Hamburger Gravy Over Egg Noodles with Vegetables
This Hamburger Gravy Over Egg Noodles with Vegetables is an easy, comforting dinner made with simple ingredients you may already have in the kitchen. Ground beef and vegetables are simmered in a rich homemade brown gravy and spooned over tender, buttery egg noodles for an old-fashioned meal that is filling without requiring a lot of meat.
One of the things I love about this hamburger gravy recipe is that just half a pound of ground beef makes four servings. The egg noodles, vegetables, and homemade beef gravy stretch the meat while still making the dinner feel hearty and satisfying. It’s a practical recipe for busy weeknights, tight grocery weeks, or those evenings when you simply want something warm and homemade on the table.
Instead of using a packet of brown gravy mix, this recipe makes the gravy right in the skillet with butter, flour, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and simple pantry seasonings. Browning the flour briefly before adding the broth gives the gravy a deeper flavor and beautiful brown color.
Serve this hamburger gravy over egg noodles with homemade dinner rolls, biscuits, or thick slices of buttered bread for an easy comfort-food supper the whole family can enjoy.
Why This Simple Hamburger Dinner Works
There is nothing fancy about this recipe, and that’s exactly why it works. Ground beef, noodles, vegetables, and gravy are familiar ingredients that come together into the kind of meal that feels like something you would have eaten around the family dinner table years ago. It’s warm, filling, inexpensive, and doesn’t require specialty ingredients.
Using only half a pound of hamburger also makes this a good recipe when you are trying to stretch the grocery budget. Rather than making the meat the largest part of the meal, it becomes part of a hearty gravy filled with vegetables. The egg noodles underneath make the meal substantial enough to serve four people.
Making Homemade Brown Gravy Without a Packet
Homemade brown gravy is much easier to make than many people realize. After browning the hamburger, butter and flour are cooked together in the same skillet to create the base of the gravy. Letting the flour cook for a couple of minutes removes the raw flour taste and develops a deeper, richer flavor.
Beef broth is then gradually stirred into the flour mixture. Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper add plenty of savory flavor without overwhelming the beef. Beef bouillon is optional, but a small amount is useful when your broth needs a little more depth. Always taste the gravy before adding additional salt because broth, bouillon, and Worcestershire sauce can already contain quite a bit.
The Best Vegetables for Hamburger Gravy
One of the nice things about this hamburger and gravy recipe is that you can use whatever simple vegetables you have available. Frozen mixed vegetables are especially convenient because there is nothing to peel or chop. Peas and carrots are a classic choice, while corn, green beans, or a combination of several vegetables also works well.
If you’re cleaning out the freezer, don’t be afraid to combine small amounts of vegetables left in different bags. You need approximately 1½ cups altogether. The vegetables stretch the meal further while adding color, texture, and another helping of vegetables to an otherwise very simple ground beef dinner.
What to Serve With Hamburger Gravy and Egg Noodles
Because this dinner already contains meat, vegetables, and noodles, it doesn’t need many side dishes. A warm homemade bread is probably the best accompaniment because it gives you something to soak up every bit of that brown gravy.
Soft homemade dinner rolls would be my first choice, especially when brushed with melted butter while they’re still warm. Buttermilk biscuits, thick slices of homemade white bread, or simple garlic-butter rolls would also be delicious. If you’d like something fresh alongside the meal, a basic green salad is plenty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make hamburger gravy without brown gravy mix?
Yes. This recipe makes homemade brown gravy using butter, flour, and beef broth. Worcestershire sauce and simple seasonings give the gravy additional savory flavor, so a packaged brown gravy mix isn’t necessary.
Can I use only half a pound of hamburger?
Yes. Half a pound of ground beef is enough for four servings because the hamburger is combined with 1½ cups of vegetables and plenty of homemade brown gravy. Serving it over egg noodles makes the meal even more filling.
What vegetables are best in hamburger gravy?
Frozen mixed vegetables are the easiest option. Peas, carrots, corn, and green beans all pair well with beef gravy. You can use one vegetable or a combination totaling approximately 1½ cups.
Can I use a different kind of noodle?
Yes. Egg noodles are particularly good because their wide, tender shape holds the gravy well, but other pasta can be substituted. Rotini, bow ties, wide noodles, or even elbow macaroni would work.
Can I serve hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes instead?
Absolutely. The hamburger and vegetable brown gravy can be served over mashed potatoes, rice, biscuits, or even thick slices of toasted homemade bread instead of egg noodles.
How do I make hamburger gravy taste richer?
The easiest way is to let the butter and flour cook for about 2 minutes until the mixture begins to brown. Beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and a small amount of beef bouillon also deepen the flavor without requiring a long list of seasonings.
Can hamburger gravy be made ahead?
Yes. Prepare the hamburger and vegetable gravy, cool it, and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Reheat it slowly and add a little beef broth if necessary to loosen the gravy. For the best texture, cook the egg noodles shortly before serving.
Hamburger Gravy Over Egg Noodles Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the egg noodles according to the package directions until tender. Drain well and, if desired, toss the hot noodles with a small amount of butter. Cover and keep warm while preparing the hamburger gravy.
- While the noodles cook, place the ground beef and diced onion in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, breaking the hamburger into small pieces, until the beef is completely browned and the onion has softened, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary, leaving a small amount of the flavorful drippings in the skillet.
- Add the frozen mixed vegetables to the browned hamburger. Cook for approximately 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to heat through.
- Push the hamburger and vegetables toward the outside edges of the skillet, leaving an open area in the center. Add the butter and allow it to melt. Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter and stir the flour and butter together. Cook for approximately 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the flour mixture begins to turn light brown. This helps develop the deeper flavor of the homemade brown gravy.
- Gradually pour the beef broth into the skillet while stirring continuously to incorporate the flour mixture and prevent lumps. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and optional beef bouillon.
- Stir the hamburger and vegetables into the gravy until everything is evenly combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the gravy has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Taste the gravy before adding salt. Add additional black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon, or salt only if needed.
- Divide the warm egg noodles evenly among four plates or shallow bowls. Spoon approximately 1 cup of hamburger and vegetable brown gravy over each serving of noodles. Serve immediately with warm dinner rolls, biscuits, or buttered homemade bread.
