Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings for Dinner

Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings is the ultimate comfort food, ready in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly tender dumplings. The crispy, golden dumplings and fresh, hearty peas in this better-than-takeout dinner will make your family beg for seconds. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes and Easy Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe.

What You'll Need for Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings for Dinner

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 2 cups fresh or frozen peas
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
• Optional: Shredded cheddar cheese

How to Make Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings for Dinner

1. Step 1: Brown the ground beef and onion in a large pot over medium heat until the meat is cooked through. Drain excess fat.
2. Step 2: Add the peas, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to the pot. Stir well to combine.
3. Step 3: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Step 4: While the peas are simmering, prepare the dumplings. In a bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 cup of milk. Stir until the dough comes together.
5. Step 5: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the pot, spacing them evenly. Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for 10 minutes without lifting the lid.
6. Step 6: After 10 minutes, carefully remove the lid and check if the dumplings are cooked through. If they're not quite done, cover the pot and let them cook for another 2-3 minutes.
7. Step 7: Once the dumplings are cooked, sprinkle the fresh parsley and shredded cheese over the top. Serve hot and enjoy!

Storing & Reheating Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings for Dinner

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the dumpling dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Freezing Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings for Dinner

You can freeze the cooked peas and dumplings for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through to ensure even heating.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For an extra touch of flavor, you can add a tablespoon of butter to the pot after the dumplings are cooked.
• Best substitution: If you don't have fresh or frozen peas, you can use canned peas. Drain and rinse them before adding to the pot.
• Make-ahead: You can prepare the entire dish ahead of time and reheat it in the oven or microwave when you're ready to serve it.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If your dumplings are sticking to the pot, try adding a little more flour to the dough. If they're still sticking, you can carefully flip them with a spatula.

Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings for Dinner

⏱

Prep

15 minutes

🍳

Cook

20 minutes

⏳

Total

35 minutes

🍽

Serves

4-6 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh or frozen peas
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced

Seasonings

• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika

Optional Toppings

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Brown the ground beef and onion in a large pot over medium heat until the meat is cooked through. Drain excess fat.
2. Step 2: Add the peas, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to the pot. Stir well to combine.
3. Step 3: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Step 4: While the peas are simmering, prepare the dumplings. In a bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 cup of milk. Stir until the dough comes together.
5. Step 5: Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the pot, spacing them evenly. Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for 10 minutes without lifting the lid.
6. Step 6: After 10 minutes, carefully remove the lid and check if the dumplings are cooked through. If they're not quite done, cover the pot and let them cook for another 2-3 minutes.
7. Step 7: Once the dumplings are cooked, sprinkle the fresh parsley and shredded cheese over the top. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

• Chef tip: For an extra touch of flavor, you can add a tablespoon of butter to the pot after the dumplings are cooked.
• Best substitution: If you don't have fresh or frozen peas, you can use canned peas. Drain and rinse them before adding to the pot.
• Make-ahead: You can prepare the entire dish ahead of time and reheat it in the oven or microwave when you're ready to serve it.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If your dumplings are sticking to the pot, try adding a little more flour to the dough. If they're still sticking, you can carefully flip them with a spatula.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: You can freeze the cooked peas and dumplings for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through to ensure even heating.
• Make ahead: You can prepare the dumpling dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 18g
• Carbs: 45g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 750mg
• Cholesterol: 70mg
• Sat. Fat: 8g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings for Dinner FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings for Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!