Hamburger Mushroom Bake (Printable version)
Seasoned beef and mushrooms in a creamy sauce topped with melted cheese and buttery crumbs for a satisfying comfort meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meats
01 - 1 ½ pounds ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
→ Sauces & Dairy
05 - 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
06 - ½ cup sour cream
07 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
08 - ¼ cup milk
→ Seasonings
09 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - ½ teaspoon salt
12 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
→ Topping
13 - 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs or crushed crackers
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and crumbly, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add chopped onion and garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes until onion is softened and fragrant.
04 - Stir in sliced mushrooms and continue cooking for 5 minutes until mushrooms are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.
05 - In a large bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
06 - Add the cooked beef and vegetable mixture to the bowl with the sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
07 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
08 - In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs or crushed crackers with melted butter. Mix until evenly coated, then sprinkle over the cheese layer.
09 - Bake for 25-30 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
10 - Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes to allow the casserole to set slightly before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Everything comes together in one dish with minimal cleanup afterward
- The crispy buttery topping against the creamy beef mixture creates the most incredible texture contrast
- It reheats beautifully and actually tastes better the next day
02 -
- Draining the beef fat prevents the final dish from being greasy, but dont drain it too thoroughly or you lose flavor
- Mushrooms release a lot of liquid as they cook, so be patient and let most of it evaporate before combining with the sauce
03 -
- For extra depth, add a splash of dry sherry or white wine while cooking the mushrooms
- Try swapping half the cheddar for gruyère or Swiss for a more sophisticated flavor profile