Ground Beef & Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes

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Adaptable & Customizable

This recipe serves as an excellent base that can be adapted to your preferences or what you have on hand. Add mushrooms for earthiness, peas for color and sweetness, or different herbs to change the flavor profile. The basic technique remains the same while allowing for countless variations.

Ultimate Comfort Food

Few dishes deliver comfort quite like this one. The creamy mashed potatoes provide the perfect base for the savory meat and rich gravy, creating that perfect bite that satisfies deep food cravings. It’s the culinary equivalent of a warm hug after a long day.

Practical Make-Ahead Option

Both components of this dish reheat beautifully, making it an excellent choice for meal prep. You can prepare larger batches of either the potatoes or the beef gravy (or both) and enjoy quick, comforting meals throughout the week.

Kid-Friendly Appeal

This dish consistently ranks high with children and picky eaters. The familiar flavors and textures appeal to developing palates while providing good nutrition in an approachable format.

This unpretentious meal represents home cooking at its finest – simple, satisfying, and made with care. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes a cherished family standard, passed down through generations for good reason.

Ground Beef & Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

For the Mashed Potatoes:

• 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup milk, warmed
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped (optional)

For the Ground Beef & Gravy:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

For the Mashed Potatoes:

1. Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add a pinch of salt.
2. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium and simmer until potatoes are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.
3. Drain potatoes thoroughly and return to the hot pot.
4. Add butter and mash with a potato masher until mostly smooth.
5. Stir in warm milk and sour cream, mixing until creamy.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add chives if using.
7. Cover to keep warm while preparing the beef.

For the Ground Beef & Gravy:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Drain excess fat if necessary, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
6. Sprinkle flour over the beef mixture and stir to coat evenly. Cook for 1 minute.
7. Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
8. Add Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary.
9. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
10. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

To Serve:

1. Scoop mashed potatoes onto plates, creating a well in the center.
2. Ladle the hot ground beef and gravy over the mashed potatoes.
3. Garnish with fresh parsley.
4. Serve immediately.

Tips

• For extra flavor, add 1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese to the mashed potatoes.
• You can substitute ground turkey for beef if desired.
• For richer gravy, add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste when cooking the beef.
• Leftover roast beef can be chopped and used in place of ground beef for a different texture.
• This dish pairs well with a side of buttered peas or green beans.

Enjoy this comforting, hearty meal that’s perfect for chilly evenings!