An Amish Hamburger Steak Bake is a hearty, comforting casserole with tender beef patties, savory gravy, and often topped with mashed potatoes or cheese. Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for it:
Ingredients:
For the Hamburger Steaks:
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion, finely chopped (or 1/4 cup onion powder if you prefer)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
For the Gravy:
- 1 tbsp olive oil (or butter)
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups beef broth (or beef stock)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Topping (optional):
- 2 cups mashed potatoes (about 4 medium potatoes, peeled and boiled)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Hamburger Steaks:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, egg, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Form the mixture into 4-6 oval-shaped patties.
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the patties on both sides (about 3-4 minutes per side). They don’t need to be fully cooked through, just browned on the outside.
- Remove the patties from the skillet and set aside.
2. Make the Gravy:
- In the same skillet, add a bit more oil or butter if needed and sauté the chopped onion and garlic over medium heat until softened (about 3-4 minutes).
- Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to make a roux.
- Slowly whisk in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce, thyme (if using), and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, until the gravy thickens.
3. Assemble the Bake:
- Place the browned hamburger steaks in a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Pour the gravy over the steaks, covering them well.
4. Add Toppings (Optional):
- If you’re using mashed potatoes, spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the gravy and steaks, spreading them out evenly. You can use a fork to create texture on top (this will help the potatoes get golden and crispy in the oven).
- Alternatively, you can sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the mashed potatoes or directly on the gravy for a cheesy crust.
5. Bake:
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dish is heated through.
- If you’re using mashed potatoes and cheese, uncover the dish in the last 5 minutes and bake until the top is golden and bubbly.
6. Serve:
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve this comforting dish with some green beans, corn, or a simple salad on the side.
Tips:
- Variations: You can add mushrooms to the gravy for extra flavor or even top the mashed potatoes with crispy fried onions.
- Make Ahead: This dish is great for prepping ahead of time. You can brown the patties, make the gravy, and assemble everything in the baking dish a day or two ahead, then just bake when you’re ready to eat.
- Frozen Mashed Potatoes: If you’re short on time, you can always use store-bought frozen mashed potatoes—just microwave and spread on top!
This Amish Hamburger Steak Bake is a cozy, filling meal, and perfect for those busy days when you need a comforting, home-cooked dinner. Enjoy!
