Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed French Bread Recipe

Bacon cheeseburger stuffed French bread brings all the favorite flavors of a cheeseburger into a single, easy-to-bake loaf. It’s ideal for busy weeknights and can be prepared ahead so dinner comes together quickly.

sliced bacon cheeseburger stuffed French bread on a parchment paper lined baking sheet

My family loves bacon cheeseburgers, and this recipe captures the same combination of savory beef, tangy pickle relish, fresh tomatoes, and smoky bacon inside a crusty loaf of French bread. The creamy mushroom soup and cheddar cheese bind the filling into a rich, melt-in-your-mouth mixture that’s baked until the bread is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

Make the Filling

Begin by browning 1 ½ pounds of ground beef with ¼ cup finely diced onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is softened, then drain excess grease. Stir in one teaspoon minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant.

Add two tablespoons dill pickle relish, one 14.5-ounce can petite diced tomatoes (or regular diced tomatoes if petite aren’t available), and about ½ cup cooked, diced bacon (roughly 5–6 slices). Mix everything together until evenly combined.

In a medium bowl, whisk together a 10.5-ounce can of cream of mushroom soup, two tablespoons milk, and two teaspoons Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Pour the soup mixture over the meat and stir in one cup of shredded cheddar cheese until the filling is thick and well combined. The cheese will melt into the warm meat, creating a creamy, saucy texture that holds together well when stuffed into the bread.

browned hamburger in a blue skillet
browned ground beef, diced tomatoes, bacon and dill pickles unmixed in a blue skillet
browned ground beef, tomatoes, dill pickles, bacon and garlic mixed together in a blue skillet
mushroom soup, milk and Worcestershire sauce unmixed together in a medium mixing bowl
mushroom soup, milk and Worcestershire sauce whisked together in a medium mixing bowl
browned burger, tomatoes, soup mixture and shredded cheese in a blue skillet
cheeseburger filling in a blue skillet

Hollow out the Bread

Choose a sturdy loaf of French bread that will hold the filling without collapsing. Using a sharp paring knife, cut away the top third of the loaf and carefully scoop out the interior crumb, leaving about a ½-inch border all around. Don’t cut through to the bottom. Save the removed bread for another use—homemade breadcrumbs, croutons, or stuffing are good options.

hollowed out loaf of French bread

Stuff the Bread

Spoon the warm cheeseburger filling into the hollowed loaf, pressing gently so the filling settles evenly. Top the filled loaf with the remaining cup of shredded cheddar cheese, spreading it across the surface so it melts into a golden layer during baking.

Place the filled loaf on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 15–20 minutes, or until the bread’s edges are toasted and the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and let rest a few minutes before slicing into portions.

hollowed out French bread loaf filled with the cheeseburger mixture
unbaked bacon cheeseburger stuffed French bread topped with shredded cheddar cheese
baked bacon cheeseburger stuffed French bread on a foil lined baking sheet
baked bacon cheeseburger stuffed French bread on a parchment paper lined baking sheet

Serving Suggestions

This bacon cheeseburger stuffed French bread is satisfying on its own, but it pairs nicely with simple sides. Consider serving with oven-baked French fries, roasted vegetables, a crisp green salad, or a cooling broccoli salad. A side of pickles or extra relish also complements the rich filling.

Storage, Freezing and Reheating

Storage: The stuffed bread is best served soon after baking. You can assemble it up to two hours ahead, but making it much earlier risks the bread becoming soggy. If prepared in advance, wrap the stuffed loaf tightly in plastic wrap to retain moisture. The filling can be made several days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator; warm it slightly before stuffing into the bread.

Freezing: The prepared filling freezes well for up to three months. Pack it into a freezer-safe bag or airtight container and thaw fully before reheating.

Reheating: To reheat a whole stuffed loaf, warm in a 250°F (120°C) oven for 20–30 minutes until heated through. For individual slices or smaller portions, an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about five minutes works well to restore crisp edges and melted cheese.

sliced bacon cheeseburger stuffed French bread on a parchment paper lined baking sheet

What to Serve with Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed French Bread

  • Cheesy roasted potatoes
  • Skillet fried corn
  • Crispy oven-baked French fries
  • Creamy macaroni and cheese
sliced bacon cheeseburger stuffed French bread on a parchment paper lined baking sheet

Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed French Bread

A hearty loaf filled with seasoned ground beef, bacon, tomato, pickles, and melted cheddar—an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner.

Course: Dinner, Entrée, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 440 kcal
Author: Lisa Bynum

Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds ground beef
  • ¼ cup diced onion
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 14.5 ounces petite diced tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
  • ½ cup cooked diced bacon
  • 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 loaf French bread

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Brown the ground beef and diced onion in a large skillet over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is soft. Drain excess grease.
  3. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the diced tomatoes, dill pickle relish, and cooked diced bacon.
  5. Mix the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Add this mixture and one cup of the shredded cheddar to the skillet, stirring until the cheese melts and the filling is well coated.
  6. Remove the top third of the French bread and scoop out the inside, leaving a ½-inch border. Reserve the removed bread for another use.
  7. Fill the hollowed bread with the cheeseburger mixture and top with the remaining cup of cheddar cheese.
  8. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. Slice and serve warm.

Notes

Storage: Assemble no more than two hours ahead to avoid sogginess. Store filling separately in the refrigerator for up to a few days.

Freezing: Freeze the filling for up to three months in a sealed container. Thaw completely before reheating.

Reheating: Reheat a whole loaf at 250°F for 20–30 minutes, or warm slices in an air fryer at 350°F for about five minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 slice | Calories: 440 kcal | Carbohydrates: 41 g | Protein: 32 g | Fat: 16 g

Saturated Fat: 8 g | Cholesterol: 75 mg | Sodium: 980 mg | Potassium: 470 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 4 g