Description
This Cheesy Meat Grinder Stuffed Bread is a delicious and hearty appetizer or main dish featuring layers of savory salami, smoked turkey, honey ham, provolone, and mozzarella cheeses all baked inside a hollowed-out French bread loaf. Perfectly seasoned and baked until the cheese is melted and bubbly, it’s a crowd-pleasing recipe that combines the flavors of a classic meat grinder sandwich with the comforting appeal of a warm stuffed bread bowl.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 large French bread loaf
- 8 – 12 slices salami
- 8 – 12 slices smoked turkey
- 8 – 12 slices honey ham
- 8 – 10 slices provolone cheese
- 1 ½ – 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
- ¼ cup red pepper, diced small
- Pickled banana peppers, as desired
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Using a sharp knife, carefully cut out a hollow section from the top of the French bread loaf. Remove the crust and tear away more bread from the inside, leaving about a 1-inch margin around the edges. Spread butter inside the hollowed-out area and sprinkle evenly with Italian herbs to season.
- Layer the Meats: Roll each slice of salami, honey ham, and smoked turkey into a loose cigar shape. Begin layering the meats inside the hollowed bread by placing salami first along the length, followed by ham, then smoked turkey.
- Layer the Cheeses: Lay slices of provolone cheese over each layer of meat without folding, alternating as you build up—salami, provolone, ham, provolone, smoked turkey, and provolone again.
- Add Mozzarella: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top to cover all the fillings.
- Bake the Stuffed Bread: Place the stuffed bread on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and the filling is heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle diced red pepper and pickled banana peppers over the top as desired. Slice and serve warm.
Notes
- Use a sharp serrated knife to hollow out the bread bowl carefully without breaking the loaf.
- Feel free to substitute or add your favorite deli meats or cheeses based on preference.
- To make it spicier, add more pickled peppers or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Serve with marinara sauce or Italian dressing on the side for dipping.
- This dish is best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in the oven to restore crispness.
