Description
This Stuffed French Bread recipe features a hearty mixture of ground beef, onions, celery, and creamy soup, all stuffed inside a hollowed French bread loaf and topped with melted cheddar cheese. It’s baked to perfection, making a deliciously comforting and easy-to-prepare meal that’s perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
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)
For the Bread
- 1 loaf French bread
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350° F to ensure it is ready for baking the stuffed bread later.
- Cook Beef and Veggies: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and minced onion until the beef is fully cooked. Drain off any excess grease to keep the filling from being oily.
- Add Celery and Garlic: Add the chopped celery and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for a few more minutes until the celery is tender, infusing the mixture with extra flavor and texture.
- Make the Sauce: Stir in the cream of celery soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper into the beef mixture. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is heated through and well combined.
- Prepare the Bread: While the filling cooks, slice the French bread loaf lengthwise into two equal halves. Carefully scoop out the center of each half, tearing the removed bread into small pieces.
- Combine Bread with Filling: Add the torn bread pieces into the beef mixture in the skillet and mix well to combine. This adds texture and helps bind the filling.
- Assemble the Stuffed Bread: Place the two bread halves on a large baking sheet. Spoon the warm beef and bread mixture evenly onto one bread half, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the freshly grated cheddar cheese evenly over the filling.
- Top and Bake: Place the second half of the French bread on top of the cheese-covered filling to form a sandwich. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the bread is warmed.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the stuffed French bread from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes. This resting time helps the filling set and makes slicing easier. Slice into portions and serve warm. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute cream of celery soup with cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup as preferred.
- For added freshness, sprinkle chopped parsley on top before serving.
- If you want a crispier crust, you can broil the stuffed bread for 1-2 minutes after baking, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Make sure to drain excess grease from the beef to keep the stuffed bread from becoming soggy.
- Serve with a fresh salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
