Description
Hearty ground beef and gravy melts over creamy mashed potatoes, creating a classic comfort meal that hugs your soul. Midwestern families have cherished this simple yet satisfying dish for generations, promising warmth and nostalgia with each comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef
Spices and Seasonings:
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Sauces:
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce (optional, for extra flavor)
Thickeners and Fats:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for richness)
Potatoes:
- 2 pounds (900 g) potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russets)
- ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk (or more, as needed)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Craft the foundation of creamy mashed potatoes by peeling and quartering potatoes, then submerging them in salted water in a capacious pot.
- Bring potatoes to a rolling boil and simmer until they yield effortlessly when pierced with a fork, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Drain potatoes thoroughly and return to the pot, transforming them into a silky puree by incorporating butter, milk, salt, and pepper until luxuriously smooth.
- In a large skillet, render ground beef over medium heat, breaking it into fine crumbles until achieving a rich golden-brown coloration.
- Eliminate excess rendered fat, then introduce finely diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until they become translucent and aromatic.
- Dust the beef mixture with flour, stirring meticulously to ensure complete coating and allowing the mixture to toast briefly, eliminating raw flour’s raw essence.
- Methodically stream beef broth into the skillet, whisking continuously to prevent lump formation and create a velvety gravy base.
- Enhance the gravy’s complexity by incorporating Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, onion powder, paprika, and a pat of butter.
- Reduce heat and allow the gravy to simmer, thickening gradually while developing deep, robust flavors.
- Season the gravy judiciously with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting to achieve perfect balance.
- Plate generous mounds of creamy mashed potatoes, cascading the savory beef and gravy mixture overtop.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley or a delicate sprinkle of paprika for visual appeal and additional flavor dimension.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat while maintaining rich flavor and keeping the dish lighter.
- Create a vegetarian version by substituting ground beef with plant-based crumbles or finely chopped mushrooms for similar texture and umami depth.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to control salt levels, allowing you to season gradually and prevent over-salting the gravy.
- Experiment with russet or Yukon gold potatoes for different mashed potato textures – russet creates fluffier results, while Yukon gold offers a buttery, creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg