Description
This Stuffed French Bread recipe is a savory and comforting dish featuring a crusty loaf filled with a flavorful mixture of ground beef, vegetables, and creamy soup, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, it combines hearty ingredients baked to gooey perfection in just 30 minutes.
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 the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the assembled stuffed bread.
- Prepare the filling: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef along with the dried minced onion until the meat is no longer pink. Drain excess grease. Add the chopped celery and minced garlic, cooking for a few more minutes until the celery softens.
- Add soup and seasonings: Stir in the cream of celery soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook the mixture until everything is thoroughly heated, about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the French bread: Slice the French bread lengthwise into two equal halves. Carefully scoop out the soft bread from the interior, tearing it into small pieces. Add these bread pieces into the meat mixture and stir well to combine evenly.
- Assemble the stuffed bread: Place the two bread halves on a large baking sheet. Spoon the warm beef and bread mixture evenly onto one half of the bread. Sprinkle the freshly grated cheddar cheese evenly over the filling. Place the other half of the bread on top to cover.
- Bake until melted: Bake the assembled bread in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is thoroughly melted and bubbly. Remove from oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Serve and enjoy: Slice into portions and serve warm, optionally garnished with chopped parsley for a fresh touch.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of celery soup with cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup depending on your preference.
- For added crunch, consider toasting the hollowed-out bread pieces separately before mixing into the filling.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and make the dish healthier.
- Chopped parsley is optional but adds a nice color and fresh flavor contrast.
- Make sure to drain the grease from the beef to prevent a soggy filling.
