Description
Cheesy Stuffed French Bread is a warm, crispy, and irresistibly cheesy baked dish featuring a crusty French bread loaf filled with seasoned ground beef, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect as an appetizer or easy main course, this comforting recipe combines savory meat filling with golden, bubbly cheese and fresh parsley garnish.
Ingredients
Bread and Butter
- 1 large French bread loaf or baguette
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Meat Filling
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1/2 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese and Garnish
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Bread: Slice the French bread lengthwise and gently scoop out some of the soft interior, leaving a sturdy border to hold the filling.
- Cook Meat Mixture: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, cooking for 5–7 minutes, breaking up the meat until browned. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, optional red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the mixture for 2–3 minutes to combine flavors.
- Assemble Bread: Place the hollowed bread halves on the prepared baking sheet and brush the edges lightly with melted butter. Spoon the beef and sauce mixture evenly inside the bread.
- Add Cheese: Generously top the stuffed bread with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the bread edges are crisp.
- Optional Broil: For a golden-brown cheese crust, broil the bread for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top. Let the bread rest 5 minutes before slicing and serve warm.
Notes
- Italian sausage can be substituted for the ground beef for a different flavor profile.
- Add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach to the filling for added vegetables and nutrients.
- For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with cooked mushrooms and chopped zucchini.
- Let the bread rest for 5 minutes after baking before slicing to help the filling set and prevent it from spilling out.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
