Ingredients — 6 servings

Bread

• 1 large French baguette — about 300–350 g
• 2 tbsp butter, softened
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• Pinch of salt

Beef topping

• 500 g ground beef
• ½ medium onion, finely diced
• ½ green bell pepper, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp chili flakes — optional
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce — optional

Cheese

• 150 g shredded mozzarella
• 100 g shredded cheddar
• 30–40 g Parmesan — optional

👨‍🍳 Detailed Recipe

1. Prepare the garlic butter

Mix together:

• softened butter
• minced garlic
• parsley
• a pinch of salt

Set aside.

2. Cook the beef

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it into small pieces.

Add onion and green pepper. Cook another 3–4 minutes until softened.

Add garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning and chili flakes.

Cook for another 1–2 minutes.

If using Worcestershire sauce, stir it in at the end.

3. Prepare the bread

Cut the baguette lengthwise or into large portions.

Spread a thin layer of garlic butter over the cut surface.

For extra crispiness, bake the bread by itself at 200°C / 400°F for about 5 minutes.

4. Add the beef

Spread the cooked beef mixture generously over the bread.

5. Add cheese

Cover with mozzarella and cheddar.

Add Parmesan if desired.

6. Bake

Bake at 200°C / 400°F for 8–12 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and bubbling.

For a browned top, switch to broil/grill for 1–2 minutes at the end. Watch carefully because the cheese can burn quickly.

7. Finish

Sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Allow it to rest for 2–3 minutes, then slice and serve hot.

📊 Approximate Nutrition

For the entire recipe, using 325 g baguette, 500 g 80/20 ground beef, 250 g total cheese and 2 tbsp butter:

These are estimates. The actual numbers can change substantially depending on the bread, beef fat percentage, cheese and amount of butter.

💪 Higher-protein version

For more protein without dramatically increasing the portion:

• Use 600 g lean ground beef
• Use 150–200 g reduced-fat mozzarella
• Use a high-protein/low-carb bread or baguette
• Keep vegetables generous
• Use less butter

You can get roughly 30–35+ g protein per serving, depending on the products used.

🥑 Lower-carb version

Regular baguette is the biggest carbohydrate source.

For a low-carb version, use:

• Low-carb bread
• Keto baguette
• Portobello mushroom caps
• Eggplant slices
• Zucchini boats

The beef, cheese and vegetables themselves can fit much more easily into a low-carb meal.

❓ Q&A

Q: Can I use chicken instead of beef?
Yes. Ground chicken or shredded chicken works well.

Q: Can I use ground turkey?
Yes. Lean ground turkey makes a lighter version.

Q: What cheese melts best?
Mozzarella gives the stretchy texture seen in the picture. Cheddar adds stronger flavor. Using both is ideal.

Q: Can I use only mozzarella?
Absolutely.

Q: Can I make it spicy?
Yes. Add jalapeño, red pepper flakes, cayenne, hot sauce or diced green chilies.

Q: Can I add mushrooms?
Yes. Sauté sliced mushrooms with the beef and onions.

Q: Can I add tomato sauce?
Yes, but use only a small amount. Too much sauce can make the bread soggy.

Q: How do I keep the bread crispy?
Toast the bread with garlic butter for about 5 minutes before adding the beef, and don’t use excessive liquid in the beef mixture.

Q: Can I prepare it ahead?
Yes. Cook the beef mixture ahead and refrigerate it. Assemble the bread just before baking.

Q: Can I freeze it?
The cooked beef topping freezes well. For the best texture, freeze the beef separately and assemble fresh bread when you’re ready to bake.

Q: Can I use leftover cooked beef?
Yes. Reheat it with the onion, pepper and seasonings before putting it on the bread.

Q: What herbs are best?
Parsley is closest to the appearance in the picture. Italian seasoning, oregano, basil or cilantro can also work depending on the flavor you want.

Q: Can I make it without garlic?
Yes, although garlic gives the bread much of its characteristic flavor. You can replace it with onion powder and herbs.

Q: Is this keto?
The pictured version is not keto-friendly because the baguette contains substantial carbohydrates. A low-carb bread or vegetable base can make it much more keto-compatible.

Q: Is it high protein?
It has a good amount of protein from beef and cheese, but the exact amount depends on the portions. Increasing lean beef and reducing bread can make it substantially more protein-dense.

Q: What is the best way to serve it?
Serve it immediately while the bread is crisp and the cheese is hot and stretchy. A simple green salad or roasted vegetables make good sides.