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Stuffed French Bread

Cheesy Stuffed French Bread Recipe

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large French bread loaf (about 16 oz)
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Marinara sauce, for serving (optional)

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook ground beef and sausage, breaking into crumbles, until no pink remains, 8 to 10 minutes. Add onion and garlic; cook 3 to 4 minutes until soft. Drain fat, season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  2. Move meat to a bowl. Add cream cheese and 1 1/2 cups mozzarella. Stir until cheeses melt and filling is thick and creamy.
  3. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut bread lengthwise and hollow out both halves, leaving a 1/2-inch shell. Spoon filling into bottom half; press top back on. Wrap loaf tightly in foil.
  4. Bake 20 minutes. Unwrap, sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella, and bake 5 minutes more until top is golden and crisp.
  5. Let loaf rest 5 minutes, then slice crosswise into thick pieces. Serve warm with marinara sauce.

Notes

The 5-minute rest after baking is not counted in cook time but it matters. It lets the filling set enough that slices hold their shape instead of spilling onto the plate.