Sloppy Joe Loaf

A Pillsbury Bake-Off recipe - Helena Crutcher, Hazel Green, Alabama - 40th Bake-Off Contest, 2002

1 pound extra-lean ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon Pillsbury BEST All Purpose or Unbleached Flour
1/4 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/4 teaspoon fennel seed
1 (11 ounce) can Pillsbury Refrigerated Crusty French Loaf
4 ounce (1 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray cookie sheet and large skillet with nonstick cooking spray. In sprayed skillet, combine ground beef and onion; cook until beef is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain.

Add tomato sauce, flour, basil, oregano and fennel seed; mix well. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Meanwhile, remove dough from can; place on lightly floured surface. Cut loaf in half lengthwise. Roll each half to form 16 x 4-inch rectangle. Place 1 dough rectangle on sprayed cookie sheet, being careful not to change shape.

Stir 1/2 cup of the cheese into ground beef mixture. Spoon and spread mixture over dough rectangle on cookie sheet. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Top with remaining dough rectangle.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into slices.

6 servings