- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free)
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
- ¼ tsp dried thyme (or parsley for garnish)
For the Mashed Potatoes:
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
- ½ cup milk (or heavy cream for extra richness)
- 4 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper