Description
A comforting classic American dish featuring creamy mashed russet potatoes topped with savory ground beef gravy. This hearty main course combines tender potatoes mashed with butter and milk alongside a flavorful ground beef and onion gravy thickened with flour and enriched with Worcestershire sauce and thyme. Perfect for a cozy family dinner and easily adaptable with ground turkey or mushrooms.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Mashed Potatoes
- 1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
For the Ground Beef Gravy
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Boil Potatoes: Place the peeled and chunked russet potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold salted water. Bring the water to a boil and cook the potatoes until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain completely.
- Mash Potatoes: In a bowl, mash the hot potatoes with 2 tablespoons of butter, warm milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mash until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Keep covered and warm while preparing the gravy.
- Brown Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make Roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the beef mixture, stirring continuously for one minute to remove the raw flour taste and start thickening.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Gradually pour in the beef broth while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Simmer Gravy: Reduce the heat and simmer the mixture for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens to desired consistency.
- Finish Gravy: Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to add richness and glossiness to the gravy. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Spoon the hot ground beef and gravy mixture over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for a lighter protein alternative.
- Add sliced mushrooms to the beef for extra earthy flavor.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed green beans or peas for a balanced meal.
