If you are searching for a cozy, comforting meal to warm your soul and bring a smile to your family’s faces, this Ground Beef and Dumplings Stew Recipe is exactly what you need. Combining tender, flavorful ground beef with savory soups, hearty vegetables, and fluffy biscuit dumplings, this dish delivers a perfect balance of creamy texture and satisfying richness. It’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner yet special enough to become a go-to favorite, offering layers of homestyle goodness in every spoonful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Ground Beef and Dumplings Stew Recipe plays a crucial role in building a stew that’s rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. These everyday staples come together to create a dish where every bite bursts with deliciousness and heartiness.
- 1 teaspoon olive oil: Helps to brown the beef evenly while adding a touch of healthy fat.
- 1 lb lean ground beef: The main protein that brings a savory, robust flavor and satisfying texture.
- 1 cup diced yellow onion: Adds subtle sweetness and depth to the stew’s base.
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic: Provides an aromatic punch that elevates the overall taste.
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning: A lovely blend of herbs that adds warmth and complexity.
- 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup: Creates a creamy, cheesy layer of richness.
- 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of bacon soup: Lends smoky undertones and extra creaminess.
- 2 cups chicken broth: Keeps the stew moist with savory, comforting flavor.
- 2 cups half and half: Adds luscious creaminess without overpowering the other flavors.
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables: Offers color, vitamins, and a fresh, crunchy contrast.
- 1 (12 oz) can refrigerated biscuit dough (10 biscuits): Transforms into pillowy dumplings that soak up all the stew’s goodness.
How to Make Ground Beef and Dumplings Stew Recipe
Step 1: Brown Beef and Onions
Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and crumble it with a spoon, making sure it cooks evenly. Toss in the diced yellow onion, and continue cooking until the beef is nicely browned and the onions turn translucent. This step creates the flavorful foundation for the entire stew, locking in savory richness and sweet onion aroma.
Step 2: Add Flavor and Liquids
Once your beef and onions look beautifully cooked, stir in the chopped garlic and Italian seasoning. These simple additions bring layers of herbal warmth and aromatic fragrance that make each bite exciting. Next, pour in the condensed cheddar cheese soup, cream of bacon soup, chicken broth, and half and half. Stir everything until well combined and smooth. This luscious mixture is what makes the stew creamy, indulgent, and irresistible.
Step 3: Simmer with Vegetables
Throw in the frozen mixed vegetables, giving a colorful burst and hearty texture to your stew. Bring the entire pot to a boil, allowing all the flavors to marry beautifully. This simmering step helps soften the vegetables just enough to keep their freshness and bite, while the stew thickens up into a comforting, creamy base.
Step 4: Prepare Dumplings
While the stew boils, grab your refrigerated biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into 6 pieces. These small biscuit pieces will become your dumplings, adding an inviting fluffy texture that soaks up the rich stew flavors around them. It’s such a simple trick that makes this dish extra special and incredibly satisfying.
Step 5: Cook Dumplings
Carefully drop the biscuit pieces into the boiling stew mixture. Give it a good stir, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the stew simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. During this time, the dough will cook through and become soft dumplings that elevate the whole meal into a wonderfully hearty experience.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Remove the lid and stir your stew gently, allowing everything to mix well. Then take it off the heat and let it rest for a few minutes. This resting period allows the stew to thicken beautifully, making it even more luscious when served piping hot. Get ready for that warm, comforting hug in a bowl that only this Ground Beef and Dumplings Stew Recipe can deliver.
How to Serve Ground Beef and Dumplings Stew Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or green onions can add a pop of color and a touch of freshness to the stew. For an extra kick, a pinch of cracked black pepper or a dash of smoked paprika brings an inviting edge that harmonizes perfectly with the creamy stew.
Side Dishes
Though this stew is a hearty dish on its own, it pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or steamed greens like broccoli or kale to lighten up the meal. For bread lovers, a side of crusty garlic bread or a warm baguette is perfect for mopping up every last bit of stew.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the Ground Beef and Dumplings Stew Recipe in rustic bowls or mini cast iron skillets for a cozy, inviting vibe. You can also layer it in a clear glass bowl to show off the colorful vegetables contrasting with the golden dumplings. For family-style dinners, a big pot on the table encourages everyone to dig in and enjoy together.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your stew, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This stew actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together, making an easy, quick meal for busy nights.
Freezing
You can freeze this stew for longer storage by placing it in a freezer-safe container. Keep in mind that the texture of the dumplings might slightly change after freezing, but the flavors remain delicious. For best quality, consume within 2 months.
Reheating
Reheat your stew gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the stew thickens too much, add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen it. Avoid microwaving directly with the dumplings to maintain their fluffiness.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a leaner alternative and will work well in this stew, though the flavor will be slightly milder. You might want to add a bit more seasoning to boost the taste.
Are there vegetarian options for this recipe?
Yes, you can replace the ground beef with plant-based meat substitutes or hearty vegetables like mushrooms and lentils. Also, swap the soups for vegetarian-friendly versions to keep the flavor balanced.
What can I use instead of refrigerated biscuit dough?
You can make homemade dumplings using flour, baking powder, milk, and butter, or substitute with ready-made biscuit dough from your favorite bakery. The key is having small pieces that cook into soft dumplings soaking up the stew.
Can this stew be made in a slow cooker?
Definitely! Brown the beef and onions first, then add all ingredients except for the biscuit dough into your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Add biscuit pieces near the end of cooking to ensure they don’t overcook.
How thick should the stew be when finished?
The stew should be creamy and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon without being gluey. It will thicken more as it rests, so remove from heat once it reaches a slightly loose consistency.
Final Thoughts
This Ground Beef and Dumplings Stew Recipe is a treasure of comforting flavors and delightful textures that never fails to impress. It’s perfect for those chilly nights when you crave something warm, hearty, and downright delicious. I truly hope you give this recipe a whirl and let it become a cherished staple in your kitchen as it has in mine.
Print
Ground Beef and Dumplings Stew Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Ground Beef and Dumplings recipe combines hearty ground beef cooked with flavorful onions, garlic, and Italian seasoning in a creamy soup-based broth, studded with mixed vegetables and topped with soft, fluffy biscuit dumplings. Finished with a simmer to meld flavors perfectly, this comforting dish comes together in just 35 minutes and serves four, making it a perfect weeknight dinner for the whole family.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of bacon soup
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
Dumplings
- 1 (12 oz) can refrigerated biscuit dough (10 biscuits)
Instructions
- Brown Beef and Onions: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and crumble it well as it cooks. Stir in the diced yellow onions and continue cooking until the beef is thoroughly browned and the onions are translucent, which should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Flavor and Liquids: Stir in the chopped garlic and Italian seasoning to the beef mixture. Then, add in the condensed cheddar cheese soup, condensed cream of bacon soup, chicken broth, and half and half. Stir everything together until well combined, creating a creamy and flavorful base.
- Simmer with Vegetables: Add the frozen mixed vegetables to the pot and bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
- Prepare Dumplings: While waiting for the mixture to boil, cut each biscuit dough biscuit into 6 smaller pieces, setting them aside for the next step.
- Cook Dumplings: Once the mixture is boiling, carefully add the biscuit pieces into it. Stir gently to distribute the dumplings evenly throughout the pot. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let everything simmer for 15 minutes until the dumplings are cooked through and fluffy.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the lid and stir the stew gently. Take the pot off the heat and let it rest for a few minutes to allow the stew to thicken slightly. Serve the dish hot for a comforting and hearty meal.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can substitute half and half with whole milk or light cream.
- Feel free to switch frozen mixed vegetables with fresh ones, such as diced carrots, peas, and corn.
- If you prefer spicier flavors, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning.
- Use a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot for best heat distribution and to avoid sticking.
- This dish keeps well and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.
