1. Patty Preparation: In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, minced onion, salt, and pepper. Shape this mixture into 4 evenly sized patties.
2. Sauté: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and minced garlic, cooking until they are soft and fragrant.
3. Sauce Creation: Add the cream of mushroom soup, water, and Worcestershire sauce to the skillet. Stir until all the ingredients are well combined and the sauce is smooth.
4. Cooking Patties: Place the patties into the skillet, spooning some sauce over them to ensure they are well coated.
5. Simmer: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then lower the heat. Cover the skillet and let the patties simmer for about 20 minutes, or until they are fully cooked.
6. Serve: Serve the smothered hamburger steaks hot. They go perfectly with fluffy rice or creamy mashed potatoes for a hearty and satisfying meal.