My Mother-In-Law’s Most-Requested Recipe Comes From a Vintage Charity Cookbook

Every time we were there, my now mother-in-law would prepare her special burger bundles for dinner. These delicious little meatloaf-style patties, filled with savory stuffing and topped with a rich mushroom gravy, have since become a beloved memory from those early days of our relationship and later on, in our marriage.

What Are Burger Bundles?

Over the years, my mother-in-law kept the tradition alive by making these burger bundles whenever she visited us at our home in Florida—always at my husband’s request. Made with boxed stuffing and condensed soup, I had initially thought it was a simple recipe she picked up from a label. However, she revealed that the dish had roots in her own childhood. Her mother had made them for her and her siblings, and the recipe came from a 1972 charity cookbook by the Pennsylvania State Grange. "My mom made these," she said. "They were my brother’s favorite."

From what I can find, burger bundles may have first appeared in the 1967 cookbook Jiffy Cooking by Better Homes and Gardens. This original menu suggested serving the bundles with mashed potatoes, green beans, and a retro dessert salad, with coffee and milk on the side.

How to Make Burger Bundles

For a long time, I hesitated to make burger bundles myself, as it felt like a dish reserved for my mother-in-law’s kitchen. When I finally tried, I was surprised at how easy and comforting it was to recreate this family favorite.

The recipe starts with preparing stovetop stuffing. Once the stuffing is ready, combine ground beef with a bit of milk, then divide it into six equal portions, flattening each one like a patty. A dollop of stuffing goes into the center of each patty, and then the meat is wrapped around the stuffing to form a ball—resembling a cross between a meatball and a mini meatloaf.

The dish’s true magic lies in its creamy mushroom sauce. A mixture of condensed mushroom soup, milk, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce is poured over the bundles in a baking dish. They’re then baked at 350°F for two hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.

“Serve it up with creamy mashed potatoes and a side veggie that everyone will enjoy,” my mother-in-law advised. “Though finding a vegetable everyone likes can be tricky!”

Why Are Burger Bundles So Delicious?

In our family’s version, burger bundles are topped with a creamy mushroom gravy, but any condensed soup can work. Think cream of chicken or broccoli and cheese! No matter the choice, the result is a comforting, creamy sauce that pairs perfectly with both the bundles and mashed potatoes.

The meatloaf-like mixture, encasing seasoned stuffing, creates a dish that’s as savory as it is nostalgic. When we made them, we served the bundles with mashed potatoes and oven-roasted green beans—a fantastic combination.

Knowing the full backstory of burger bundles has secured their place on our dinner rotation. It’s also easy enough to make that I don’t need to wait for my mother-in-law to prepare it for us. Still, there’s something extra special about her version, and we’ll always treasure the meal when she makes it.

My Mother-in-Law’s Burger Bundles Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 ⅓ cups milk
• 1 serving cooked stovetop chicken-flavored stuffing
• 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed soup (e.g., cream of mushroom or broccoli cheese)
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix the ground beef with ⅓ cup milk.
2. Divide the mixture into six portions and flatten each one. Form the stuffing into balls, placing one in the center of each patty. Wrap the meat around the stuffing, forming a sealed “bundle.”
3. Place the bundles in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Mix the remaining milk, condensed soup, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce, and pour over the bundles.
4. Bake at 350°F for 1 ½ to 2 hours.

Serve with mashed potatoes and a vegetable of your choice for a comforting meal.