Delicious, Simple Ground Beef Gravy.

Warm, hearty meals are a MUST here on the farm, especially during the winter months. But we can only make pot roast and soup so much before I need a more simple dinner option! Besides, we always have an excess of ground beef, so this is the most delicious way to use it (besides tacos, of course, but it’s not Tuesday)!

I use ground beef also in Shepard’s Pie, which is one of my most favorite meals ever (you know, the ground beef mixture topped with mashed potatoes then baked?!) It’s seriously delicious. In fact, I think I’m adding it to this week’s meals!

But for now, I had a craving for a thick, savory sauce to put on these awesome pappardelle noodles I found at Trader Joes. They are thick and long and the perfect noodle for a thick sauce. Normally, I’d choose a classic Bolognese, but today I wanted something a little different (and more quick to make): enter the farmer’s classic: ground beef gravy! Otherwise known as Hamburger Gravy.

Made in under 30 minutes, this is a real treat for a full belly on a dreary day. And using ground beef is such an economical way to get a good source of protein for just a few bucks. It’s really a win-win, my friends.

Ground Beef Gravy

• 1 lb ground beef (ours is lean, like a 15%/85%)
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 carrot chopped (optional, but I love it in this)
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1.5 cups beef stock or broth
• 1-2 cups milk (ours is whole, of course): add to your desired thickness
• a sprig of thyme, if you have it, or a sprinkle of dried thyme
• salt and pepper to taste

Over medium heat in a good pan, brown ground beef with onion and carrot. Once it’s fully cooked, drain if any extra grease is present. Add garlic and Worcestershire sauce and cook 1-2 minutes, just until heated. Sprinkle fully cooked beef mixture with flour and stir well, cooking another 1-2 minutes until the flour is all dissolved. Add the beef broth.

Meanwhile, boil water for noodles or mashed potatoes. Make according to your package instructions or favorite recipe.

Turn the heat down to low and simmer, 20-30 minutes until thickened. Then, add the milk and cover, simmering until the gravy is your desired thickness.

Serve warm, over noodles or mashed potatoes. I added asparagus for a green touch, which was a perfect companion.

I hope you enjoy this, it’s seriously simple and so flavorful and filling and made ON A BUDGET!

If you’re looking for the highest quality ground beef you can find, stop out to our farm shoppe, we’ve got lots! And it’s seriously the BEST.