Description
This Stuffed French Bread recipe features a hearty, flavorful filling of seasoned ground beef, celery, and creamy soup, all baked inside a crusty French bread loaf and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a comforting family meal or casual gathering, it combines savory and creamy textures with a crispy bread exterior.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread
- 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)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350° F to ensure it is ready for baking the stuffed bread.
- Cook Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and onion until fully cooked, then drain any excess grease. Add chopped celery and minced garlic, cooking until the celery becomes tender. Next, stir in the cream of celery soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook the mixture until heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Prepare Bread: Slice the French bread loaf lengthwise into two equal halves. Carefully scoop out the soft center of each half, tear it into small pieces, and add these to the beef mixture in the skillet. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Assemble the 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. Spread it out to cover the surface thoroughly. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the filling. Place the other bread half on top to cover the mixture.
- Bake: Bake the assembled bread in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the stuffed bread from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes before slicing. Optionally, sprinkle with chopped parsley for added color and flavor. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute cream of celery soup with cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup for a different flavor.
- For a more robust flavor, consider using freshly diced onion instead of dried minced onion.
- Optional parsley adds a fresh pop of color and subtle flavor when garnishing the finished dish.
- Make sure to drain excess grease from the beef to prevent the bread from becoming soggy.
- Serve this dish with a fresh salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
