If you’re craving a cozy, comforting meal that brings hearty flavors wrapped in crusty bread, this Stuffed French Bread Recipe is just the thing to try. It’s a delightful blend of savory ground beef, tender celery, rich cheese, and a creamy, flavorful sauce all nestled inside fresh French bread. Perfect for feeding a crowd or simply treating yourself to an irresistible, home-cooked classic that feels like a warm hug. Once you make it, this dish will surely earn a special spot on your recipe list.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Stuffed French Bread Recipe uses simple ingredients that come together beautifully to create a dish bursting with taste and texture. Each component plays a crucial role, from the crisp French bread that holds the filling, to the rich cheddar cheese that melts to perfection and brings that glorious gooeyness.
- French bread: A fresh loaf provides the perfect crunchy exterior and soft interior to hold the filling.
- Lean ground beef: Adds a hearty, savory base that’s essential for the filling.
- Dried minced onion: Gives a gentle sweetness and depth of flavor — freshly diced white onion works wonderfully too.
- Chopped celery: Brings a light crunch and freshness, balancing the richness.
- Minced garlic: Infuses the filling with aromatic warmth.
- Cream of celery soup: Creates a creamy sauce that binds everything, but cream of mushroom or chicken soup are great alternatives.
- Milk: Lightens the soup mixture for a smooth consistency.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds a zesty, tangy undertone that enriches the beef filling.
- Salt and pepper: Basic but crucial seasonings to elevate the flavors.
- Freshly grated cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully on top to finish with gooey, cheesy goodness.
- Chopped parsley (optional): A fresh pop of color and flavor to brighten the dish.
How to Make Stuffed French Bread Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef and Prepare the Filling
Start by preheating your oven to 350° F to create the perfect temperature for baking later. Brown the lean ground beef with the dried minced onion in a skillet over medium-high heat, letting the mixture sizzle while flavors marry. Drain any excess grease to keep the filling nice and balanced. Then add chopped celery and minced garlic and allow those ingredients to soften, bringing both crunch and aroma. Stir in the cream of celery soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Keep cooking until the filling is heated through and luscious, about five minutes. This comforting mixture will soon become the star stuffing for our French bread.
Step 2: Hollow Out the French Bread
Slice your French loaf lengthwise to create two even halves. This is where the magic begins because carefully scooping out the soft bread center will make space for the delicious filling to nestle. Don’t toss the scooped bread; tear it into small pieces and fold it into the beef mixture. This step helps bind the filling and adds a wonderful texture contrast inside.
Step 3: Assemble the Stuffed Bread
Place the two hollowed French bread halves on a baking sheet to keep everything neat and ready for baking. Pour your warm beef and bread mixture evenly over one half, spreading it carefully to cover every corner. Then, blanket the filling with that generous layer of freshly grated cheddar cheese, making sure it’s distributed for delicious meltiness in every bite. Top with the remaining bread half, gently pressing down to keep all the flavors tucked inside.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Pop your assembled stuffed French bread into the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. This brief time allows the cheese to melt gorgeously and the bread edges to crisp up just right. Once out of the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes to let everything settle and become easier to slice. The smell of melted cheese and seasoned beef escaping from the bread is truly irresistible.
How to Serve Stuffed French Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling a little fresh chopped parsley over the top adds a lovely pop of green and a fresh bite that complements the richness perfectly. You can also consider adding a dash of paprika or even a scattering of chopped green onions for extra color and flavor contrast. These small touches turn a great dish into something truly inviting at the table.
Side Dishes
This stuffed French bread shines as the main event, but pairing it with a crisp green salad or a bowl of homemade tomato soup creates a well-rounded meal that’s both satisfying and balanced. Roasted vegetables or a light coleslaw can also provide refreshing textures and flavors to cut through the cheesy, savory richness.
Creative Ways to Present
You can serve the stuffed bread whole on a rustic wooden board for a family-style feast and let everyone slice their own piece. Or pre-cut it into individual servings for a party platter, garnishing each slice with a sprig of parsley. For a casual lunch, pair smaller wedges with a side of pickles or olives—great for a picnic or game day gathering. The possibilities are truly endless and always delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (though it’s hard to resist eating it all!), store them covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. Make sure to wrap tightly with foil or plastic wrap to preserve moisture and keep the bread from becoming too stale.
Freezing
This stuffed French bread freezes well! Wrap it securely in foil and plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. You can keep it frozen for up to two months, making it a wonderful make-ahead meal option that just needs reheating when you want a quick, comforting dish.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350° F for about 10 to 15 minutes until warmed through and the cheese becomes melty again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the bread’s crunchiness—oven reheating retains that lovely texture so beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use different types of cheese for this Stuffed French Bread Recipe?
Absolutely! While cheddar cheese is classic and melts wonderfully, feel free to experiment with mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even a spicy pepper jack for a different flavor profile. Mixing cheeses can also add great depth.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils, mushrooms, or a plant-based meat alternative. Using vegetable cream soup instead of cream of celery soup will keep it vegetarian and still delicious.
Can I prepare this Stuffed French Bread Recipe in advance?
You can assemble it ahead of time and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking. Just cover the bread tightly and bake when ready. This is perfect for preparing before guests arrive!
What can I do if I don’t have cream of celery soup?
If you don’t have cream of celery soup, cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup are great substitutes. You can also make a quick homemade white sauce with celery seasoning to keep that signature flavor.
How do I make the bread extra crispy?
To achieve that ideal crispiness, make sure to bake it uncovered and consider brushing the outside of the bread lightly with melted butter or oil before baking. It helps develop a beautiful golden crust.
Final Thoughts
This Stuffed French Bread Recipe is such a heartwarming, flavorful dish that it quickly becomes one of those favorites you’ll want to make again and again. Its combination of simple ingredients turned into a cozy, cheesy meal is perfect for easy dinners or casual get-togethers. Give it a try—you’ll love how the robust flavors and satisfying textures come together in this ultimate comfort food.
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Stuffed French Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Stuffed French Bread recipe features a deliciously savory filling of ground beef, celery, and creamy soup mixture, all nestled inside a hollowed French bread loaf and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect as a hearty appetizer or a satisfying main dish, it combines classic comfort flavors with an easy-to-follow preparation and a melt-in-your-mouth finish.
Ingredients
Base
- 1 loaf French bread
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
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated cheddar cheese
- 1/2 Tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350° F to ensure it’s ready to bake your stuffed bread once assembled.
- Cook the filling: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef along with the dried minced onion until the meat is fully cooked. Drain off any excess grease to keep the filling moist but not oily. Add the chopped celery and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for a few more minutes until the celery softens slightly.
- Add soup mixture: Stir in the cream of celery soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir the mixture until it is heated through thoroughly, about 5 minutes, creating a creamy savory filling.
- Prepare the bread: While the filling cooks, slice the French bread in half lengthwise so you have two equal halves. Carefully hollow out the center of each half, reserving the torn bread pieces for the filling.
- Combine bread pieces with filling: Add the torn bread pieces to the skillet with the beef mixture and stir well to incorporate the bread, which will absorb some of the flavorful juices, enhancing the texture.
- Assemble the bread: Place the two halves of French bread on a large baking sheet. Spoon the warm beef and bread mixture evenly into the hollowed-out center of one half. Then sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese evenly over the filling, and top with the other half of the bread to close the loaf.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and serve: Remove the stuffed French bread from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes to set before slicing. Optionally garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm for a delicious meal or snack.
Notes
- You can substitute the cream of celery soup with cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup based on your preference.
- For added flavor, consider adding diced bell peppers or mushrooms to the filling.
- Use freshly grated cheese for better melting compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to maintain crispness.
- This dish pairs well with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the richness.
