Description
This Stuffed French Bread recipe features a hearty ground beef and vegetable filling mixed with creamy soup and melted cheddar cheese, all nestled inside a crusty French bread loaf. Easy to prepare and perfect for a comforting meal or game day snack, this dish combines savory flavors and a delightful texture from the toasted bread and gooey cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 Tablespoons dried minced onion (or freshly diced white onion)
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 can (10 ounces) cream of celery soup (or cream of mushroom or chicken soup)
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated cheddar cheese
- 1/2 Tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Bread
- 1 loaf French bread
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350° F to prepare for baking the stuffed bread.
- Cook the Filling: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and minced onion until the beef is fully cooked. Drain any excess grease. Add chopped celery and minced garlic, cooking a few more minutes until the celery softens. Stir in the cream of celery soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking and stirring the mixture until heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Prepare the Bread: While the filling cooks, slice the French bread loaf in half lengthwise to create two equal pieces. Carefully scoop out the soft bread from the center of each half and tear it into small pieces. Add these bread pieces to the warm beef mixture in the skillet and stir to combine thoroughly.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Place the two bread halves on a large baking sheet. Spoon the warm beef and bread mixture evenly into the center of one half of the French bread. Spread it out, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Place the other bread half on top to form a sandwich.
- Bake and Serve: Bake the assembled stuffed bread in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious stuffed French bread!
Notes
- You can substitute cream of celery soup with cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup for a different flavor variation.
- Chopped parsley is optional but adds a fresh touch and color.
- Make sure to drain excess grease from the cooked beef to avoid a soggy filling.
- This recipe can be doubled to serve more guests or for leftovers.
- Serve with a side salad or soup for a complete meal.
