There is something special about recipes that require only a few ingredients but still produce a hearty, comforting dinner.
This creamy mushroom beef patty recipe is a perfect example. The basic idea is wonderfully simple: shape ground beef into patties, place them in a baking dish, pour cream of mushroom soup over the top, and bake until the beef is completely cooked and tender.
The result is a rich, savory meal with tender beef surrounded by creamy mushroom sauce.
The recipe shown in the image is particularly appealing because it requires very little preparation. You don’t need to stand over a skillet frying each patty individually. You simply assemble everything in one baking dish and let the oven do most of the work.
For the simplest version, you really only need two main ingredients: ground beef and condensed cream of mushroom soup.
Seasonings such as black pepper, garlic powder, parsley, or onion powder can be added if desired, but they are optional.
The Two Main Ingredients
Ground Beef
Ground beef forms the foundation of the meal.
For a juicy result, a moderately lean ground beef works well. Very lean beef can produce firmer patties, while very fatty beef may release more grease during baking.
You can use whatever lean-to-fat ratio you normally prefer.
For approximately six servings, about 2 pounds of ground beef is a good starting point.
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Condensed cream of mushroom soup becomes the sauce.
When heated in the oven, it becomes warm and creamy while combining with the natural juices released by the beef.
The mushrooms add savory flavor without requiring you to prepare a separate mushroom gravy.
If you prefer a stronger mushroom flavor, sliced fresh mushrooms can also be added, although they are not necessary for the basic two-ingredient recipe.
Simple Ingredients
Main ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
Optional ingredients
Black pepper
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Dried parsley
Fresh parsley
Sliced mushrooms
Thinly sliced onion
The optional ingredients are there for flavor and presentation.
The basic dish can be prepared using only the two main ingredients.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Allowing the oven to fully preheat helps the beef cook more evenly.
Because the recipe uses raw ground beef, proper cooking temperature is particularly important.
Step 2: Shape the Beef
Place the ground beef in a large bowl.
Divide it into approximately six equal portions.
Gently shape each portion into a thick patty.
Don’t press and knead the meat excessively.
The more you work ground beef, the denser the texture can become.
Simply shape each portion until it holds together.
You can make the patties round or slightly oval depending on the shape of your baking dish.
Step 3: Arrange the Patties
Lightly grease a large baking dish if necessary.
Place the patties inside in a single layer.
Try to leave a little space between them if possible.
The patties should not be stacked on top of one another.
A glass baking dish, like the one shown in the photograph, works well for this recipe.
Step 4: Add the Mushroom Soup
Open the cans of condensed cream of mushroom soup.
Spoon the soup over the raw beef patties.
Spread it across the top using the back of a spoon.
You don’t need to create a perfectly even layer.
As the dish cooks, the soup will become hot and combine with the juices released by the beef.
If the condensed soup seems extremely thick, you can mix it with a small amount of milk or water before adding it to the dish.
However, if you want to keep the recipe strictly two ingredients, simply use the soup as it comes from the can.
Step 5: Add Optional Seasoning
If you want additional flavor, sprinkle a small amount of black pepper over the top.
Garlic powder and onion powder also work well.
Be careful with salt.
Condensed mushroom soup can already contain a significant amount of sodium, so additional salt may not be necessary.
Step 6: Cover the Dish
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
This helps retain moisture and allows the sauce to heat without becoming overly concentrated too quickly.
