A delicious recipe for Cheesy Stuffed Italian Bread filled with a creamy cheese mixture and baked to perfection.
Author:Lorenzo Bonucci
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:35 minutes
Yield:Serves 6-8 1x
Category:Appetizer
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 large Italian loaf (about 1 pound)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup cooked and crumbled Italian sausage (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Slice the Italian loaf in half lengthwise and hollow out the insides, leaving about a 1/2-inch border. Set the bread halves aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, cooked sausage (if using), parsley, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix until well combined.
Spoon the cheese mixture evenly into both halves of the hollowed-out bread.
Place the stuffed bread halves on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the bread is golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before slicing into pieces.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, omit the sausage and add more vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the cheese mixture.
Experiment with different cheeses such as pepper jack for a spicy kick or feta for a tangy flavor.