1-First, gather all your ingredients and prepare your workspace. This includes mixing 2 pounds of ground hamburger with 1 cup crushed saltine cracker crumbs, a scant 1 cup milk, ½ small finely chopped onion, 1½ teaspoons salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon chili powder, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder in a large bowl. Stir everything gently until it’s well combined, then shape the mixture into eight thick patties.

2-Next, optionally refrigerate the patties to help them hold their shape better. Once ready, dip each patty in ¼ to ½ cup all-purpose flour to coat them evenly. Heat 3 tablespoons of melted butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the patties until they’re golden brown on both sides.

3-After searing, transfer the patties to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. For the gravy, mix 1 or 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup with about 1½ cups of milk, then pour it over the patties. Bake covered at 350°F (175°C) for 50 to 55 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 10 minutes until the dish is bubbly and cooked through.

4-This method ensures juicy, flavorful results every time. Let the dish rest a bit before serving it with sides like mashed potatoes or buttered noodles to soak up the gravy. Remember, monitoring the cooking time helps avoid overcooking, keeping everything tender. For more dessert ideas to complete your meal, check out this chocolate eclair cake recipe on our site.