Description
A comforting classic dinner featuring creamy mashed potatoes topped with savory ground beef gravy. This hearty dish combines tender russet potatoes mashed with butter and milk, paired with a flavorful beef and onion gravy thickened with cornstarch, making it the perfect meal for family dinners or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Mashed Potatoes
- Water (enough to boil potatoes)
- 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling water, adjust to taste)
- 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
- ½ cup whole milk, at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
For the Ground Beef and Gravy
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 ½ cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
- ½ cup chopped white onion (about 1 small onion)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼–½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Mashed Potatoes: Fill a medium pot with water and add 1 tablespoon salt, stirring until dissolved. Add the peeled and cut russet potatoes. Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a rapid boil.
- Boil the Potatoes: Once boiling, cook the potatoes for 5 to 8 minutes, or until they are easily pierced with a fork.
- Heat Butter and Milk: While potatoes boil, add butter and whole milk to a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, whisking occasionally until the butter melts completely.
- Drain and Mash Potatoes: Drain all water carefully from the potatoes and return them to the pot on a cool burner. Mash the potatoes to your desired consistency using a potato masher or fork.
- Incorporate Butter-Milk Mixture: Gradually stir the warm butter and milk mixture into the mashed potatoes, mixing thoroughly to incorporate all liquid.
- Season the Mashed Potatoes: Add garlic powder, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Stir well, then adjust seasonings as needed. Set aside until ready to serve.
- Prepare Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and ¼ cup beef broth until smooth. Set aside.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink. Drain and discard excess liquid.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: To the cooked beef, add the remaining 1 ½ cups beef broth, chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir gently, then simmer uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes until onions are tender.
- Thicken Gravy: Slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry, increasing heat to bring the mixture to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes while stirring constantly until gravy thickens.
- Serve: Spoon mashed potatoes into bowls and top generously with the ground beef gravy. Serve warm with extra gravy if desired.
Notes
- Use Yukon Gold potatoes as an alternative for creamier mashed potatoes.
- For a richer flavor, use beef broth with low sodium to control saltiness.
- Adjust the thickness of the gravy by varying the amount of cornstarch slurry added.
- Make sure both butter and milk are at room temperature to integrate smoothly into the mashed potatoes.
- Drain excess fat after browning the beef for a leaner dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: ground beef gravy, mashed potatoes, comfort food, easy dinner, beef gravy over potatoes, stovetop recipe
