Some nights it gets to be close to dinner time and I’m wondering what I’m putting on the table, especially if I didn’t menu plan. One of those nights I happened to notice a loaf of French bread that I purchased for a dinner a couple nights prior but ended up not using. It was just taking up space on the counter. Earlier, one of the kids asked if we could just pick up Zip’s. A little lightbulb went off. I put my teenager fast food experience and love of casseroles to use. I had everything on hand only because I bought onion soup mix to make dip for our super bowl party and it comes in a 2 pack so I had this one random leftover dried soup. What luck! Cheeseburger Stuffed French Bread was made and the family enjoyed the taste and the novelty. I like it because it’s quick to whip up.
Cheeseburger Stuffed French Bread
1 pound ground beef
1 packet dry onion soup mix (like Lipton’s)
1 14oz can diced tomatoes, do NOT drain
1/4 C water
1/4 C pickle relish
1 T yellow mustard
1 1/2 C shredded cheddar cheese
1 loaf of French bread, day old preferred
Butter softened
In a large skillet, brown your ground beef. Then, stir in soup mix, tomatoes and water. Cover with lid, turn heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
Slice the top off your French bread and carefully dig a small well in the bottom portion of your bread loaf leaving at least an inch around the sides and bottom. Butter the inside top half of your French bread. Place your bread on a cookie sheet, insides up.
When your beef mixture has finished simmering, turn off the heat and stir in the relish and mustard. Using a ladle, scoop your hamburger into the French bread well, top with cheese. Set your oven to broil and place your baking sheet with your French bread a few inches from the broiling element. Don’t walk away! You’re only broiling until the cheese melts and the bread gets toasty. Pull from oven and place your toasted French bread top on the melted cheese to complete your French bread cheeseburger. Allow it to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. I find slicing from the middle out makes for an easier time cutting. Serve it up with some fries and a side salad and you’ve got dinner in less than 30 minutes!
Got a yummy recipe you’d like to share? Send it to elizabeth@huckleberrypress.com for a chance to see it in an upcoming issue.
