My neighbor brought this to a potluck once and it disappears fast every single time. It is unbelievably creamy and only uses 4 ingredients!

This oven baked 4-ingredient poor man’s steak bake is the kind of cozy, no-fuss dinner that shows up at every church potluck and magically disappears first. My neighbor brought a version of this to a neighborhood get-together, and people were practically scraping the glass baking dish clean. It’s just seasoned beef patties baked low and slow in a creamy mushroom gravy that tastes like you fussed all afternoon, even though it comes together in minutes with pantry staples.
If you’re juggling work, kids, or just a busy week, this is a comforting, budget-friendly meal that feels like a hug on a plate.
Baked poor man’s steak patties in creamy mushroom gravy in a glass dish
Baked poor man’s steak patties in creamy mushroom gravy in a glass dish
Serve these tender, gravy-smothered patties over fluffy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or simple white rice so they can soak up every bit of the creamy mushroom sauce. A side of steamed green beans, corn, or a bagged salad makes it feel like a complete meal without extra work.
If you’re taking this to a potluck, keep it in the glass baking dish and bring along a big spoon and some dinner rolls so people can mop up the extra gravy.
Oven Baked 4-Ingredient Poor Man’s Steak Bake
Servings: 6

Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef (80–85% lean)
1 packet (1 ounce) dry onion soup mix
2 cans (10.5 ounces each) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup whole milk
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch glass baking dish and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and dry onion soup mix. Use your hands or a spoon to mix just until the soup mix is evenly distributed without overworking the meat.
Ground beef mixed with onion soup mix in a metal bowl
Ground beef mixed with onion soup mix in a metal bowl
Shape the seasoned beef mixture into 6–8 equal patties, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Arrange the patties in a single layer in the prepared glass baking dish, leaving a little space between each one.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup and the milk until smooth and creamy. It will seem thick, but it will loosen as it bakes.
Cream of mushroom sauce being whisked in a bowl
Cream of mushroom sauce being whisked in a bowl
Pour the creamy mushroom mixture evenly over the beef patties, making sure each patty is well coated and the sauce spreads around them in the dish.

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