Cheesy Stuffed Meat & Bacon Bread Loaf

Cheesy Stuffed Meat & Bacon Bread Loaf

⏱ Time

• Prep: 25 minutes

• Bake: 30–35 minutes

• Total: ~1 hour

🍽 Serves

4–6 people

🧾 Ingredients

Bread

• 1 large French bread loaf or Italian loaf

  • Soft inside, crusty outside

Meat Filling

• 400 g ground beef

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 small tomato, finely diced (or ½ cup canned tomatoes)

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½ tsp chili powder (optional)

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1 tbsp oil

Cheese & Bacon

• 1½ cups cheddar cheese, grated

• ½ cup mozzarella (for extra melt)

• 100 g bacon, cooked and chopped

For Brushing

• 2 tbsp melted butter

• 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)

• Chopped parsley (for garnish)

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Meat Filling

• Heat oil in a pan over medium heat

• Add onion → sauté until soft

• Add garlic → cook 30 seconds

• Add ground beef → cook until browned

• Add tomato, salt, pepper, paprika, chili, Italian seasoning

• Simmer 5–7 minutes until thick (no liquid)

• Remove from heat and let cool slightly

👉 Cooling prevents soggy bread.

2️⃣ Prep the Bread

• Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F

• Place loaf on a cutting board

• Make deep diagonal cuts across the bread (like in the photo)

  • Do NOT cut all the way through

• Carefully open the cuts with your fingers

3️⃣ Stuff the Bread

Into each cut, layer:

1. Spoon of meat filling

2. Sprinkle of cheddar

3. Few pieces of bacon

4. Small amount of mozzarella

Repeat until all cuts are filled.

🔥 Don’t overstuff—cheese expands.

4️⃣ Butter the Top

• Mix melted butter + garlic powder

• Brush generously over entire loaf

• Sprinkle extra cheese on top if you want it extra indulgent

5️⃣ Bake

• Wrap loaf loosely in foil

• Bake 20 minutes

• Uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes

  • Until golden, crispy, and cheese bubbling

Optional: Broil 2–3 minutes for extra browning.

🌿 Finish & Serve

• Sprinkle chopped parsley

• Slice and serve hot

• Serve with:

  • Mustard sauce (like in the photo)

  • Garlic mayo

  • Ketchup or cheese dip

🔄 Variations

• Chicken version: ground chicken + smoked paprika

• Spicy: jalapeños + pepper jack cheese

• Pizza-style: add pepperoni & marinara

• Breakfast loaf: sausage + egg + chees