Hamburger on a French Loaf

Hamburger on a French Loaf

1 1/2 lbs. of ground beef (85% lean)
1/2 c. cracker crumbs
1 egg-beat with a fork before adding to hamburger mixture
1/2 grated onion
1 Tbsp. mustard
5 Tbsp. ketchup
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 c. grated Am. cheese (I use 2 c. sharp cheddar.)
chopped green pepper to taste.
1 lg. French loaf or 2 sm.

Add crackers, onion, green pepper and cheese to hamburger. Mix together egg, mustard, ketchup, salt and pepper. Mix well and add to hamburger mixture. Cut bread lengthwise. Cover crust with foil so it comes up 1/2 inch or so on top of cut bread. Press meat mixture onto bread with the back of a spoon. Press firmly. Make sure the meat mixture goes all the way to the foil, so the bread doesn't dry out. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or for about 45 minutes if it come right from the freezer. Cooking times can vary a bit depending on the size of your French bread and the thickness of the hamburger mixture on the bread. When done, slice bread in 1 1/2 inch pieces. This recipe covers both sides of a 36" loaf. (To freeze, I push the foil down on the hamburger and wrap in plastic wrap and then in foil. I also put them in freezer bags. Be sure to take all the wrappings (except for the foil on the bottom of the bread) off before putting into the oven.