Description
This Stuffed French Bread recipe features a delicious combination of seasoned ground beef, tender celery, and creamy soup filling baked inside a crusty French bread loaf, topped with melted cheddar cheese. It’s a hearty and comforting dish perfect for a quick dinner or casual gathering.
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 black pepper
- Small pieces torn from the inside of the French bread loaf (about half the loaf’s inner bread)
For Assembly
- 1 loaf French bread
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated cheddar cheese
- 1/2 Tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the stuffed bread.
- Cook the Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the dried minced onion. Drain excess grease. Add chopped celery and minced garlic, cooking until celery is tender, about a few minutes. Stir in the cream of celery soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir the mixture until heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Prepare Bread: While the filling cooks, slice the French bread loaf in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the soft bread from the center of each half, tearing it into small pieces. Add these bread pieces to the beef mixture in the skillet and stir to combine evenly.
- Assemble Stuffed Bread: Place the two hollowed halves of the French bread lengthwise on a large baking sheet. Fill one half evenly with the warm beef and bread mixture. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the filling. Place the other half of the bread on top, pressing lightly if needed.
- Bake: Bake the assembled stuffed bread in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes before slicing. Optionally garnish with chopped parsley. Slice and serve warm. Enjoy your hearty stuffed French bread!
Notes
- You can substitute the cream of celery soup with cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup based on your preference.
- Use freshly grated cheddar cheese for better melting and flavor.
- Optional parsley adds a fresh color and slight herby flavor when sprinkled on top before serving.
- Be sure to drain the beef grease well to avoid a soggy filling.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the beef mixture.
- This recipe can be prepared ahead and baked right before serving to save time.
