Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes

If you need dinner on the table in 45 minutes without spending much at the store, this ground beef and gravy over creamy mashed potatoes is the answer. It's rich, savory, and the kind of meal that makes everyone at the table go quiet for a minute.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Like This Recipe
• Simple Ingredients For Ground Beef And Gravy
• Ground Beef And Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes
• How To Make Ground Beef And Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes
• Storage And Reheating
• Tips And Variations For Ground Beef And Gravy
• Ground Beef And Gravy FAQs
• Recipes You May Like
• Wrapping Up This Family Recipe

This recipe goes way back in my family. My mom made it when I was a teenager, and I remember standing next to her in the kitchen whisking the gravy while she mashed the potatoes. Now I make it in our Manhattan apartment, and Alex asks for it almost every week. Sarah calls it "the potato dinner," which honestly might be a better name.

Here's what you can expect: fluffy homemade mashed potatoes topped with browned beef in a thick, savory gravy. It's simple, it's filling, and it uses ingredients you probably already have. If you love cozy ground beef and potato dinners like this, my cottage pie is another one worth adding to your dinner plans.

Why You Will Like This Recipe

• Ready in 45 minutes. Prep takes 15 minutes and cooking takes 30, so it works for weeknights.
• Budget friendly. One pound of ground beef feeds my whole family with leftovers.
• Simple pantry ingredients. No fancy shopping trip needed here.
• Rich and savory. The gravy soaks into the potatoes and it tastes like something that simmered all day.
• Kid approved. Alex and Sarah both clean their plates, which doesn't happen with every dinner.
• One skillet for the beef. Less cleanup means more time on the couch after dinner.

Simple Ingredients For Ground Beef And Gravy

Here's everything you need. I've added notes where a swap works well.

For the mashed potatoes:

• Water for boiling
• 1 tablespoon salt for the cooking water, plus more to taste
• 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces (Yukon golds work too)
• 3 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
• ½ cup whole milk, at room temperature
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

For the ground beef and gravy:

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ¼ cup beef broth, low sodium if you like, for the slurry
• 1 pound ground beef (I use 80/20 for the best taste)
• 1 ½ cups beef broth, low sodium if desired
• ½ cup chopped white onion, about 1 small onion
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt, more or less to taste
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon black pepper

A quick note on the potatoes. Room temperature butter and milk mix in so much easier than cold. I learned this the hard way after years of lumpy potatoes, so pull them out of the fridge when you start.

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How To Make Ground Beef And Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes

I split this into short sections so it's easy to follow along while you cook.

Start The Mashed Potatoes

1. Fill a medium pot with water, add 1 tablespoon salt, and stir. Add the potato pieces and set the pot over medium high heat.
2. Once the water boils rapidly, cook the potatoes 5 to 8 minutes, or until a fork slides in easily.
3. While the potatoes boil, add the butter and milk to a small saucepan over medium heat. Warm the mixture, whisking now and then, until the butter melts completely.
4. Drain the potatoes well and return them to the pot on a cool burner.
5. Mash with a potato masher or fork, then gradually stir in the warm butter and milk mixture until smooth.
6. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust, then set aside.

Brown The Beef And Onion

1. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion.
2. Cook 6 to 8 minutes, breaking the beef apart with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains and the onion turns soft.
3. Drain off most of the grease, but leave a tablespoon or so in the pan. That little bit adds so much richness to the gravy.

Make The Gravy

1. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with ¼ cup beef broth until smooth. This is your slurry, and it keeps the gravy lump free.
2. Pour the remaining 1 ½ cups beef broth into the skillet with the beef. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
3. Bring everything to a gentle simmer, then slowly pour in the slurry while stirring.
4. Simmer 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until the gravy thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.

The whisking method here is the same one I use for my bechamel sauce. Once you get the hang of a smooth slurry, you can thicken any sauce with confidence.

Put It All Together

1. Spoon a generous pile of mashed potatoes onto each plate.
2. Ladle the hot beef and gravy right over the top.
3. Finish with cracked pepper and serve while everything is steaming hot.

Donald likes to make a little well in his potatoes so the gravy pools in the middle. Twelve years of marriage and he still does it every single time.

Storage And Reheating

Leftovers are honestly one of the best parts of this meal.

Refrigerator: Store the beef gravy and potatoes in separate airtight containers for up to 4 days. Keeping them separate helps the potatoes stay fluffy.

Freezer: The beef and gravy freezes well for up to 3 months. Mashed potatoes can get a little grainy after freezing, so I usually make a fresh batch instead.

Reheating: Warm the gravy in a skillet over medium low heat with a splash of broth to loosen it. Potatoes reheat best in the microwave with a small pat of butter stirred in halfway through.

The gravy actually tastes even better the next day. The onion and Worcestershire have more time to settle in, and Alex swears the leftovers beat the first night.

Tips And Variations For Ground Beef And Gravy

After making this more times than I can count, here's what I've learned.

• Don't skip draining the beef. Too much grease makes the gravy feel heavy instead of silky.
• Add mushrooms. Sauté a cup of sliced mushrooms with the onion for something closer to a Salisbury style dinner.
• Swap the base. Ever tried this over egg noodles instead of potatoes? It's wonderful, almost like the topping on my beef noodle soup turned into a full dinner. Crispy potatoes work too, and my home fries hold up beautifully under gravy.
• Stir in a spoonful of sour cream at the end for a creamier gravy. Sarah loves this version.
• Watch the salt. Between the broth and Worcestershire, taste before adding the full teaspoon of salt.
• Love cheesy ground beef dinners? My cheesy hamburger potato casserole uses similar ingredients in a bake the kids go wild for.

One pitfall to avoid: adding the cornstarch straight to the hot pan. I did that once in a hurry and ended up with little gravy dumplings. Always mix it with cold broth first.

Ground Beef And Gravy FAQs

How Do You Thicken Ground Beef Gravy?

A cornstarch slurry is the easiest way. Whisk 2 tablespoons cornstarch into ¼ cup cold broth, then stir it into the simmering pan. If the gravy is still thin after 5 minutes, add another small slurry. Flour works too, but cornstarch gives a glossier finish and won't taste raw.

What Type Of Ground Beef Works Best For Hamburger Gravy?

I always reach for 80/20 ground beef. That bit of fat carries so much taste into the gravy. Leaner beef like 90/10 works if you add an extra pat of butter to the pan. I've tested both in my kitchen, and 80/20 wins every time with my family.

Can Ground Beef And Gravy Be Made Ahead Of Time?

Yes, and it's a lifesaver on packed weeknights. Make the beef and gravy up to 2 days ahead and store it in the fridge. Reheat gently with a splash of broth. It's the same trick I use with my slow cooker chicken and gravy when I know the evening will be hectic.

What Can I Serve With Ground Beef And Gravy Besides Mashed Potatoes?

Rice, buttered egg noodles, and toast all work well. For sides, a simple green salad or steamed green beans balance the richness. On colder nights I sometimes start with a small bowl of my homemade vegetable soup and everyone leaves the table happy.

Recipes You May Like

• Salisbury Steak With Rich Mushroom Gravy — If you loved this gravy, these tender beef patties smothered in mushroom gravy are the natural next step.
• Tender Slow Cooker Beef Stew — Another cozy beef dinner that basically cooks itself while you go about your day.
• Creamy Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes — Perfect if you want to prep the potato part of this meal a day early.

Wrapping Up This Family Recipe

This easy ground beef and gravy over mashed potatoes comes together in 45 minutes with one pot, one skillet, and ingredients that won't strain your grocery budget. Boil and mash the potatoes, brown the beef with onion, whisk in the gravy, and dinner is done.

I've been eating this meal since I was a kid, and now my own kids ask for it by name. That's the best endorsement I can give any recipe.

Give it a try this week and let me know how it turns out for you! And don't forget to save this one to Pinterest so it's ready next time you need a comforting dinner fast.