STUFFED FRENCH BREAD

Stuffed French Bread image

If you need a hearty appetizer, look no further than this savory stuffed bread. No dipping sauce is required for these cheesy slices.

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 40m

Yield 20 slices.

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 loaf (1 pound, about 20 inches) unsliced French bread
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
8 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese

Steps:

Cut the top third off the loaf of bread; carefully hollow out top and bottom, leaving a 1-in. shell. (Discard removed bread or save for another use.) Set loaf aside., In a large skillet, cook the sausage, mushrooms, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder and oregano. Stir in the sausage mixture., Line the bottom bread shell with mozzarella slices; top with sausage mixture. Replace bread top; wrap in foil. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Cool for 5 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 226 calories, Fat 14g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 37mg cholesterol, Sodium 468mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 10g protein.