There is a specific kind of comfort that comes from a casserole dish bubbling away in the oven on a chilly evening. While many hamburger steaks are made in a skillet, this Amish Hamburger Steak Bake utilizes the oven to do the hard work for you. It deepens the flavors of the savory beef gravy and fills the entire kitchen with a warm, savory aroma that instantly makes the house feel like a home. It's the definition of a cozy winter dinner.
Tender hamburger steaks cooked in a creamy mushroom gravy create the ultimate comfort food. Amish hamburger steak bake is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch casserole featuring seasoned ground beef patties baked in a rich gravy that's perfect for any night of the week. Mix ground beef with cracker crumbs, milk, and seasonings for patties that are incredibly tender and flavorful.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
- Ingredients for Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
- How to Make Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
- My Top Tips for Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
- Making Amish Hamburger Steak Bake with My Family
- Substitutions for Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
- Variations on Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
- Equipment for Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
- Storage Tips for Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
- Adam's Tip for Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
- FAQ about Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
- Conclusion
- Related
- Pairing
- recipe
Why You'll Love This Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
- Ultimate comfort food: This amish hamburger steak bake recipe delivers that soft, tender meat texture with rich gravy that defines comfort dining.
- Budget-friendly: Using simple ground beef and pantry staples, this weeknight comfort dinner feeds a family without breaking the bank.
- Make-ahead friendly: This make-ahead freezer casserole can be prepped in advance, making busy weeknights effortless.
Ingredients for Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
This amish hamburger steak bake with gravy uses crushed saltine crackers as a binder for incredibly tender ground-beef patties. The Italian seasoning with garlic and onion powder adds depth, while the creamy mushroom gravy ties everything together. The technique to sear before baking creates incredible flavor.
What You'll Need
For the Hamburger Steaks:
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1 cup crushed saltine crackers (about 30 crackers)
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for searing)
For the Gravy:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Add-ins:
- 4 medium potatoes, sliced (for amish hamburger steak bake with potatoes)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Why These Ingredients Matter
- Crushed saltine crackers: These create the signature soft, tender meat texture that makes this dish so special, absorbing moisture while keeping patties from getting tough.
- Milk in the meat mixture: Adds moisture and helps bind everything together for incredibly tender ground-beef patties.
- Creamy mushroom gravy: The combination of beef broth and cream creates that rich, velvety sauce that's essential to authentic Amish cooking.
How to Make Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
Step-by-Step Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, crushed saltine crackers, milk, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning with garlic and onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mix gently with your hands just until combined. Don't overmix or patties will be tough.
- Shape mixture into 6 to 8 oval patties, about ½-inch thick.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear before baking: Brown patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden crust forms.
- Transfer seared patties to prepared baking dish.
- If making amish hamburger steak bake with potatoes, layer sliced potatoes around the patties.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add sliced mushrooms and onions, cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour over vegetables, stir for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in beef broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
- Add heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Season creamy mushroom gravy with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour gravy over the ground-beef patties in the baking dish.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Hint: For amish hamburger steak bake slow cooker, sear patties, place in slow cooker with gravy, cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
My Top Tips for Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
Don't skip the searing step. Taking the time to sear before baking creates a flavorful crust and helps the patties hold their shape during baking. Also, use 80/20 ground beef for the best flavor and that signature soft, tender meat texture. Leaner beef will result in dry, tough patties. The crushed saltine crackers should be finely crushed but not pulverized into dust. This technique is similar to what we use with our smashburger quesadillas, where proper seasoning makes all the difference.
Making Amish Hamburger Steak Bake with My Family
Last Sunday, Adam helped me make this amish hamburger steak recipe for dinner. He was in charge of crushing the saltine crackers, which he did enthusiastically with a rolling pin. "This is fun, Mom! Can I make the patties too?" he asked. We shaped them together, his small hands carefully forming each oval.
When we sat down to eat, Adam cut into his patty and watched the gravy flow. "This is so good! The gravy makes everything taste amazing!" Grandma Viola tried hers and said, "Tender hamburger steaks cooked in a creamy mushroom gravy just like I remember from my childhood. This is authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking at its finest."
Substitutions for Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
- Crackers: Use panko breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz crackers instead of crushed saltine crackers for different textures.
- Gravy: Make it lighter by using all beef broth instead of adding heavy cream to the creamy mushroom gravy.
- Meat: Try ground turkey or a beef-pork blend for different flavors in your ground-beef patties.
- Potatoes: Add sliced potatoes to make amish hamburger steak bake with potatoes for a complete one-dish meal.
Variations on Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
- Pioneer Woman version: Try the amish hamburger steak bake pioneer woman style by adding bacon and extra cheese on top.
- Slow cooker version: Make amish hamburger steak bake slow cooker style for hands-off cooking perfect for busy days.
- With mashed potatoes: Serve over creamy mashed potatoes to soak up all that delicious creamy mushroom gravy. Check out this hamburger steak with onions and gravy for more inspiration.
Equipment for Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
- 9x13-inch baking dish: The perfect size for holding all the patties and gravy without overcrowding.
- Large skillet: Essential for searing the patties and making the gravy in the same pan for maximum flavor.
- Meat thermometer: Ensures your ground-beef patties reach a safe internal temperature of 160°F.
- Whisk: Makes creating smooth, lump-free creamy mushroom gravy quick and easy.
Storage Tips for Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
- Refrigerator: Cover and store for up to 4 days. The flavors actually improve overnight as everything melds together.
- Freezer: This make-ahead freezer casserole freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat covered at 350°F.
- Reheating: Warm in a 350°F oven covered with foil until heated through, about 20 minutes.
This recipe is perfect for weeknight comfort dinner and comfort dinner collections. The creamy mushroom gravy with soft, tender meat texture makes it ideal for family gatherings. It pairs beautifully with our pineapple chicken and rice or chicken scampi with parmesan rice when you want meal variety.
Adam's Tip for Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
"Make sure you get lots of gravy on your plate because that's the best part. Also, this is really good with mashed potatoes on the side to soak up all the extra gravy. Don't forget the bread!"
FAQ about Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
What temperature do you bake hamburger steaks at?
For this amish hamburger steak bake, bake at 350°F. This moderate temperature allows the ground-beef patties to cook through evenly while the creamy mushroom gravy bubbles and thickens without burning. The patties should reach an internal temperature of 160°F for food safety. Cover with foil for the first 30 minutes to keep moisture in, then uncover for the last 15 minutes to concentrate the gravy and develop flavor. This creates the perfect soft, tender meat texture.
How long to cook steak bake in the oven?
This amish hamburger steak bake recipe takes 45 minutes total in the oven: 30 minutes covered and 15 minutes uncovered. If you add potatoes to make amish hamburger steak bake with potatoes, you may need an additional 10 to 15 minutes to ensure the potatoes are fork-tender. The key is to sear before baking to reduce oven time and add flavor. For amish hamburger steak bake slow cooker preparation, cook on low for 4 to 6 hours instead.
What's the difference between a hamburger steak and a Salisbury steak?
While similar, hamburger steak is simpler. This amish hamburger steak recipe uses basic seasonings and crushed saltine crackers as a binder. Salisbury steak typically includes more ingredients like eggs, breadcrumbs, ketchup, and mustard in the meat mixture, and is served with a brown gravy made from the pan drippings. Both feature ground-beef patties in gravy, but hamburger steak like this weeknight comfort dinner is more straightforward and uses Italian seasoning with garlic and onion powder for flavor.
What is amish steak?
Amish steak, or amish hamburger steak bake, is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch comfort food featuring seasoned ground-beef patties baked in gravy. The dish gets its name from Amish communities who are known for hearty, simple cooking using crushed saltine crackers as a meat extender. The patties are incredibly tender due to the cracker and milk mixture, and the creamy mushroom gravy is rich and satisfying. It's a make-ahead freezer casserole that embodies wholesome, economical home cooking.
Conclusion
Let the oven do the work while you relax! I hope this bubbling, savory Amish Hamburger Steak Bake brings a sense of peace and warmth to your kitchen tonight. The soft, tender meat texture with creamy mushroom gravy creates pure comfort, while the crushed saltine crackers and Italian seasoning with garlic and onion powder add incredible flavor. It's the perfect dish to slow down a busy week.
This weeknight comfort dinner is ideal for cozy evenings and makes an excellent make-ahead freezer casserole. Whether you make it traditional or as amish hamburger steak bake with potatoes, it's always satisfying. Try our lemon grilled salmon or smashburger quesadillas for more family favorites. Enjoy!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Amish Hamburger Steak Bake:
recipe
Easy Amish Hamburger Steak Bake
Equipment
- 1 9×13-inch baking dish Lightly greased so nothing sticks
- 1 Large Skillet Used for both searing and gravy for extra flavor
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Whisk
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef 80/20 blend for best flavor
- 1 cup crushed saltine crackers Finely crushed, not powdered
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil For searing
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 8 ounces mushrooms Sliced
- 1 medium onion Sliced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- to taste salt and pepper
- 4 medium potatoes Thinly sliced (optional)
- fresh parsley For garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, crushed crackers, milk, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently.
- Shape into 6–8 oval patties.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet and sear patties 3–4 minutes per side. Transfer to baking dish. Optional: layer thinly sliced potatoes around the patties.
- In the same skillet, melt butter. Sauté mushrooms and onion until soft.
- Stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly whisk in beef broth. Stir until smooth.
- Add heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer until thickened.
- Pour gravy over patties. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 minutes more.
- Let rest 5 minutes, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve.
- Let rest for 5 minutes, garnish with [parsley], and serve. We always scoop extra gravy, Olivia says that’s the rule.
Notes
- This dish freezes beautifully, perfect for busy school weeks.
- Use panko or Ritz crackers if saltines aren’t available.
- For a lighter version, replace cream with more broth.
- Serve with mashed potatoes or buttered bread to soak up every drop of gravy.
Leave a Reply