Amish Hamburger Steak Bake

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef

1 1/2 cups saltine crackers, crumbled

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon Italian herbs

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Dash of cayenne pepper (optional)

1/2 cup flour

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 cup milk (for gravy)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.

Prepare the Beef Mixture

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, crumbled saltine crackers, 1 cup of milk, Italian herbs, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper.

Mix until everything is well incorporated. This mixture will be the base of your hamburger steaks.

Form the Steaks

Shape the beef mixture into 1/2-inch-thick steaks. This recipe should yield about 8 steaks.

Try to keep the steaks uniform in size to ensure even cooking.

Coat in Flour

Lightly coat each steak in flour, shaking off any excess. This will help form a nice crust when you brown them.

Brown the Steaks

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of oil to the skillet if needed to prevent sticking.

Brown the steaks on both sides until they develop a golden crust. You don’t need to cook them through at this stage; browning helps lock in flavor and gives a nice texture.

Arrange in Baking Dish

Place the browned steaks in the prepared baking dish, arranging them in a single layer.

Prepare the Gravy

In a separate bowl, whisk together the condensed mushroom soup and the additional cup of milk until smooth. This creamy mixture will bake into a delicious gravy.

Pour the gravy mixture over the steaks, ensuring they are well covered.

Bake

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. This initial baking will allow the steaks to cook through while absorbing the flavors of the gravy.

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the gravy is bubbling and the steaks are cooked through.

Rest and Serve

Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Serve hot, preferably with mashed potatoes or over rice to soak up the delicious gravy.