Growing up, one of my favorite dinners was this comforting Amish Hamburger Steak Bake Recipe my grandma made for Sunday supper. The aroma of caramelized onions mingling with rich, creamy gravy would fill the kitchen and call us all to the table. I still remember how my family—and even some picky eaters—would dig in eagerly, savoring every bite of those tender hamburger steaks nestled in that velvety sauce. It’s the kind of meal that wraps you in a warm hug and always feels like home.
What makes this Amish Hamburger Steak Bake Recipe so special isn’t just the flavors, though those are incredible—think juicy beef, buttery gravy, and a subtle savory sweetness from onions. It’s also about the texture: crisp browned edges on the patties that soften as they braise, combined with a silky, robust gravy that perfectly coats every bite. Plus, this dish is surprisingly straightforward to make. You only need a few ingredients, and the oven does most of the work while you relax or prep your sides.
If you’re new to casseroles or skillet meals, don’t worry—I’ll walk you through each step so you get it right the first time. By the end, you’ll have a hearty, flavorful dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or even company. Let’s dive into this Amish Hamburger Steak Bake Recipe and make a classic that your whole family will love!
What Makes This Recipe Special
- Flavor Harmony: Juicy beef patties meet creamy, onion-infused gravy for a perfectly balanced taste.
- Easy Assembly: Minimal prep with mostly one-skillet cooking keeps cleanup simple and stress-free.
- Texture Play: Crispy seared edges soften into tender, melt-in-your-mouth bites after baking.
- Showstopper Finish: Baking with the gravy seals in moisture and creates deep, comforting flavors.
Gather Your Ingredients
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start, I recommend having all your ingredients measured out and ready to go. Exact amounts are listed in the recipe card at the end to make shopping & prepping a breeze.
- Ground beef (80/20 blend): Provides perfect fat content for juicy, flavorful patties.
- Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meat while keeping patties tender; plain or seasoned will work.
- Egg: Acts as a binder so the patties hold their shape during baking.
- Onions (diced & sliced): Adds aroma and sweetness; frying onions rounds out the flavor beautifully.
- Salt & black pepper: Essential seasoning to bring out the natural taste of beef.
- Butter: For sautéing onions and enriching the gravy; salted or unsalted works.
- All-purpose flour: Thickens the creamy gravy without lumps.
- Beef broth: Creates a rich base for the gravy; choose low sodium to control salt levels.
- Heavy cream: Ensures the gravy is silky and indulgent.
- Garlic powder: Adds subtle depth and warmth to the gravy.
If you’re short on ingredients, you can swap breadcrumbs for crushed crackers or even oats for a slight texture variation. Low-fat ground beef is fine but expect the bake to be a bit less juicy.
Chef’s Note
You’ll find the complete list of ingredients with exact measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Kitchen Tools Required
- Large mixing bowl: For combining meat mixture evenly without overworking it.
- Oven-safe skillet or casserole dish: Enables browning patties and baking the whole dish without extra pans.
- Spatula or tongs: Easy flipping and handling of the patties while browning.
- Whisk: For smooth, lump-free gravy when mixing broth and cream with flour.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements ensure perfect gravy consistency.
- Oven thermometer (optional): Ensures your oven is spot on for even baking.
How to Make Amish Hamburger Steak Bake Recipe
Ready to get cooking? This Amish Hamburger Steak Bake Recipe comes together quickly, but the slow bake in the oven is what makes it truly tender and packed with flavor. Here’s how I do it, step-by-step.
- Mix the meat: In a large bowl, gently combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, diced onion, salt, and pepper. Be careful not to overmix to keep the patties tender.
- Shape patties: Form the mixture into 6 to 8 oval-shaped patties. Letting them rest on a plate while making gravy helps them hold their shape better when browning.
- Brown the patties: Heat your oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Brown patties 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crusty. Remove and set aside.
- Make the gravy base: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté sliced onions until translucent and fragrant. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes to get rid of raw flour taste.
- Add liquids: Slowly whisk in beef broth and heavy cream to avoid lumps. Stir in garlic powder and let simmer gently until thickened.
- Bake: Nestle the browned patties into the creamy gravy, cover tightly with a lid or foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes.
- Finish uncovered: Remove cover and bake another 15 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly and develop more flavor.
- Rest before serving: Let the bake rest 10 minutes out of the oven so juices settle—this makes slicing or serving easier and improves texture.
Cooking Secrets
- Tip 1: Use 80/20 ground beef for juicy, flavorful patties that don’t dry out in the oven.
- Tip 2: Brown patties well before baking to develop a savory crust and lock in moisture.
- Tip 3: Don’t rush the gravy—the 2 minutes cooking flour with butter removes any raw taste for a smooth sauce.
- Tip 4: Keep the skillet covered during most of the bake to trap steam and tenderize the hamburger steaks perfectly.
How to Serve
Favorite Toppings and Enhancers
Give your Amish Hamburger Steak Bake Recipe a little extra love by topping with fresh chopped parsley or a sprinkle of crispy fried onions for crunch and brightness. Some like to swirl in a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a dash of hot sauce to amp up the savoriness.
Delicious Pairings
This dish shines alongside creamy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles that soak up the luscious gravy. Roasted green beans or sautéed mushrooms offer a nice contrast and keep the meal well-rounded. For drinks, a classic iced tea or a malty ale complement the hearty flavors well.
Serving Tips
Portion your Amish Hamburger Steak Bake Recipe so each guest gets a generous patty with plenty of gravy. For gatherings, bake in a large casserole dish and serve family style. Leftovers make a fantastic sandwich filling the next day—just reheat generously with gravy for juicy bites.
Easy Variations
- Dairy-free: Use plant-based butter and coconut milk instead of heavy cream.
- Flavor boost: Add smoked paprika or a splash of soy sauce to the meat mix for a savory twist.
- Vegetable add-in: Fold chopped mushrooms or bell peppers into the ground beef for extra texture.
- Spicy kick: Stir cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes into the gravy.
- Herb infusion: Mix in fresh thyme or rosemary with the onions while sautéing.
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to avoid curdling the gravy.
- Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
- To reheat from frozen, cover and bake at 325°F until heated through, about 30–40 minutes.
Common Questions
- Can I use ground turkey instead of beef? Yes, but turkey is leaner and can dry out, so add a bit of extra fat or a moist ingredient like grated onion to keep the patties juicy.
- Do I need to cover the bake during the whole cooking time? Cover for the first 45 minutes to trap moisture, then uncover for the last 15 to thicken the gravy and brown the top slightly.
- Why does my gravy sometimes get lumpy? Whisk the flour into melted butter over heat before adding liquids, and add broth slowly while whisking to prevent lumps.
- Can I prepare this ahead of time? Absolutely—assemble and brown patties, then refrigerate covered and bake when ready.
- What’s the best side dish? Creamy mashed potatoes or buttered noodles soak up the gravy wonderfully and balance the meal.
Amish Hamburger Steak Bake Recipe
Amish Hamburger Steak Bake is a comforting and hearty casserole featuring juicy ground beef patties smothered in a rich, creamy onion gravy. This easy-to-make dish combines tender hamburger steaks with a velvety sauce baked to perfection, perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Hamburger Steaks
- 2 lbs Ground beef – 80/20 blend for best flavor
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs – Plain or seasoned
- 1 Egg – Beaten
- 1 Onion – Finely diced
- 2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
Creamy Gravy
- 3 tablespoon Butter – Salted or unsalted
- 3 tablespoon All-purpose flour – For thickening gravy
- 2 cups Beef broth – Low sodium preferred
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 Onion – Sliced
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the meat mixture: In a large bowl, gently mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, finely diced onion, salt, and black pepper until just combined to keep patties tender.
- Form patties: Shape the mixture into 6 to 8 oval-shaped patties. Set them aside to rest briefly while you prepare the gravy base.
- Brown the patties: Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and brown the patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the patties from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté onions and make roux: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté the sliced onions until translucent and soft. Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes to form a roux, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Slowly whisk in beef broth and heavy cream, then add garlic powder. Continue stirring until the gravy thickens and is smooth.
- Combine and bake: Nestle the browned hamburger patties into the creamy onion gravy in the skillet. Cover the skillet tightly with a lid or foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 45 minutes.
- Finish baking uncovered: Remove the cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes to allow the gravy to thicken and flavors to meld.
- Rest and serve: Take the skillet out of the oven and let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and the gravy to thicken slightly.
Notes
- Using 80/20 ground beef ensures the patties remain juicy and flavorful.
- Breadcrumbs can be plain or seasoned; seasoned adds extra flavor but adjust salt accordingly.
- For a thicker gravy, cook the roux a bit longer before adding liquids.
- Use an oven-safe skillet to avoid transferring the mixture to another dish before baking.
- Letting the dish rest before serving helps the gravy to set for better texture.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
