re gathering your broth, if you can swing it, please choose the best quality beef broth you can find. It really makes a difference in a simple gravy like this, elevating it from good to great. This dish proves you don’t need expensive cuts for amazing budget friendly beef meals!

For the Savory Beef Base

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (just a little coat for the pot)
• 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 works beautifully here)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (this thickens our gravy!)
• 1/2 cup milk

For the Fluffy Biscuit Dumplings

This is where we build the pillows for floating on top of our rich stew, so pay attention to that butter!

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces (Keep it cold, please!)
• 3/4 cup milk

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Ground Beef and Dumplings

Okay, this is where the magic really happens! Since this is a true one pot meal, every minute counts. I like to measure everything out before I even turn on the stove, just so I can focus on the browning and stirring without panic. Let’s make some incredible comfort food together!

Browning the Beef and Sautéing Aromatics

First things first, get that tablespoon of olive oil hot in your big pot over medium heat. Toss in the ground beef. You need to cook it until it’s nicely browned all the way through, and make sure you break it up really well with your spoon as you go. Once it’s done, drain off every bit of excess fat—we want flavor, not grease!

Next, toss in your chopped onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Let those nice vegetables soften up in the beef flavor for about 5 to 7 minutes. They should start smelling sweet!

Building the Rich Gravy Base

Time to season things up! Stir in the thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Now, sprinkle in that 1/4 cup of flour and stir it around so all the beef and veggies get coated. Let that cook for just one minute—this cooks out the raw flour taste.

This next part is important: slowly pour in your beef broth while you are stirring constantly. I mean it, keep stirring! That keeps lumps away. Once it’s smoother, stir in the 1/2 cup of milk for richness. Let it just barely bubble, then turn the heat way down to low, cover it up, and let it do its gentle simmer while we tackle the dumplings.

Mixing and Dropping the Homemade Dumplings

For the dumplings, we’re mixing dry things first—the 2 cups of flour, baking powder, and salt. Then, you have to take your cold butter pieces and cut them in. I use my fingers for this; you want it looking like coarse crumbs, almost like peas. Remember the rule of thumb for great biscuits: don’t overwork it!

Pour in the 3/4 cup of milk and stir *just* until the dough looks shaggy. If you mix too much, those dumplings will be tough, and we want fluffy pillows, not hockey pucks! Drop them by heaping tablespoonfuls right onto the simmering beef mixture in the pot, leaving little gaps between them to grow.

SAVE

Cooking the Ground Beef and Dumplings to Perfection

Once every beautiful dollop is nestled on top of the stew, put the lid on *tightly*. Now, this is the non-negotiable part: increase your heat just a hair so the stew maintains a gentle, steady simmer underneath. You must cook these for a full 15 minutes without lifting that lid even once! The steam trapped underneath is what inflates those dumplings into tender clouds. Once the time is up, take the lid off, confirm they look done, and serve them up right away!

Expert Tips for the Best Ground Beef and Dumplings

Look, this recipe is already fantastic, but since you’re here learning from me at Pure Cooking Joy, let me share a couple of little secrets that really push this over the edge. I remember one winter night, I was out of beef broth—disaster, right? I improvised by using a cup of leftover red wine instead of broth initially, and wow, that depth of flavor was incredible! It gave the stew this wonderful, rich background note that just sings with the rosemary.

If you find your sauce isn’t quite as thick as you like after the dumplings are done, don’t panic. Just mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water to make a little slurry, then whisk that into the simmering stew base before you dish it out. It thickens up almost instantly! This trick is essential when you want that cozy gravy texture that clings perfectly to those hearty stew recipes. These small adjustments are what turn simple cooking into pure joy!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Ground Beef and Dumplings

One of the best parts about a classic dish like this is how flexible it can be, especially when dealing with what you have on hand. Since we rely on the richness of the savory beef, feel free to swap out that component if needed. If you grab ground turkey or even ground sausage for a bit of spice, the process stays exactly the same. Just remember if you use something leaner than beef, you might need to add a splash more olive oil at the start, we don’t want anything sticking!

Now, let’s talk dumplings for a second. The recipe calls for standard all-purpose flour, which gives us that perfect rise thanks to the baking powder. You asked if you could use self-rising flour—and yes, you absolutely can! If you use self-rising, just leave out the 1 teaspoon of salt called for in the dumpling mix, since that flour already contains salt. Whether you use beef or another ground meat, this stays one of my favorite ground meat recipes for a satisfying family meal.

Serving Suggestions for Your Hearty Ground Beef and Dumplings

Because this dish is already so wonderfully rich—a perfect example of cozy, stick-to-your-ribs eating—we really don’t need much fuss alongside it. The beauty here is keeping the focus right on that savory beef and those pillowy dumplings! If you’re serving this up as one of your easy dinner ideas, all you really need is something green to cut through the richness.

I often throw together a quick side salad with a light vinaigrette, or maybe just some vibrant steamed green beans. But honestly? Slicing a nice, crusty loaf of sourdough or French bread is my go-to move. You need that amazing bread for soaking up every last bit of that thick gravy left in the bowl! That’s what makes the meal complete.

SAVE

Storage and Reheating Ground Beef and Dumplings

No one wants to waste these amazing leftovers, right? This hearty goodness keeps beautifully in the fridge! Store any leftover ground beef and dumplings in an airtight container. It’ll stay great for about three to four days tucked away in there. I always try to leave a little extra gravy because that gets even richer overnight!

When you’re ready to enjoy it again—maybe as a quick lunch tomorrow which falls right under our easy dinner ideas category—reheating is key to keeping those dumplings nice. Skip the microwave if you can, because it can dry them out fast. Instead, place the mixture in a small saucepan with just a tablespoon or two of extra broth or water, cover it, and reheat gently over low heat until everything is warm. That little bit of steam keeps them soft!

Freezing works well too, but I always recommend freezing the stew base *without* the dumplings added. Cooked dumplings don’t reheat as beautifully after a thaw. Freeze the stew base for up to two months, and then just make a fresh, quick batch of dumplings when you are ready to eat!

Frequently Asked Questions About Ground Beef and Dumplings

Whenever I share this recipe with friends for this ultimate one pot meal, inevitably a few questions pop up. It’s natural! Everyone wants to tailor their **Comfort Food Recipes** just right, especially when dealing with dough and gravy thickness. Here are the things folks ask me most often about making this classic **Ground Beef and Dumplings**!

Can I use canned biscuit dough instead of making homemade dumplings?

That’s the ultimate question for speed! And yes, you totally can, which helps make this an even faster **Quick Comfort Food** option. If you use store-bought refrigerated biscuits, just slice them into halves or quarters depending on their size, and drop them onto the simmering stew just like you would with my homemade dough. Keep in mind, though, that the homemade biscuit dumpling recipe I shared here cooks up lighter and fluffier because we cut in cold butter. The canned ones tend to be a bit denser, but they are definitely easy!

How can I scale this down for Dinner for Two?

That’s a great idea for an intimate, cozy night in! This recipe is easily halved. I suggest using 3/4 pound of ground beef and scaling everything else down. If you’re making a smaller batch, keep an eye on the liquid, as it might reduce a bit quicker in a smaller pot. For those wanting the specifics on making **Dinner For Two Ground Beef** meals, you can check out a resource I found that breaks down portioning for smaller appetites, like this great link on Ground Beef and Dumplings for Two!

Is this truly a One Pot Meal?

Absolutely! I classify this strictly as a **One Pot Meal**, and that’s one of the best parts. You brown the meat, sauté the veggies, stir in the flour and broth to make the gravy, then drop the dumplings right on top to finish cooking. Everything happens in that one large pot or Dutch oven. The only thing you need separate is a small bowl for mixing up your dumpling dough—but that’s just mixing, not actual cooking, so I still count it as one-pot perfection!

What makes this a great Budget Friendly Beef Meal?

Since we use ground beef—which is usually one of the most affordable proteins—and bulk it up with staples like carrots, onions, and simple flour for the dumplings, the cost per serving is delightfully low. It stretches really far, making this a fantastic choice when you need **Budget Friendly Beef Meals** that still feel substantial and special for the whole crew!

Share Your Ground Beef and Dumplings Creations

I truly love hearing from you when you try one of these recipes that means so much to me! Seeing your pictures and reading your thoughts brings me so much joy here at Pure Cooking Joy. I put my heart into creating these simple, soulful meals, and sharing the results makes it all worth it.

When you whip up this **Hearty One-Pot Ground Beef and Fluffy Biscuit Dumplings**—and I know you will!—take a quick snap of your masterpiece and tag me on social media! I’m always lurking to see how you’ve customized things or if you managed to get those dumplings extra fluffy.

I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a rating right below the recipe card, telling me how much you enjoyed it, and drop any questions or successes in the comments section. Connecting with you all helps keep the inspiration flowing for new **[Comfort Food Recipes]**!

If you’re looking for more ways to connect and share your culinary adventures, follow along with me on Facebook! You can find us over at Pure Cooking Joy’s Facebook page—we hang out there a lot!

Hearty One-Pot Ground Beef and Fluffy Biscuit Dumplings

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This recipe delivers pure comfort in one pot. You get savory ground beef simmered in a rich gravy base, topped with soft, pillowy homemade biscuit dumplings. It is a deeply satisfying, home-style dinner perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family meals.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 40 min
• Total Time: 55 min
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop Simmering
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1.5 pounds ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 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

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Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
3. Stir in the thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the beef and vegetable mixture and stir well to coat everything. Cook for 1 minute.
4. Slowly pour in the beef broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in the 1/2 cup of milk. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer gently while you prepare the dumplings.
5. To make the dumplings, whisk together the 2 cups of flour, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt in a medium bowl.
6. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
7. Pour in the 3/4 cup of milk and stir just until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
8. Drop the dumpling dough by heaping tablespoons onto the simmering beef mixture, leaving a little space between each one.
9. Cover the pot tightly, increase the heat slightly to maintain a gentle simmer, and cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. This allows the dumplings to steam and become fluffy.
10. Remove the lid and check that the dumplings are cooked through. Serve immediately.

Notes

• For extra flavor, substitute 1 cup of the beef broth with 1 cup of dry red wine and let it cook down before adding the rest of the broth.
• If you want a thicker gravy, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the simmering stew before adding the dumplings.
• This recipe is a great example of budget friendly beef meals that still taste special.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 5
• Sodium: 850
• Fat: 30
• Saturated Fat: 12
• Unsaturated Fat: 18
• Trans Fat: 1
• Carbohydrates: 40
• Fiber: 4
• Protein: 32
• Cholesterol: 95