Amish Poor Man’s Steak

 

Amish Poor Man’s Steak

This homestyle classic delivers the deep comfort of a from-scratch meal with the simplicity of Amish cooking. Seasoned ground beef patties are baked in a rich, creamy mushroom gravy until incredibly tender. It’s a humble, budget-friendly, and deeply satisfying dinner perfect for any night of the week.

• ⏰ Prep Time: 20 minutes

• ⏰ Cook Time: 40 minutes

• 🍽️ Servings: 6

🧂 INGREDIENTS

For the Beef Patties:

• 2 lbs ground beef

• 1½ cups crushed saltine crackers (about 1 sleeve)

• 1 cup whole milk

• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

• ½ cup all-purpose flour, for dredging

• 1-2 tablespoons oil (for searing)

For the Mushroom Gravy:

• 2 cans (10.75 oz each) condensed cream of mushroom soup

• 1½ cups whole milk

• 1½ tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

👩‍🍳 INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat and Prepare:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

2. Make the Gravy:

• In a medium bowl, whisk the cream of mushroom soup and milk together until smooth. Stir in the chopped parsley and set aside.

3. Form the Patties:

• In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, crushed saltines, 1 cup of milk, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Mix with your hands just until combined—avoid overmixing.

• Shape the mixture into 6-8 equal-sized, oval-shaped patties.

4. Sear the Patties:

• Place the flour for dredging on a plate. Lightly coat each patty in flour on both sides.

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the patties for 2-3 minutes per side, just until a golden-brown crust forms. You are not cooking them through.

5. Assemble and Bake:

• Arrange the seared patties in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.

• Pour the prepared mushroom gravy evenly over the top, covering all the patties.

• Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the patties are cooked through and the gravy is bubbly.

6. Serve:

• Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon plenty of gravy over each patty.

• Garnish with additional fresh parsley and serve over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.

💡 Pro-Tips:

• Don't Overmix: For tender patties, mix the beef and other ingredients only until they are combined. Overworking the meat will make the patties tough.

• Searing is Key: Don't skip the searing step! It builds a flavorful crust and helps the patties hold their shape.

• Make it Your Own: Feel free to add sliced mushrooms or a diced onion to the skillet after searing the patties for an extra layer of flavor.