Description
Cheesy Ground Beef Stuffed Bread is a hearty and comforting dish featuring seasoned ground beef and melted cheese wrapped in soft, golden bread. Perfect for dinner or gatherings, this recipe combines savory ground beef with aromatic herbs and gooey cheese, all baked inside a braided dough for a visually impressive and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Beef Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp tomato paste or tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Assembly
- 1 package pizza dough or crescent roll dough (about 1 lb)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or melting cheese (provolone or cheddar can be used)
- 1 egg, beaten (for brushing)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the stuffed bread.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, stirring and breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned and no longer pink, approximately 7-10 minutes.
- Season Beef Mixture: Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat slightly and simmer for 3-5 minutes until the mixture thickens and the flavors meld together.
- Prepare Dough: Roll out your pizza dough into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Assemble Filling: Spread the cooked beef mixture down the center of the dough rectangle. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the beef layer.
- Braid the Dough: Make diagonal cuts about 1 inch apart on both sides of the dough, creating strips. Fold alternating strips over the filling to form a braided or crisscross pattern, fully enclosing the filling inside the dough.
- Brush with Egg Wash: Brush the top of the braided dough with the beaten egg to give the bread a shiny, golden finish once baked.
- Bake: Place the stuffed bread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley. Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can customize the filling with your favorite herbs or spices to suit your taste preferences.
- Substitute pizza dough with crescent roll dough for a slightly different texture and flavor.
- Ensure the egg wash is evenly brushed to achieve a beautiful golden crust.
- Let the stuffed bread rest for 5-10 minutes after baking for easier slicing and to prevent the cheese from oozing out too much.
- Serve with a side salad or dipping sauce like marinara for a complete meal.
