Description
This Stuffed French Bread recipe combines savory ground beef, tender celery, and creamy soup filling inside a crusty French bread loaf, topped with melted cheddar cheese. It’s a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for a quick family meal or casual gathering, offering robust flavors in an easy-to-make stuffed bread format.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 Tablespoons dried minced onion (or freshly diced white onion)
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
Soup and Seasonings
- 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
Bread and Cheese
- 1 loaf French bread
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated cheddar cheese
- 1/2 Tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350° F (175° C) to prepare it for baking the stuffed bread later.
- Brown the Beef and Onions: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and dried minced onion until the meat is nicely browned. Drain off any excess grease to keep the mixture from being too oily.
- Add Celery and Garlic: Add the chopped celery and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for a few minutes until the celery becomes tender, enhancing the flavor and texture of the filling.
- Incorporate Soup and Seasonings: Stir in the cream of celery soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking and stirring until the mixture is heated through, about 5 minutes, creating a creamy, flavorful filling.
- Prepare the Bread: Slice the French bread loaf lengthwise into two equal halves. Using your hands or a spoon, scoop out the soft bread from the center of both halves and tear it into small pieces. Add these bread pieces into the skillet with the beef mixture and stir to combine well.
- Assemble the Stuffed Bread: Place the two bread halves on a large baking sheet. Carefully spoon and spread the warm beef and bread mixture evenly into the hollowed-out center of one half. Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese uniformly over the filling, then place the second half of the bread on top to form a sandwich.
- Bake: Bake the assembled stuffed bread in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese completely melts and the bread is warmed through.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the stuffed bread from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes. This allows the filling to set slightly, making it easier to slice and serve. Optionally, sprinkle with chopped parsley for a fresh finish before slicing into portions and enjoying.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup if you prefer a different flavor.
- For a moister filling, use freshly diced onion instead of dried minced onion.
- The parsley garnish is optional but adds a nice color and fresh taste.
- Be careful when scooping out the bread to leave enough shell for a sturdy base to hold the filling.
- To reduce calories, choose low-fat cheddar cheese or use less cheese as preferred.
