Ground beef and veggie soup with dumplings

Soup
1 pound ground beef, browned in skillet

1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped potatoes
1 cup chopped onions

2 cups water
2 cups beef broth. (1 can)

1 large can diced or whole tomatoes
1 cup elbow macaroni

1/2 teaspoon basil
Salt and pepper to taste
Simmer on stove until vegetables are tender

Dumplings
1. Cup all purpose flour
1/2. Tablespoon baking powder
1/4. Teaspoon pepper
1/2. Teaspoon salt
1. Egg,  beat well
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/3 cup whole milk

Mix together and drop by tablespoons into simmering soup. Cover and don't peek doe 18-20 minutes
If you like you can add spices such as red pepper to the dumplings.
This soups was comfort food today,January 4, 2014.  It's 18 below zero and dropping, the wind is picking up, and we've need in the house most all of the day.  The governor here called off school Monday, due to the frigid weather in the north country.