Cheeseburger Boats

A hollowed loaf of French bread stands in for a bun, holding melted American cheese and a pan of Pre's 85% lean ground beef seasoned with garlic powder and a splash of pickle juice. Sliced into portions, Cheeseburger Boats bring every classic burger flavor to a shareable format built for a crowd. Kid-friendly and easy to build ahead, they work equally well as a quick family dinner or a party platter with toppings on the side.

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 4–6

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Cheeseburger Boats Ingredients

• 1 16-ounce package Pre 85% lean ground beef

• 1 16-inch loaf of French bread

• ¼ cup butter, melted

• 2 teaspoons cooking oil

• 1 small yellow onion, diced

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon pickle juice

• 8 slices American cheese

  
  

Optional Toppings:

• Dill pickle slices

• Shredded iceberg lettuce

• Sliced raw or sauteed onions

• Sliced tomatoes

• Ketchup and mustard, for dipping

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350º F.

2. Slice top quarter off French bread lengthwise to create flat top.

3. Hollow out center of bottom loaf, leaving about 1/2-inch border of bread on all sides and bottom to hold fillings.

4. Brush inside of hollowed loaf with melted butter.

5. Heat large skillet over medium-high heat.

6. Add oil and onion, and sauté until onion begins to wilt, about 2 to 3 minutes.

7. Add beef, salt, garlic powder, and pickle juice, and cook, breaking up with wooden spoon, until fully browned, about 7 to 8 minutes. (Why: medium-high heat develops a deeper, browned crust through the Maillard reaction.)

8. Lay cheese slices in hollowed-out bread.

9. Spoon hot Cheeseburger Boats filling evenly over cheese.

10. Put filled bread boat on foil-lined baking sheet.

11. Bake 15 minutes.

12. Let cool at least 5 minutes, then slice into individual servings. (Why: brief cooling lets cheese and filling set, making cleaner slices.)