Mom's Salisbury Steak Marsala

This is one of my favorite recipes as a child called Mom's Salisbury Steak she would make in a pattie style or meatball in a skillet.

The recipe is quick, easy, and economical as it can be all made from scratch or you can adapt it by using store-bought ingredients just check out my tips and suggestions.

We love the homemade version, the meat mixture is basic pantry ingredients and the vintage easiest beef gravy recipe is super easy to make using beef broth and not complicated at all.

Of course for those who prefer not to use a wine, you can just omit that and add a little more beef broth to thin the gravy no worries.

As a child, I thought the meatballs were a fun way to serve these and they were super delicious over roasted garlic mashed potatoes but Salisbury steak is usually in pattie form so you can choose what shape you like.

If you love ground beef recipes you can also try Mom's Goulash Recipe and Italian Meatball Stew, they are both delicious recipes and vintage from the 1940s like this recipe below.

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for this easy recipe for Salisbury steak and the easiest beef gravy you will ever make it's so delicious!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

1. Classic, nostalgic flavor that never goes out of style
2. Budget-friendly ingredients you likely already have
3. Hearty and filling—perfect for family meals
4. Rich homemade onion gravy takes it over the top \
5. Easy to make in under an hour
6. Freezer-friendly for make-ahead meals 

Alternative Ingredients and Substitutions

• Garlic (fresh or roasted) – deeper flavor Mushrooms in patties or gravy – classic diner-style upgrade
• Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme
• A splash of red wine in the gravy for richness
• Gravy Variations Mushroom gravy – add sliced mushrooms for an earthy upgrade. Onion soup mix + water – quick shortcut version 
• Brown gravy mix – convenient and consistent
• Gluten-free flour or cornstarch – for thickening instead of regular flour
• Beef broth – enhances savory flavor
• Heavy cream or half-and-half – richer texture
• Non-dairy milk (almond, oat, soy) – works well for dairy-free diets
• Crushed crackers (like saltines or butter crackers) – very traditional swap
• Panko breadcrumbs – lighter texture
• Oats (quick or old-fashioned) – adds a rustic feel
• Gluten-free breadcrumbs – perfect for gluten sensitivities
• Almond flour – low-carb/keto-friendly option
• Ground turkey or chicken – lighter option; add 1–2 teaspoons olive oil to keep it moist
• Ground pork – richer flavor, slightly sweeter
• Plant-based ground – great for a vegetarian version; choose one with good fat content
• Ground beef + sausage mix – boosts flavor for a heartier result

Tips and Suggestions

• Use higher-fat ground beef (80/20) for more flavor
• Let patties rest before serving to retain juices
• Make ahead: patties can be prepped and refrigerated for up to 24 hours
• Freeze leftovers: store in gravy for the best texture when reheating
• For a quick meal, use frozen meatballs, jarred gravy, jarred garlic, and beef broth, and the rest of the ingredients in the recipe that are fresh can be jarred
•  serve over store-bought premade garlic mashed potatoes, frozen vegetables
• If using the air fryer saves any drippings for the skillet or oven casserole for extra flavor, leftovers can be used in sandwiches over garlic bread

Other Cooking Methods

1. stovetop: using a skillet, saute the meat in a large deep pan, add garlic, gravy, and simmer
2. oven: use a greased casserole to bake the meatballs or patties in, drain some of the fat, add the rest of the ingredients, and bake for around 25 minutes
3. instant pot: Sear the meat on both sides. Add 1 cup of beef broth, 1/4 cup of Marsala wine with gravy, and the rest of the ingredients. Place on pressure cooker mode for 35 minutes
4. slow cooker: brown the meat on the stovetop or air fryer first, then add to the slow cooker all the ingredients, set on high for 3 to 4 hours
5. air fryer: just for meat, add to an oil-sprayed pan and cook the meatballs or patties for 17 minutes

Serving Suggestions

• pasta
• rice
• mashed potatoes with gravy
• corn on the cob
• over Italian hard-crusted bread
• over polenta

Mom's Salisbury Steak Marsala Pin for later

Mom's Salisbury Steak Marsala

Yield: 6

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 35 MinTotal time: 50 Min

Here is a recipe for Mom's Salisbury Steak Marsala or Meatballs using a homemade gravy with Marsala wine and terrific over pasta or mashed potatoes. This is an old-fashioned 1940s version.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces  mushrooms sliced ( I use fresh)
• 1  pound of ground beef, sirloin, or chuck  (note this recipe can also be done with ground turkey or ground chicken
• Beef Gravy homemade recipe below or 1 -16 ounce jar store-bought beef gravy
• 1/2 cup Marsala Wine or more if you like
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Salt pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
• 1 - 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce or more to taste
• 4 cloves finely minced garlic
• 2 eggs
• 2  pieces of Italian bread soaked in water or milk and squeezed out 
• 1/2  cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs mixed with 3 tablespoons Pecorino Romano cheese
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Optional: 2 tablespoons chopped fine onion ( my family doesn't like onions, so I don't use them)
• Note: if you like spicy, add around 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the meat

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, mix the ground beef, squeezed-out bread, egg, salt, pepper, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, then the cheese and bread crumbs, mixing until well incorporated.
2. Shape into burgers or meatballs.
3. In a large skillet (or if using another cooking method, add to that pan), saute the meat in olive oil until browned on both sides, around 12 minutes.
4. Note: We like our meat crispy on the outside.
5. These can also be air-fried for 16 minutes on an oil-sprayed baking dish or baked at 400 degrees for around 35 minutes in a casserole baking pan.
6. Using the pan you cooked the meat in, melt the butter, add the mushrooms and granulated garlic, and cook until the mushrooms smell fragrant, for around 4 minutes of stirring.
7. Add the gravy and marsala wine, and simmer on low until the meat is completely cooked, around 8 to 10 more minutes.
8. Serve with rice, Italian bread, any kind of pasta, or over garlic mashed potatoes.
9. The Easiest and Best Ever Homemade Beef Gravy 1940s Style:
10. 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
11. 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
12. 2 cups beef broth (or if you have made a Beef Roast, use the drippings plus the broth to make the measurement)
13. 1/2 cup Marsala Wine or just use all beef broth 
14. 1/4 teaspoon salt
15. 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
16. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
17. Add flour and whisk until smooth.
18. Slowly whisk in the broth, salt, and pepper; continue stirring until the mixture comes to a boil and thickens.
19. Add the marsala wine and simmer for 2 or 3 minutes.
20. Other Cooking Methods:
21. stovetop: using a skillet saute' the meat in a large deep pan, add garlic, gravy simmer
22. oven: use a greased casserole to bake the meatballs or patties in, drain some of the fat add the rest of the ingredients, and bake for around 25 minutes
23. instant pot: sear the meat on both sides add 1 cup of beef broth, 1/4 cup marsala wine with gravy, and the rest of the ingredients place on pressure cooker mode for 35 minutes
24. slow cooker: brown the meat on the stovetop or air fryer first then add to the slow cooker all the ingredients, set on high for 3 to 4 hours
25. air fryer:  for cooking the  meat only:  add to an oil-sprayed pan and cook the meatballs or patties for 17 minutes, then proceed with stovetop or oven methods

Calories

883.86

Fat (grams)

66.33

Sat. Fat (grams)

29.81

Carbs (grams)

23.62

Fiber (grams)

1.44

Net carbs

22.19

Sugar (grams)

2.58

Protein (grams)

45.35

Sodium (milligrams)

1508.39

Cholesterol (grams)

296.46

https://www.whatscookinitalianstylecuisine.com/2017/10/salisbury-steak-marsala-recipe.html

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Mom's Salisbury Steak Marsala Pin for later

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Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2017. It was edited and re-published in 2021.