Black Pepper: Introduces warm, spicy undertone, freshly ground offers maximum zest.
Equipment List for Beef and Gravy Dish
Medium pot: Essential for boiling potatoes evenly and perfectly.
Potato masher or fork: Crucial for creating smooth, creamy mashed potatoes.
Colander: Needed to drain water from boiled potatoes quickly.
Small saucepan: Perfect for melting butter and heating milk.
Large skillet: Key tool for cooking ground beef and making gravy.
Spoon: Helps break up ground beef and stir ingredients smoothly.
Small bowl: Useful for mixing cornstarch and broth without lumps.
Whisk: Great for blending butter-milk mixture and cornstarch smoothly.
Cooking Instructions for Ground Beef and Gravy
Cozy Beef Potato Feast
Potato Preparation Soft, creamy potatoes are the foundation of this hearty dish. Rinse and chunk potatoes before boiling in salty water until they're tender and easily pierced with a fork.
Potato Smoothing Create silky mashed potatoes by draining water and returning pot to stove. Mash thoroughly and blend in warm milk and butter until perfectly creamy. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to enhance flavors.
Beef Magic Heat skillet and cook ground beef until beautifully browned. Break meat into delightful small pieces while cooking to ensure even texture and flavor development.
Gravy Creation Add diced onions to beef and cook until they're translucent and fragrant. Pour beef broth into skillet and create smooth gravy by whisking cornstarch mixture to achieve perfect thickness.
Plating Elegance Spread fluffy mashed potatoes as a cloud-like base on each plate. Crown the potatoes with rich, savory beef gravy. Serve immediately while everything is warm and inviting, letting the comforting aromas fill the dining space.
Tips to Elevate Beef and Gravy with Potatoes
Enhance the ground beef gravy by adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a teaspoon of tomato paste for extra richness and complexity.
Replace ground beef with ground turkey or lean ground chicken for a lighter version of this classic comfort dish while maintaining delicious flavor profiles.
Incorporate finely diced carrots or peas into the beef mixture to increase nutritional value and add subtle sweetness and texture to the overall meal.
Prepare both mashed potatoes and beef gravy separately up to two days in advance, storing them in sealed containers in the refrigerator for quick and convenient reheating when needed.
Serving the Dish with Mashed Potatoes
Family Feast Companion: Pair this classic comfort dish with a crisp green salad to balance the rich, savory flavors and add a fresh crunch to your meal.
Veggie Boost Plate: Roast some colorful seasonal vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or green beans on the side to increase nutritional value and provide a delightful texture contrast.
Cozy Dinner Garnish: Sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley or chives on top of the beef and gravy for a pop of color, subtle herb flavor, and a touch of freshness that elevates the entire dish.
Weekend Comfort Sidekick: Serve with warm, crusty bread or dinner rolls to soak up the delicious gravy and complete this satisfying, hearty meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
Storage Tips for This Comfort Classic
Refrigerator Readiness: Store leftover ground beef and gravy in an airtight container, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Separate the mashed potatoes and meat to maintain optimal texture.
Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Freeze the ground beef and gravy in sealed freezer bags or containers for up to 2 months. Pro tip: Avoid freezing mashed potatoes, as they tend to become watery and lose their creamy consistency when thawed.
Reheating Magic: Warm the ground beef and gravy in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of beef broth to restore moisture. For mashed potatoes, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each burst and adding a touch of milk to revive their creamy texture.
Meal Prep Champion: Prepare the ground beef and gravy in advance during weekend cooking sessions. Portion into individual containers for quick weeknight dinners, saving time and reducing stress during busy workdays.
Hearty midwestern comfort classic Norwegian beef gravy melts over creamy mashed potatoes for a satisfying meal. Home cooks cherish this simple yet delicious recipe that fills bellies and warms hearts.
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound ground beef
2 pounds russet or Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups beef broth (divided)
1 small onion, chopped
3 tbsps butter
½ cup whole milk
2 tbsps cornstarch
1 tsp garlic powder (for ground beef)
½ tsp garlic powder (for mashed potatoes)
1 tsp salt (for ground beef)
½ tsp salt (for mashed potatoes)
¼–½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper (for ground beef)
Freshly cracked black pepper to taste (for mashed potatoes)
Water (as needed)
Instructions
Potato Preparation: Submerge potatoes in well-salted water in a medium pot, bringing to a rolling boil over medium-high heat until tender enough to pierce easily with a fork, approximately 7-8 minutes.
Potato Mashing: Drain potatoes and return pot to stovetop. Warm butter and milk in a separate saucepan, whisking until butter dissolves completely. Mash potatoes to desired smoothness, gradually incorporating the butter-milk mixture and seasoning with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Beef Browning: In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat, crumbling meat thoroughly. Drain excess fat and add finely chopped onions, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until translucent and soft.
Gravy Creation: Sprinkle seasonings over the meat mixture, then pour most of the beef broth into the skillet. Whisk reserved broth with cornstarch in a separate bowl until smooth, then slowly stir into the beef to prevent lumping.
Final Preparation: Simmer gravy, stirring frequently, until it reaches a thick, rich consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Plate mashed potatoes and generously top with beef gravy, serving immediately while piping hot.
Notes
Potato Perfection: Ensure potatoes are uniformly cut to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture.
Fat Management: Thoroughly drain beef fat to prevent greasy gravy and maintain a clean, rich flavor profile.
Gravy Technique: Whisk cornstarch mixture gradually to avoid lumps, creating a smooth, silky sauce.
Seasoning Balance: Taste and adjust seasonings at each stage for a harmonious, well-developed flavor depth.
Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.
Sophie Martin
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Education
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.