Description
Oven Baked Poor Man’s Hamburger Steaks is a hearty and budget-friendly American dinner recipe featuring seasoned ground beef patties coated in flour, browned for flavor, and baked in a rich mushroom gravy. This simple yet satisfying meal is perfect for family dinners and offers a comforting twist on classic hamburger steaks with an easy homemade mushroom gravy.
Ingredients
For the Hamburger Steaks
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 ½ cups saltine crackers, crushed
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- All-purpose flour for dredging
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Gravy
- 2 (10.75 oz.) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 1 ½ tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) to ensure it's ready for baking the hamburger steaks once they are prepared.
- Prepare the Gravy: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 ½ cups whole milk, and finely chopped fresh parsley. Stir until the mixture is smooth and set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Mix Hamburger Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, crushed saltine crackers, 1 cup whole milk, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Use your hands or a fork to mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Shape Patties: Divide the meat mixture into 6 to 8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a patty roughly the size of a hamburger bun.
- Dredge in Flour: Lightly coat each patty on all sides by dredging it in all-purpose flour. This helps to create a nice crust and thickens the gravy later.
- Brown Patties: Lightly oil a cast-iron skillet and heat over medium heat. Brown the patties on both sides until they develop a flavorful crust, about 3-4 minutes per side. This step enhances flavor and texture.
- Bake with Gravy: Arrange the browned patties evenly in the skillet and pour the prepared mushroom gravy evenly over them. Cover the skillet tightly with aluminum foil to keep the moisture in.
- Bake: Place the covered skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes. This ensures the patties cook through and absorb the flavorful gravy.
- Serve: Carefully remove from the oven, uncover, and serve the hamburger steaks warm with the mushroom gravy spooned on top. These go well with mashed potatoes or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- If you do not have saltine crackers, you can use plain breadcrumbs as an alternative.
- Using a cast-iron skillet enhances the browning process but a heavy oven-safe skillet will also work.
- Covering the skillet while baking helps keep the patties moist and tender.
- Adjust seasoning according to your preference; additional herbs such as thyme or rosemary can add extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American