Description
Crispy on the outside, bubbling with cheesy, savory goodness on the inside—this stuffed French bread is a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that combines classic sandwich flavors in one spectacular, shareable loaf.
Ingredients
- 1 sturdy French baguette or loaf
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella, divided
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice the loaf in half lengthwise and hollow out the center, reserving the softened bread.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef until no longer pink; drain any fat.
- Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and reserved bread pieces until fully combined and warm.
- Remove from heat and fold in half of the shredded mozzarella.
- Spoon the mixture into the hollowed bread shell and top with the remaining mozzarella.
- Place on a baking sheet and bake 15–20 minutes, until cheese is melted and bread edges are crispy.
- Allow to cool slightly, slice into thick pieces, and sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Garnish with parsley, shaved Parmesan, red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of garlic butter.
- Vegetarian option: replace beef with sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or veggie sausage.
- Cheese variations: provolone, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or blue cheese.
- For a lighter option, use ricotta instead of cream cheese.
- Prep tip: Make filling ahead and store in fridge for easy assembly later.
