Amish Hamburger Steak Bake

Key Ingredients:
Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef for this recipe to prevent the dish from becoming too greasy. If you have a fattier blend, be sure to drain off any excess fat after browning the patties.
Saltine Crackers: The saltines act as a binder in the meat mixture, keeping the patties moist and helping them hold together. If you’re out of saltines, breadcrumbs can be used as a substitute.
Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: This classic ingredient makes the gravy rich and creamy. For a different flavor, you can substitute cream of celery or cream of chicken soup.
Italian Herbs: This blend of oregano, basil, and thyme adds a subtle depth to the beef mixture. If you prefer, you can swap this for dried parsley or thyme for a more traditional flavor.
Cayenne Pepper: A dash of cayenne adds a gentle heat that complements the creamy gravy, but it’s completely optional. Feel free to adjust based on your heat preference.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease the Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.

Step 2: Prepare the Beef Mixture
Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, crumbled saltine crackers, 1 cup of milk, Italian herbs, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (optional), salt, and pepper.
Blend Well: Mix until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. This will serve as the base for your flavorful hamburger steaks.

Step 3: Form the Steaks
Shape the Steaks: Form the beef mixture into 1/2-inch-thick patties. This recipe should make about 8 evenly-sized steaks, which will help ensure they cook at the same rate.

Step 4: Coat in Flour
Dredge the Steaks: Lightly coat each steak in flour, tapping off any excess. The flour coating will help create a nice crust when searing the steaks.

Step 5: Brown the Steaks
Heat the Skillet: Warm a skillet over medium-high heat, adding a bit of oil if needed to prevent sticking.
Sear the Steaks: Brown the steaks on each side until they develop a golden crust, about 2-3 minutes per side. You don’t need to cook them through—just aim for a good sear that locks in flavor.

Step 6: Arrange in Baking Dish
Transfer to Baking Dish: Place the browned steaks in the greased baking dish, arranging them in a single layer so they cook evenly.

Step 7: Prepare the Gravy
Mix the Gravy: In a separate bowl, whisk together the condensed mushroom soup and the remaining cup of milk until smooth. This creamy mixture will transform into a rich gravy during baking.
Pour Over Steaks: Pour the gravy evenly over the steaks, ensuring they are well-covered.A

Step 8: Bake
Cover and Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes, allowing the steaks to cook through while absorbing the gravy’s flavors.
Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the gravy is bubbling and the steaks are fully cooked through.

Step 9: Rest and Serve
Rest the Steaks: Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the gravy thicken slightly and the flavors to meld.
Serve: Serve the hamburger steaks hot, ideally with mashed potatoes or over rice to soak up the rich, creamy gravy. Enjoy this comforting dish!

Serving Suggestions:
Mashed Potatoes: Serve the hamburger steaks over a generous helping of creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the rich mushroom gravy. It’s a classic combination that’s hard to beat.
Steamed Rice or Egg Noodles: The creamy gravy pairs beautifully with steamed rice or egg noodles, making a complete and satisfying meal.
Green Beans or Peas: A side of steamed green beans or sweet peas adds a touch of freshness and color, balancing out the rich, savory flavors of the dish.
Dinner Rolls: Warm dinner rolls or crusty bread are perfect for mopping up the extra gravy. It’s a great addition if you’re serving this meal to a larger group.

Happy cooking, and enjoy every creamy, savory bite!